Buy a Travel Agency in Singapore: STB Licence Rules

Short answer: yes, you can buy or sell a travel agency in Singapore, but do not assume the seller’s STB Travel Agent Licence moves with the shopfront, website or customer list. Regulation 5 of the Travel Agents Regulations 2017 says a licensee must not transfer or assign the benefit of the licence to any other person. In an asset sale or a new operating company, plan for a fresh application on STB’s TRUST portal that meets the Niche or General capital rules. In a share purchase of the same licensed company, the licensed entity may continue, but director, Key Executive and business-detail changes typically go through TRUST as a business entity details update — confirm with STB in writing before completion.

This guide is general information from STB and the Travel Agents Act and Regulations, not legal advice. Confirm your specific deal with STB and a Singapore lawyer before you commit money.

Who needs an STB Travel Agent Licence?

Under the Travel Agents Act 1975, a person who carries on the business of making travel arrangements or conducting tours in Singapore generally needs a valid Travel Agent Licence. STB’s Travel Agent Licence page (last updated 10 December 2025) lists the regulated activities under section 4 of the Act, including supplying a right to travel on any conveyance, packages that combine travel and hotel accommodation, purchasing or reserving travel rights for resale, and supplying tours.

Points that matter when you look at a business for sale:

The licence is about activity in Singapore. STB says the regulation applies to transactions conducted within Singapore. An overseas agent that sells a package entirely outside Singapore, with payment abroad, does not need a Singapore licence even if the itinerary involves travel to or from Singapore.
Some activities are carved out. Examples on STB’s page include walking, cycling or segway tours with no conveyance provided by the operator, a museum running tours inside its own premises, and a bus driver who only supplies transport within Singapore and does not supply tours.
Operating without a licence is an offence. Section 6 of the Act makes it an offence to carry on the business of a travel agent without a licence, with a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. STB’s travel agents industry page also notes administrative financial penalties of up to S$2,000, licence suspension or revocation, composition sums, and court fines or imprisonment for contraventions of the Act or Regulations.

Can the seller’s travel agent licence transfer to you?

Not as a private handover. Regulation 5 is clear: a licensee must not transfer or assign the benefit of the licence to any other person. Marketplace listings that claim you can “skip licence applications” may oversell what the buyer actually gets. Treat the STB licence as separate from goodwill, equipment and customer files.

It depends on what you buy:

You buy the shares and the licensed company (same UEN) stays the licensee. The licence is held by that company, so buying its shares is not the same as assigning the licence to a new person. You still inherit its history, liabilities and ongoing capital requirements. STB’s service standards say processing of a business entity details update takes up to 5 working days after a complete TRUST submission. Before completion, confirm with STB in writing whether the existing licence stays valid after the ownership change and what updates (directors, Key Executive, operating address, email) must be filed.
You buy the assets, or move the business into your own company. Expect a fresh TRUST new-licence application by the buying entity, meeting Niche or General paid-up capital and net value rules, with a nominated Key Executive and an operating address. The seller who stops trading as a travel agent must, under Regulation 7, inform the Board in writing within 7 days of cessation and deal with licence copies as the Regulations require. TRUST also publishes licence-cessation user guides for existing licensees.

Do not treat a signed SPA as proof that you may start selling tours the next day. Check the live licence status on TRUST’s Travel Agent Directory and get STB’s position in writing for your deal structure.

What is the difference between a Niche and General licence?

STB issues two licence types:

Niche Licence: for travel agents who intend to sell, arrange or advertise only tours within Singapore that provide conveyance to participants, without any right of accommodation. Minimum paid-up capital and net value: S$50,000 (for companies and similar bodies corporate; sole proprietors and partnerships must meet the net-value figure alone).
General Licence: for any other travel-agent activity beyond the Niche scope. Minimum paid-up capital and net value: S$100,000 (same sole-proprietor / partnership net-value rule).

Those capital floors appear on STB’s licence page and in Regulation 3 of the Travel Agents Regulations 2017. Licensees must also keep meeting the ongoing financial requirements in Regulation 9 throughout the licence term. If the seller’s revenue comes from outbound packages or hotel-inclusive products, a Niche licence is not enough for the buyer who wants to keep that work.

How do you apply for a travel agent licence on TRUST?

Applications go through the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST). STB’s published requirements include:

register the travel agent business with ACRA;
meet the Niche or General paid-up capital and net value minima;
set up a dedicated email address for the travel agent business;
nominate a suitable Key Executive responsible for administration and operations (preferably a director and/or with managerial experience in travel);
specify an operating address for the travel agent business.

