Are you a foreigner with a work pass in Singapore looking to bring your family members for an extended stay? Unfortunately, you may be limited to only your legal spouse and unmarried child under the age of 21 with a dependant’s pass. But don’t worry, Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) may be the solution you are searching for.With the LTVP (MOM), foreigners with work passes can bring in additional family members to stay in Singapore. Additionally, Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) can also sponsor LTVP (ICA) for their family members.
The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application is specifically designed for individuals who want to stay in Singapore for a longer duration with their direct family members without the inconvenience of applying for a new visa every few months.
If you’re considering applying for an LTVP in Singapore, our article will guide you through the eligibility criteria, application process, and LTVP renewal procedure. Furthermore, we will explore the benefits of LTVP Plus (LTVP+), an enhanced version of the pass that offers even more perks. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to bring your loved ones to Singapore for a long-term visit!
Different Types of Long-Term Visit Passes in Singapore
If you’re planning a long-term stay in Singapore, you may need to apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). There are two types of LTVPs that you can apply for, each issued by a different authority:
LTVP (ICA)
This pass is essentially an extension of an existing Short-Term Visit Pass for family members of Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs). It is suitable for foreign visitors who wish to stay in Singapore for more than the 30 days allowed by a Short-Term Visit Pass.
LTVP (MOM)
This pass is intended for the family members of foreign employees who are not eligible for a Dependant’s Pass but want to live with their loved ones in Singapore.
What is LTVP+?
The Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+) scheme was introduced to assist Singaporean families with foreign spouses. This new scheme offers foreign spouses of Singapore citizens who qualify a longer period of residency, providing them with greater certainty of stay. The LTVP+ also offers a range of benefits, including access to healthcare and employment opportunities.
Couples with at least one Singaporean child from their marriage are eligible to apply for the LTVP+. For those without a Singapore Citizen child, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will consider other factors, such as the duration of marriage, and generally look more favourably upon those who have been married for at least 3 years.
LTVP+ holders will be eligible for a longer period of residency in Singapore, with the LTVP+ being valid for 3 years in the first instance and for up to 5 years for each subsequent renewal. Additionally, LTVP+ holders will receive healthcare subsidies for inpatient services at restructured hospitals, which are set at a level close to that for Permanent Residents.
Furthermore, LTVP+ holders seeking work in Singapore will find it easier to do so. Prospective employers of LTVP+ holders can apply to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for a Letter of Consent (LOC) on their behalf, instead of an Employment/S Pass or Work Permit.
Image Source: ICAEligibility Criteria for Applying for a Long-Term Visit Pass (ICA) in Singapore
To be eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the requirements vary depending on the type of pass you are applying for. Here are the criteria for applying for an LTVP with ICA:
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- You are the spouse of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
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- You are the dependant child of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident and are below the age of 21.
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- You are the parent of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
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- You are a graduate from a higher learning institution who intends to be employed in Singapore.
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- You are the mother or grandmother of a young foreigner who is studying in Singapore with a Student’s Pass.
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- You are a foreigner seeking permission to give birth in Singapore.
Applicants who meet the above eligibility requirements may apply for an LTVP with ICA, which allows for an extension of stay beyond the typical short-term visit pass duration.
Eligibility Criteria for Applying for a Long-Term Visit Pass (MOM) in Singapore
To be eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), you must meet the requirements that vary depending on the type of work pass you hold. You can apply for an LTVP for your family member if you meet all the following conditions:
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- You must hold an Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass or EntrePass.
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- You must earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of $6,000. This is based on your salary and not on your combined household income.
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- You must be sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company (usually your employer).
You can get a pass for the following family members:
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- Your common-law spouse.
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- Your unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above.
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- Your unmarried step-children under 21 years old.
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- Your parents – only if you are earning a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000.
Here are the steps for applying Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore:
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- Gather all the required documents for the LTVP application. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website contains detailed information regarding the specific documents required for each type of application.
