TRAVEL AGENT LICENCE

Please log into the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST).

Current licensees can manage licence-related matters such as renewal, cessation or switch of licence tier through the same portal. 

​Application for new licence

Application Fee of S$200​ and Licence Fee of S$400

Licence Fee of S$400

Two (2) years from date of issue.

Period of Validity will be indicated on the issued e-Licence. 

Examples

Issued date: 01 Jan 2023 » Expiry date: 31 Dec 2024

Issued date: 15 Jan 2023 » Expiry date: 14 Jan 2025

Type of activity carried out/exempted entity

Example(s)

For activity (1) above, the person carries on the activity only in respect of a conveyance the person owns.

A person providing cruising on his/her own personal yacht

For activities (1) or (3) above, the person carries on the activity only in respect of a conveyance that is:

·       used for a regular route service within the meaning of the Bus Services Industry Act 2015 (Act 30 of 2015); or

·       used for a community bus service or courtesy bus service, within the meaning of the Bus Services Industry Act 2015, and that travels only within Singapore; or

·       used for a train service within the meaning of the Public Transport Council Act (Cap. 259B).

SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) providing train services

For activity (2) above, the person carries on the activity only in respect of:

·       a conveyance the person owns; and

·       a hotel or similar boarding premises the person owns or operates.

A hotel using its own bus to provide transfer services between the hotel and airport

For activity (4) above, the person carries on the activity only in respect of any place or point of interest that the person owns or operates.

A museum conducting tours within the museum itself

The person supplies a tour where participants only visit places or points of interest within Singapore and where:

·       the person does not provide any conveyance to the participants of the tour; or

·       every participant is required to contribute to the movement of the conveyance.

A person providing a walking, cycling or segway tour

The person supplies a right to travel on any conveyance only within Singapore and does not carry on a business of supplying any tour.

A bus operator that solely provides transport

The person supplies services to a licensee for the purposes of a tour.

A tourist guide providing guiding services to a licensee for the licensee’s tour

The person is one of the following exempted entities:

·       Government and statutory boards

·       Institutions of a Public Character (IPC)

Licence Type

 ​Purpose

Requirements

Niche Licence

Travel agents who intend to sell, arrange or advertise only tours within Singapore, that provide conveyance to participants but without any right of accommodation (e.g. sit-in coach tours)

Please see below for application and renewal of licences.

General Licence

Travel agents conducting any other activity beyond what is described in the scope of a Niche Licence

New Application Procedure

Eligibility

The applicant and all relevant individuals of the applicant must be suitable persons to be involved in the management or operation of the business of a travel agent.

Relevant individual refers to:
1. The applicant, in the case of sole proprietorships;
2. A partner, in the case of partnerships;
3. A member of the governing body of the unincorporated association (e.g. a member of the executive committee), in the case of an unincorporated association; and
4. Any director or officer holding a managerial or executive position (e.g. General Manager or Managing Director), in the case of a company, limited liability partnership or other body corporate.

Requirements

· Register the business with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to conduct the travel agent business.

· Registered travel agent business must have a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 (for Niche Licences) or S$100,000 (for General Licences), and a net value of the same amount.

· Set up an e-mail address specifically for the operation of your travel agent business.

· All applicants must nominate a suitable person as the Key Executive, who is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operations of the travel agent. He should preferably be a director of the business and/or have managerial experience in the travel business.

· Specify an operating address to be used for the conduct of the travel agent business.

How to Apply

Application must be made online via the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST).

For step-by-step user guide, please click here.

Application Fee

An application fee of S$200 is to be paid to STB when submitting the online application.

Licence Fee

A licence fee of S$400 is to be paid to STB upon approval of the online application.

Following which, your licence will be electronically issued and applicant’s travel agent details will be listed on the Travel Agent Directory of TRUST.

Processing Time

Up to 10 working days upon successful submission of all required documents and completed information via the TRUST website.

Renewal Application Procedure

Requirements

· Submit Audited Accounts for the preceding 2 years.

· Submit Annual Business Profile Returns for the preceding 2 years.

· Have a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 (for Niche Licences) or S$100,000 (for General Licences), and a net value of the same amount.

· Pay outstanding fines, composition sums and financial penalties.

· Confirm business particulars.

· Provide any other details as required by the Board.

How to Renew

Application must be made online via the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST).

For step-by-step user guide, please click here.

When to Renew

31 October before the licence expires on 31 December of the following year after the issuance of the current licence.

The renewal deadline is set on 31 October to prevent any last minute rush and to provide peace of mind that the licence is renewed for business continuity.

Examples

Approved date of current licence: 01 Jan 2020 » Expiry date: 31 Dec 2021 » Renew by: 31 Oct 2021
Approved date of current licence: 31 Dec 2020 » Expiry date: 31 Dec 2021 » Renew by: 31 Oct 2021

Licence Fee

A licence fee of S$400 is to be paid to STB upon approval of the online application, before the licence is renewed.

Processing Time

Up to 10 working days upon successful submission of all required documents and completed information via the TRUST website, including payment of any outstanding fines, composition sums and financial penalties.  

Licensing Services

 ​Service Standards

Email Enquiry

 Reply within 3 working days

Call request / Missed calls

 Return call within 3 working days

​Business Entity Details Update

Processing of New Licence Application

Processing of Renewal Application

 Up to 10 working days upon successful submission of all required   documents and completed information via the TRUST website,   including payment of any outstanding fines, composition sums and   financial penalties.