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- Starting a Recruitment Agency in Singapore
How To Start an Employment Agency in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide
- Modified: 8 October 2025
- 9 min read
- Incorporation
Ruth Dsouza
Author
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu is a content developer with a passion for turning ideas into clear, engaging narratives. With a strong background in marketing communications and lifestyle writing, she simplifies complex business topics for entrepreneurs. Her work spans strategy, storytelling, and thought leadership, always focused on clarity, credibility, and impact.
Starting a recruitment agency in Singapore can be a rewarding venture, but it comes with regulatory obligations that you must meet. Understanding the requirements for company registration, licensing, and operations is essential to run a compliant and successful recruitment firm.
Key Takeaways
- Starting a recruitment or employment agency in Singapore requires careful planning, including defining your niche, understanding your target market, and creating a business plan.
- You must register a Singapore company with ACRA and obtain an Employment Agency licence from MOM, ensuring that all key personnel meet eligibility requirements.
- Osome can assist with company incorporation, corporate secretarial, and accounting services, allowing you to focus on setting up operations, building your brand, and acquiring clients.
Who Needs an Employment Agency Licence?
In Singapore, any business that helps match candidates with employers for a fee or commission must hold a valid Employment Agency (EA) licence. This applies to agencies that provide:
- Permanent, contract, or temporary staffing solutions;
- Recruitment services for local or foreign candidates;
- Job placement or referral services.
Example
If a company charges a fee to place software developers with tech firms in Singapore, it is considered an employment agency and must apply for a licence before operating.
All key appointment holders and personnel in the agency must also meet eligibility criteria and obtain certification under the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI).
When Is a Licence Not Required?
Not all recruitment activities require an employment agency licence in Singapore. If your work is limited to referring candidates for temporary roles within your own company, assisting family members, or providing services in sectors exempted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), you may not need a licence.
Example
A company hiring interns for its own operations does not need an employment agency licence, as no external placements are involved.
Planning Your Employment Agency
Before registering your recruitment or employment agency in Singapore, careful planning is essential to set your business up for success. This stage helps you understand your market, define your services, and estimate costs.
1 Identify your niche and target market
Choosing a specific industry, skill set, or type of role allows your agency to stand out. Research competitors, identify gaps in the market, and determine how your services can address client and candidate needs effectively.
2 Create a business plan and estimate startup costs
Outline your services, pricing models (e.g., retainer, contingency, contract staffing), and strategies for attracting clients and candidates. Estimate startup expenses such as office setup, software, website, marketing, and licensing fees to ensure you have sufficient capital for the first few months.
3 Understand regulatory and operational requirements
Familiarise yourself with licensing obligations, including the eligibility criteria for key personnel, required courses, and office setup rules. Knowing these requirements upfront will help you avoid delays and ensure your agency operates legally from day one.
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Register Your Singapore Company
Before starting your recruitment agency, you must register your business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Most agencies choose a private limited company for limited liability and easier access to funding. During registration, select accurate SSIC codes that reflect your business activities, such as employment placement and HR consulting. Registration is done online via BizFile+, and your company will receive a Unique Entity Number (UEN), which identifies your business for all regulatory and tax matters.
Osome can help you choose the right company structure and handle your Singapore company incorporation. We ensure your registration is accurate, select the correct SSIC codes, and get your UEN quickly, so you can focus on launching your recruitment agency. See our incorporation services.
Obtain the Employment Agency Licence
To legally run a recruitment business in Singapore, you must obtain an Employment Agency (EA) Licence from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Eligibility requirements
Both the company and its key appointment holders must meet MOM’s conditions:
- Must not be undischarged bankrupts or have convictions related to dishonesty or human trafficking.
- Must not have previously managed or owned an EA whose licence was revoked.
- All personnel performing EA work under a Comprehensive Licence must pass the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) course.
Use MOM’s EA Self-Assessment Tool to check your eligibility before applying.
Licence types and security bond
MOM offers two types of licences:
- Select Licence– for placing candidates earning above a defined salary threshold
- Comprehensive Licence– for agencies handling all salary levels
Your chosen licence determines the security bond amount, usually:
- From S$ 20,000 for a Select Licence
- From S$ 60,000 for a Comprehensive Licence
The bond must be submitted as a banker’s guarantee and maintained throughout your licence period, remaining valid for six months after expiry to cover pending claims.
Application process
You’ll need to prepare:
- ACRA business profile;
- Declarations for all key appointment holders;
- CEI certificates (if required);
- The banker’s guarantee for the security bond.
Once MOM grants in-principle approval, you can submit these documents for final licence issuance. After that, register your EA personnel — anyone performing recruitment work — through MOM’s online system before operations begin.
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Set Up Your Office and Operations
Once your Employment Agency licence is approved, the next step is to establish your office and operational processes. Efficient setup ensures smooth daily operations and supports growth.
Physical office requirements and approvals
MOM requires licensed EAs to operate from a dedicated commercial office space that meets local zoning regulations. Home-based operations are generally not permitted. Ensure your office:
- Has a clear reception and workspace for staff.
- Complies with fire safety and occupancy codes.
- Is located in a suitable commercial zone.
Check with your local Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) or Building Management for approval if you’re leasing a new office.
Equipment, technology, and recruitment tools
Equip your agency with the essentials:
- Computers, phones, and secure internet connection.
- Recruitment software for applicant tracking and candidate sourcing.
- Document management systems to store contracts, CEI certificates, and client records.
Efficient tech systems reduce manual work and ensure compliance with MOM and data privacy requirements.
Brand building and client acquisition
Your agency’s growth depends on attracting both clients and candidates. Key strategies include:
- Developing a professional website and social media presence.
- Networking in industry events and online communities.
- Offering targeted recruitment services tailored to your niche.
Use email marketing, LinkedIn campaigns, and online job boards to build a candidate pipeline and attract high-quality clients.
How Osome Can Help
While Osome does not provide Employment Agency licence applications, we can support you with the company registration and ongoing compliance needed to start your recruitment business in Singapore.
From registering your Singapore company to handling corporate secretarial and accounting services, Osome ensures your back-office operations are smooth and compliant, so you can focus on building your agency and serving clients.
Start your journey with Osome by registering your company online and explore our full range of accounting packages to streamline your business operations.
Summary
Starting an Employment Agency in Singapore involves planning your niche, registering a company with ACRA, and obtaining the necessary licence by meeting eligibility requirements and submitting required documents. You’ll also need to set up an office, equip it with recruitment tools, and build your brand to attract clients. While Osome doesn’t handle licences, we can assist with company registration, corporate secretarial, and accounting services, so you can focus on growing your recruitment business.
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu is a content developer with a passion for turning ideas into clear, engaging narratives. With a strong background in marketing communications and lifestyle writing, she simplifies complex business topics for entrepreneurs. Her work spans strategy, storytelling, and thought leadership, always focused on clarity, credibility, and impact.
