** Important Note**
PIA Licensees will no longer receive hardcopy mailers by post from PRD. Upon approval and successful fee payment, licensees will receive an email containing softcopy licence and corresponding licensing conditions. Licensees can check for their licence status via GoBusiness Dashboard.
A Private Investigation Agency's Licence is required if your agency:
a. Engages in the business of supplying, for reward, the services of private investigators to other persons; or
b. Advertises, or in any way holds out, that you supply for reward, or is willing to supply for reward, the services of private investigators.
1.1 Types of Applications
| Types of Applications |
Validity |
Fees (Non-Refundable) |
| New Private Investigation Agency Licence Application |
1 Year |
$400 |
| Renewal of Private Investigation Agency Licence Application |
1 Year |
$400 |
| Cancellation of existing Private Investigation Agency Licence Application |
N/A | N/A |
| Withdrawal of Private Investigation Agency Licence Application |
N/A | N/A |
New
Your company may submit an application for Private Investigation Agency Licence via GoBusiness.
Renew
A Notice of Renewal of the Private Investigation Agency licence will be sent to you two months before the expiry of the existing licence. Please submit your application at least one month before your licence expires to minimise the likelihood of your licence expiring before it is renewed.
The Renewal Notice will provide detailed information on the requirements to submit a renewal application.
The Renewal Notice will provide detailed information on the requirements to submit a renewal application.
Cancel Licence
You are permitted to cancel your existing Private Investigation Agency's licence any time before its expiration.
Please be informed that there will be no refund upon cancelling the existing Private Investigation Agency's licence.
Withdrawal
You can withdraw your application for a Private Investigation Agency's Licence any time before the licence is approved.
If licence has been approved and issued, you will have to submit a request to cancel the licence.
1.2 Licensing Criteria
To be eligible for a Private Investigation Agency’s licence, the business entity must meet the following criteria:
1. Be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA);
2. Have a paid-up capital of $50,000;
3. Have at least two directors/partners;
4. All directors/partners must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents of Singapore; and
5. All the directors/partners must fulfil the following:
a) Be fit and proper persons1;
b) Possess a valid Private Investigator’s licence;
c) Unless exempted by the Licensing Officer, be certified competent in the WSQ module of "Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)”;
d) Possess a minimum of three years' experience in investigation-related work (for non-law enforcement officers) or a minimum of two years' experience in investigation work (for ex-law enforcement officers); and
e) Possess a minimum of 2 years' experience in a management position e.g. holding a supervisory post.
1Section 21(8) of the Private Security Industry Act states that a person or an officer of a business entity is not a fit and proper person if he:
(a) associates with a criminal in a way that indicates involvement in an unlawful activity;
(b) involves in dealings in which the person
(i) shown dishonesty or lack of integrity; or
(ii) used harassing tactics;
(c) suffered or suffers from a mental disorder; or
(d) is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into a composition with his debtors.
Updated as of 9 March 2020
1.3 Documents Required
| Types of Applications | Descriptions |
| New |
You are required to submit the following documents when applying for a Private Investigation Agency's licence. 2. Certificates on WSQ module: “Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)”; and
|
| Renew | No supporting document is required. |
| Cancel Licence | No supporting document is required. |
| Withdrawal |
No supporting document is required. |
1.4 Processing Time
| Types of Applications |
Processing Time |
| New & Renew |
About 4-6 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected. |
| Cancel Licence | Immediate upon the submission of your Cancellation Request. |
| Withdrawal |
Immediate upon the submission of your Withdrawal Request. |
1.5 Submission of Application
You will be directed to GoBusiness webpage, which will require you to log in using your CorpPass.
If you require assistance or guidance on the GoBusiness portal, please contact their helpdesk at +65 6336 3373 or email AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.