Why Massage Establishments in Singapore Require NRIC or Passport Details

Many customers, especially first-time visitors and tourists, ask why massage establishments in Singapore request NRIC or passport details before a session. The reason is simple: it is a regulatory requirement, not a marketing practice or a matter of preference.

In Singapore, license massage outlets ask for NRIC or passport numbers because of legal and regulatory requirements. Massage establishments are regulated by the authorities, such as the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department, and they may be required to record customer identities or keep logs for inspections and investigations. This helps prevent illegal activities and allows authorities to follow up if there are complaints, disputes, or safety issues.

Licensed massage establishments in Singapore are required to verify customer identity and maintain proper records under their operating licence. These records may be requested by authorities for compliance checks, incident investigations, or regulatory audits. This requirement applies to all customers, including locals and overseas visitors. Legal Requirement: Rule 14 of the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 under the Massage Establishments Act mandates that licensees must require individuals to furnish their identity card or passport particulars before providing any service.

Data Protection: While collection is mandatory, massage establishments must comply with the data protection provisions under the PDPA, ensuring appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access and retaining the data only as long as necessary for legal or business purposes.

For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, NRIC is used. For tourists, a passport number is recorded. This is standard practice across reputable and licensed massage establishments in Singapore.