Relocating to Singapore for work often means bringing your family too. But not every family member fits into the Dependant’s Pass box. A common-law spouse, a step-child, a disabled adult child, or an ageing parent falls outside the Dependant’s Pass rules, and that is where the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) comes in. It is also the main route for the foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident to live here long term. This 2026 guide explains the two different LTVP tracks, who can sponsor whom, the salary thresholds, and how to apply.
The LTVP is frequently confused with the Dependant’s Pass, and the rules differ depending on whether the sponsor is a work pass holder or a Singaporean. Getting the category right at the start avoids a wasted application. If you are moving key staff to Singapore, our associated employment agency handles work pass and family pass applications end to end alongside your corporate services.
What is a Long-Term Visit Pass?
The Long-Term Visit Pass allows a foreigner to stay in Singapore for an extended period as the family member of either a work pass holder or a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. It is distinct from a short-term visit pass (the entry stamp given on arrival) and from the Dependant’s Pass, which is reserved for legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21 of eligible pass holders.
There are effectively two LTVP tracks, administered by different agencies:
The first is the MOM LTVP, sponsored by an Employment Pass or S Pass holder for family members who do not qualify for a Dependant’s Pass. The second is the ICA LTVP (and LTVP+), sponsored by a Singapore citizen or permanent resident for a foreign spouse or, in some cases, other family members.
Track 1: LTVP sponsored by a work pass holder (MOM)
An Employment Pass or S Pass holder can sponsor a Long-Term Visit Pass through the Ministry of Manpower for family members who fall outside the Dependant’s Pass. The eligible relationships are:
A common-law spouse, an unmarried handicapped child aged 21 and above, an unmarried step-child under 21, and in limited cases parents.
The salary thresholds
| Who you want to sponsor | Minimum fixed monthly salary of the pass holder |
|---|---|
| Common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped child, unmarried step-child (LTVP) | At least S$6,000 |
| Parents (LTVP) | At least S$12,000 |
The S$6,000 figure aligns with the threshold to bring a spouse and children on a Dependant’s Pass. Sponsoring parents is materially harder: it requires a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000, and in practice parent LTVPs are granted far less readily than spouse and child passes, often for shorter durations. Applications close to the threshold attract tighter scrutiny.
An LTVP granted under this track is generally tied to the validity of the sponsor’s own work pass. If the Employment Pass or S Pass is cancelled or not renewed, the family member’s LTVP falls away too.
Track 2: LTVP for the family of a Singapore citizen or PR (ICA)
A Singapore citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a Long-Term Visit Pass through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for a foreign family member, most commonly a foreign spouse. Other relationships, such as a child who is not a citizen or PR, an aged parent, or a common-law spouse, may also be considered depending on circumstances.
A stronger version, the LTVP+, is available to foreign spouses of Singapore citizens, particularly where the marriage has produced children or has lasted for a meaningful period. LTVP+ carries a longer validity and better access to healthcare and employment support, and it is a common stepping-stone towards permanent residence and eventually citizenship.
Unlike the work-pass track, the ICA LTVP is not tied to an employment pass, so it does not disappear if a job ends. It is assessed on the strength and genuineness of the family relationship and the sponsor’s ability to support the applicant.
Can an LTVP holder work?
An LTVP by itself does not grant the right to work. An LTVP holder who wants to take up employment generally needs their employer to apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) or a separate work pass, depending on the LTVP type. LTVP+ holders in particular can more readily obtain a Letter of Consent to work. Parents on an LTVP generally cannot work.
Employers thinking of hiring an LTVP holder should confirm the correct route before the person starts, because working without the proper endorsement is an offence for both the individual and the employer.
How to apply
For the MOM track, the sponsoring pass holder or their employer submits the LTVP application online, usually alongside or after the Employment Pass or S Pass, supported by proof of the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or documentation of a common-law relationship) and the sponsor’s salary evidence. Processing typically takes a few weeks, after which an in-principle approval is issued and the pass is completed on arrival or in person.
For the ICA track, the Singapore citizen or PR sponsor submits the application to ICA with the marriage certificate, identity documents, and supporting evidence of the relationship. ICA assessments are holistic and can take longer.
Documents commonly required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Passport bio-data page of the applicant | Identity and nationality |
| Marriage / birth certificate | Proof of the family relationship |
| Sponsor’s pass or NRIC | Establishes the sponsor’s status |
| Salary evidence (MOM track) | Confirms the S$6,000 / S$12,000 threshold |
| Documentary proof of a common-law relationship (where relevant) | Supports a non-married application |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Dependant’s Pass and an LTVP?
A Dependant’s Pass is for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an eligible pass holder. An LTVP covers relationships that fall outside that, such as a common-law spouse, step-child, disabled adult child, or parent, and it is also the route for the foreign spouse of a Singaporean or PR.
Can I bring my parents to live with me in Singapore?
Only if you hold an Employment Pass or S Pass with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000, and even then parent LTVPs are granted selectively and often for shorter periods.
Does an LTVP lead to permanent residence?
An LTVP does not automatically lead to PR, but a foreign spouse of a Singaporean on LTVP or LTVP+ is a common candidate for permanent residence over time. Read our overview of relocation pathways for how the passes connect.
Family pass applications are often the deciding factor in whether a senior hire will relocate at all, so they are worth getting right the first time. Raffles Corporate Services, with its associated MOM-licensed employment agency, can manage the work pass and the accompanying family passes together. Contact us via our website.
Official guidance is available from the Ministry of Manpower and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services