A Guide to Starting a Beauty and Wellness Business in Singapore

The beauty and wellness industry in Singapore is growing and has become an important segment of the tourism and hospitality sectors. It is a multi-billion dollar business, with both foreign and domestic customers willing to spend their money on salon memberships, treatments, and trips to hotel spas. There are more than 18,000 businesses in Singapore’s beauty and health industry, providing a wide range of services, including beauty care, skin care, nail care, slimming and health care, massage, and spa services.

Given the strong business potential offered by the beauty and wellness industry, no wonder many experienced players, as well as newcomers, are setting up their establishments (i.e., beauty salons, slimming centers, spas, hairdressing shops, massage parlors, foot reflexology, and fitness centers)  in Singapore. This article provides information on how to set up your own beauty and wellness establishment in the city-state. Note that the information provided here is for general guidance only and is not intended to replace professional advice.

How to start a beauty and wellness business in Singapore

Setting up a beauty and wellness business requires you to obtain certain licenses. But before you can apply for those licenses, you must first incorporate your business. 

1. Company registration

Setting up a company in Singapore is quick and easy, with just two procedures that can be completed online within 24 hours. However, it is highly advisable for entrepreneurs to engage a corporate service firm to help them with the registration process. 

If you are a foreign company that wishes to expand your beauty and wellness business in Singapore, you can either opt for subsidiary registration or branch registration. For more details about company registration requirements, see our Singapore company incorporation guide. 

2. License(s) required for setting up a beauty and wellness business in Singapore

Apart from a UEN number from the Registrar, according to the Massage Establishment Act, your beauty and wellness establishment also requires a Massage Establishment (ME) License if it offers massage services. 

The ME License consists of two categories – Category I and Category II. Most spas typically opt for Category I because they are subject to more liberal business conditions than Category II. In other words, Category I licensees can enjoy unlimited hours of operation, serve alcohol, accept customers regardless of age, and can also hire foreign masseurs or therapists.

Criteria to obtain the ME License:

To obtain the ME License (Category I or II), the applicant must:

• 21 years of age at the time of application;
• Be fit-and-proper, i.e., free from criminal records and related crimes;
• Must have a valid Singapore Employment Pass or work permit if he is a foreigner.

To obtain an ME Category I License, the establishment must meet all of the following veto criteria:

A. A capital investment of at least S$50,000 in the renovation, asset, or rental costs.

B. At least  80% of the spa’s therapists and/ or masseuses must have one of the following professional qualifications:

• Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) International Beauty Diploma;
• Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) Diploma in Beauty Therapy Services;
• CIBTAC Award in Body Massage or Diploma in Body Massage and  CIBTAC  Diploma in Anatomy Physiology and Pathology;
• CIBTAC Diploma in Spa Therapy;
• International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)  Beauty Specialist Diploma;
• ITEC  Holistic Massage Diploma;
• National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) Skills Standards Package 1 & 2;
• National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Spa and Aesthetic Therapy;
• National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Beauty Therapy;
• Higher NITEC in Beauty & Spa Management;
• Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) for the Spa Sector under the Tourism WSQ Framework.

C. Accreditation for Spa and Wellness Businesses by CaseTrust.

D. Company-issued uniforms for its staff. 

The establishment must also fulfill one of the following non-veto criteria:

• The floor area of the spa must at least be 100 sq meters; or
• The lease duration of the premises must be for a minimum period of two years.

Meanwhile, to get an ME Category II License, at least 80% of spa therapists and/or masseurs must have the following professional qualifications:

• Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) International Beauty Diploma;
• Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) Diploma in Beauty Therapy Services;
• CIBTAC Award in Body Massage or Diploma in Body Massage and  CIBTAC  Diploma in Anatomy Physiology and Pathology;
• CIBTAC Diploma in Spa Therapy;
• International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)  Beauty Specialist Diploma;
• ITEC  Holistic Massage Diploma;
• National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) Skills Standards Package 1 & 2;
• National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Spa and Aesthetic Therapy;
• National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Beauty Therapy;
• Higher NITEC in Beauty & Spa Management;
• Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) for the Spa Sector under the Tourism WSQ Framework.

Establishments exempted from holding the ME License 

Note that certain establishments are exempt from obtaining the ME license, subject to certain conditions. Below are the details of the exempted establishments:

1. An establishment is exempted from holding the ME License if it only provides curative massage or other curative treatment that is personally administered by:

• A physiotherapist who is a member of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association;
• A person who is registered as a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician under section 14 of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act and who has been issued with a practicing certificate under section 17 of that Act; or
• An occupational therapist who is a member of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists.

2. An establishment that administers foot-reflexology, physiotherapy, traditional massage, or curative massage in full view of the public is exempted from the licensing requirement only if it satisfies the following criteria:

3. Any premises used exclusively for offering only body tanning services is exempted from applying for a ME License if:

• The body tanning service provided in the premises is conducted solely using a self-operated machine;
• There is no additional room, section, or cubicle within the premises that are essential for the operation of the body tanning service, such as a treatment room or a changing room; and
• The establishment operator registers details of the establishment’s operations with the Licensing Officer and complies with all other conditions.

How to apply for the ME License

The license application procedure consists of submitting the application form along with the following supporting documents to the Singapore Police:

• A No Objection Letter (NOL) from the building management or landlord for the use of premises as a spa;
• A copy of the URA planning permission for the proposed use of premises as a health center or spa;
• A copy of the therapists’/ masseuses’ training certificates that are duly recognized by the Police Licensing Division;
• A list of particulars of all employees, including their name, Singapore identity card number or passport details, position held in the company, and certifications attained.

In addition to the above documents, Category I license holders must submit the following documents:

• A list of the renovation/asset/rental costs invested together with the respective documentary proof such as renovation receipts, receipts of payment, etc.;
• Documentary proof that the establishment is accredited by CaseTrust under the Accreditation for Spa and Wellness Businesses Scheme;
• Fire Safety & Shelter Department (FSSD) Building Plan Reference Number (you can obtain the number by submitting a layout plan to the Fire Safety & Shelter Department);
• Photograph(s) showing the front, side, and rear view of the staff uniform;
• Floor plan of the spa stating the total floor area; and
• Tenancy agreement with the landlord for the premises use stating the length of lease or Certificates of Title or Land Deed (where applicable).

If you plan to display outdoor advertisement signage such as sky signs and electronic billboards, you must obtain an Advertisement License. For information about the requirements, please refer to this page. 

Engaging a Singapore company incorporation services provider will make your beauty and wellness business registration process so much easier. Plus, they can advise you on licenses your business requires and even help you apply for them. 

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