A complete guide on Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) Singapore
10 minute readIt’s no news that Singapore records tremendous economic growth and the country’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world at the moment. This business environment along with good infrastructure, welcoming, and supportive government qualify Singapore as one of the most attractive business hubs in the world.
In 2020, Singapore’s foreign workforce stood at just under 1.23 million, out of which about 351 thousand were classified as skilled labor. The Employment Pass scheme and other similar visas offer their holders the freedom to work and live in Singapore.
However, most of them have certain limitations regarding the duration of stay or the number of family members that can come along. Singapore offers various passes to holders’ family members. The most popular one is the Dependant’s Pass, but an even better option is the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
Let’s take a better look at the LTVP and how it can be obtained.
What is a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?
The Long-Term Visit Pass issued by the Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is designed for a common-law partner, step-child, or physically-challenged child of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder.
Keep in mind that pass holders who earn more than S$12,000 can also get a pass for their parents.
The difference between LTVP and LTVP+
The Singapore Long Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+) scheme has been created for foreign partners of Singapore Citizens (SC) or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR).
Foreign partners of Singaporean citizens who have submitted applications for long term visit pass can be considered for LTVP+ if they are eligible.
This pass provides foreign partners of SCs with a better certainty of stay by granting the person a longer period of residency. If approved, they can stay in Singapore for 3 years. Once it is renewed, they will be permitted to stay in Singapore for 5 years.
Keep in mind that LTVP+ holders are eligible for healthcare and employment benefits.
| LTVP | LTVP+ |
| LTVP allows the holder to have long-term stay in Singapore | Even LTVP+ allows the holder to have a longer-term stay in Singapore, but comes with a longer duration of stay in comparison to LTVP |
| Not much additional employment benefits and healthcare | LTVP+ comes with additional employment benefits and healthcare subsidies. |
Types of Long Term Visit Pass
A foreigner that wishes to stay in Singapore for more than 30 days has to get a Long Term Visit Pass.
There are two types of passes issued by different Singaporean authorities. They have different requirements and their processes are completely different.
- The first Long Term Visit Pass type is granted by the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It functions as an extension of a current Short-Term Visit Pass. Foreign visitors who wish to stay in Singapore for more than 30 days that are Short-Term Visit Pass holders can apply.
- The second Long Term Visit Pass type is granted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and it is available to the family members of foreign workers that don’t qualify for the Dependant Pass but wish to come and live with their family member in Singapore.
LTVP Application Process Duration | Sometimes a process can take no longer than 7 business days, but sometimes it can also take up to 6 weeks to be processed. |
LTVP Eligibility | Employment Pass and S-Pass holders are eligible for LTVP |
Duration | 2 years |
Can LTVP be renewed? | Yes |
Applying for a Singapore LTVP
You should know that the application process is not the same for all types of the pass. Sometimes a process can take no longer than 7 business days, but sometimes it can also take up to 6 weeks to be processed.
You can always check the progress using your Foreign Identification Number (FIN) and application status.
Eligibility?
As a potential applicant, you need to know that the long term visit pass is available to the Employment Pass and S-Pass holders. To be precise, the holders will be the sponsors of all members that decide to apply for a Long Term Visit Pass.
But not every family member can apply. These are the family members that can be sponsored for a Long Term Visit Pass:
- Spouses or foreign spouses
- Physically-challenged children above 21 years of age if they are unmarried
- Step children under 21 years of age if they are unmarried
- Parents
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) also adds the following categories of people who can apply for the Long Term Visit Pass:
- Visitors holding foreign-issued educational degrees and searching for a job in Singapore
- Visitors who are students of educational facilities and are looking for a job in Singapore
- A female visitor whose child/grandchild is studying in Singapore on a student’s pass
- A visitor whose spouse (or common law spouse) is a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) or a Singapore citizen (SC)
- A visitor whose child (over the age of 21 years old) is an SPR or SC
- A visitor who is seeking permission to deliver a child in Singapore
- A visitor who is looking for a long-term stay
Long term visit pass allows holders up to 2 years of stay in the country based on the type of application. The LTVP holders cannot work unless they obtain a work permit, S Pass, or a Singapore work visa.
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Documents Required
Collecting the information and details related to your personal life and your family is a must. These are the documents you need if you want to obtain the pass successfully:
- Current Short Term Visit Pass or immigration pass
- Passport details
- Residential address in Singapore
- A local address where the card can be delivered
- Contact details of one or more authorized recipients to receive an email or SMS notification containing delivery details
Just to be sure, it would be wise to prepare and submit these documents too:
- A completed medical examination from a health center
- Disembarkation or embarkation card
- A completed declaration form attached with the in principle approval notification letter
Application process
Step 1: Submit the application – Complete the application form and gather the necessary documents. Then, submit the application and you should expect a notification from the Ministry of Manpower.
If you go through this process successfully, you shall receive the in-principle letter of approval. Then, you should bring over your family members. These are the ones that you will sponsor.
Once you are all in the country, you need to go and get a pass issued for members of your family.
