LTSVP-embassy doc confirming the status of common-law spouse

[BazaY]

Hi,

I am the holder of an EP-P1 pass, recently issues.
Planning to apply for an LTSVP for my girlfriend which has not yet arrived in Singapore.

to issue the LTSVP, I am requested to provide an "A letter from the EP holder's embassy confirming the status of his/her common-law marriage to the applicant in their country; "

Problem is that my embassy has never given such a document.

A few questions:

Q1:
Can anyone provide an example of such a document ?
Dow does it look like ?
What exactly it is written in it ?
(please sent me a private message if you can provide copy of such a document, I'm only looking for an example. I can provide you my email address, or come to meet you in person. Thanks!)


Q2:
Has anyone applied for an LTSVP with a confirmation letter given in the home-country, and not a confirmation letter by the embassy ?
Was the LTSVP approved ?

Q3:
Would MOM approve a LTSVP with a confirmation letter given by an embassy but from another country (ex: Malaysia), and not by the embassy from Singapore ?

Q4:
Can we apply for her LTSVP before she arrives in Singapore ?


Thanks a lot for your help!

[sundaymorningstaple]

provide an "A letter from the EP holder's embassy confirming the status of his/her common-law marriage to the applicant in their country; "

Which word were you having a problem with?

It means if you are from the UK, you need a letter from the UK embassy confirming your Shacked UP status in the UK. It doesn't mean a letter from the Malaysian Embassy (if you are from the UK) because you are shacked up with a Malaysian in Malaysia before coming here. She would have had to be obviously with you in your home country. Barring that, you would need to provide proof of said relationship, e.g., loans in both names, bills for services in each others names with the same address, etc. Some countries will allow you to make a statement to the embassy and they will just notarize/chop it. But these are not always accepted.

That or get married legally.

[Mad Scientist]

Let me make clearer what SMS is saying

This is an extract from MOM


For Common-law Spouse

* LTVP application form;

- The applicant must be sponsored by a well-established Singapore-registered company,
normally the employer of the EP holder.

- The form must be endorsed with the company's stamp/seal and signed by both the applicant
and an authorised officer from the sponsoring company.

* A copy of the EP holder's Statutory Declaration on his/her relationship with the applicant;

* A letter from the EP holder's embassy confirming the status of his/her common-law marriage to the applicant in their country;

* A copy of the personal particulars page of the applicant's travel document; and

* A passport size photograph of the applicant (taken within the last three months).

For non-English certificates or documents, a copy of the original certificates/documents and the official English translation certified by the respective embassy, must be submitted.

This means you have to get LEGALLY MARRIED in the eyes of SG Gahmen

[x9200]

For Common-law Spouse
[..]
This means you have to get LEGALLY MARRIED in the eyes of SG Gahmen

Not sure if there were any changes in the policy during past few years but in our case it was enough to have an endorsement from the embassy that such institution as the common-law marriage is known in our country and that according to the embassy we were under it. A single letter from the embassy without any supporting documents already did this part of the job. I had actually more problems with my company to convince them to sponsor it.

[Mad Scientist]

For Common-law Spouse
[..]
This means you have to get LEGALLY MARRIED in the eyes of SG Gahmen

Not sure if there were any changes in the policy during past few years but in our case it was enough to have an endorsement from the embassy that such institution as the common-law marriage is known in our country and that according to the embassy we were under it. A single letter from the embassy without any supporting documents already did this part of the job. I had actually more problems with my company to convince them to sponsor it.

X, this is true but the problem with the OP he cannot get it from his own country embassy. This common law spouse is up to you to show proof by getting legality around it. But going by its guideline you have to be married if you cannot proof otherwise. So.... either that or get married
Malaysia Embassy is the same like SG , you have to show proof marriage for them to endorse.

[BazaY]

Thank you all for all your replies.

I'm working on this project since jan/feb when I first started to discuss with my company about working in Singapore.
I have read all papers, went line by line trough forms for DP, LTSP, EP.
I know all the details of what is required.

Like every case, mine is special too.
We come from an European country with few people (~100) living/working in Singapore.
Like in many other countries,in my country also, the common-law marriage status is a bit fuzzy. it is 100% accurate. Personally, I think because the church still has a lot of influence in politics.
My embassy in Singapore, is missing a high-councilor/ambassador and it is unknown when one will be assigned.

My company will also support the application.

I also called MOM and discussed with them on the topic. And the replies I got where encouraging.
I have an appointment with them Monday, .. and will collect more information on the sport.

So ... a big puzzle, of which I know major details, ... but i'm missing pieces.

Based on what I could read on this forum, cases are different, and not all got resolved in the same way.

taking it literally, MOM says:

* A copy of the EP holder's Statutory Declaration on his/her relationship with the applicant;

- I have such a declaration given in our home-country, a legalized one, and also a legal translation. Clearly states: "long term relationship known as common-law marriage"
- in some cases, mom may approved the LTSVP only with such a declaration. (but only in some cases )
- My second questions (Q2) is trying to clarify this.

Q2:
Has anyone applied for an LTSVP with a confirmation letter given in the home-country, and not a confirmation letter by the embassy ?
Was the LTSVP approved ?

* A letter from the EP holder's embassy confirming the status of his/her common-law marriage to the applicant in their country;

- as explaining, first my embassy is missing the one person that could sing such a document, and there is no temporary replacement. Talking with another employee from the embassy, I was told that the embassy has never given such a document and most probably will never give. (one of those time when the embassy does not care too much). As there is no ambassador of my country in Singapore, I was told to call also the embassy in KL, and ask for details also there.
- Calling my embassy in KL, I was told that this is the first time they hear about such a request. The ambassador said it is willing to give such a document, but it would like to see an example of such a document given by another embassy.
- This is where my other 3 questions came out:

Q1:
Can anyone provide an example of such a document ?
Dow does it look like ?
What exactly it is written in it ?
(please sent me a private message if you can provide copy of such a document, I'm only looking for an example. I can provide you my email address, or come to meet you in person. Thanks!)

Q3:
Would MOM approve a LTSVP with a confirmation letter given by an embassy but from another country (ex: Malaysia), and not by the embassy from Singapore ?

Q4:
Can we apply for her LTSVP before she arrives in Singapore ?

With the above explained, ... I would appreciate your replies to any of the 4 questions above, or similar personal example.

Thank you all in advance!

[BazaY]

Hi,

Today I had my appointment with MOM for finger-prints, etc, etc.

I also discussed the "letter from embassy" topic.
After showing the lady at MOM the papers that we have from home country, she stated that this is enough for the LTSVP/STVP and no other document given by embassy is required.

conclusion: embassy document is not mandatory required, as long as an official declaration/paper can be provided where the common-law marriage status is proved.

With the experience of having to do with government offices from easter european countries, I was concerned of what might expect me when dealing with Singaporean Government agencies.
For anyone who is concerned on relation with MOM. The personnel @MOM where extremely kind and with an very positive attitude. No reason to be scared or concerned about.

take good care,

[Asian_Geekette]

@BazaY,

Thanks for reporting about the result of your visit to MoM. It's nice to get such kind of closure for the questions posted here.

[gravida]

Great that everything went so smoothly, congrats!