Massage establishments face new police licence rules

Existing open-concept massage shop operators will get a one-year grace period, until Nov 30, 2027, to fall in line with the new regulations, failing which they will have to stop its operations, the police said.

Those that get a Category 3 licence before June 1, 2027 will receive 50% off the $340 fee for a three-year licence, or the $510 fee for a five-year one .

Operators of open-concept shops must comply with requirements, such as allowing customers and the public to have an unobstructed view of the massage services being provided at all times, and not having structures that would allow massage services to be provided in private.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said in a Facebook post on Nov 5 that HDB has taken action on 26 cases involving vice activities across both sold and rental shops since January.

“HDB shop owners have a responsibility to ensure they do not turn a blind eye to vice activities on their premises, or they will face serious consequences,” he added.

“Our heartlands are home to families and communities, and we will ensure they remain a safe environment for all. We will continue to work closely with SPF to weed out such undesirable activities from our neighbourhoods.”

Mandatory poster, clear uniform standards, extended licence tenure

The police on Nov 5 said that all massage shop operators must clearly display on their shopfronts a police-issued poster containing details and key conditions of their licence, and a website link for the public to report breaches to the police.

Existing Category 1 and 2 massage shops have up to Jan 31, 2027 to fall in line with the new rule.

“Failure to display the poster will be an offence,” the police said.

However, Category 1 and 2 licensees will no longer need the police’s approval for its employees’ uniforms, unless they differ from the uniform standards – a shirt or blouse with sleeves bearing the establishment’s name or logo and the employee’s name, together with pants that are knee-length or longer.

All licensees, including those in the new Category 3, must ensure employees are not indecently dressed on the premises, the police said.

The police also said on Nov 5 that they will grant longer licence tenures of three or five years, as part of the Government’s efforts to review regulations and reduce administrative burden on businesses.

New Category 1 and Category 2 licensees will be issued a one-year provisional licence, before being granted licences of three or five years, depending on their compliance history.

This replaces and simplifies the current progressive licencing tenure model.

New Category 3 licensees will be issued licences of three or five years from the outset, subject to the police’s assessment and the applicant’s compliance record.

Those who wish to apply for the new Category 3 licence can go on the Go-Business portal from Nov 5.

The process could take around four weeks, including a possible site inspection, where applicable, the police said.

Anyone convicted of operating a massage establishment without a valid licence may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.

Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to five years, or both.