| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | SFA |
| Applicant access | Individuals with Singpass; UEN-registered businesses with Corppass; Authorised individual filers; Authorised business filers |
| Processing estimate | 7 working days if application is complete and in order. |
| Validity | One year. |
Scope and eligibility
Independent retail food premises such as restaurants, takeaway kiosks and food courts need the appropriate Food Shop Licence. Obtain SFA's In-Principle Approval (IPA) before renovation. Selected food shops must submit an Environmental Sanitation Programme to NEA within one month under the mandatory regime.
Application steps
- Submit a complete application and a metric layout showing dimensions, equipment and refreshment-area boundaries
- renovate only after IPA
- follow the IPA's virtual-inspection or photo-submission instructions
- clear outstanding items and pay within 28 days of the payment notice. Virtual inspection slots must be booked at least five working days ahead.
Documents to prepare
- URA/HDB use approval
- scaled layout
- tenancy or consent plus applicable stamp-duty certificate
- pest-control contract
- cleaning schedule
- food-handler training
- catering vehicle records and applicable FSMS/HACCP plans, training and accreditation.
Attachment filenames must be no longer than 130 characters and use letters, digits, underscores or hyphens. Spaces are converted to underscores. Check the accepted file formats and size for each upload field in the official application.
Fees and validity
| Fee item | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Annual licence | S$195 |
One year.
Important details and examples
IPA is not permission to commence business. With an existing SFA GIRO arrangement, operations may start after the approval email; otherwise pay first. Unfulfilled documentary requirements within two months can close the application. Licences cannot be transferred; an entity or UEN change can require a fresh application.