Singapore is home to 45 Michelin-starred establishments and six entries on the regional best list. A strong economy and a diverse dining culture make the country a popular destination for culinary entrepreneurs. This variety in culinary ventures has attracted many foreign investors to establish their own food business in the country.
As a foreigner, you retain 100% ownership of your company without needing a local partner. You also benefit from fully digital government portals and transparent business regulations.
Whether you are opening a restaurant, running a cloud kitchen, or manufacturing packaged food products, the setup process follows the same general framework. This guide walks you through the key steps to starting a food business in Singapore. We’ll also cover the types of licenses available, additional permits to acquire, and obligations once you are operational.
Can a Foreigner Own 100% of an F&B Business in Singapore?
Singapore places no restrictions on foreign ownership in the food and beverage sector. You can hold 100% of the shares in your restaurant, cafe, bar, catering company, or food manufacturing business without needing a local joint venture partner.
Most foreign investors register a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd), which takes one to three days through ACRA. The Pte Ltd structure creates a separate legal entity, which means your personal assets are protected from business liabilities.
Although you don’t need a local partner, you do need a local resident director. This doesn't mean giving up control or ownership. A resident director can be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or eligible pass holder who lives here.
Read our guide to understand Singapore’s foreign ownership regulations. You can also consult our local experts to review your sector requirements and business setup. Book a free consultation here.
What Type of Food Business Can You Set Up?
As a foreigner, you can establish different types of food business in Singapore. Each type has its own SSIC code that you must register under with ACRA. This code determines the licenses and agency approvals that apply to your business. Here are the main F&B categories available to foreign investors in Singapore, grouped under Division 56:
| SSIC Code | Business Activity Description | Typical Operation |
|---|---|---|
| 56111 | Restaurants | Full-service dining establishments with seated table service |
| 56112 | Cafes and Coffee Houses | Specialty coffee shops, bakeries with seating, and casual cafes |
| 56121 | Fast Food Outlets | Quick-service restaurants with counter order and immediate service |
| 56122 | Food Courts, Coffee Shops, and Eating Houses | Operators managing food halls or multi-stall dining spaces |
| 56123 | Food Kiosks | Takeaway outlets, bubble tea shops, and food stands without seating |
| 56130 | Pubs | Establishments focused primarily on serving alcoholic beverages |
| 56140 | Stalls Selling Cooked Food and Drinks | Individual food stalls inside hawker centres or commercial food courts |
| 56200 | Food Caterers | Central kitchens preparing meals for off-site events and delivery |
Tip: SSIC codes were recently renumbered under the 2025 update. Verify and cross-check the most current codes for your business activity using our free lookup tool at ssicdata.com.
If you produce packaged food products for wholesale or retail distribution (sauces, condiments, frozen meals, snack products), your business falls under Division 10 instead. That means you apply for a Food Processing Establishment Licence from SFA rather than a Food Shop Licence.
Cloud kitchens that prepare food exclusively for delivery platforms like GrabFood or Deliveroo still fall under Division 56 and still require an SFA Food Shop Licence. We cover the licensing process in the sections below.
Only registered occupants or legal residents of an HDB flat or private property can operate a small-scale home food business under the Home-Based Business Scheme. If you are a foreigner on a tourist or short-term visit pass, you cannot reside or work in a residential property. Even if you hold a valid long-term pass like an Employment Pass, you must still comply with your residential lease terms. Housing authorities strictly prohibit unauthorized commercial or industrial food production inside domestic kitchens.
How to Register an F&B Business in Singapore: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Incorporate with ACRA
Your first step is incorporating a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) through the BizFile+ portal. Singapore law requires foreigners to engage a registered corporate filing agent (such as Emerhub) to handle the process on your behalf. As part of the incorporation, you will need to:
- Secure an approved company name
- Select your primary and secondary SSIC codes (up to two)
- Appoint at least one resident director (a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Employment Pass holder)
- Provide a local registered office address
- Appoint a qualified company secretary within six months of incorporation
You may need to register more than one code if your business spans multiple activities.For instance, a cafe that also sells packaged coffee beans would list SSIC 56112 (Cafes and Coffee Houses) as its primary code and 47219 (Retail Sale of Food Products) as a secondary code. A bar that also serves full meals might register SSIC 56130 (Pubs) alongside 56111 (Restaurants).
Emerhub handles the full incorporation as your licensed filing agent. This includes SSIC code selection as well as nominee director, company secretary, and registered business address services.
Step 2: Open a Corporate Bank Account
Once registered, open a corporate bank account before moving to the licensing stage. You will need it for licence fees, rental deposits, contractor payments, and staff salaries.
