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Anyone who places workers with employers in Singapore for a fee is running an employment agency, and MOM licenses that activity. The Employment Agency (EA) licence costs S$400 to apply and S$100 to issue, and is valid for 3 years. You also lodge a security bond with a bank. Checked .
SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is not MOM, ACRA or an agency itself. It is an independent guide, paid by providers when a request from our forms turns into work. We do not file EA applications for you.
Which EA licence do you apply for?
MOM sorts licences by the kind of worker you will place.
| Licence | What it lets you place | CEI for key personnel |
|---|---|---|
| All | Any type of worker | Required |
| Local | Local workers | Required |
| Non-FDW | Local workers and foreign workers, except foreign domestic workers | Required |
| Select Licence | Workers earning more than S$4,500 a month | Not required for EA staff |
All of them last 3 years. If you place only well-paid professionals, the Select Licence is the lighter route. If you want to place foreign domestic workers, you need the "All" type.
What does the EA licence cost?
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | S$400 | Non-refundable |
| Issuance fee | S$100 | Paid after approval, non-refundable |
| Validity | 3 years | Same for every type |
ACRA charges separate fees to register the company that holds the licence. A new private limited company pays S$15 for the name and S$300 to register. See company registration.
How big is the security bond?
You give MOM a security bond as an electronic bank guarantee before the licence is issued. The amount depends on the licence and your record.
| Licence | Situation | Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Select | First year, no demerit points | From S$20,000 |
| Select | More than 3 demerit points in 12 months | S$40,000 |
| Select | 8 or more demerit points in 12 months | S$60,000 |
| Other types | First year of operation | S$60,000 |
| Other types | 3 or fewer points, under 200 placements | S$20,000 |
| Other types | 3 or fewer points, 200 or more placements | S$40,000 |
| Other types | More than 3 points | S$40,000 to S$60,000 |
MOM releases the bond 6 months after the licence ends. The bond is tied up capital, so plan it like a deposit and not a fee.
What are the steps?
- Register the company with ACRA, or confirm that the sole proprietorship or partnership is registered. See private limited company.
- Take the MOM EA self-assessment tool.
- Get the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) if you apply for one of the wider licences.
- Apply through GoBusiness. Attach the ACRA Business Profile and identification documents.
- Wait for in-principle approval, which MOM says takes 7 working days for most cases.
- Arrange the eGuarantee with your bank. MOM says it may take 3 weeks. The in-principle approval is valid for 4 weeks, so the guarantee must be in place before it lapses.
- Sign the undertaking and pay the issuance fee within 2 months of approval.
MOM issues the licence within 1 working day of payment. You cannot operate until then.
Who can sign as the key person?
MOM accepts the owner of a sole proprietorship or partnership, a managing director or director of a company, a partner of an LLP, or a general partner of an LP. Pick a director who will stay with the business, because the key person carries the licence duties.
Can a foreigner own the agency?
MOM lists employment agencies among the businesses that cannot use the EntrePass. A foreign founder can still own the shares, but needs a local resident director and a pass route that fits. Read EntrePass and Employment Pass first.
Which SSIC code fits?
ACRA asks for an SSIC code when you register. This guide does not give one, because the MOM and ACRA pages read for it do not name a code for employment agencies. Use the ACRA finder described on the SSIC code page and describe what you actually do.
What costs does this guide leave out?
MOM publishes no fee for the CEI course or exam on the pages read, so none is quoted here. Office rent, software, insurance and staff pay are yours to price. For staff you will need payroll and CPF. The bond is arranged through your bank, so see business bank account.
Where can a provider help?
A provider can register the company, supply an address and prepare the bank file. The EA application, the CEI and the bond stay with you and your bank. Send the quote form and we pass the request to providers that set up companies for recruiters.
Sources
- MOM, apply for an Employment Agency licence: https://mom.gov.sg/employment-agencies/apply-for-a-licence (fees, validity, steps, timelines, key personnel)
- MOM, which EA licence to get: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-agencies/which-ea-licence-to-get (licence types)
- MOM, security bond requirements: https://mom.gov.sg/employment-agencies/eligibility-and-requirements/security-bond-requirements (bond amounts)
- MOM, EntrePass eligibility: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/entrepass/eligibility (excluded businesses)
- ACRA, fees to register a company: https://www.acra.gov.sg (S$15 and S$300, as used across this guide)
