From
1 April 2012, the Government will introduce a new scheme to help
Singaporean families with foreign spouses. This new scheme, known
as the Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus (or LTVP+), will
provide foreign spouses of Singapore citizens who qualify, with
greater certainty of stay here by granting the holder a longer
period of residency. LTVP+ holders will also be eligible for
healthcare and employment benefits.
2.
Couples who have at least one Singaporean child from their marriage
will be eligible to apply for the LTVP+. For those without a
Singapore Citizen child, ICA will look at other factors such as the
duration of marriage, and will in general consider more favourably
those who have been married for at least three years.
3.
LTVP+ holders will be eligible for a longer period of residency in
Singapore. The LTVP+ will be for a duration of three years in
the first instance and will be for up to five years for each
subsequent renewal. LTVP+ holders will enjoy healthcare subsidies
for inpatient services at restructured hospitals, which will
currently be set at a level close to that for Permanent Residents.
In addition, we will make it easier for LTVP+ holders to seek
work here. Their prospective employer will apply to the Ministry of
Manpower (MOM) for a Letter of Consent (LOC), instead of an
Employment/S Pass or Work Permit, for them. LTVP+ holders who are
issued with LOCs will not be counted against the foreign worker
quota of their employers. Their employers are also not
required to pay foreign workers’ levy for
them.
4.
The new LTVP+ scheme seeks to provide more assistance to Singapore
families with foreign spouses. The number of marriages
between Singapore citizens and foreigners has been on an increasing
trend. In 2010, among the 20,273 marriages involving at least
one Singapore citizen, 30 per cent were between a Singapore citizen
and a foreigner (excluding Permanent Residents). This is an
increase from 23 per cent in 2000.
5.
Foreign spouses can continue to apply for Singapore Citizenship or
Permanent Residence (PR) status. They will be granted SC or
PR if they meet the respective criteria. Those who are not yet
eligible for SC or PR can apply for LTVP. With effect from 1
April 2012, they can also apply for an LTVP+ status which comes
with more benefits.
6. For more
information on the LTVP+ scheme, please visit the ICA website
at www.ica.gov.sg. You can also email
ICA at: [email protected].
LONG-TERM VISIT PASS - PLUS
(LTVP+)
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
(A)
LTVP+ Application
Q1: Why is the Long-Term Visit Pass -
Plus (LTVP+) being introduced?
A1:
The number of marriages between Singapore Citizens (SC) and
foreigners has been on an increasing trend since 2000. In
2010, 30 per cent of 20,273 marriages involving at least one SC
were between a SC and a foreigner (excluding Permanent
Residents). This is up from 23 per cent in 2000.
The LTVP+ is introduced to
help SC families with foreign spouses. It provides foreign
spouses of SCs who qualify, greater certainty of stay by allowing
the holder a longer period of residency. LTVP+ holders will also
enjoy healthcare and employment benefits. The LTVP+ will be
implemented on 1 April 2012.
Q2:
Who is eligible for the LTVP+? Do all
foreign spouses of Singapore citizens qualify for
LTVP+?
A2:
Couples who have at least one child who is a Singapore Citizen from
their marriage will be eligible to apply for the LTVP+. For those
without an SC child, we will look at other factors such as duration
of marriage, and will in general consider more favourably those who
have been married for at least three years. Each application will
be considered on its own merits. Other factors that we consider
include the ability of the sponsor to financially support the
family, and good conduct of both the sponsor and the
applicant.
Q3:
What is the difference between LTVP and LTVP+ in terms of
benefits?
A3:
Both LTVP and LTVP+ allow the holder to have long-term stay in
Singapore. The LTVP+ has a longer period of residency and
comes with additional employment benefits and healthcare
subsidies.
Q4:
What benefits does the LTVP+ entail?
A4:
LTVP+ comes with a longer validity, three years in the first
instance and up to five years for subsequent renewals. LTVP+
holders will also enjoy employment benefits and be accorded
healthcare subsidies for inpatient services at the Restructured
Hospitals. These subsidies for in-patient healthcare services
will currently be set at a level close to that for Permanent
Residents.
Q5:
How do I go about submitting the application for
LTVP+?
