Application Process & Fees for Licence / Registration for Farming

Before you apply, make sure you have satisfied the Requirements to Start a Farm. This includes being registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), securing premises for your farm, and having a farming proposal that has been endorsed by SFA.

For details, see Requirements to Start a Farm.  

Before you apply, ensure that you will be able to comply with the licensing conditions which are imposed to ensure food safety. The relevant licensing conditions can be found in Requirements for Licence / Registration for Farming.

Submit your farming proposal along with the supporting documents to SFA. The farming proposal helps SFA to understand your farming activities, check if you are the legal occupier of the premises, and that you have measures in place to ensure safety in the farm.

For the details to be covered in the proposal, the documents required, and steps for submitting your application, see Submission of Farming Proposal.

Processing time starts from the date we receive the complete application with all the required supporting documents and, where required, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection.

Time spent waiting for application with incomplete documentation or information to be re-submitted, as well as scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted in the processing time.

To facilitate timely processing, please ensure that:

1. All applications are completed correctly and in full;
2. All necessary supporting documents are submitted with your application.
3. Prompt responses to SFA's requests for clarification or additional information.

SFA will assess your farming proposal and may contact you for additional information or clarifications. You will be notified of the outcome via email.

If everything is in order, SFA will grant in-principle approval (IPA) for your farming proposal. Do note that an IPA is not a licence for farming. It is an offence to operate a farm without a licence, including the selling of produce or anything that may become food.

Once you have been granted in-principle approval, you have 10 months from the date of approval to submit your Farm Licence application.

With the IPA, you may proceed with the renovation or construction of your premises for farming according to the layout in the farming proposal.

You must ensure all works (e.g. structural works and architectural works) comply with the regulations imposed by SFA, NEA, PUB, BCA, SCDF, and any other relevant agencies.

For details, see:

Industry Guide for Agri-land Farms

Industry Guide for Sea-Based Farms

Prepare your licence application and the supporting documents, which include:

• updated versions of your ACRA business profile, layout of farming premises, process flows, and farming proposal
• approvals from the following agencies:
  • Building and Control Authority (BCA) for a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) or a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC)
  • National Environment Agency (NEA) for pollution control
  • Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) for change of land use
  • and other agencies, e.g. SCDF, as applicable.

Download the Farm Licence Application Information for the full list of supporting documents required.

After you have completed setting up your farming premises, obtained all relevant agency approvals and commenced small-scale production, you can submit an application for a farm licence.

Allocate 20-30 minutes to submit your Application for a Licence for Farm together with the supporting documents. 

SFA will make an appointment with you to inspect your farming premises to assess the layout, process flows, and farm management procedures to ensure they are in line with the IPA.

SFA will contact applicants via email after the inspection to follow up on the application.

Once your licence application has been approved, you will be notified via email to make payment for the licence.

You can make payment via:

• GIRO: If you have a GIRO arrangement with SFA, the licence fees will be deducted from your bank account. Ensure there are sufficient funds in your account.
• AXS: You can pay using the AXS self-service kiosk, mobile app, or website.

Once payment is successful, you will receive a copy of your licence via email.

SFA will process the application within 30 working days upon receipt of a complete application and, where applicable, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection. The time taken to respond to our clarifications and scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted.

To apply, you must have a valid Fish Culture Farm Licence. Fish culture farm licensees must register all personnel engaged in any activity on their fish farms.

Download the Registration Information for a list of all the required supporting documents. 

Prepare all the supporting documents (e.g. copies of work passes and passport-size photographs).

Allocate 10-20 minutes to submit your application via the Registration Form. A system-generated number will be sent to your email upon submission.

Processing time starts from the date we receive the complete application with all the required supporting documents and, where required, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection.

Time spent waiting for application with incomplete documentation or information to be re-submitted, as well as scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted in the processing time.

To facilitate timely processing, please ensure that:

1. All applications are completed correctly and in full;
2. All necessary supporting documents are submitted with your application.
3. Prompt responses to SFA's requests for clarification or additional information.

SFA may contact applicants for additional information. While we review the application, the personnel may engage in activities on your licensed fish culture farm.

SFA will inform you whether your registration is approved. There are no fees or costs.

SFA will process the application within 30 working days upon receipt of a complete application and, where applicable, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection. The time taken to respond to our clarifications and scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted.

To apply, you must have a valid Fish Culture Farm Licence. 

If you are applying for more than 1 fishing vessel, SFA will take into account the track record of the owner in terms of productivity of the fish culture farm, compliance with SFA rules and regulations, etc.

Download the Application Information to understand the requirements and for a list of all the supporting documents required.

Allocate 10-20 minutes to submit your application via the Fishing Vessel Licence Application Form.

Processing time starts from the date we receive the complete application with all the required supporting documents and, where required, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection.

Time spent waiting for application with incomplete documentation or information to be re-submitted, as well as scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted in the processing time.

To facilitate timely processing, please ensure that:

1. All applications are completed correctly and in full;
2. All necessary supporting documents are submitted with your application.
3. Prompt responses to SFA's requests for clarification or additional information.

SFA may contact applicants for additional information or clarifications. 

You will need to undergo a pre-licensing inspection where SFA will inspect your vessel’s equipment, fishing gear (if applicable), etc.

For details on how to prepare for your pre-licensing inspection, refer to the Application Information.

SFA officers will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time. The scope of inspection includes the vessel’s measurements, equipment, fishing gear, cleanliness, and hygiene.

SFA will contact applicants via email after the inspection to follow up on the application.

Once your licence application has been approved, you will be notified via email to make payment for the licence.

You can make payment via:

• GIRO: If you have a GIRO arrangement with SFA, the licence fees will be deducted from your bank account. Ensure there are sufficient funds in your account.
  
• AXS: You can pay using the AXS self-service kiosk, mobile app, or website.

Once payment is successful, you will receive a copy of your Fishing Vessel Licence via email.

SFA will process the application within 30 working days upon receipt of a complete application and, where applicable, a satisfactory pre-licensing inspection. The time taken to respond to our clarifications and scheduling of pre-licensing inspections will not be counted.