Applying LTVP from overseas

[nervxxx]

Hi everyone,

I am a Singapore citizen (male, Chinese), but went to the US for studies and stayed there ever since for work. I've been away for over 10 years now, but will be coming back to Sg in a few months' time as I got a job at a local company (pretty high paying one).

My wife is a Malaysian national (Chinese) -- we met and got married in the US, never did the PLMA nor registered our marriage in Singapore.

We are looking into how to get her to live with me in Singapore long-term. We are thinking of applying for an LTVP + PLOC so she has flexibility in where she works (as opposed to an E or S pass which is tied to a company).

However, my questions are:

1) We are still in the US. Logging in to the LTVP application website online, it seems I can submit an application for LTVP right now. But is this advisable? We only have concrete travel plans in a few months', and would like to avoid a situation where ICA calls us for an interview but we can't attend it because we are not physically present in Singapore.

Has anyone had the experience of applying for LTVP while both parties are overseas, and what was your experience like?


2) Given that I have not been in Singapore for the past 10 years, and have no CPF contribution (never worked there), will this negatively affect my application? My next job in Sg is pretty high paying though and I am currently commanding a pretty decent salary in the US.


3) What do people think of the pros and cons of being on an E-pass/S-pass vs LTVP+PLOC?
On one hand, there will be more benefits from being sponsored by a company. But on the other hand, my wife's stay in Sg will be tied to the company, which is why we are looking more favourably at the LTVP+PLOC. What do people think?

On that note, suppose my wife gets an E-pass, sponsored by a company. But say at some point she wants to leave her job. In that case, how will she be able to stay in Sg long term? Once her E-pass is canceled, does she transition to STVP right away? And then we have to put in an application for LTVP?


4) Lastly, is it too early to be thinking of applying for PR or should we settle for a bit (pay some taxes etc.) before applying?


Thanks!!!

[MOCHS]

1. We don’t know. Previously one cannot make LTVP application while overseas ‘cos the D/E white card number is needed and you only get the D/E card upon arrival to SG. I believe they no longer give D/E cards so we don’t know how the processing is like now. You tell us and let us know.

2. Previous members came to SG with their foreigner spouse, started their job in SG and after getting one month payslip, they apply LTVP & their spouse LTVP got approved after a long wait.

Remember LTVP looks at how the SC is able to sponsor & support their spouse to stay here. Sponsoring means having a job here. You should be fine after you start work in SG.

3. Senior members on the forum say EP is better than LTVP-PLOC. If she gets EP & loses her job, then she will be on STVP, and you will have to apply LTVP.

Many companies tend to short change LTVP holders and give them unfavourable salary even though they are well qualified. The company has to be educated on that fact… Also depends on how good the HR is.

4. Depends. If you have children, it’s favourable, can apply for PR when you’re overseas. If no kids, better to have the spouse be in SG for at least 2 years before applying. However, she’s M’sian Chinese and they are known to be very favourable for PR. But if she never study/work in SG before, it’s a huge question mark altogether.

If you don’t mind treating the application fee as a donation, you can apply early. You buy your ticket and take your chances.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi everyone,

I am a Singapore citizen (male, Chinese), but went to the US for studies and stayed there ever since for work. I've been away for over 10 years now, but will be coming back to Sg in a few months' time as I got a job at a local company (pretty high paying one).

Did you do your National Service before going overseas for your Uni/work?

[jwoods1864]

Hi everyone,

I am a Singapore citizen (male, Chinese), but went to the US for studies and stayed there ever since for work. I've been away for over 10 years now, but will be coming back to Sg in a few months' time as I got a job at a local company (pretty high paying one).

My wife is a Malaysian national (Chinese) -- we met and got married in the US, never did the PLMA nor registered our marriage in Singapore.

We are looking into how to get her to live with me in Singapore long-term. We are thinking of applying for an LTVP + PLOC so she has flexibility in where she works (as opposed to an E or S pass which is tied to a company).

However, my questions are:

1) We are still in the US. Logging in to the LTVP application website online, it seems I can submit an application for LTVP right now. But is this advisable? We only have concrete travel plans in a few months', and would like to avoid a situation where ICA calls us for an interview but we can't attend it because we are not physically present in Singapore.

Has anyone had the experience of applying for LTVP while both parties are overseas, and what was your experience like?


2) Given that I have not been in Singapore for the past 10 years, and have no CPF contribution (never worked there), will this negatively affect my application? My next job in Sg is pretty high paying though and I am currently commanding a pretty decent salary in the US.


3) What do people think of the pros and cons of being on an E-pass/S-pass vs LTVP+PLOC?
On one hand, there will be more benefits from being sponsored by a company. But on the other hand, my wife's stay in Sg will be tied to the company, which is why we are looking more favourably at the LTVP+PLOC. What do people think?

On that note, suppose my wife gets an E-pass, sponsored by a company. But say at some point she wants to leave her job. In that case, how will she be able to stay in Sg long term? Once her E-pass is canceled, does she transition to STVP right away? And then we have to put in an application for LTVP?


4) Lastly, is it too early to be thinking of applying for PR or should we settle for a bit (pay some taxes etc.) before applying?


Thanks!!!

Keep us posted for the answer to number 1 as I am also wondering if I can get the LTVP ball rolling whilst not in Singapore, especially considering the current waiting times!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nervxxx]

Hi everyone,

I am a Singapore citizen (male, Chinese), but went to the US for studies and stayed there ever since for work. I've been away for over 10 years now, but will be coming back to Sg in a few months' time as I got a job at a local company (pretty high paying one).

Did you do your National Service before going overseas for your Uni/work?

Yes.

[nervxxx]

Keep us posted for the answer to number 1 as I am also wondering if I can get the LTVP ball rolling whilst not in Singapore, especially considering the current waiting times!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Will do.

I submitted the application a few days ago, notification said successfully submitted, so fingers crossed.

Just to share some information I got from correspondence with an ICA representative (via email; as their phone line is perpetually busy... ):

- You can indeed apply from overseas. However the reviewing officer might call you for an in-person interview to review your case, so there is a chance that both the applicant and sponsor might need to go to Singapore at the drop of a hat (or at least within the time frame that you can book a next appointment)

- In any case, even if an interview for review is not requested, and the in-principle approval (IPA) is happily straightforwardly granted, both parties still have to physically go to ICA to complete the formalities. The IPA is only valid for 3 months so plans need to be made to go to SG within that time frame. (Applicant would enter on e.g. a STVP and then go to ICA to convert it to LTVP, as far as I understand. A granted IPA is not a visa, so the applicant would need to ensure that they have the appropriate visa to enter SG as a normal visitor. ).

- I have received conflicting information about how long the process takes -- on the website it says up to 6 months (without PLMA), while an ICA officer says up to 6 weeks (even after explaining I don't have PLMA). Oh well.

[MOCHS]

- I have received conflicting information about how long the process takes -- on the website it says up to 6 months (without PLMA), while an ICA officer says up to 6 weeks (even after explaining I don't have PLMA). Oh well.

Just prep yourself for the maximum waiting time of 6 months and you won’t be disappointed.

Doubt it will take 6 weeks. There are people here on the forum whose spouse have PMLA and waited at least 3 months to get the IPA. LTVP processing time has been taking quite a while lately.

[mozbi]

Hi OP, I’m in a similar situation as you are- SC who’s been living in the US for ~10 years looking to move back to SG and apply for a LTVP for my spouse.
I don’t have cpf contributions not SG pay slips as well and was wondering if it would be fine to submit the application with prior US pay stubs. Did ICA provide any guidance to you on that? Thanks.