A5:
There is no separate application for
LTVP+. Foreign spouses of SCs who submit applications for
LTVP would automatically be considered for LTVP+ if they are
eligible. For information on how to apply for LTVP/LTVP+, please
refer to the ICA website at www.ica.gov.sg
Q6:
My foreign spouse is currently on LTVP. Will she be given
LTVP+ automatically or upgraded to LTVP+ if she
qualifies?
A6: If your spouse
is currently holding LTVP and meets the eligibility criteria for
LTVP+, she will be considered for LTVP+ upon her next LTVP
renewal. However, if your spouse wishes to be considered for
a LTVP+ before the next renewal, she may submit a fresh application
for consideration. The relevant processing fee and issuance
fee (if applicable) would apply.
Q7:
I have just submitted my application for LTVP for my spouse before
this announcement. Do I have to re-submit an application for
LTVP+? Or will my spouse be automatically considered for
LTVP+?
A7:
Applications submitted from 1 Feb
2012 would be automatically considered for
LTVP+.
Q8:
My foreign spouse is currently pregnant. Is she eligible to apply
for LTVP+?
A8:
Yes. She is eligible to apply for LTVP+.
Q9:
If my foreign spouse is unable to get a LTVP+, can he/she continue
to stay in Singapore?
A9:
All foreigners must have a valid pass to remain in Singapore. The
foreign spouse of a Singapore Citizen who is not eligible for the
LTVP+ may be considered for the LTVP which allows the spouse to
stay in Singapore.
Q10:
Can I sponsor my parents or in-laws for LTVP+? How about my
children?
A10: No.
Parents, Parents-in-law or children are not eligible for
LTVP+. The LTVP+ is only for spouses of Singapore
Citizens.
Q11:
What is the validity period for the LTVP+?
A11: LTVP+ holders can enjoy a
period of residency of three years in the first instance, and up to
five years for each subsequent renewal.
Q12:
Is there any cost involved for the LTVP+ card? Is the LTVP+ card
more expensive than the normal LTVP card?
A12: There
is an application fee of $30. If your application for LTVP+ is
successful, you will need to pay $60 for the LTVP+ card and an
additional $30 if a visa is required. This is the same as the
current fees for LTVP.
Q13:
What is the processing time for the LTVP+
application?
A13:
Generally, it takes up to six weeks to process an LTVP+
application.
Q14:
How do I check the status of my application for
LTVP+?
A14: You
may check the status of your application for LTVP+ using iEnquiry
(https://ienquiry.ica.gov.sg).
Q15:
My foreign spouse and I registered our marriage overseas and our
marriage certificate is issued by the foreign authority. Is
our marriage certificate recognised for my spouse’s application for
LTVP+?
A15: Yes,
the marriage certificate issued by an authorised foreign body is
recognised for your foreign spouse’s application for
LTVP+.
Q16:
My foreign spouse and I have undergone a customary marriage
overseas three years ago. Is our marital status recognised
for my spouse’s application for LTVP+?
A16: So
long as you are able to show proof that your marriage is recognised
in the foreign country where you had undergone your customary
marriage, ICA will consider the application.
Q17: I am a
foreign widow of a Singaporean and have a young Singaporean
child. Am I eligible to apply for LTVP+?
A17: Yes,
you are eligible to apply for LTVP+.
Q18:
I am the foreign spouse of a Singaporean. I have been married
for three years and have a Singaporean child from the
marriage. What other criteria must I or my Singaporean spouse
satisfy before I can be granted a LTVP+?
A18: Other
factors that we consider include the ability of the sponsor to
financially support the family, and good conduct of both the
sponsor and the applicant.
Q19: Is the LTVP+
a pre-requisite for getting Singapore Permanent Residence
(SPR)?
A19: LTVP+ is not a pre-requisite for the
application of Singapore Permanent Residence
(SPR).
Q20: I am a PR in Singapore. Is my foreign wife
eligible to apply for LTVP+?
A20:
No. The privilege of sponsoring a foreign spouse for LTVP+ is
only applicable to Singapore citizens.
Q21: My child is
born overseas and is currently on a Visit Pass/ Student Pass. Is my
foreign spouse eligible for LTVP+?
A21:
Couples who have at least one child who is a Singapore Citizen from
their marriage will be eligible to apply for the LTVP+. For those
without an SC child, we will look at other factors such as duration
of marriage, and will in general consider more favourably those who
have been married for at least three years.
Q22:
I am the foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen and I am holding a
valid work pass at the moment. I wish to apply for the LTVP+. How
do I do so?
