Can LTVP holders work in Singapore?

Spouses and children of citizens and PRs can work with a Letter of Consent

MOM grants an LOC to an LTVP or LTVP+ holder who is married to a Singapore Citizen or PR, and to an unmarried child under 21 of a Singapore Citizen or PR who holds an LTVP. Your pass must have at least 3 months of validity left, and you need a job offer from a Singapore employer. Objectionable occupations such as dance hostess are not allowed.

An LOC is cheap for an employer to take on: MOM charges no foreign worker levy and applies no quota. That is worth mentioning when you apply for jobs.

Part-time work needs an LOC too

MOM's rules do not set different requirements for part-time and full-time work. Any paid job, including part-time, needs the employer to obtain an LOC before you start. The LOC is tied to the employer that applied for it, so if you take a second part-time job, that employer has to apply as well.

A Pre-approved LOC lets you work without a job offer first

When you apply for or renew your LTVP or LTVP+ with ICA, you can opt for a Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC). With a PLOC you can work without your employer applying first. The exceptions are restricted occupations such as journalist, editor, sub-editor, producer and religious roles, where the employer still needs a regular LOC.

The employer applies, it is free and takes about 1 week

The employer or its employment agent applies through the EP eService on the myMOM Portal, with your written consent. There is no fee. MOM usually processes it in about 1 week, longer if it asks for more documents, and some professions need extra documents. You can only start working after the employer receives the LOC.

Your right to work ends with the LTVP or the job

The LOC lasts until the end date the employer chose or the LTVP expiry, whichever is earlier. It stops being valid if your LTVP expires or is cancelled, or if you leave that employer. After you renew your LTVP, your employer must renew the LOC as well.

Parents and Dependant's Pass holders follow different rules

Parents of Singapore Citizens or PRs who hold an LTVP can work on a Work Permit, counted under the employer's overall quota. A parent on an LTVP accompanying a child studying in Singapore cannot work in the first year. After that, the employer can apply for a Work Permit, which carries the foreign worker levy.

The LOC route is not open to Dependant's Pass holders. To work, they need an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit in their own right.