What is a letter of consent (LOC)?

A letter of consent (LOC) is a visa which :

• allows Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP/LTVP+) holders who are spouse or unmarried children of a Singaporean or PR to work in Singapore.
• allows Dependant’s Pass (DP) business owners to operate a business in Singapore.

What are the LOC eligibility requirements for a DP business owner?

To be eligible to apply for an LOC, you need to be one of the following types of business owner:

• The sole proprietor of an ACRA-registered business.
• A partner of an ACRA-registered business.
• A company director with at least 30% shareholding in an ACRA-registered business.

Additionally, to be eligible for a renewal of the LOC, you will also need to hire at least one Singaporean / Permanent Resident who earns at least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary and receives CPF contributions for at least 3 months.

Please note:

If you are a Dependant’s Pass holder seeking employment in Singapore and you are not a business owner (as described above), you will need to apply for a Work Permit, S Pass or Employment Pass instead.

What is the duration of an LOC?

For first-time candidates, whatever is shorter:

• One year from issue date
• Until the date of expiry of Dependant’s Pass

For subsequent renewals

• Until the date of expiry of the Dependant’s Pass

Note than an LOC stops being valid when:

• The LOC-holder’s Dependant’s Pass is cancelled or expires.
• The LOC-holder’s business is no longer active.

Are non-business owners eligible for an LOC?

Yes, but they must be:

• An LTVP/LTVP+ holder who is married to a Singaporean or PR.
• An unmarried child (under 21 years old) of a Singaporean or PR, who holds an LTVP.

What is a work permit (WP)?

A work permit (WP) is a visa which allows a Dependant’s Pass (DP) holder to work in Singapore.

Think of it as the new LOC for employees on a DP.

What are the WP eligibility requirements for a DP?

To be eligible to apply for an WP, you need to:

• Have a minimum of 3 months before expiry of your valid Dependant’s Pass (DP)
• Have a sponsoring Singapore business which has satisfied the quota conditions to hire a foreigner on a Work Permit (WP).

What are the conditions for a sponsoring business to hire a WP?

Work Permit allocated to firms are governed by quotas and conditions according to their sector. Relevant qualifying salaries and levies also apply.

As DPs are dependants of valid pass holders, they will not, however, be subject to:

• Source requirements
• Six-monthly medical examinations
• Security bonds, or
• Pregnancy restrictions

What is the duration of an WP?

Dependant’s Pass holders who get a Work Permit will have the Work Permit’s validity period tied to that of the Dependant’s Pass.

What is the difference between an LOC and a WP for a Dependant’s Pass holder?

• The hiring company must have local quota for a WP and be paying into the employee’s CPF for a minimum of 3 months.
• The hiring company must pay a levy. The levy will depend on qualifications as well as current S Passes & WPs in the company.
• Company must take out health insurance of a minimum of $15,000 per year for hospitalisation and surgical expenses – even if the applicant already has insurance under the spouse. In this case, an additional policy must be taken out under the company her WP is under after approval has been granted.

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