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LTVP for Parent of Student Pass Holder in Singapore: Sponsor, Documents and Fees
Short answer: An LTVP for parent of student pass holder is available to one parent or grandparent per student, and only through a local sponsor: a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or older who applies with Singpass. Per ICA, as at 10 November 2026, the fee is S$45 at submission and S$60 on issuance.
Key facts at a glance
- Only 1 person, either a parent or a grandparent, can apply to accompany each student (ICA, as at 10 November 2026).
- The child or grandchild must hold a valid Student’s Pass in Singapore.
- A local sponsor is required: any Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or older, who logs in with Singpass to submit the application.
- Fees: S$45 per application at submission, then S$60 for issuance of the LTVP and S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable. All fees are non-refundable.
- ICA processes applications within 6 weeks if all required documents are submitted, though some take longer.
- Documents must be originals with official translations if not in English, plus a letter from the student’s school.
This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. For matters needing legal advice, we work with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms.
What is an LTVP for a parent of a student pass holder?
It is a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) that lets a parent or grandparent of an international student live in Singapore while the student studies here. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) describes its purpose as letting you reside in Singapore and support the student’s education.
The pass sits inside ICA’s wider LTVP framework, alongside categories for spouses and children of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. It is a visit pass, not a work pass and not a Dependant’s Pass. A Dependant’s Pass is tied to the work pass of a family member, while this LTVP is tied to a sponsor and to the student’s own Student’s Pass. For the wider picture of the pass family, see our guide on LTVP versus LTVP+ in Singapore.
Who can apply for an LTVP for parent of student pass holders?
One parent or grandparent of a child or grandchild who holds a valid Student’s Pass, supported by a local sponsor. ICA states that only 1 person, either a parent or a grandparent, can apply to accompany each student.
In practice this means two parents cannot both obtain the pass for the same child, and a parent and grandparent cannot split the role. Families with two students on Student’s Passes should check with ICA how the one-person rule is applied to each student. We have not found guidance on that point on the ICA page, so confirm it before you commit to travel plans.
Two points that people often search for are not stated on the ICA page we reviewed: the child’s age limit and the type of school. Because ICA does not set them out there, we do not state any. If your child is very young, or attends a particular type of institution, ask ICA or the school before you apply.
Who can be the local sponsor?
Any Singapore Citizen (SC) or Permanent Resident (PR) aged 21 or older. The sponsor does not have to be a relative, according to the ICA eligibility table, which lists “Any SC or PR aged 21 and above” for this category.
The sponsor carries real responsibility in the process. They log in with their own Singpass to complete and submit the application on your behalf, so they must be comfortable handling your personal documents and details. Choose someone you trust, and agree in advance who will deal with ICA if it asks questions. Parents with a Singapore Citizen or PR child of their own may be looking at a different route, covered in our post on LTVP for parents of Singapore PRs and Citizens.
What documents do you need for the application?
ICA lists seven items, and it expects originals plus official translations for any document not in English. Prepare everything before your sponsor starts the online form.
| Document | Note from ICA |
|---|---|
| Recent coloured digital photograph | 400 x 514 pixels, following ICA’s photo guidelines |
| Travel document | The applicant’s passport |
| Birth certificate of the student | Original |
| Birth certificate or household register of the student’s parents or grandparents | Original |
| Marriage certificate of the student’s parents | Original |
| Divorce certificates, separation deed and custody papers | If applicable |
| Letter from the student’s school | Required |
ICA accepts translations provided by the embassy of the country or place that issued the document, translations produced by a notary public in Singapore or in the issuing country, and private translations that are attested by the issuing embassy or notarised. It does not endorse any private translation company. For a practical checklist, see our guide to family-pass documents not in English. ICA may also ask for additional documents, and insufficient documentation can lead to non-acceptance of the application.
How do you apply, step by step?
The sponsor submits the application online and you then complete formalities in Singapore once approved. The steps below follow ICA’s published process.
- Check that the student holds a valid Student’s Pass and that you are the only parent or grandparent applying for that student.