A22: Foreign spouses of
Singapore citizens who are on valid work passes and want to be
considered for an LTVP+ should submit their applications over the
counter at the Visitor Services Centre, 4th floor, ICA
Building. For information on LTVP+
application, please visit www.ica.gov.sg or email ICA at :
[email protected].
(B)
Employment Benefits
Q23: I am an LTVP+ holder. What is the appropriate work pass that I
should apply for?
A23: As an LTVP+
holder, your prospective employer will have to apply for a Letter
of Consent (LOC) with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). You can start
work only when your LOC application is approved by
MOM.
Q24: What is an
“LOC”?
A24: The “LOC” stands
for a Letter of Consent. This is a letter issued by MOM to
acknowledge and give approval to LTVP+ holders to take up
employment in Singapore.
Q25: Who should
be submitting the LOC application?
A25: The company that
is planning to employ you in Singapore has to submit the LOC
application via MOM’s Employment Pass Online (EPOL)
portal.
Q26: Is
there an administrative fee for a LOC
application?
A26: There is no
administrative fee imposed on a LOC
application.
Q27: What
is the LOC duration if approved?
A27: The duration
granted is based on the request indicated by the prospective
employer in the LOC application, or up to the LTVP+ expiry
date.
Q28: Is the LOC
issued in the form of a secure card?
A28: No,
the LOC is issued in the form of a letter to both the employer and
the LTVP+ holder.
Q29: Is the
LOC renewable?
A29: Yes, the LOC is
renewable for so long as you hold a LTVP+ that has at least three
months’ validity.
Q30: Can an
LTVP+ holder apply for multiple LOCs?
A30: No, an LTVP+
holder can only hold one employment and one LOC at any point in
time.
Q31:
As an LTVP+ holder, can I set up a business by applying for an
LOC?
A31: No, the LOC is not
meant for LTVP+ holders to set up his or her own business. It
is for him or her to be working as an employee for a
locally-registered company in Singapore.
Q32: I am
an LTVP holder and not an LTVP+ holder, Can I apply for an LOC if I
intend to work in Singapore?
A32: As an LTVP holder,
your employer would need to apply for the relevant workpass, eg. an
Employment Pass, S pass or a work permit if you intend to work in
Singapore.
Q33: I intend to switch
jobs and work for a new employer. Must I cancel my existing
LOC before my prospective employer submits a fresh LOC application
on my behalf?
A33: If you no longer
wish to work for your current employer, you are advised to give
notice in writing to your current employer. The notice period
shall be in accordance with what was stated in your contract of
service. Your current employer must cancel your existing LOC before
your prospective employer submits a fresh LOC application on your
behalf via MOM’s EPOL portal.
Q34:
I am a valid work pass holder and my husband is a Singapore
Citizen. Will I have to cancel my work pass before applying
for LTVP+?
A34: No,
there is no need for you to do so. If your LTVP+ application
is approved, your work pass will only be cancelled when you report
to ICA to collect the LTVP+ card.
Q35:
I am an existing work pass holder and my application for LTVP+ is
successful. I understand my work pass will be cancelled once
I collect my LTVP+ from ICA. Can I continue with my
employment in the interim before my employer obtains a LOC for me
from MOM?
A35: When you report to
ICA to collect your LTVP+, ICA will issue you a temporary approval
letter on behalf of MOM allowing you to work for one month from the
issuance date of your LTVP+. If your employer would like to
continue employing you, he would need to submit and obtain an LOC
for you from MOM before the one-month temporary approval
expires.
Q36: Is the
employer required to cancel the LOC if the LTVP+ holder leaves
the
company?
A36: Yes, the employer
has to cancel the LOC within seven days after the LTVP+ holder
leaves the company.
Q37: Is
there a quota on the number of LTVP+ holders that a company can
employ?
A37: There is no quota
on the number of LTVP+ holders a company can hire as long as the
LTVP+ holders are issued with a valid LOC. LTVP+ holders
issued with LOC will not be counted against the foreign worker
quota of their employers
Q38: Must
the company pay foreign worker levy to hire LTVP+ holders on
LOC?
A38: There is no
foreign worker levy imposed for hiring LTVP+ holders.
Q39: My
company intends to employ an LTVP+ holder. We submitted an S
pass application via MOM’s EPOL portal instead of an LOC
application. What should we do to rectify the
situation?