Step 2: Get issued pass – Once the essential and additional documents are submitted, the Ministry of Manpower will issue the in-principle approval letter.
Step 3: Registering member’s finger print and photo –
Bring your family member to Singapore before the pass can be issued. A dependant of EP holder must arrive within 6 months while a dependant of an S Pass holder has to arrive within 2 months.
Keep in mind that the pass will be issued once the family member is in the country. The member has to be present when you make the request for the pass to be created.
Step 4: Issuance of digital LTVP: With effect from 27 February 2023, a digital Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) will be issued in place of a physical LTVP card.
The digital LTVP can be viewed directly on the Singpass app, or downloaded from MyICA or FileSG website in PDF or OA format.
Approval for the LTVP holder to work in Singapore
LTVP holder can work in Singapore by applying for either of the two letters from MOM Singapore.
Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC)
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced the Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC) which is a document that allows its holder to legally work in Singapore.
However, the PLOC and the LOC are different. The latter requires that you already have a job offer before you actually apply, while the PLOC doesn’t require you to secure a job offer first.
The PLOC remains effective for as long as your LTVP/LTVP+ are valid. In other words, if your LTVP/LTVP+ expires or is canceled, the PLOC also becomes invalid.
But in the scenario that you cannot apply for a PLOC and you want to work in Singapore, you would have to apply for a Letter of Consent through the company.
To be able to apply for a PLOC, you need to have a partner or unmarried child of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. Another option is to possess an LTVP or an LTVP+.
Letter of Consent (PLOC)
This letter is granted by the Ministry of Manpower and it provides the legal right to work for a Singaporean business. No requirements exist regarding the number of workers a Singapore business can hire under LOCs and that makes the LOC holders attractive employment prospects to Singapore companies.
A person is eligible for a LOC if they have a DP which is tied to an Employment Pass holder, EntrePass, or a holder of a Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) valid for a minimum of 3 months from the application date.
Another option is if a person has a Singapore Long Term Visit Pass tied to a Permanent Resident or Singapore Citizen that is valid for a minimum of 3 months.
Finally, you can get an LOC if you have a valid job offer from a Singapore business.
The application for an LOC is done through an appointed employment agent or the prospective employer on behalf of the holder of the LTVP or DP. It is necessary to hand in the written consent.
Renewing, extending, and canceling LTVPs
To renew your LTVP, you need to repeat the same procedure you have gone through when you first applied.
If you need to renew an LTVP issued by the ICA, you need to do it ten days before your current one expires. And in case you’re doing it with the MOM, you have to do it at least six months before the expiration date.
Keep in mind that applying does not guarantee that you will receive a new pass.
Extending LTVP?
To extend your long term visit pass, you need to follow the same procedure you had to go through to obtain the LTVP in the first place.
This does not guarantee that you will be approved once again.
Cancelling LTVP?
It’s important to know that you have to cancel the LTVP if the family member no longer needs it. The card has to be returned to the issuing authority. The cancellation is immediate and does not involve any fees.
If you are the one canceling it, it will be canceled immediately. If the employer is canceling the sponsor’s visa, it may take some time for your long term visit pass to get canceled too.
To cancel it, log into EP online and just find the section on the LTVP and you’ll be able to cancel the pass with a few clicks.
Ready to get started?
Take another good read and see if you got everything right regarding the Singapore Long Term Visit Pass LTVP.
Now you know everything about the requirements you need to keep in mind to obtain this pass. However, your sponsor also needs to be aware of them just to keep everything within legal boundaries.
How Sleek can help
Sleek’s expert immigration team knows the process and can help you to navigate through it to secure this and other pass types that you need in order to work and live in Singapore.
Our friendly experts will help to prepare your application, saving you time and effort.
Interested to get started but not sure how to begin your journey?
Sleek’s expert immigration team knows the process and can help you to navigate through it to secure this and other pass types that you need in order to work and live in Singapore.
Our friendly experts will help to prepare your application, saving you time and effort.
Application tracking
With Sleek, application tracking is available and we make sure that you always know where you are at with your application procedure, at any time of the process.
Documents issuance
Sleek will also prepare, fill in, and submit all of the required documents. You don’t even have to go to Singapore until the final stage begins.
Renewal
You don’t have to worry about the renewal process because Sleek will be on it. We will complete and submit your renewal application, bringing you that much-needed convenience.
More questions? Let us help guide you further
If you still have some questions that you need answers to or need help with, feel free to contact us and our friendly team is available to guide you through.
Talk to our team of experts for a free consultation today.
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FAQ
DP and LTVP holders can also apply for the Singapore Employment Pass (EP) aside from that of their family member who has the main work permit.
It is necessary to pay a fee of S$105 through a valid card and then wait for the LTVP to be processed.
Once it is approved, you have to pay S$225 for the Singapore Long Term Visit Pass LTVP itself. Keep in mind that you may have to pay for other fees if they apply to your situation.
Dependents of EP and SP pass holders can expect a response in 3 weeks