- Prepare the documents in the table above, with official translations where needed.
- Your local sponsor logs in with Singpass and completes the online LTVP application.
- Pay the S$45 application fee at submission.
- Track the outcome by email, through the ICA online status check or through the MyICA portal.
- If approved, you receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter and must complete the formalities for the issuance of your LTVP, including paying the S$60 issuance fee.
ICA’s notice on its LTVP page says it has no affiliation with external migration agencies or commercial entities and does not endorse services offered by self-proclaimed immigration consultancies for LTVP applications. Keep that in mind when deciding who handles your paperwork, and always check ICA’s own pages for the current rules.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The application fee is S$45, and ICA states a processing time of 6 weeks when all documents are in order. Further fees apply if the application succeeds.
| Stage | Fee | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| At submission | S$45 per application | ICA, as at 10 November 2026 |
| At completion of formalities | S$60 for issuance of the LTVP | ICA, as at 10 November 2026 |
| At completion of formalities, if applicable | S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa | ICA, as at 10 November 2026 |
All fees are non-refundable, and ICA says it will notify successful applicants of any other applicable fees later. The 6-week figure is ICA’s standard for complete applications; it adds that some applications take longer. Build in extra time around the start of the school term, and do not book non-refundable travel until you have approval in hand.
Can a parent on an LTVP work in Singapore?
Do not assume so. ICA’s LTVP pages do not set out working rights for this category, and the ICA menu points LTVP holders to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website for work in Singapore. Check with MOM before accepting any job or starting any business activity.
Our post on how DP and LTVP holders can work in Singapore explains the general mechanics for pass holders in other categories, but it does not replace a check of your own category with MOM. Healthcare access is another practical gap for LTVP parents, which we cover in healthcare for LTVP parents and grandparents.
What are the alternatives if you do not qualify?
If the LTVP is not available, the usual fallback is a Short-Term Visit Pass for shorter stays. A short-term visitor can ask ICA to extend the pass for a further 30 days, up to 89 days from the date of entry, according to ICA’s meta description for that service.
That is a visit, not a residence arrangement, so it does not suit a parent who wants to be in Singapore for the full school year. Malaysian visitors are subject to the 60/90 day rule that ICA mentions on the same page. If the family already has a connection to Singapore through a Singapore Citizen or PR relative, there may be a different LTVP category that fits better, and the ICA eligibility table lists them. Families moving the whole household can also read our guide to relocating to Singapore with your family. If the student later hopes to stay on after studies, see how a Student’s Pass can lead to PR through an EP or S Pass.
Frequently asked questions
Can both parents get an LTVP for the same student?
No. ICA states that only 1 person, either a parent or a grandparent, can apply to accompany each student.
Do I need a Singapore Citizen or PR relative to sponsor me?
You need a local sponsor who is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or older. ICA’s table says “Any SC or PR aged 21 and above”, so the sponsor is not limited to family members. They must submit the application with their own Singpass.
How much is the fee?
Per ICA, as at 10 November 2026, S$45 at submission, S$60 for issuance and S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable. All fees are non-refundable.
How long does ICA take to decide?
ICA processes applications within 6 weeks provided all required documents are submitted. Some applications take longer.
Can a grandparent apply instead of a parent?
Yes. The category covers a parent or a grandparent of a child or grandchild on a Student’s Pass, but only one of them may apply for each student.
Where should I check the current rules?
Use the ICA page for this category and the LTVP application page, both last updated at the end of October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so confirm with ICA before you apply.
Planning a family move around your child’s studies? Contact Little Big Employment Agency for pass, PR and citizenship applications. Email [email protected] or Call/SMS/WhatsApp +65 8501 7133.
Sources: ICA: Parent or Grandparent of a Child or Grandchild Studying in Singapore on a Student’s Pass; ICA: Long-Term Visit Pass Application/Renewal; ICA: Short-Term Visit Pass Extension.
Last reviewed: 10 November 2026. The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency.
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