1. What is the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?
Why Singapore Should Be Your Next Safe and Secure Home Inside Singapore’s World-Class Education System: The Secrets Behind Its Success Short Guide for Indians Moving to Singapore: Company Incorporation, Employment Pass, PR, and CECA Benefits class=””>The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) allows foreigners to stay in Singapore for extended periods. It is commonly issued to spouses, children, and parents of Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents (PRs), and certain work pass holders. The LTVP is issued by two government agencies:
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Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA): Issues LTVPs for family members of Singapore citizens and PRs.
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Ministry of Manpower (MOM): Issues LTVPs for dependents of Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holders. Incorporating a Company in Singapore and Obtaining an Employment Pass (EP): Your Step-by-Step Guide Understanding The Employment Pass Process In Singapore
2. Eligibility for LTVP Under ICA and MOM
Eligibility and criteria differ significantly between the two agencies. Below is a comparison of eligibility between ICA and MOM:
| Criteria | ICA (for citizens/PRs) | MOM (for work pass holders) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse Eligibility | Spouse of a citizen/PR | Spouse of EP or S Pass holder (includes common-law marriages) with minimum salary of SGD 6,000/month |
| Children Eligibility | Biological/adopted unmarried child of a Singapore citizen/PR under 21 years old | Biological/adopted/step child under 21 years old with minimum salary of SGD 6,000/month |
| Parents Eligibility | Parents of Singapore citizen/PR | Parents of EP/S Pass holders with minimum salary of SGD 12,000/month |
| Minimum Salary Requirement | Not disclosed | S$6,000/month for spouse and children or S$12,000 for parents |
| Other factors | Family ties, economic contribution, qualifications, age, family profile, length of residency of sponsor and applicant | No |
| Processing Time | 6 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Validity and Renewal | Tied to sponsor’s PR/citizenship status | Tied to work pass holder’s employment status |
| Duration of Stay | Up to 5 years | Limited by the validity of the work pass |
| Common-law Marriages | Not recognised | Recognised |
Source: ICA, MOM
3. Key Differences Between ICA and MOM LTVP
The differences between the LTVP applications with ICA and MOM reflect the different purposes of the two agencies:
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ICA LTVP: Focuses on family unity for long-term or permanent stay. Applicants are sponsored by Singaporeans or PRs, who typically reside in Singapore indefinitely. ICA evaluates applications based on the applicant’s family ties, though specific salary or employment guidelines are not provided.
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MOM LTVP: Tailored for dependents of work pass holders, who are generally in Singapore for employment purposes. Since employment is time-limited, MOM applies stricter guidelines, including salary thresholds, to ensure the financial security of dependents during their stay.
4. How to Approach an LTVP Application with ICA
Unlike MOM, ICA does not specify salary benchmarks or occupation requirements, making it harder for applicants to gauge eligibility. Applicants seeking ICA LTVP approval should take the following into consideration:
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Use MOM Guidelines as a Reference: Although ICA applications are evaluated case-by-case, MOM’s minimum salary thresholds (e.g., S$6,000 for spouses) can serve as a very rough guide for financial adequacy. However, we have seen applicants with much less salary compared to MOM salary thresholds also get approved based on other factors in the profile.
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Demonstrate Financial Stability: Sponsors should provide proof of stable income or other financial resources like owning the house they live in to show that they can support their dependents. This is particularly useful in the absence of formal salary guidelines from ICA.
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Emphasize Family Ties and Contribution: As ICA prioritizes family integration, sponsors should highlight their role in the family and the importance of the applicant’s presence in Singapore.
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Account for Processing Times: ICA applications can take longer than MOM (6 weeks or more), so applicants should plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pathway for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) in Singapore depends on various factors, including your sponsor’s status, your relationship to the sponsor, and the nature of your stay in Singapore. As outlined, the differences between the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reflect the distinct purposes each agency serves—ICA focuses on family unity for long-term or permanent residency, while MOM emphasizes financial stability for dependents of work pass holders.
For those navigating the ICA process, the lack of explicit salary guidelines can make applications more challenging. Using MOM’s thresholds as a reference can help, though the ICA takes a broader view, often prioritizing family connections and other stability factors.
Need Assistance?
If you need professional guidance to navigate the complexities of the LTVP application or assistance with submissions, reach out to E&H Immigration Consultancy. Visit www.eh-immigration.com to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your immigration needs.
Need help with your LTVP application? E&H Immigration’s our LTVP service provides expert guidance tailored to your situation.