- Go to the ICA website and access the LTVP e-Service. Fill in the application form and upload all the required documents. You will also need to pay the application fee online.
- After submitting your application and paying the S$30 application fee, you will need to wait for the outcome of your application. The processing time for an LTVP application can take up to 6 weeks.
Note: LTVP application by foreign spouse of Singapore citizen who did not complete the Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment (PMLA) will take longer, up to 6 months to be processed.
- If your LTVP application is approved, you will receive the email notification.
- Upon in-principle approval of the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application, you can enquire the application status and download the term and conditions for issuance of LTVP and medical report form (for those who are required to undergo a medical check-up). The applicant must upload the completed forms within 30 days from the in-principle approval date. Otherwise, the application will be considered withdrawn.
- Once the uploaded document(s) are verified by ICA, the applicant will be notified via email to make payment using the e-Service. Payment of S$60 for applicant’s LTVP and S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) must be made within 30 days upon receiving the email notification, otherwise the approval will be withdrawn.
- Once the payment has been made, the applicant will be informed if he/she is required to visit ICA Building physically for the issuance of LTVP. If applicant is required to visit ICA Building, the applicant can download the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which is valid for three months from date of issue. With effect from 27 February 2023, a digital Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) will be issued in place of a physical LTVP card.
Here are the steps for applying Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore:
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- Gather the necessary documents for the application. Depending on the family member you are applying for, you may also be required to submit additional documents. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website contains detailed information regarding the specific documents required for each type of application.
- Your Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application can be submitted online via myMOM portal by your employer or Employment Agency (EA). It is essential to complete all mandatory fields and provide the relevant supporting documents. Additionally, an application fee of S$105 must be paid before submitting the application.
- The processing time for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application varies and can take up to 8 weeks. You can check the status of your application on the MOM website.
- If your application is approved, you will receive the in-principle approval (IPA) letter via email. The applicant must enter to Singapore within 6 months (for EP holder) or 2 months (for S Pass holder) from the date of approval.
- An email notification letter will be sent to you, which will remain valid for 1 month. This notification will contain instructions on completing the card registration process, which includes paying the approval fees of S$225 for each pass, and S$30 for a multiple journey visa (if applicable). The card registration formalities comprise undergoing a medical check-up, registering fingerprints, and having your photo taken.
- After completing the registration process and your documents are verified, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will dispatch the card to the provided address within 5 working days.
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) Renewal
To renew an LTVP issued by the ICA, you need to apply at least 2 months before your current LTVP expires. This is to ensure that your application can be processed and approved before your current pass expires. You can apply for renewal online through the ICA’s e-Service portal.
If your LTVP is issued by the MOM, you can apply for renewal up to 6 months before it expires. It is recommended that you start the renewal process early to allow for any delays in processing. Your employer or EA can apply for renewal through the EP Online.
It is important to note that renewals are not guaranteed. You will still need to meet the eligibility criteria and provide all the necessary documents for evaluation.
Image Source: ICAWhat’s Next?
If you have been granted a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) in Singapore, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. One option to consider is applying for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore, which offers greater stability and benefits, such as access to government-funded healthcare and education, and lower costs for housing and other expenses.
To apply for PR, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having a stable income, contributing to the local community, and demonstrating a commitment to living in Singapore long-term. Additionally, you will need to fill out an application and submit the required documents to ICA.
The application process can take several months, so it is crucial to ensure that your documentation is complete and accurate before submitting it. If you are unsure about any aspect of the application process or whether you meet the eligibility criteria, our team of experienced immigration consultants can provide further guidance. We have also developed a profile assessment tool that utilizes our collective knowledge and expertise to help determine your likelihood of obtaining Singapore PR.
Overall, applying for PR can be an excellent way to secure your future in Singapore and enjoy the many benefits that come with being a permanent resident. Check out our article on the 10 benefits of becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident to learn more. If you have an LTVP and are considering your next steps, it is worth exploring the possibility of applying for PR.
