LTVP or PR for my wife to be?

[abcx]

Hi everyone

I am in a sticky situation and will like some advice.

I am a true blue Singaporean and served my nation for 2.5 yrs (last batch!) I am working in an IT MNC as IT engineer, annual salary ~45k. I have known my girlfriend (PRC) for almost 2 years. She is in SG for almost a yr working on S Pass, $1800 per mth (on the old scheme).

She has issues with her job and will like a change, but we are afraid of her success in applying S Pass again with another company now that govt is tightening up on foreign worker quotas. She will also like a rest from work for awhile.

We are considering to tie the knot and I will help her apply for LTVP first, then PR. My questions are:

1) Can I apply LTVP for her while she is on S Pass? Or should I try PR for her directly?


2) Will she have to give up her work pass while I am applying LTVP/PR for her? My concern is whether she can continue to stay in SG while my application is in process.


3) I saw on MOM website that LTVP holders can work in SG provided the employer applies the usual work passes for them. Does this mean her LTVP will be voided and her stay in SG will again be tied to the work pass?


4) I know her boss will need to sign the PR form if we apply. I also heard employers are able to comment on employee performance to MOM. Is this true? I am afraid her boss might low blow us and give negative remarks even though she has been his best sales performer in the entire team.


5) I really dont know whether ICA might see this as a marriage of convenience, any advice on how we can prove we are serious abt our marriage?


6) I am still thinking whether to register in SG or China. Will this have any impact on LTVP/PR application?


I was delighted when I initially heard abt the new LTVP+, but after seeing the requirements (married for 3 yrs, have a SC kid etc...) I think we are not really eligible...

I have searched ICA/MOM websites but there were no clear indications for my case. Really hope the good hearted bros here can help me out.

Thanks!!

[zzm9980]

Your best bet is to apply for her for LTVP after being married. See another post in this forum about the new "LTVP+" pass available for spouses of Singaporeans. It should be only a few posts up or down from this one as of right now.

Basically,ICA is/will be concerned that your marriage is "for convenience", specifically that you're marrying her so she can get an LTVP/PR, not so she can stay. As you read the other thread for criteria for LTVP+, you'll realize ICA puts a lot of weight into how long you have been married in determining if it's "real" or not. I'd suggest marrying her ASAP, so you get as much time together while she is here on her S pass that you can. Then, if she needs you to apply for an LTVP for her to stay because she finishes her work, the time married will help demonstrate it's a real marriage.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi everyone

I am in a sticky situation and will like some advice.

I am a true blue Singaporean and served my nation for 2.5 yrs (last batch!) I am working in an IT MNC as IT engineer, annual salary ~45k. I have known my girlfriend (PRC) for almost 2 years. She is in SG for almost a yr working on S Pass, $1800 per mth (on the old scheme).

She has issues with her job and will like a change, but we are afraid of her success in applying S Pass again with another company now that govt is tightening up on foreign worker quotas. She will also like a rest from work for awhile.

We are considering to tie the knot and I will help her apply for LTVP first, then PR. My questions are:

1) Can I apply LTVP for her while she is on S Pass? Or should I try PR for her directly?

No. Well technically yes, but why? Then she cannot work if she is on an LTVP. PR directly? forget it until you have been married at least 2 years or more.

2) Will she have to give up her work pass while I am applying LTVP/PR for her? My concern is whether she can continue to stay in SG while my application is in process.

No. As long as she is on an Employment Pass / S Pass, Nothing will change until she receives PR. Only upon gaining PR will she give up her employment pass (unless, of course, it's not renewed). If it's not renewed, then, if you are married, it might mean a long distance relationship for a couple of years if she doesn't find another job and the ICA doesn't give her an LTVP (if you are married) after her employment pass is expired/revoked/cancelled).

3) I saw on MOM website that LTVP holders can work in SG provided the employer applies the usual work passes for them. Does this mean her LTVP will be voided and her stay in SG will again be tied to the work pass?

Until such time as she gains PR that is correct.

4) I know her boss will need to sign the PR form if we apply. I also heard employers are able to comment on employee performance to MOM. Is this true? I am afraid her boss might low blow us and give negative remarks even though she has been his best sales performer in the entire team.

It's not really necessary to fill out the Annex A in the PR application, as, if you are married, you will be the sponsor.

5) I really dont know whether ICA might see this as a marriage of convenience, any advice on how we can prove we are serious abt our marriage?

Nope, other than being married for at least 2 years and better yet, her having a child here in Singapore legally (e.g., married with you being the father). A boy is preferable but not necessary.

6) I am still thinking whether to register in SG or China. Will this have any impact on LTVP/PR application?

I was delighted when I initially heard abt the new LTVP+, but after seeing the requirements (married for 3 yrs, have a SC kid etc...) I think we are not really eligible...

