Singapore LTVP Application Guide: Eligibility, Documents and Process
ICA and MOM eligibility routes, documents, fees, processing times and practical steps for a Singapore LTVP application.
TLDR:
- “LTVP” covers two different systems. ICA handles family of Singapore citizens and PRs. MOM handles certain family of Employment Pass and S Pass holders.[1][2]
- ICA processes most applications within 6 weeks. A foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen can wait up to 6 months, unless the couple did the free Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment first.[1]
- MOM processes most EP and S Pass dependant applications within 3 weeks. The main pass holder must earn at least S$6,000 a month, or S$12,000 to bring parents.[2][3]
- About 91% of LTVP applications from spouses of Singapore citizens were approved each year from 2022 to 2024. Approval is likely, but not automatic.[7]
The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) lets certain foreign family members live in Singapore for longer than a short visit. The word “LTVP” is used for two separate systems. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues it to family of Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs).[1] The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues it to certain family of Employment Pass and S Pass holders.[2] Each has its own rules, sponsor, fees and timeline.
This guide covers who qualifies under each system, the documents you need, how to apply, what it costs and whether you can work. Specific situations have their own pages, listed below.
Each LTVP question has its own detailed guide
Use the page that matches your situation. This guide is the overview.
- LTVP for a spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR walks through the spouse application step by step.
- Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) explains the check couples can do before they marry.
- ICA vs MOM LTVP helps you work out which authority handles your case.
- LTVP vs Dependant’s Pass compares the two family passes for work pass holders.
- LTVP vs LTVP+ compares the pass types, length and healthcare support.
- Why an LTVP application is rejected covers refusals and how to strengthen a new application.
- LTVP, Dependant’s Pass and PR after divorce covers what happens when the marriage ends.
An LTVP is a long-stay pass, not permanent residence or a work pass
An LTVP lets you live in Singapore for the period granted. It does not make you a PR, and it does not let you work on its own.
It is mostly used by family members: spouses, children and parents. ICA also issues it in a few other cases, such as some graduates of local universities who are looking for a job, and one parent or grandparent of a child studying in Singapore.[1]
What the pass allows depends on who issued it and which category you are in. Many holders can apply to work, but they need separate permission to do so (see the work section below).[4]
Your sponsor decides whether ICA or MOM handles your LTVP
If your sponsor is a Singapore citizen or PR, you apply to ICA. If your sponsor is an Employment Pass or S Pass holder, you go through MOM.[1][2]
| Topic | ICA-issued LTVP | MOM-issued LTVP |
|---|---|---|
| Who the sponsor is | A Singapore citizen or PR (the family member, or a local sponsor aged 21+) | An Employment Pass or S Pass holder, through their employer |
| Main family categories | Spouse of a citizen or PR; unmarried child under 21 of a citizen or PR; parent of a citizen or PR | Common-law spouse; unmarried step-child under 21; unmarried handicapped child aged 21+; parents (only if the pass holder earns S$12,000+) |
| Who submits | The sponsor, through ICA e-Service with Singpass | The employer or its employment agent, through MOM’s EP eService |
| Salary rule | No single published salary threshold | Main pass holder earns at least S$6,000 fixed monthly salary |
| Typical processing time | Within 6 weeks for most; up to 6 months for a citizen’s foreign spouse without a PMLA | Within 3 weeks for most EP and S Pass dependants |
A legally married spouse or a child of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder usually gets a Dependant’s Pass, not an LTVP. MOM’s LTVP is for the family members the Dependant’s Pass does not cover.[2]
ICA offers the LTVP to seven groups, led by spouses, children and parents of Singaporeans and PRs
ICA lists seven eligible groups. Four are family of Singapore citizens and PRs; three cover graduates, students’ parents and births.[1]
Spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR
A legally married foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR can apply. The Singaporean or PR spouse sponsors the application through ICA e-Service using Singpass.[1] From 2016 to 2022, ICA handled about 7,200 applications a year from foreign spouses of Singapore citizens.[8] Our spouse application guide covers this route in detail.
