What a Letter of Consent for LTVP holders is
A Letter of Consent (LOC) is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to let an eligible holder of an ICA-issued Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or LTVP+ take up employment in Singapore. The LTVP itself is a stay pass; the LOC is the permission that allows the holder to work while on it.
It is available to an LTVP or LTVP+ holder who is the spouse or unmarried child of a Singaporean or permanent resident. The application is made online through MOM’s Employment Pass eService, and some professions require additional documentation. An LOC is tied to the underlying LTVP and to the employment; it is permission to work, not a separate immigration status.
For many LTVP holders, especially LTVP+ holders who are family members of Singaporeans, the longer-term aim is Singapore Permanent Residence. That runs through the family route and settled standing, as our LTVP to Singapore PR guide explains, not through the LOC itself.
Key facts at a glance
Here is the Letter of Consent for LTVP holders in one view. Confirm the current position on the official MOM page.
| Feature | Letter of Consent for LTVP/LTVP+ holders |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | LTVP or LTVP+ holders who are the spouse or unmarried child of a Singaporean or PR |
| What it allows | Taking up employment in Singapore |
| How to apply | Online through MOM’s Employment Pass eService |
| Validity | Tied to the underlying LTVP or LTVP+ |
| Certain professions | May require additional documentation |
| Effect on status | Permission to work; it does not change your immigration status |
Who qualifies
An LOC is for eligible LTVP or LTVP+ holders who intend to work. In broad terms:
If you are dealing with ICA to apply for or renew your LTVP, you may instead be offered a Pre-Approved Letter of Consent, which gives consent to work up front rather than when a job arises.
How to apply
The LOC is applied for online, and some professions need extra documents. In outline:
Check the LTVP or LTVP+ holder is the spouse or unmarried child of a Singaporean or PR and is eligible to work.
The application is submitted online through MOM's Employment Pass eService.
For certain professions, submit the additional documentation MOM requires.
Where granted, the holder may take up the employment, subject to the conditions.
Confirm the current eligibility, documents and conditions on the official MOM website.
How it relates to PR
An LOC is permission to work, not a route to PR in itself. For LTVP and especially LTVP+ holders who are family members of Singaporeans or PRs, the PR route runs through the family relationship and settled standing. Our LTVP to Singapore PR guide sets out how that is approached, and our overview of Singapore citizenship covers the step beyond PR for families who settle long-term.
Common misunderstandings
A few points are worth clearing up.
What people get wrong
- Thinking the LTVP alone allows work, when an LOC is the permission to work.
- Treating the LOC as a separate status, when it is tied to the underlying LTVP and the employment.
- Overlooking that certain professions need additional documentation.
- Assuming the LOC itself leads to PR, when PR runs through the family route and settled standing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Letter of Consent for LTVP holders?
It is MOM's permission that lets an eligible holder of an ICA-issued LTVP or LTVP+, who is the spouse or unmarried child of a Singaporean or PR, take up employment in Singapore. The LTVP is the stay pass; the LOC allows work on it.
Who applies for the Letter of Consent?
The application is made online through MOM's Employment Pass eService. Some professions require additional documentation.
Is the LOC a separate immigration status?
No. It is permission to work tied to the underlying LTVP or LTVP+; it does not change your status.
What is the difference from a Pre-Approved Letter of Consent?
A regular LOC is applied for when there is employment. A Pre-Approved Letter of Consent is offered up front when you apply for or renew the LTVP with ICA, giving consent to work in advance.
Does it lead to PR?
Not on its own. For LTVP and LTVP+ holders, the PR route runs through the family relationship and settled standing, not the consent to work.
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