Singapore LTVP vs LTVP+: Eligibility, Benefits and Work Rights

Short answer: a standard LTVP and the LTVP+ are not a basic and premium version of one pass. The LTVP+ is a longer, more secure ICA status for a narrower group, the foreign spouses of Singapore citizens who meet ICA’s criteria. A standard LTVP can be issued by ICA or by MOM, to many more kinds of family member.

This page compares LTVP and LTVP+ on eligibility, length of stay, work and healthcare. For eligibility, documents and fees for the LTVP itself, use the Singapore LTVP application guide. If you are unsure whether ICA or MOM handles your case, read the ICA vs MOM route comparison.

LTVP and LTVP+ differ on who qualifies, how long they last and what they unlock

The LTVP+ is only for some spouses of Singapore citizens. A standard LTVP covers many family members of citizens, PRs and work pass holders.

Issue	MOM LTVP	ICA LTVP	LTVP+
Issued by	Ministry of Manpower	Immigration & Checkpoints Authority	Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Sponsor	An Employment Pass or S Pass holder earning at least S$6,000 a month, through the employer[4]	A Singapore citizen or PR, or another local sponsor for some groups[5]	The Singapore citizen spouse[2]
Who it covers	Common-law spouse, unmarried step-child under 21, unmarried handicapped child 21+, and parents if the pass holder earns S$12,000+[4]	Spouse, unmarried child under 21 or parent of a citizen or PR; a parent or grandparent of a student; some graduates[5]	A foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen who meets ICA’s criteria[2]
Length	Tied to the main work pass, or shorter if requested[6]	Set by ICA for the category and case	3 years at first, then up to 5 years per renewal[2]
Work	Needs their own Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit[7]	Spouses and children: Letter of Consent or PLOC. Parents: Work Permit[8]	Letter of Consent or PLOC; not counted in the employer’s foreign worker quota or levy[2][8]
Public healthcare	No subsidy because of the pass	No subsidy because of the pass[3]	Same inpatient subsidy level as PRs at public hospitals[3]

Who gets the LTVP+

ICA grants the LTVP+ to foreign spouses of Singapore citizens who qualify, when they apply for or renew an LTVP.^[1]

There is no separate LTVP+ application form. A foreign spouse applies for, or renews, an LTVP through the usual ICA process, and ICA decides which pass to grant.^[1] When ICA introduced the LTVP+ in 2012, it said:^[2]

• couples with at least one Singaporean child from the marriage are eligible
• for couples without a Singaporean child, ICA looks at other factors such as how long they have been married, and considers marriages of at least three years more favourably

Our LTVP+ eligibility FAQ explains how to tell which pass you were granted. Being married to a Singapore citizen does not guarantee an LTVP+. ICA assesses each case on its merits.^[1] The LTVP+ is for spouses of citizens. A foreign spouse of a PR can get an ICA LTVP but should not expect an LTVP+.^[2]

Not married yet? The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment gives an early view of the LTVP outcome and shortens the later application to 6 weeks.^[5] For the spouse application itself, see our LTVP for a spouse guide.

What “common-law spouse” means on the MOM route

MOM’s common-law spouse category is not for any unmarried partner.

MOM lists a common-law spouse among the family an Employment Pass or S Pass holder can bring on an LTVP.^[4] In practice the relationship must be legally recognised where the couple comes from, for example through a common-law marriage certificate, a notarised affidavit where home-country law recognises the union, or an embassy letter confirming that recognition.

Living together, being engaged or a long relationship without that legal recognition is usually not enough on its own. On the ICA spouse route, a legally recognised marriage is expected. A legally married spouse of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder normally gets a Dependant’s Pass rather than an LTVP.^[4]

Work rights: LTVP+ holders still need a Letter of Consent

No LTVP lets you work on its own. The LTVP+ makes the permission easier to get and cheaper for the employer.

