News agency activities
This sub-class includes news agencies, news syndicate and/or news agency activities furnishing news, pictures and/or features to the media, news clipping services, press clipping services, etc.
Licences & Permits
4 licences apply to businesses in this SSIC code depending on the specific activities you conduct. Most are activity-triggered — a holding company in 64, for example, only needs a Banking Licence if it actually conducts banking.
Computer Online Service Licence
Under the Online News Licensing Scheme, an online news website must be individually licensed if it meets both of the following conditions: Reports on average at least one article per week on Singapore’s news and current affairs over a period of two months. Receives visits by at least 50,000 unique IP addresses from Singapore each month over a period of two months When IMDA has assessed that an online news website meets these criteria, we will issue a formal notification to the site to apply for the Computer Online Service Licence. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/computer-online-service-licence
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Prerequisites (7)
- Business Profile Report
- This should show your business’:
- Registered address
- Paid-up share capital
- Shareholders
- Directors
- The report is only valid three months from the application date.
Newspaper Permit
- Validity
- The Permit is valid for 1 year from the date of issue
- Processing
- 15 working days
Prerequisites (16)
- Electronic Banker's Guarantee and Special Conditions
- Electronic Banker's Guarantee and Special Conditions
- Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) Permit
- Kementerian Dalam Negeri (“KDN”) Permit
- Letter of Authorisation
- Letter of Authorisation (for application filed by an authorised third party who is an individual and is using a Singpass login.)
- Mock-up or sample copy of the proposed newspaper
- Complete set of mock-up or sample copy of the proposed newspaper
- Permit Agent Form for Malaysian newspapers
- Permit Agent Form for Malaysian newspapers
- Scanned copy of passport and immigration pass
- Scanned copy of passport and immigration pass (front and back) showing foreign identification number (“FIN”), if the applicant and chief editor is a foreigner employed/ residing in Singapore.
- Two copies each of the three recent issues of your newspaper
- Two copies each of the three recent issues of your newspaper.
- Latest copy of the business profile from ACRA
- Latest copy of the business profile from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”)
Niche Television Service Licence
The Niche Television Service Licence applies to service providers of television services targeting niche market segments, and television services transmitted over the Internet, also known as "over-the-top (OTT)" television services. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/niche-television-service-licence-(over-the-top)
- Validity
- 5 years
- Processing
- All completed applications will be processed within 35 working days
Prerequisites (17)
- Business Profile Report
- This should show your business':
- Registered address
- Paid-up share capital
- Shareholders
- Directors
- The report is only valid three months from the application date.
- Description of Television Service/Business Proposal
- This should include details such as the:
- Service launch date
- Description of the service and content
- How content is transmitted
- Target markets
- Access control mechanisms for NC16 and M18 content
- Age verification mechanisms for R21 content
- CV of Key Management Personnel
- CV of Key Management Personnel
Registration Form C for Class Licensable Broadcasting Services
For the provision of a website/s with political or religious content. IMDA will issue a notice to register if required. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/registration-of-online-content-by-political-parties-in-singapore
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Prerequisites (6)
- Memorandum of Association / Constitution
- Memorandum of Association / Constitution
- Articles of Association
- Articles of Association
- Registration Form C
- Registration Form C
Need help with these licences?
We handle the applications, document prep, and agency liaison end-to-end.
Licence requirements change — we keep this list current as part of the engagement.
Tax Incentives & Schemes
2 schemes that businesses in this SSIC code may qualify for. Eligibility is case-by-case — talk to the relevant authority.
Partial Tax Exemption (PTE)
Eligibility: Singapore tax-resident company.
Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)
Eligibility: Newly incorporated SG-resident company, ≤ 20 individual shareholders (or one corporate holding ≥ 10%), not in investment-holding or property-development.
Note for SSIC : Excludes 64202 investment holding & 41001/68101 property development
Worth applying for any of these?
We screen eligibility and shape the application — most schemes are discretionary and need a substantive activity case.
Foreign Worker Levies
This SSIC code falls under MOM's Services sector for foreign-worker levy purposes. Levies below apply per worker per month, paid by the employer in addition to salary.
S Pass
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | SGD 550 | Up to 10% of total workforce |
Work Permit
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-skilled (Tier 1) | SGD 300 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 1) | SGD 450 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 2) | SGD 600 | 10–25% |
| Basic (Tier 3) | SGD 800 | >25% (up to DRC of 35%) |
Hiring foreign workers in this sector?
We handle Work Permit, S Pass, and EP applications alongside the incorporation — and check Dependency Ratio Ceilings before you commit headcount.
Levies and Dependency Ratio Ceilings are reviewed periodically by MOM (rates above effective 2024-09-01).
Classification Path
Need help choosing?
Our guide helps you find the right SSIC code for your business activity.
Read the SSIC Guide