I have searched ICA/MOM websites but there were no clear indications for my case. Really hope the good hearted bros here can help me out.

Thanks!!

Nothing has really changed other than the fact that WHEN they issue LTVP's, if the criteria is otherwise met, then ICA will issue the LTVP+ instead of the normal 6~12 month LTVP.

[abcx]

Thanks for your quick reply, SMS!

Why we choose LTVP is because she doesnt want to work in her current job anymore (and also to take a break from work for awhile). So the only way we can continue to be in SG legally is to get married and I apply LTVP for her.

That's why my concern whether will there be any conflict if I apply LTVP (ICA) for her while she is still holding S Pass (MOM) and working. Since they are from two different govt agencies, I suppose it should be fine even though this might not be common for SC/foreigner couples?

Also, how would you rate my chances of getting LTVP for her if we get registered and I apply for her immediately? Would it that help that she is already in SG working for a yr with S Pass?

I heard work permit holders need to get MOM approval before getting married while S Pass and above do not. Should I just get some form of written confirmation from MOM on this?

Thanks!

[zzm9980]

Thanks for your quick reply, SMS!

Why we choose LTVP is because she doesnt want to work in her current job anymore (and also to take a break from work for awhile). So the only way we can continue to be in SG legally is to get married and I apply LTVP for her.

That's why my concern whether will there be any conflict if I apply LTVP (ICA) for her while she is still holding S Pass (MOM) and working. Since they are from two different govt agencies, I suppose it should be fine even though this might not be common for SC/foreigner couples?

Also, how would you rate my chances of getting LTVP for her if we get registered and I apply for her immediately? Would it that help that she is already in SG working for a yr with S Pass?

I heard work permit holders need to get MOM approval before getting married while S Pass and above do not. Should I just get some form of written confirmation from MOM on this?

Thanks!

The one-year will help more than not having it, but hard to say if it's enough.

When MOM says work permit, they don't mean the "passes" P1, P2, S, etc. There is a lower-level pass called "Work Permit". So you two are OK there.

[abcx]

Thanks for your quick reply, SMS!

Why we choose LTVP is because she doesnt want to work in her current job anymore (and also to take a break from work for awhile). So the only way we can continue to be in SG legally is to get married and I apply LTVP for her.

That's why my concern whether will there be any conflict if I apply LTVP (ICA) for her while she is still holding S Pass (MOM) and working. Since they are from two different govt agencies, I suppose it should be fine even though this might not be common for SC/foreigner couples?

Also, how would you rate my chances of getting LTVP for her if we get registered and I apply for her immediately? Would it that help that she is already in SG working for a yr with S Pass?

I heard work permit holders need to get MOM approval before getting married while S Pass and above do not. Should I just get some form of written confirmation from MOM on this?

Thanks!

The one-year will help more than not having it, but hard to say if it's enough.

When MOM says work permit, they don't mean the "passes" P1, P2, S, etc. There is a lower-level pass called "Work Permit". So you two are OK there.

thanks for your reply! thats one item off my mind for now...

[sundaymorningstaple]

You cannot apply for the LTVP until she surrenders her S pass. This will give her one month on a SVP. If you are legally married here, then she should have no problem getting an LTVP even if not the + model. You probably will not the get plus model until you have been married for at least two years. It wouldn't matter how long she was here on an S pass.

[sundaymorningstaple]

In fact, I would look at it slightly sideways as well as it would seem that she is trying to ensure her stay here without having to work for it. This is exactly what they are trying to stop. Think about that for a while.....

[JR8]

In fact, I would look at it slightly sideways as well as it would seem that she is trying to ensure her stay here without having to work for it. This is exactly what they are trying to stop. Think about that for a while.....

You said she wants to take a break from work, but given she possibly has no chance of an LTVP+ or PR until two years after you are married, then she cannot work for two years assuming she is granted a standard LTVP. That's quite a break!

[abcx]

You cannot apply for the LTVP until she surrenders her S pass. This will give her one month on a SVP.

I know once she surrenders her work pass, she has like 7 days in SG before she has to leave? Is your one mth SVP mean that I should apply a visa for her?

I have applied visa for her before so I know how that goes.. Then again, she is not coming into the country with a visa, she is already in the country. So I am not really sure what you mean here..

I just checked ICA website -

"For the application of Long-Term Visit Pass to be successfully submitted, please note that applicant must have a minimum valid stay of 10 days. An extension fee of S$40 is applicable when the current valid pass is accumulating to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/issuance of pass.
(This fee is chargeable for every subsequent extension of stay accumulating to 3 months or more.)"

How does one accumulate 3mths on a SVP when I think you can at most stay up till 2mths from some of the forum threads I read here?

