Many couples who move for work are not legally married. In some countries, a long-term unmarried relationship is formally recognised as a “common-law” or “de facto” partnership. If you are coming to Singapore on a work pass and want your partner to join you, the route to look at is the common-law spouse LTVP Singapore offers to eligible work pass holders through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Most guides to family passes assume the couple is married, so this one focuses only on the unmarried partner route. It is general information, not legal or immigration advice. MOM sets and updates the eligibility rules, salary requirements and documents, so always confirm the current details on MOM’s website before you apply.
What the Common-Law Spouse LTVP Is
The Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is a pass that lets certain family members of work pass holders live in Singapore for an extended period. You can read the basics in our guide to the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
For married couples, the usual route for a spouse is the Dependant’s Pass (DP). An unmarried partner cannot get a DP, because the DP is for legally married spouses and children. Instead, MOM provides an LTVP route for a common-law spouse of eligible pass holders.
Points to understand:
- It is tied to the main pass holder. Your partner’s LTVP depends on your work pass. If your pass ends or is cancelled, your partner’s pass is generally affected too.
- Not every pass type qualifies. Eligibility depends on the type of pass the main holder has and their salary. MOM publishes the qualifying pass types and the minimum salary on its website, and these are reviewed from time to time.
- “Common-law” has a specific meaning. MOM generally looks for a relationship that is recognised under the law of the couple’s home country or the country where the relationship was formed. A casual or short relationship is unlikely to qualify.
Who May Qualify
Because the rules can change, treat this as a checklist of questions to verify with MOM rather than a final answer.
- The main pass holder: Does your pass type allow you to sponsor a common-law spouse? Does your fixed monthly salary meet MOM’s current requirement?
- The relationship: Is your partnership recognised as common-law under the relevant country’s law? Can you prove it?
- The partner: Does your partner meet general entry and pass requirements, such as having a valid passport?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, check MOM’s eligibility pages or use MOM’s online tools before applying. Some employers’ HR teams or relocation providers can also help you interpret the requirements.
Common-Law Spouse LTVP vs Other Family Passes
It helps to see how this route sits beside the more familiar options. For a detailed comparison of the married routes, see Dependant’s Pass vs LTVP in Singapore.
| Pass | Who it is generally for | Relationship proof | Key point to check with the authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependant’s Pass (DP) | Legally married spouse and children of eligible work pass holders | Marriage certificate | Salary requirement and pass type of the main holder (MOM) |
| Common-law spouse LTVP | Unmarried partner in a recognised common-law relationship with an eligible work pass holder | Evidence the relationship is recognised as common-law | Whether your pass type and salary qualify (MOM) |
| LTVP for spouse of a Singaporean or PR | Foreign spouse of a citizen or permanent resident | Marriage certificate | Handled by ICA, with different rules |
| Short-term visit pass | Visitors, including partners on short trips | Not relationship-based | Duration and conditions set at entry by ICA |
Proving a Common-Law Relationship
This is usually the hardest part of the application. Since there is no marriage certificate, you need other evidence that your relationship is recognised and genuine. MOM will specify what it accepts, but couples are commonly asked for documents such as:
- Official recognition from the home country. In some countries, a government body or court can register or certify a de facto or common-law relationship. If your home country offers this, it is usually the strongest evidence.
- Proof of living together. For example, a joint tenancy agreement, utility bills in both names or official address records over a sustained period.
- Shared finances. Joint bank accounts, shared insurance policies or other financial ties.
- Children together. Birth certificates naming both partners, where relevant.
- Statutory declarations. Some couples provide formal declarations about their relationship, but check whether this alone is enough.
Documents not in English usually need an official translation. Certified copies may be required. Start gathering these early, because obtaining official records from overseas can take time.
How the Application Usually Works
The general flow is similar to other MOM family passes, but always follow MOM’s current instructions.
- Main pass holder secures their own pass first. The partner’s application is linked to it.
- Employer or authorised agent applies. For many work passes, the employer or an employment agent submits family pass applications through MOM’s online system.
- Submit supporting documents. Upload proof of relationship, passport details and any other documents MOM requests.
- Wait for the outcome. MOM may ask for further information. Processing times vary.
- Complete issuance formalities. If approved, follow MOM’s steps to have the pass issued, which may include registration of fingerprints and photo.
Fees apply for application and issuance. Check MOM’s site for current fees rather than relying on older figures.
What Your Partner Can and Cannot Do
Once your partner is in Singapore on the LTVP, a few practical points matter:
- Working. An LTVP does not automatically allow your partner to work. Whether they can work, and what pass or approval they would need, depends on MOM’s rules. In many cases they would need their own work pass sponsored by an employer. Check with MOM before your partner accepts any job, paid or unpaid.
- Starting a business. The same caution applies. Whether an LTVP holder may run or be involved in a business depends on MOM rules for that pass, so confirm before registering anything with ACRA (the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, which handles business registration).
- Healthcare. LTVP holders are usually treated as foreigners for healthcare charges, so private health insurance is worth considering.
- Children. If you have children together, check which pass applies to them; it may differ from your partner’s.
- Renewals. The LTVP usually runs in line with the main pass. Diarise the expiry dates of both.
Practical Tips Before You Move
- Check eligibility before signing your job offer. If bringing your partner matters, ask your future employer’s HR to confirm your pass type and salary qualify.
- Get relationship documents certified at home. It is often easier before you leave.
- Plan for a gap. Your partner may need to enter on a short-term visit pass while the application is processed. Check ICA’s rules on entry and length of stay for their nationality.
- Think about property. Some unmarried couples later look at buying a home. Our guide to buying property as an unmarried couple explains the general considerations.
- Support each other. Moving as a partner who cannot immediately work can be isolating. Our guide to helping your spouse settle as a trailing partner has ideas that apply to unmarried couples too.
The common-law spouse LTVP can make it possible to start your Singapore chapter together without needing to marry first. Prepare your documents carefully, confirm the current rules with MOM, and give yourselves enough time to get everything in order.
Official sources: ICA