Banks typically require your ACRA business profile and incorporation documents. Also keep in mind that banks generally apply stricter checks for companies with full foreign ownership. This may stretch your setup process by a few weeks.
Step 3: Secure Your Business Premises
You need a signed tenancy or lease agreement before you can apply for your core SFA licence. The stamped agreement is a required document in the application. This applies whether you are leasing a shopfront, a commercial kitchen, a hawker stall, or a manufacturing facility.
Before committing to a lease, confirm that the space meets the following requirements:
- URA Change of Use: If your chosen unit was previously used for a non-food purpose (retail, office, or service), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) must approve a Change of Use before you can operate it as a food establishment. If the space already holds food-use approval, this step is not necessary.
- Tenancy Agreement and Stamp Duty: Once land use is confirmed, sign your commercial lease and pay stamp duty to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). The stamped tenancy agreement and Stamp Duty Certificate are both required for your SFA licence application.
- Lease Protection Clause: It is advisable to include a clause in your lease that allows you to exit or adjust terms if key regulatory approvals (such as URA Change of Use or SFA licensing) are refused.
Note that your registered office for incorporation is separate from your actual outlet. Most foreign owners use a corporate service provider to meet this requirement. Emerhub provides a local registered office as part of our full incorporation support.
Step 4: Apply for Your SFA License
Every commercial food operation in Singapore needs a licence from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The specific licence depends on your business model:
| Licence Type | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|
| Food Shop Licence | Restaurants, cafes, bars, kiosks, cloud kitchens, and takeaway outlets |
| Food Stall Licence | Individual stall operators inside managed food courts or hawker centres |
| Catering Licence | Central kitchens preparing food for off-site delivery or events |
| Food Processing Establishment Licence | Manufacturers producing packaged food for wholesale or retail distribution |
| Supermarket Licence | Outlets selling raw meat, seafood, and grocery items alongside prepared food |
The application is submitted through the GoBusiness portal along with a detailed layout plan, your ACRA business profile, and your stamped tenancy agreement. SFA then reviews complete applications and issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) within 7 to 14 working days.
The IPA confirms that SFA has approved your proposed layout. This gives you the clearance to start preparing your premises.
Emerhub coordinates the SFA license application alongside your incorporation and premises setup. This helps reduce your overall timeline by running the applications in parallel.
Step 5: Prepare Your Premises and Complete Required Training
Once you receive your IPA, you can begin fitting out your premises and completing the remaining requirements before SFA conducts its final inspection. Three things need to occur at this stage, and they can run concurrently:
- Fit out your premises according to the layout SFA approved. Depending on your operation, this may include grease traps, ventilation and exhaust systems, washing stations, cold storage, and pest control provisions.
- Obtain fire safety clearance from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) if your premises require renovation or construction work. A Qualified Person submits your plans before work begins and applies for the Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) once the fit-out is complete.
- Complete food safety training for your staff. All food handlers must complete the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1. Larger operations (food preparation areas exceeding 200 square meters, or catering companies) must also appoint a Food Hygiene Officer who holds WSQ Food Safety Course Level 3 certification.
SFA verifies all three during the pre-licensing inspection. Upon approval and paying the annual licence fee (e.g. S$195 for a Food Shop Licence), your licence is issued electronically.
Step 6: Obtain Additional Permits and Licenses
Your SFA licence covers food preparation and service, but depending on your concept, you may need additional permits before you can fully operate. For example, you cannot serve alcohol without a Liquor Licence, even if your SFA Food Shop Licence is already active.
| Permit | Issuing Authority | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Liquor Licence | Singapore Police Force (SPF) | If you serve or sell alcohol on-site |
| Halal Certification | MUIS | If you want to serve the Muslim consumer market |
| Public Entertainment Licence | Singapore Police Force (SPF) | If you offer live music, DJ sets, or karaoke |
| Signboard Licence | Building and Construction Authority (BCA) | If you install external signage |
| Food Import Permit | Singapore Food Agency (SFA) | If you import meat, seafood, produce, or dairy from overseas |
These applications can begin as early as Step 4 and run in parallel with your SFA process. Emerhub coordinates all permit applications alongside your SFA licence process so your approvals stay on track.
Step 6: Hiring Operational Service and Kitchen Staff
Before applying for an EP or S Pass for any role, you must first advertise the position on the MyCareersFuture portal for 14 days under the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF). This is waived for companies with fewer than 10 employees or roles paying S$22,500 per month or more.
MOM caps foreign employment in the services sector through the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC):
- Work Permit and S Pass holders combined cannot exceed 35% of your total workforce
- Of that, only 10% can be S Pass holders
- S Pass holders are mid-skilled staff (specialized chefs, supervisors, production managers) with a minimum monthly salary of S$3,300 for candidates aged 23, scaling up to S$4,800 for those aged 45 and above. This baseline rises to S$3,600 from 1 January 2027.
