Does a Singapore company need to obtain any business licenses before commencing business?
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA) controls the registration of business firms and incorporation of companies. However, the nature of the actual business activity could be subjected to control and regulation by other Government authorities. If your business requires a licence, it is mandatory to first acquire the necessary licence or permit before you can actually start business activities. Generally, it may take between 2 weeks to 2 months to get a licence or permit. Note that the business license application can be filed only after the formation of your Singapore entity. Fortunately, few business types require a license in Singapore. For more details, see Singapore business licenses guide.
