The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is issued by two different agencies, and which one handles your case depends on who sponsors you. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues the LTVP for family members of Singapore citizens and permanent residents, and for a few other categories. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues the LTVP for certain family members of eligible Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass holders. The two routes have different sponsors, different fees and different processing times.
Which agency handles your case?
ICA handles applications from foreigners with a family link to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, and from graduates of an institute of higher learning seeking employment in Singapore. MOM handles applications for the common-law spouse, step-child or handicapped child of an eligible EP or S Pass holder, and for parents where the pass holder earns enough (MOM key facts).
If you are legally married, or you have children, MOM says you may be eligible for a Dependant’s Pass instead of an LTVP. The eligibility page for the MOM route states this directly, so check it before you start. Our Dependant’s Pass guide covers that pass separately.
Who can apply to ICA
ICA lists seven eligibility categories on its LTVP page. Every category needs a sponsor who logs in to ICA e-Service using Singpass, except the graduate route, which uses the non-Singpass option.
| Eligibility | Who submits |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Singapore citizen | The citizen spouse sponsors via ICA e-Service |
| Spouse of a Singapore permanent resident | The PR spouse sponsors via ICA e-Service |
| Unmarried child aged below 21, born in a legal marriage to, or legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen or PR | The parent sponsors via ICA e-Service |
| Parent of a Singapore citizen or PR; parents-in-law are not eligible | Citizen or PR child aged 21 and above sponsors; if the child is below 21, a local sponsor who is a citizen or PR aged 21 and above is required |
| Graduate from an institute of higher learning seeking employment in Singapore | Apply via the non-Singpass option at ICA e-Service |
| Parent or grandparent of a child studying in Singapore on a Student’s Pass | Only one applicant may apply; a local sponsor who is a citizen or PR aged 21 and above is required |
| Visitor seeking permission to give birth in Singapore | A local sponsor who is a citizen or PR aged 21 and above is required |
Two limits in that table catch applicants out. Parents-in-law are not eligible, and only one person may apply as the parent or grandparent of a child on a Student’s Pass.
What ICA says it assesses
ICA takes into account the individual’s family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency. ICA uses these to assess the applicant’s ability to contribute to Singapore and integrate into society, and his or her commitment to sinking roots.
ICA also states that it has no affiliation with any external migration agency or commercial entity claiming to be a Singapore immigration specialist, consultant or partner. It does not support or endorse services by self-proclaimed professional immigration consultancy service providers for LTVP applications.
How the ICA application runs
Every person added as an applicant must review the application form before it can be submitted. To review the form, applicants log in to ICA e-Service using Singpass, or using the unique log-in credentials ICA provides for those ineligible for Singpass, and give their declarations.
ICA notes that approval for a Singpass account application may take 2 to 5 working days. Sponsors and applicants are advised to start an application only after all applicants have successfully registered for a Singpass account, where eligible.
The sequence is short:
- Confirm your category on the ICA eligibility list.
- Register for Singpass, where eligible, and wait for activation.
- Have your sponsor log in to ICA e-Service and start the application.
- Have every applicant log in, review the form and provide declarations.
- Pay the submission fee and submit.
- Wait for the outcome by email, or check status at MyICA or the e-Service.
ICA informs applicants of the outcome via email. Status can also be checked online at MyICA or the e-Service.
ICA fees and processing time
Fees are set out in two stages on the ICA page. Both stages are non-refundable.
| Stage | Amount |
|---|---|
| At submission | S$45 for each application |
| At completion of formalities | S$60 for issuance of LTVP; S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable |
Payment is made online using Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, American Express (AMEX) credit card, Internet Direct Debit through DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB and Standard Chartered Bank internet banking accounts in Singapore, or PayNow. ICA’s parent-route page adds that successful applicants will be notified of other applicable fees subsequently.
Most applications are processed within 6 weeks, provided all required documents are submitted and in order. An LTVP application by a foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen takes up to 6 months. On the parent-of-a-citizen-or-PR page, ICA also warns that insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance of the application, and that it may require additional documents; it accepts original documents and official translations for documents in languages other than English, plus copies for retention, and does not endorse any private translation company.
The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment
The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) is a free online assessment for Singapore citizen and non-resident couples. It checks the intended spouse’s chances of getting an LTVP, speeds up the later application, and helps the couple find out more about each other before marrying (PMLA page).
The effect on processing time is set out in a table on that page.
| Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment | LTVP application processing time |
|---|---|
| Submitted | Within 6 weeks |
| Not submitted before marriage | Up to 6 months |
The PMLA itself is processed within 1 month, provided all required information is submitted and in order. A Singpass is required to submit it, the online form must be completed in English, and a draft must be submitted within 7 days of starting or it is automatically removed. ICA estimates the form takes about 20 minutes.
ICA is explicit about what a positive PMLA does and does not do. A positive outcome means the intended spouse is likely to be eligible for an LTVP after marriage, but it is not the approval of an LTVP. Couples with a positive assessment are issued a Letter of Eligibility and may apply for an LTVP within 1 year of receiving it; the letter is not an LTVP. Marriage to a Singapore citizen does not guarantee the foreign spouse entry into Singapore or approval for long-term stay.
The MOM route: family of EP and S Pass holders
MOM sets three conditions on its eligibility page. The main pass holder must hold an Employment Pass or S Pass, must earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000, and must be sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company, usually the employer.