- Work Permit holders are semi-skilled workers from approved source countries. You must pay a monthly foreign worker levy to MOM for each holder
- EP holders carry no levy or quota restrictions
Your foreign worker quota is calculated based on how many local employees you have, measured through the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) framework:
| Monthly Salary | LQS Count |
|---|---|
| S$1,800 or more | 1 full local employee |
| S$900 to S$1,800 | 0.5 (half) |
| Below S$900 | Does not count |
For instance, if you employ 10 full-time locals earning above S$1,800 and 6 part-timers earning S$1,000, you have 13 local equivalents. Under the 35% DRC cap, this allows up to 7 foreign hires, of which only 2 can be S Pass holders.
A senior hire such as an executive chef or operations manager can come in on an EP without affecting your quota, provided the salary and COMPASS requirements are met.
Taxes and Ongoing Compliance for Food Businesses in Singapore
Incorporating with ACRA automatically registers your company with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). From there, you will need to manage your filings and payments proactively.
Here is an overview of the key tax obligations for F&B companies in Singapore:
| Tax Type | Payment Schedule | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Income Tax | Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) filed within 3 months of financial year-end. Annual return (Form C or C-S) filed by 30 November. | Capped at 17%. Qualifying new companies receive partial tax exemptions during their first three consecutive years of assessment. |
| Goods and Services Tax (GST) | Monthly or quarterly filings, depending on your GST accounting period. | Mandatory once annual taxable revenue exceeds S$1 million. Below that, registration is voluntary. Some F&B operators register early to claim input tax credits on renovation and equipment. |
| CPF Contributions | Monthly, by the 14th of the following month. | Mandatory employer contributions for all Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident employees. Rates vary by employee age and salary band. |
| Record-Keeping | Ongoing | IRAS requires proper accounting records and supporting documents for at least five years, even if your company ceases operations. |
Beyond that, your business is subject to several recurring obligations once you are fully operational:
- SFA Licence Renewal: Your Food Shop Licence (and other SFA licences) must be renewed annually. Operating with an expired licence is an offence under the Environmental Public Health Act.
- Liquor Licence Renewal: If you hold a Liquor Licence, it must also be renewed before it expires. Renewal terms and fees depend on the licence class.
- ACRA Annual Return: Every company must file an annual return with ACRA. This confirms your company's current directors, shareholders, and registered address.
- Work Pass Renewals: Employment Passes are typically valid for two years on first issuance and up to three years on renewal. S Passes and Work Permits follow similar cycles.
- Food Handler Certifications: WSQ Food Safety certifications for your staff must be kept current. Expired certifications can be flagged during SFA inspections.
Start Your Food Business in Singapore with Emerhub
Emerhub handles the full setup process for food businesses in Singapore. We can serve as your licensed filing agent for your business registration and coordinate your SFA licence and permits alongside each stage of your setup.
We also handle the structural requirements that foreign founders cannot fulfill on their own, such as nominee director appointments, company secretary services, and a local registered address. Once you are operational, we can stay to manage your ongoing compliance. This includes tax filings, licence renewals, and work pass applications for both founders and staff.
Fill out the form below to tell us about your F&B concept. We will put you in touch with our team in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a food business in Singapore without living there?
Foreign individuals can hold 100% ownership of a Singapore F&B business while residing overseas. However, your company must appoint at least one locally resident director who lives in Singapore. Emerhub can provide a professional nominee director to fulfill this statutory requirement while you direct strategy from abroad.
How much capital is required to start a food business in Singapore?
The statutory minimum paid-up capital to register a food business is S$1. However, we recommend injecting at least S$10,000 early on. A higher paid-up capital signals to banks, government agencies, and potential partners that your company is a credible operation, which makes account approvals and licence applications smoother. From there, the bigger investment is your physical setup. Total startup costs can range from around S$85,000 for a cloud kitchen or food stall up to S$450,000 for a full dine-in establishment. Emerhub can provide a tailored quote based on your concept and scope.
What SFA licence do I need for a cloud kitchen?
Cloud kitchens are classified under Division 56 and require a standard Food Shop Licence from SFA. The application process and inspection requirements are the same as for a dine-in outlet, even though the operation does not serve walk-in customers.
Do I need to register as a food importer if I buy ingredients from overseas?
Even if you are only importing ingredients for your own kitchen, you will still need to register as a food importer. You’ll have to do so with SFA, activate your company's Unique Entity Number (UEN) with Singapore Customs, and apply for an import permit for each shipment through the TradeNet system. This covers processed food, meat, seafood, dairy, and fresh produce brought in from abroad.