Child of a Singapore citizen or PR
An unmarried child under 21 can apply if they were born within a legal marriage to, or legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen or PR. The parent sponsors the application.[1]
Parent of a Singapore citizen or PR
A parent of a Singapore citizen or PR can apply. Parents-in-law are not eligible. If the citizen or PR child is 21 or older, they sponsor the application themselves. If the child is under 21, a different Singapore citizen or PR aged 21 or over must sponsor it.[1]
Other ICA groups
ICA also accepts applications from graduates of listed local institutes of higher learning who are looking for work in Singapore, one parent or grandparent of a child studying here on a Student’s Pass, and visitors seeking permission to give birth in Singapore.[1]
ICA says it weighs family ties to Singaporeans, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. It looks at whether the applicant can contribute, fit in and commit to staying in Singapore.[1]
MOM’s LTVP depends on the main pass holder’s salary, not just the family tie
The Employment Pass or S Pass holder must earn at least S$6,000 a month, or S$12,000 to bring parents.[2]
To sponsor family on a MOM-issued LTVP, the main pass holder must:[2]
- hold an Employment Pass or S Pass
- earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (their own salary, not household income)
- be sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company, usually their employer
The family members MOM covers are a common-law spouse, unmarried step-children under 21, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 or over, and parents if the pass holder earns at least S$12,000.[2] Personalised Employment Pass, EntrePass and ONE Pass holders follow separate MOM rules.[3]
Most LTVP files need four groups of documents
Every route needs proof of identity, proof of the family relationship, proof of the sponsor’s status, and any documents specific to your case.
1. Identity documents
- The applicant’s passport biodata page
- The sponsor’s NRIC or pass details
- A recent passport-sized photograph
2. Relationship documents
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Adoption papers
- Evidence of a common-law relationship (MOM route)
- Records showing a step-child relationship (MOM route)
3. Sponsor documents
- Proof of the sponsor’s citizenship, PR status or valid work pass
- Proof of employment or income, where asked
4. Case-specific documents
- Certified English translations of documents in other languages
- Custody documents for children
- Anything ICA or MOM asks for after you submit
ICA’s e-Service and MOM’s documents page show the exact list for your category.[1][9] Names, dates and details should match across every document. Gaps and mismatches are a common cause of delays and requests for more information.
An ICA application starts with every applicant having Singpass
The sponsor submits through ICA e-Service, and every applicant must log in to confirm the form before it can be submitted.[1]
Step 1: Confirm your ICA category
Check which of ICA’s groups you fall into. The sponsor and the documents differ by group.
Step 2: Get Singpass for everyone involved
All applicants must review the form using Singpass, or login details ICA provides if they cannot get Singpass. Singpass approval can take 2 to 5 working days, so ICA recommends starting only after everyone is registered.[1]
Step 3: Consider the PMLA if you are not married yet
A Singapore citizen and their intended foreign spouse can apply for the free Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment before they marry. It cuts the later LTVP processing time from up to 6 months to 6 weeks.[1][6] It is an assessment, not an approval. Read our PMLA guide before deciding.
Step 4: Submit and pay
The sponsor submits the application on ICA e-Service and pays the fee. You can check the status on MyICA or the e-Service. ICA emails the outcome.[1]
Step 5: Complete formalities and renew on time
After in-principle approval, you complete formalities and pay the issuance fee to get the pass. Submit any renewal at least 3 months before the pass expires. The renewed pass runs from its issue date, and unused time on the old pass is not carried over.[1]
A MOM application is filed by the employer, not the family member
For dependants of Employment Pass and S Pass holders, the employer or its appointed employment agent applies through MOM’s EP eService.[3]
You can apply together with the main work pass application or later. Each family member needs a separate application. The family member does not need to be in Singapore when you apply, and MOM will not extend a visit pass while the application is pending.[3]
If approved, the employer prints an in-principle approval letter. It works as a single-entry visa. The family member then has 6 months (Employment Pass dependants) or 2 months (S Pass dependants) to come to Singapore and get the pass issued.[3]
ICA charges S$105 in total and MOM charges S$330 per pass
Both authorities charge one fee when you apply and another when the pass is issued. Fees are non-refundable.[1][3]
| Fee | ICA-issued LTVP | MOM-issued LTVP |
|---|---|---|
| When you apply | S$45 | S$105 |
| When the pass is issued | S$60 | S$225 |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | S$30 | S$30 |
| Route | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| ICA, most applications | Within 6 weeks |
| ICA, foreign spouse of a citizen without PMLA | Up to 6 months |
| ICA, foreign spouse of a citizen with PMLA | 6 weeks |
| MOM, dependants of EP and S Pass holders | Within 3 weeks |
| MOM, dependants of EP (Sponsorship) holders | Within 6 weeks |
| MOM, dependants of PEP and EntrePass holders | Within 8 weeks |
These are published targets for complete applications. Requests for more documents add time.[1][3]
Most LTVP holders can work, but only with separate permission
An LTVP alone is not permission to work. What you need depends on who issued the pass and why you hold it.[4][5]
| LTVP holder | How they can work |
|---|---|
| ICA LTVP or LTVP+: spouse or child under 21 of a citizen or PR | Letter of Consent (LOC) applied for by the employer, or a Pre-approved LOC (PLOC) chosen when applying or renewing |
| ICA LTVP: parent of a citizen or PR | Work Permit, counted only under the employer’s overall quota |
| ICA LTVP: parent accompanying a student | No work in the first year; after that, a Work Permit |
| MOM LTVP: family of an EP or S Pass holder | Must qualify for their own Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit |
A PLOC lets a spouse or child work without finding a job first. Some restricted jobs, such as journalist or religious worker, still need a standard LOC.[4] Our LTVP work FAQ covers each case in more detail.