Spouses and children under 21 of citizens and PRs who hold an ICA LTVP or LTVP+ can work with a Letter of Consent (LOC) applied for by the employer, or a Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC) chosen when applying for or renewing the pass.^[8] For LTVP+ holders, ICA said employers apply for an LOC instead of a work pass, and these holders do not count against the employer’s foreign worker quota or attract the levy.^[2]

Parents on an ICA LTVP need a Work Permit, counted only under the employer’s overall quota. MOM-issued LTVP holders must qualify for their own work pass.^[7][8] Our LTVP work FAQ covers each case.

Healthcare: inpatient subsidies only

LTVP+ holders get the same inpatient subsidy level as PRs at public hospitals. Standard LTVP holders do not.

Since 2012, foreign spouses who hold an LTVP+ have received government subsidies for inpatient care at restructured (public) hospitals, at the same level as PRs.^[3] In practice:

• hospital stays in subsidised wards can cost much less than they would for other foreigners
• the subsidy covers inpatient services; it does not make all outpatient care subsidised
• it is PR-level, not citizen-level, so private insurance is still worth reviewing

A standard LTVP gives no public healthcare subsidy because of the pass, so families usually rely on private insurance, employer cover or paying directly.^[3]

Which pass fits your family

The right pass follows from the sponsor and the relationship. You can’t choose it.

• Legally married to a Singapore citizen: apply for an ICA LTVP. ICA will grant the LTVP+ if you qualify, now or at a later renewal.
• Legally married to a PR: an ICA LTVP is the usual route.
• Legally married to an Employment Pass or S Pass holder: usually a Dependant’s Pass.
• Legally recognised common-law spouse of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder: a MOM LTVP.

The longer LTVP+ only helps if your case is filed on the correct route first. If an application has already been refused, read why LTVP applications are rejected. If the marriage is ending, see what happens to your LTVP after divorce.

Need help with your LTVP application? E&H Immigration’s LTVP service helps families confirm the right route, prepare the supporting documents and avoid common mistakes.

What do families ask about LTVP and LTVP+?

Do I apply for LTVP+ separately?

No. A foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen applies for or renews an LTVP, and ICA grants the LTVP+ instead if they qualify.^[1]

Who qualifies for LTVP+?

Foreign spouses of Singapore citizens who meet ICA’s criteria. Couples with a Singaporean child are eligible; for others ICA looks at factors such as the length of the marriage, and considers three years or more favourably.^[2]

Can a Singapore PR sponsor a spouse for LTVP+?

No. The LTVP+ is for foreign spouses of Singapore citizens. A PR’s foreign spouse can apply for an ICA LTVP.^[2][5]

How long is an LTVP+ valid?

Three years at first, and up to five years at each renewal.^[2]

Can a common-law spouse apply for an ICA LTVP?

ICA’s spouse route expects a legally recognised marriage. A legally recognised common-law spouse is a MOM LTVP category for Employment Pass and S Pass holders.^[4]

Does LTVP+ let me work automatically?

No. You still need a Letter of Consent or a PLOC, but your employer does not need a work pass, quota or levy for you.^[2][8]

What healthcare benefits does LTVP+ give?

PR-level subsidies for inpatient care at public hospitals. It does not subsidise all outpatient care.^[3]

When should I renew an LTVP or LTVP+?

Submit the renewal at least 3 months before your current pass expires. The renewed pass runs from its issue date, and unused time is not carried over.^[5]

Sources & References

1. LTVP Priority Processing for Post-Birth Childcare Support in Mixed-Citizen Marriages, written reply, 5 August 2026 — Ministry of Home Affairs
2. New Long-Term Visit Pass Scheme (LTVP+), media release, 1 April 2012 — Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
3. Healthcare Subsidies for Long-Term Visit Pass Holders with Singaporean Spouses, 9 February 2017 — Ministry of Health
4. Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass — Ministry of Manpower
5. Becoming a Long-Term Visit Pass Holder — Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
6. Key facts on Long-Term Visit Pass — Ministry of Manpower
7. Working in Singapore for Long-Term Visit Pass holders — Ministry of Manpower
8. Work passes for holders of Long-Term Visit Passes issued by ICA — Ministry of Manpower