A39: Your company
should withdraw the S pass application via MOM’s EPOL portal and
then submit an LOC
application.
Q40: What
is the processing time for an LOC application?
A40: The
processing time for an LOC application is about one
week.
For
information about Letters of Consent for LTVP+
holders, please visit
www.mom.gov.sg
or call the MOM
general enquiries line at (65) 6438 5122.
(C)
Healthcare Benefits
Q41: What are the healthcare subsidies that LTVP+
holders are eligible for?
A41: LTVP+
holders are eligible for healthcare subsidies for inpatient
services only at Restructured Hospitals and institutions (RHIs).
The levels of inpatient subsidy will depend on the choice of ward
class, and will be similar to the corresponding subsidy levels for
Permanent Resident (PR) patients. LTVP+ holders are, however, not
eligible for subsidies for day surgery, specialist outpatient
clinics (SOCs) and polyclinics services.
Subsidy Levels for LTVP+ Holders (as
at 1 March 2012)
Type of Ward
Class/Service
Maximum Subsidy Levels
Singapore Citizens
Permanent Residents
LTVP+ Holders
Class
A
0%
0%
0%
Class
B1
20%
10%
10%
Class
B2+
50%
30%
30%
Class
B2
65%
45%
45%
Class
C
80%
60%
60%
Day
Surgery
50%
45%
No
subsidy
Specialist
Outpatient Clinic (SOC)
50%
30%
No
subsidy
A&E
Emergency
department fees are the same for all patients
Q42:
Why am I not entitled to healthcare subsidies for outpatient
services?
A42: The benefits
for the different groups of non-citizens (i.e. PRs, LTVP+ holders
and other foreigners) are differentiated. Generally,
foreigners are not eligible for subsidies. Healthcare subsidies for
inpatient services are extended to foreign spouses of Singapore
citizens under LTVP+, to provide some assistance for their
healthcare costs.
Q43:
Do I have to undergo means-testing?
A43: Yes,
like Singapore citizens and Singapore PRs, LTVP+ holders will have
to be means-tested for admission to Class B2+/B2 and C
wards.
Q44: I am
worried about my healthcare costs, as the subsidy for LTVP+ holders
is limited. How can I obtain increased
protection?
A44: We
would strongly encourage you to take up health insurance with a
Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plan. These plans provide
additional protection against large medical bills for PRs and
foreigners who receive reduced or no subsidies. These plans also
help cover selected expensive outpatient conditions (e.g. cancer)
where there are no subsidies for foreigners, including LTVP+
holders.
LTVP+ holders are encouraged
to consider purchasing health insurance early as health conditions
may arise at any time. If you purchase health insurance only after
you develop a condition, the condition may be excluded from
coverage or you may have your application
rejected.
Premiums for the
Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans can be paid using cash or
through the Medisave accounts of your spouse or your children.
The annual premiums for these Plans are affordable. For
a policy holder below 40 years of age, the annual premium ranges
from $100 to $200 a year for plans that provide higher coverage
suitable for those who receive reduced or no subsidies.
There are five insurers who
offer Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans – AIA, Aviva, Great
Eastern, NTUC Income and Prudential. You may approach any of them
or a financial advisor for more information on the application
process.
The website addresses of the
five insurers are as follows:
-
AIA : www.aia.com.sg
-
Aviva: www.aviva.com.sg
-
Great Eastern: www.greateasternlife.com
-
NTUC Income: www.income.com.sg
-
Prudential: www.prudential.com.sg
Q45: Can
my spouse use his Medisave to pay for my health insurance
premiums?
A45: Your spouse
or your children’s Medisave can be used to pay for the premiums of
your Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plan.
For
information about healthcare
benefits, please visit www.moh.gov.sg
or call the MOH
hotline at 1800-225 4122.
(D)
Other Issues
Q46: I
have obtained an LTVP+. My husband is an SC. Are we allowed
to purchase HDB Flats?
A46: Presently, an SC-Foreigner couple with an SC
child is eligible to purchase new or resale HDB flats. Those
without an SC child are eligible to purchase resale HDB Flats.
Although such couples receive a lower amount of housing grant for
buying resale HDB flats than SC couples, they can apply to top up
to the full housing grant accorded to SC couples if they have an SC
child or when the foreign spouse obtains Singapore citizenship
subsequently.
(As at 1 March
2012)