In fact, I would look at it slightly sideways as well as it would seem that she is trying to ensure her stay here without having to work for it. This is exactly what they are trying to stop. Think about that for a while.....

would that really be so? I havent thought of that way.. this is really a concern for us if so.. but then again, wont those that have not worked here before and applying for LTVP through marriage be more suspicious than our case? At least she has worked for a yr and its not as if she cannot look for work again with another company after she gets LTVP right?

[abcx]

In fact, I would look at it slightly sideways as well as it would seem that she is trying to ensure her stay here without having to work for it. This is exactly what they are trying to stop. Think about that for a while.....

You said she wants to take a break from work, but given she possibly has no chance of an LTVP+ or PR until two years after you are married, then she cannot work for two years assuming she is granted a standard LTVP. That's quite a break!

Yeah well.. initially we thought to give her a short break after we get married, before she look for work again

Now that I know she would have to reapply for a work pass with her new employee, that means she might fall into the same situation again as now.

But I guess the consolation is at least this time round, she will have more time to go for interviews and look for a better job with more prospects.

[sundaymorningstaple]

S pass holders get a 1 month svp once their S pass is canceled. It's Work Permit (WP's) holders that only get 7 days. All employment passes except for WP get a 1 month SVP upon surrendering their S pass. In fact, it's processed by MOM and the employer prints in out online once the physical pass has been collected by the employer. The printed out SVP has to be carried with the passport at all times until surrendered either to ICA either at Kallang (getting the LTVP) or at the airport immigration when departing back to home of origin.

[keisatsu]

Hi abcx,

I'm in a similar situation as you.

1) gf ex s pass holder , now not in sg. been with her for 3 years.

2) she studied in sg with moe tuition grant previously.

3) we will be ROM-ing in June.

now, I'm not really sure what should I apply for her. LTVP or direct PR.
I'm also not sure if I should apply SVP for her now to come in June (not sure if thats possible.) in case reject can try again,

or should I just apply SVP nearer to her return date.

[JR8]

The locals might be moaning about FT, but jeez the PRC-chicks seems to getting a lot of serious action

Guess what they say about SGn men is true, they have an innate need to be able to look down upon their intended spouse.


Oh, was that a bit trolly? So solly

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi everyone

I am in a sticky situation and will like some advice.

I am a true blue Singaporean and served my nation for 2.5 yrs (last batch!) I am working in an IT MNC as IT engineer, annual salary ~45k. I have known my girlfriend (PRC) for almost 2 years. She is in SG for almost a yr working on S Pass, $1800 per mth (on the old scheme).

She has issues with her job and will like a change, but we are afraid of her success in applying S Pass again with another company now that govt is tightening up on foreign worker quotas. She will also like a rest from work for awhile.

We are considering to tie the knot and I will help her apply for LTVP first, then PR. My questions are:

1) Can I apply LTVP for her while she is on S Pass? Or should I try PR for her directly?

You can only apply for LTVP after she gives up her S pass, but you cannot apply for the LTVP until after you have ROM'd.

2) Will she have to give up her work pass while I am applying LTVP/PR for her? My concern is whether she can continue to stay in SG while my application is in process.

See above for the LTVP. You can waste you time applying for a PR at the moment, but it will be rejected due to not having been married for at least 2 years in all probability so it doesn't appear to be a marriage of convenience.


3) I saw on MOM website that LTVP holders can work in SG provided the employer applies the usual work passes for them. Does this mean her LTVP will be voided and her stay in SG will again be tied to the work pass?

LTVP holders cannot work in Singapore. The site is worded very badly as that is almost universally the interpretation. But what it means is, if you are on an LTVP, if you want to work you have to apply for an EP or WP just like anybody on a SVP. Once the EP/S/WP is granted the LTVP will automatically be cancelled.


4) I know her boss will need to sign the PR form if we apply. I also heard employers are able to comment on employee performance to MOM. Is this true? I am afraid her boss might low blow us and give negative remarks even though she has been his best sales performer in the entire team.

It good for the employer to fill out the Annex A but it isn't really a necessity, if everything thing else is excellent. Where possible it is always the best way, but MOM also knows that a lot of employers use that as a Damocles sword to hang over the head of the employee.

5) I really dont know whether ICA might see this as a marriage of convenience, any advice on how we can prove we are serious abt our marriage?

Yep, wait until you have been married for AT LEAST TWO YEARS or have a son and register him as a Singaporean at birth.


6) I am still thinking whether to register in SG or China. Will this have any impact on LTVP/PR application?

It could.

I was delighted when I initially heard abt the new LTVP+, but after seeing the requirements (married for 3 yrs, have a SC kid etc...) I think we are not really eligible...

I have searched ICA/MOM websites but there were no clear indications for my case. Really hope the good hearted bros here can help me out.

Thanks!!

We are good hearted, but we don't blow smoke! We cannot change the facts as we see them, based on anecdotal evidence that we get from various sources.