The S$6,000 test is based on the pass holder’s own salary, not on combined household income. The family members MOM lists are the common-law spouse, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, unmarried step-children under 21 years old, and parents, but parents only for those earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000.
| Family member | Condition stated by MOM |
|---|---|
| Common-law spouse | Pass holder earns a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 |
| Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above | Same S$6,000 condition |
| Unmarried step-children under 21 years old | Same S$6,000 condition |
| Parents | Pass holder earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 |
MOM’s key facts page adds the shape of the pass. Duration is tied to the validity of the main work pass or up to the duration requested, whichever is shorter; the pass is renewable; the relevant legislation is the Immigration Act. MOM lists two features: eligible pass holders may be able to work in Singapore, and no foreign worker levy or quota is required. Parents of EP holders are covered in more depth in our LTVP for parents of EP holders guide.
Who applies, and what MOM charges
The applicant differs by pass type. For dependants of EP or S Pass holders, the employer or an appointed employment agent applies. For dependants of PEP or EntrePass holders, the main pass holder applies. For dependants of EP (Sponsorship) holders, the local sponsor applies.
| Stage | Amount |
|---|---|
| On submission | S$105 for each pass |
| On issuance | S$225 for each pass; S$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable |
Processing times are given as two bands. Dependants of EP and S Pass holders are processed within 3 weeks for most cases; dependants of EP (Sponsorship), PEP and EntrePass holders are processed within 8 weeks for most cases. Some cases take more time.
For the EP and S Pass route, MOM’s steps are these:
- Prepare the documents required.
- Log in to EP eService on the myMOM Portal and complete the application.
- Update your organisation’s turnover information for the past 3 years before submitting.
- Pay S$105 for each application by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
- Check your status after 3 weeks.
MOM states that if additional information or documents are required, it will email you to request them within 3 weeks. Another route on the same page is processed within 6 weeks, uses a downloadable application form submitted through MOM’s online form with PayNow, Visa, Mastercard or Amex, and requires a Corppass account.
After in-principle approval
For the EP and S Pass route, MOM tells applicants to print the in-principle approval (IPA) letter and send the pass holder’s copy to the foreigner. The IPA carries a pre-approved single-entry visa, valid 6 months for a dependant of an EP holder and 2 months for a dependant of an S Pass holder.
Issuance must happen within those windows. MOM states the pass must be issued within 6 months of IPA for dependants of EP holders and within 2 months of IPA for dependants of S Pass holders. At issuance you pay S$225 for each pass and S$30 for each Multiple Journey Visa, by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex, and both you and the foreigner receive a notification letter by email.
The notification letter allows travel in and out of Singapore while the card is being made, and states whether fingerprints and a photo are needed. It is valid for 1 month from the date of issue, and an extension can be requested. Where registration is required, dependants of EP holders register at the Employment Pass Services Centre within 2 weeks, and dependants of S Pass holders register at MOM Services Centre Hall C within 1 week. The card is delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification.
Renewal and working on an LTVP
ICA asks holders to submit the LTVP renewal application at least 3 months before the current pass expires. The renewed LTVP runs from the date of issuance, upon payment of the issuance fee, and the remaining validity on the current pass is not carried forward. Renewal refusals and re-applications are handled in our LTVP renewal denial guide.
MOM states that if you hold a Long-Term Visit Pass issued by MOM, you will need to get a work pass to work in Singapore.
MOM states on its working page that if you hold a Long-Term Visit Pass issued by MOM, you need a work pass to work in Singapore: you first need a job offer, then your prospective employer applies for an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit, and you must meet all the criteria for that pass.
What to read next
- LTVP for Parents of EP Holders: A Complete Guide to Application and Renewal — the S$12,000 parent route, documents and renewal, step by step.
- Dependant’s Pass Guide: Who Qualifies, How to Apply and What Family Members Can Do — the pass MOM points legally married couples and parents of children to instead.
- Letter of Consent (LOC) in Singapore: Who Needs It to Work and How It Is Obtained — MOM states that if you hold a Long-Term Visit Pass issued by MOM, you need a work pass to work in Singapore.
- Checking Your Singapore Work Pass Application Status: MOM, ICA and Where Each Pass Is Tracked — which portal to use, and when a status check is meaningful.
Official sources
- ICA: Becoming a Long-Term Visit Pass Holder — eligibility categories, assessment factors, fees, processing times and renewal.
- ICA: Apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass — the application route, Singpass requirement and fee table.
- ICA: Parent of a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident — sponsorship by a child aged 21 and above, and document rules.
- ICA: Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment — what the PMLA is, what it costs, and its effect on processing time.
- MOM: Key facts on Long-Term Visit Pass — who the MOM pass is for, duration, renewability and features.
- MOM: Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass — the S$6,000 and S$12,000 salary conditions and eligible family members.
- MOM: Apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass — applicant identity by pass type, fees, processing times, issuance and card steps.
- MOM: Working in Singapore for LTVP holders — the work pass requirement for MOM-issued LTVP holders.
These pages were retrieved on 2026-10-07, and fees, thresholds and processing times change; confirm the current figure on the agency page before you act. This site is not an immigration agent, does not file applications or represent anyone, and provides general information only, not immigration or legal advice.
