By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
A foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident can apply to ICA for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), with the Singaporean or PR spouse sponsoring the application online with Singpass. Marriage does not guarantee a pass. Couples where one partner is a citizen should take ICA’s free Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment before the wedding: it shows the intended spouse’s chances and cuts processing after marriage from up to six months to six weeks.
This is a different pass from the one for families of Employment Pass holders. It depends on your spouse’s status in Singapore, not on an employer, and the assessment is about the family’s circumstances. The single most useful step is the one many couples skip: the assessment before the wedding.
LTVP for spouses: quick facts
| Who can apply | A foreign spouse of a Singapore citizen or of a permanent resident |
| Sponsor | The citizen or PR spouse, online through ICA’s e-Service with Singpass |
| Before marriage | The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment, free, for citizen-foreigner couples |
| Processing | Up to 6 months for spouses of citizens, or 6 weeks after a completed pre-marriage assessment |
| Eligibility letter | A successful assessment gives a Letter of LTVP Eligibility, valid for 1 year |
| Working | Spouses on an LTVP need MOM’s Letter of Consent, or a work pass, before starting work |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Do first | The Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment, before the wedding. |
| Why | It tells you your chances, and saves months after the wedding. |
| The catch | Marriage alone does not guarantee a pass. |
| Working | Check MOM’s rules before taking a job. |
| Families of work pass holders | Use the Dependant’s Pass route instead. |
Before the wedding: the assessment
ICA encourages a Singapore citizen and their intended foreign spouse to complete the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment. It is free and online, and asks for the same kind of information as the LTVP application. If ICA assesses the intended spouse as eligible, the couple receive a Letter of LTVP Eligibility, valid for a year, to use in the application after marriage; processing then takes about 6 weeks instead of up to 6 months.
Applying after marriage
The citizen or PR spouse logs in to ICA’s e-Service with Singpass and sponsors the application, uploading the marriage certificate and the other documents requested. ICA emails the outcome, and applicants can check progress in MyICA. After in-principle approval, the applicant completes the formalities for the pass to be issued. Getting married in Singapore explains the wedding itself.
Working on an LTVP
An LTVP is a visit pass. A spouse who wants to work needs permission from MOM before starting, usually a Letter of Consent applied for by the employer, or their own work pass. Check MOM’s current rules for your situation.
LTVP for spouses: FAQ
Can a foreign spouse of a Singaporean live in Singapore?
Yes, with a Long-Term Visit Pass sponsored by the Singaporean spouse through ICA, if approved. Marriage does not guarantee approval.
What is the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment?
A free ICA assessment before marriage that shows the intended spouse’s chances of an LTVP and shortens processing to 6 weeks after marriage.
How long does the LTVP for a spouse take?
Up to 6 months for spouses of citizens, or 6 weeks if the couple completed the pre-marriage assessment.
Can I work on a spouse LTVP?
Only with MOM’s permission, usually a Letter of Consent or your own work pass.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. Spouses of Employment Pass or S Pass holders should read bringing your family.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: ICA, becoming a Long-Term Visit Pass holder; ICA, spouse of a Singapore citizen and the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment. General information, not immigration advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.
