Regulatory Licensing Support in Singapore
Find the right licence or registration for your business, and apply with a clear, well-prepared submission. Alder supports licence and registration applications across the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and Singapore Customs.
Every regulated business in Singapore starts with the same questions: which authority oversees what you do, which licence or scheme applies, and what you need in place before you apply. We help you answer those questions early, prepare your application, and plan the compliance arrangements that come with it.
Licence and Registration Applications We Support
Choose the authority that regulates your business to see the applications we support and how we can help.
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
For firms carrying out regulated capital markets activities, including fund management, dealing and corporate finance advisory.
- Capital Markets Services licences
- Fund management licences, including A/I LFMC and VCFM
- Licence variations and changes in control
Ministry of Law (MinLaw)
For businesses dealing in precious stones, precious metals and related products that must register as regulated dealers.
- PSPM regulated dealer registration
- AML/CFT policies and controls for regulated dealers
- Ongoing PSPM compliance support
Singapore Customs
For importers, exporters, traders and warehouse operators applying for Singapore Customs schemes and accreditation.
- TradeFIRST assessment
- Secure Trade Partnership (STP and STP-Plus)
- Zero-GST Warehouse (ZGS) and Licensed Warehouse (LW) schemes
Not Sure Which Licence You Need?
The licence or registration you need depends on what your business does, not on its size or structure. Start with the activity that best describes yours.
| If your business… | Regulator | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Manages funds or portfolios for investors | MAS | MAS Fund Management (A/I LFMC) Solutions |
| Deals in capital markets products, advises on corporate finance or provides custody | MAS | MAS Regulated Licences |
| Trades in precious stones, precious metals or precious products | MinLaw | MinLaw PSPM Registration |
| Imports, exports or stores goods and wants faster, more secure customs processing | Singapore Customs | Singapore Customs Schemes |
Some businesses fall under more than one regulator. If your activities overlap, a discovery call is the quickest way to confirm your licensing scope.
How an Engagement Runs
The same structured approach, whichever authority you are applying to.
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01
Assess
We review your business activities, confirm which licence or scheme applies, and identify what is ready and what is missing.
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02
Build
We review and prepare the supporting documents, policies and controls the regulator expects to see, aligned with how your business actually operates.
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03
Submit & Support
We support your submission, help you respond to regulator queries and assessments, and prepare you for operating once approved.
Approval Is the Start, Not the Finish
Every licence, registration and scheme comes with ongoing obligations: monitoring, notifications, periodic reviews and, for some schemes, renewal assessments. Planning for these before you apply makes for a stronger application and a smoother start to operations.
Once you are approved, Alder can continue as your compliance partner, so the team that knows your application also supports what comes after it.
- Outsourced compliance support: An experienced outsourced compliance officer for firms without an in-house compliance function.
- MAS-licensed firms: MAS ongoing compliance support covering regulatory calendars, MAS filings and surveys.
- Compliance reviews: Compliance reviews and internal audits to test your controls before an inspection does.
- Team training: AML, KYC and sanctions training to keep your staff aligned with regulatory expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which regulator oversees my business?
It depends on your business activities. Capital markets activities such as fund management, dealing and custody fall under MAS. Dealing in precious stones and precious metals falls under MinLaw. Customs schemes such as TradeFIRST apply to businesses that import, export or store goods. If you are unsure, our Phase 1 assessment confirms your licensing scope before you commit to an application.
Can I apply for a licence without a consultant?
Yes. Applications can be made directly to the relevant authority. Many businesses work with a consultant because regulators assess more than the forms: they look at your people, controls, policies and business model. A well-prepared application can reduce the queries and delays that come from gaps identified during the review.
How long does a licence application take?
Timelines vary by regulator, licence type and how complete your application is when it is submitted. After our initial assessment, we give you an indicative timeline based on your specific application and readiness.
Do you support businesses after the licence is granted?
Yes. We provide ongoing compliance support, compliance reviews and staff training for licensed and registered businesses, so you can continue with the same team after approval.
Not sure where your business fits?
Book a discovery call to confirm which licence or registration applies and what you need in place before applying.
