A license/permit must be obtained from relevant government bodies for holding events such as carnival/fairs, charity fund-raising projects and concerts.
Events where temporary/makeshift structures are constructed
Events such as carnivals/trade fairs
Copyright issue
Events involving fundraising for charitable organisations/Karang Guni Collection
Movie Screening
Production of student publications
Events involving foreign speakers
Applications should be made at least 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure that sufficient time is given for the processing and issuing of licenses.
Events where temporary/makeshift structures are constructed
Under the Fire Safety Act, anyone who intends to temporarily change the use of an area within a building or an outdoor area for the purpose of holding an event where temporary / makeshift structures are erected is required to apply and obtain an approval from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
A "Temporary Change of Use (for indoor or outdoor event)" application or commonly known as a Temporary Permit application has to be made to SCDF for approval for events such as:
- Promotional Activities
- Stage Shows
- Exhibitions
- Trade Fairs
- Carnivals
where temporary structures such as those shown below or similar are erected:
- Tents
- Stages
- Booths
- Stalls / Kiosks
For details, please refer to the SCDF website.
Application through SCDF E-Services website > Fire Safety Permit and Certification > Temporary Change of Use Permit (TP) for Indoor, Outdoor and Pyrotechnic Events > Application for Temporary Change of Use [Regulation 20 of the Fire Safety (Building Fire Safety) Regulations] *SingPass is required.
Please submit a copy of the license to SAO at least 2 weeks before event.
Events such as carnivals/trade fairs
Student organizations that wish to set up makeshift stalls for sale of merchandise must seek permission from the National Environmental Agency (NEA) (Under the Environmental Public Health Act, Chapter 95), if there is sale of food and beverage involved in the events. Based on NEA categorisation, such events are considered as "Arts & Cultural Events".
Terms and conditions are spelt out in the Application to Conduct Sale of Food, Drinks & Merchandise at Arts & Cultural Events document from NEA website.
Application for permission is sought through SAO. Submit the following documents to your respective officers in SAO:
- Event Proposal and
Event Application Form (duly signed & endorsed)
- List of vendors (name, NRIC no, address and contact no.) and details of items to be sold
- Layout plan of stalls (properly labelled and corresponding to vendor list)
- Location map of venue (clearly marked)
- SCDF Temporary Change of Use Permit (where applicable)
SAO will fax the documents to NEA for approval on behalf of student organizations.
The organiser will be duly informed once application is approved.
Please take note that washing, preparation (cutting, chopping, dicing, peeling) and cooking (eg, frying, grilling, etc) of food are not allowed in stalls unless supporting facilities are provided (eg. wash basin with piping to fresh water supply and waste water discharge, freezer/chiller, pedalled bins, etc). Otherwise, only pre-packed cooked food obtained from licensed sources are allowed to be sold. Sale of home-cooked food is strictly not permitted.
Copyright issue
Students who are having performance on campus (accessible to the public) may want to take note of the copyright issues below:
1) Arts Entertainment Licence and Public Entertainment Licence
Students need to get either the Arts or Public Entertainment Licence of this as long as performance is accessible to the public.
Students who are using music in the performance would have to obtain relevant music permit from the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS).
If songs are remixed (for eg. dance), please also get relevant license from Recording Industry Performance Singapore (RIPS) at the cost of $50.60 (inclu GST) for Ad Hoc events, in which these recording companies are represented by RIPS: http://www.rips.com.sg/our_record_companies
Events involving fundraising for charitable organizations / Karang Guni Collection
Under the House to House And Street Collections Act a HHSC license is required if one promotes a collection by way of appealing to the public, made by means of visits from house to house or of soliciting in streets or other places or by both such means, for money or other property.
Student organizations organizing charity fundraising project and/or "Karang Guni Collection" are required to apply for a HHSC license.
For details on the HHSC License, please refer to the Singapore Police Force website.
For guidelines and procedures for conducting Karang Guni Collection, please refer to this webpage.
Movie Screening
A Film Licence is not required for screening movies up to PG standard. However, student organisations must ensure that the videos purchased or rented are from licensed video company and certificated and affixed with BFC certificates, indicating the Board of Film Censors has reviewed and approved the contents of those videos.
A film exhibition licence is required if screening movies rated NC 16/M18. For more details on the requirements and application of the licence, please visit the MDA website. Rating of particular films/videos can be checked online.
For enquiry, please contact
MDA Licensing Services (Films and Publications)
Office for Art Exhibitions and Performances, Audio Materials, Films, Publications, Videos and Video Games
45 Maxwell Road
URA Centre, East Wing
#07-11/12
Singapore 069118
Tel: 1800 478 5478
Fax: (65) 6221 0292
Email: mda_input@mda.gov.sg
Production of student publications
Prior approval shall be sought from respective organizations' advisers for the printing and distribution of publication.
After seeking approval, student editors of publications are then required to apply for a MITA permit from the Permits Section, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, through Mrs Christine Tan (chng@ntu.edu.sg, 67906340), Student Affairs Office at least 6 weeks before the date of publication.
Four copies of every student publication should be sent to SAO before distribution. The law also requires 2 copies of every publication to be delivered free of charge to MITA and Head, Legal Deposit, National Library Board respectively.
Events involving foreign speakers
A Miscellaneous Work Pass must be granted by the Ministry of Manpower for a foreign speaker to give talks on racial, communal, religious, cause-related or political topics.
If members of the public (non-members of your student organisation eg. friends) are invited, induced or permitted to attend your event, a police permit is also required. The proof of approval by the Ministry of Manpower (ie. the Miscellaneous Work Pass) must be submitted to the Police Division for the permit application.