Weak or mismatched documents cause more problems than eligibility
Most avoidable problems come from using the wrong route or filing an incomplete case, not from being ineligible.
- Using the wrong framework. Following ICA guidance for a MOM case, or the other way round.
- Assuming approval is automatic. A marriage or family tie makes you eligible to apply. ICA and MOM still assess the whole case.
- Inconsistent documents. Names, dates and addresses that don’t match across records lead to requests for more information.
- Confusing passes. The LTVP, LTVP+ and Dependant’s Pass have different rules and rights.
- Renewing late. ICA asks for renewals at least 3 months before expiry.[1]
If your application has already been refused, read why LTVP applications are rejected. Going through a divorce? An ICA-issued LTVP is assessed again at renewal. See what happens to your LTVP after divorce.
A review helps most when the route or the evidence is unclear
Simple cases can be filed directly. Get advice when the route, the relationship evidence or your immigration history is not straightforward.
That includes cases with a previous refusal, a short or long-distance relationship, an earlier overstay, a sponsor with an unusual income or status, or a family that does not fit one category neatly. A review can confirm the right route, the documents to prepare and what to explain up front.
Need help with your application? E&H Immigration’s LTVP service handles ICA and MOM cases, from choosing the route to preparing the documents.
What do applicants most often ask about the LTVP?
Is an LTVP the same as Permanent Residence?
No. An LTVP is a long-stay pass for specific family and other categories. It is not Singapore Permanent Residence.
Is there only one type of LTVP in Singapore?
No. ICA and MOM each issue an LTVP under different rules. ICA also issues the LTVP+, a longer pass for some spouses of Singapore citizens.
Can a Singapore citizen or PR sponsor a foreign spouse for an LTVP?
Yes. A Singapore citizen or PR can sponsor a legally married foreign spouse through ICA e-Service. Approval is not automatic.[1]
Can a PR sponsor their parents for an LTVP?
Yes. ICA accepts LTVP applications from parents of Singapore citizens and PRs. Parents-in-law are not eligible.[1]
Can Employment Pass holders bring family on an LTVP?
Yes, for a common-law spouse, step-children under 21, handicapped children aged 21+ and, at S$12,000+ salary, parents. Legally married spouses and children usually get a Dependant’s Pass instead.[2]
How long does an LTVP application take?
ICA processes most within 6 weeks, but a citizen’s foreign spouse without a PMLA can wait up to 6 months. MOM processes most EP and S Pass dependant applications within 3 weeks.[1][3]
How much does an LTVP cost?
ICA charges S$45 to apply and S$60 on issue. MOM charges S$105 to apply and S$225 on issue. A S$30 Multiple Journey Visa fee may apply to either.[1][3]
Can an LTVP holder work in Singapore?
Yes, with separate permission. Spouses and children of citizens and PRs can use a Letter of Consent or PLOC. Parents need a Work Permit. MOM-issued LTVP holders need their own work pass.[4][5]
What is the PMLA and should I do it?
The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment is a free check for a Singapore citizen and their intended foreign spouse before marriage. It gives an early view of the LTVP outcome and shortens later processing to 6 weeks.[6] See our PMLA guide.
When should I renew my LTVP?
Submit an ICA renewal at least 3 months before your current pass expires.[1]
Sources & References
- Becoming a Long-Term Visit Pass Holder — Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
- Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass — Ministry of Manpower
- Apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass — Ministry of Manpower
- Work passes for holders of Long-Term Visit Passes issued by ICA — Ministry of Manpower
- Working in Singapore for Long-Term Visit Pass holders — Ministry of Manpower
- Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment — Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
- Approval Rate for LTVP Applications from Singaporeans’ Spouses in the Past Three Years, written reply, 13 January 2026 — Ministry of Home Affairs
- Number of LTVP Applications Received Annually Since 2016, written reply, 2 August 2023 — Ministry of Home Affairs
- Documents required for a Long-Term Visit Pass — Ministry of Manpower
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