When You Need Pre-Licensing Support
Initial set up and structuring support helps you get this right from day one. Your proposed activities, business structure, products and operating model determine your regulatory requirements. Getting these considerations right at the outset can help avoid unnecessary changes later in the licensing process.
Who We Help
Our Pre-Licensing Support helps you assess the regulatory considerations relevant to your proposed business before you proceed with a licence application. We help you consider the appropriate licence type, business structure and product scope based on your intended activities and regulatory requirements, and applies to the following license types:
- Capital Markets across both Fund Management and Non-Fund Management (e.g. Dealing, Corporate Finance, etc.)
- Payment Services (traditional) – Account Issuance, Domestic and Cross Border Money Transfer, Merchant Acquisition and E-Money
- Digital Payment Token Services – Exchange, Market making, Stablecoin Issuance, etc.
- Trust Services
- Financial Advisory Services
These regulatory requirements are set by MAS across Singapore’s licensing frameworks, and can be reviewed on the MAS regulation page.
What We Can Help With
- Regulatory assessment — Assessing the regulatory requirements that may apply to your proposed business activities.
- Licence type — Guidance on the appropriate licence type based on your intended activities and investor or client base.
- Business structure — Reviewing the proposed corporate structure and its suitability for the intended regulated activities.
- Product scope — Considering the regulatory implications of the products and services you intend to offer.
- Licensing readiness — Identifying key regulatory, governance and operational considerations that should be addressed before proceeding with a licence application.
Pre-Licensing Set Up or Licensing Support?
Our Pre-Licensing Support is focused on helping you understand the regulatory requirements and establish the appropriate structure before proceeding with a licence application.
Where you are ready to proceed with the application, our Licensing services are designed to help you through the preparation, submission and management of the licensing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence before I start structuring my business?
No. Our Pre-Licensing Set up and Structuring support is designed to help you understand the business permutations you require to obtain and maintain a licence.
How long does Pre-Licensing Support take?
This depends on the complexity of your intended business activities, but early assessment typically takes a few weeks, well ahead of the licensing application itself.Which licence type is right for my fund management business?
This depends on factors like your target investor base and intended investment strategy. Common options for fund managers in Singapore include the LFMC, and VCFM, each with different requirements, costs and restrictions.
Which licence type is right for my payment services business?
This depends on the payment activities and transaction volumes you intend to handle. Common licence classes under the Payment Services Act include Standard Payment Institution (SPI) and Major Payment Institution (MPI), each with different thresholds, capital requirements and permissible activities.
What happens after Pre-Licensing Support is complete?
Once your structure and licence type are confirmed, we can support you through the licensing process, and beyond that with compliance policies and procedures and ongoing compliance support.