Fees on STB’s page (and in the Regulations Schedule) are an application fee of S$200 on submission and a licence fee of S$400 on approval. New licence processing takes up to 10 working days after a complete TRUST submission; renewals also take up to 10 working days. From 1 January 2024, licences are issued electronically on TRUST; agents must still print and display the e-licence prominently at the place of business.

What should due diligence cover before you buy a travel agency?

Ask for, and verify:

the current licence type (Niche or General), expiry, and the QR-checkable e-licence on TRUST;
ACRA BizFile showing paid-up capital and directors against the capital rules for that licence type;
who the Key Executive is, and whether they will stay, resign or need replacement (Regulation 15 requires a vacancy to be notified within 14 days and a new Key Executive within 3 months);
supplier and customer contracts for assignment, novation and change-of-control clauses;
customer deposits, refunds due, travel insurance against insolvency arrangements, and any STB notices, fines or composition sums;
staff terms, especially if you are buying as a going concern.

For the wider checklist, see what due diligence buyers need in Singapore. If employees transfer with a going-concern purchase, Section 18A of the Employment Act generally moves them on their current terms; see taking over staff in a business takeover.

Is an asset sale or share sale better for a travel agency?

In a share sale, the licensed company keeps its STB licence, contracts, staff and trading history, subject to STB’s view on ownership and Key Executive changes and to any change-of-control clauses in supplier or client contracts. You also inherit liabilities such as refunds owed or past regulatory breaches. In an asset sale, you choose what you take, but Regulation 5 blocks a simple assignment of the licence benefit, so the buying entity needs its own TRUST licence before it carries on travel-agent business, and each contract usually needs the counterparty’s agreement to move.

Our asset sale vs share sale guide explains the trade-offs, and how to buy a business in Singapore covers the full process. Sellers can help by preparing the TRUST licence pack, a contract schedule with consent clauses, and Key Executive and capital papers before going to market; see selling a business in Singapore.

How do you buy or sell a travel agency on SG Business Mart?

SG Business Mart is a Singapore marketplace, not a broker. Sellers list their business directly, choose what to share and talk to buyers themselves, with one-time listing packages of S$49, S$79 or S$99 (see pricing). Buyers can browse businesses for sale.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy a travel agency in Singapore?

Yes, but do not assume the seller’s STB Travel Agent Licence moves with the assets. Regulation 5 says a licensee must not transfer or assign the licence benefit. Plan for a new TRUST application in an asset sale, or confirm share-sale updates with STB in writing.

Is the STB Travel Agent Licence transferable?

No. Regulation 5 of the Travel Agents Regulations 2017 states that a licensee must not transfer or assign the benefit of the licence to any other person. Listings that promise you can skip licence applications may oversell what changes hands.

Does a share sale keep the travel agent licence?

In a share sale the licensed company (same UEN) remains the licence holder, so the licence is not assigned to a new person. Director, Key Executive and business-detail changes typically go through TRUST. Confirm with STB before completion whether the licence stays valid and which updates are required.

What is a Niche vs General travel agent licence?

A Niche Licence covers only tours within Singapore that provide conveyance and no accommodation right, with minimum paid-up capital and net value of S$50,000. A General Licence covers any other travel-agent activity, with minima of S$100,000. Ongoing capital rules continue after approval.

How much does an STB travel agent licence cost?

STB charges an application fee of S$200 when you submit on TRUST and a licence fee of S$400 on approval. The same S$400 licence fee applies on renewal. A certified copy of a licence for display purposes costs S$40 under the Regulations Schedule.

How long does a TRUST licence application take?

STB’s service standards say new licence applications and renewals take up to 10 working days after a complete TRUST submission. Business entity details updates take up to 5 working days.

What happens if the seller stops operating as a travel agent?

Regulation 7 requires a licensee who ceases travel-agent business to inform the Board in writing within 7 days and to surrender, destroy or delete licence copies as the Regulations require. TRUST provides licence-cessation guides for existing licensees.

Do staff transfer when you buy a travel agency?

If you buy the business as a going concern, Section 18A of the Employment Act generally transfers existing employees to you on their current terms. Check work passes for any foreign staff and whether key people (including the Key Executive) will stay after completion.

Can You Buy a Travel Agency in Singapore? STB Licence Rules