Under the Debt Collection Act 2022, an individual who acts as a debt collector for a person carrying on a debt collection business (licensee) requires prior approval from the Licensing Officer for the individual to be deployed as a debt collector by the licensee. Under the Debt Collection Act, “debt collector” means an individual who carries out any debt collection activity for or on behalf of another person.
2.1 Criteria for Grant of Approval for Employment in a Debt Collection Business
When making a decision on whether to grant approval, the Licensing officer must take the following into consideration:
- The applicant is at least 21 years of age and is a fit and proper person to be granted an approval to be deployed as a Debt Collector.
- In determining whether an individual is a fit and proper person to be deployed as a debt collector by the licensee, the Licensing Officer may have regard to, and give any weight that the Licensing Officer considers appropriate to, any criteria and requirement that is prescribed.
- For more details on the prescribed criteria for an individual to be debt collector, you may refer to the Debt Collection Act and Debt Collection (General) Regulations 2023.
- To avoid doubt, the Licensing Officer is not confined to consideration of the criteria and requirements prescribed under the Debt Collection Act and Debt Collection (General) Regulations 2023, and may take into account any other matter or evidence that may be relevant.
2.2 Types of Application and Associated Fees
| Types of Applications | Validity | Fees (Non-Refundable) |
| New Debt Collector Approval Application |
Approval tagged to the validity of a Debt Collection Business Licence |
$55 upon submission of application |
| Cancel of existing Debt Collector Approval Application |
N/A | N/A |
| Withdrawal of Debt Collector Approval Application |
N/A | N/A |
New
This is for persons to apply for approval to work as debt collectors. This application must be made jointly with all the debt collection businesses that the applicant intends to work for and an approval must be obtained before they may carry out debt collection activities. The applicant shall submit the application for approval via the GoBusiness portal.
You may submit a Debt Collector Approval Application via GoBusiness portal.
Amend/Terminate Debt Collector’s Approval
This is for persons who wish to amend or terminate the approval for employees who are deployed as debt collectors.
You must notify the Police within 14 days after you cease the deployment of any person deployed by you to collect debts.
Withdrawal
You may withdraw your application for Debt Collector Approval at any time before it is approved.
If the application has been approved, you will no longer be able to withdraw it and you will need to make an application to terminate the approval.
2.3 Documents Required
|
Types of Documents |
Singaporean |
Foreigners with Work Pass |
Foreigners with Passport |
|
Valid Work Pass/Letter |
Scanned copy of the employee / debt collector's NRIC, Work Pass, Passport (front and back) whichever is applicable. |
||
|
Certificate of Good Conduct |
N.A |
|
|
2.4 Submission of Application
- You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing web page. Have your SingPass ready to log in.
- If you require assistance or guidance on the GoBusiness portal, please contact their helpdesk at (+65) 6336 3373 or email AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg
2.5 Estimated Completion Time
Estimated Time to Complete
20 Minutes
Processing Time
Approximately 3 weeks from the receipt of the application and if all necessary supporting documents are enclosed (if required). Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified of the outcome via SMS and/or Email. Alternatively, you may login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
2.6 Contact Details