LTVP for Parents of EP Holders: Can You Bring Your Parents to Singapore?

Short answer: Yes, but only if the Employment Pass holder earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000. Parents then qualify for a Long-Term Visit Pass, which the employer or an appointed agent applies for. EP holders earning less, from S$6,000 up to just under S$12,000, can bring a spouse and children but not parents on this route.

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.

Can an EP holder apply for an LTVP for parents?

An EP holder can apply for an LTVP for parents if the holder meets MOM’s salary rule. MOM’s page on passes for families of Employment Pass holders lists parents as eligible for a Long-Term Visit Pass “only for EP holders earning at least $12,000”.

Parents cannot be added on a Dependant’s Pass. The Dependant’s Pass is reserved for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children. Parents sit in the LTVP category with common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, and unmarried step-children under 21.

Which family members can an EP holder bring, and on which pass?

The pass type depends on the relationship. The table sets out MOM’s current position.

Family member	Pass	Salary needed (fixed monthly)
Legally married spouse	Dependant’s Pass	At least S$6,000
Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted	Dependant’s Pass	At least S$6,000
Common-law spouse	Long-Term Visit Pass	At least S$6,000
Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above	Long-Term Visit Pass	At least S$6,000
Unmarried step-children under 21	Long-Term Visit Pass	At least S$6,000
Parents	Long-Term Visit Pass	At least S$12,000

Source: MOM, as at 11 October 2026. For the wider picture on spouses and children, see our guide on Dependant’s Pass and LTVP entitlements in 2026.

What counts as the S$12,000 salary?

The test is a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000, and it is the EP holder’s own salary. MOM states that the figure is based on the pass holder’s salary and not on combined household income, so a spouse’s pay cannot be added to reach the threshold. MOM publishes a separate explanation of what a fixed monthly salary is, and employers should check it before counting any allowance or variable pay towards the figure.

One wording point is worth knowing. MOM’s family-pass and eligibility pages say “at least S$12,000”, while a summary on its LTVP landing page says pass holders “earning over S$12,000”. A holder at exactly S$12,000 should rely on the eligibility page wording, but because the pages differ, confirm with MOM before filing if your salary sits right on the line. Our guide to EP renewal is a reminder that salary can change at renewal, which can affect family passes.

Who applies and what does the company need to do?

MOM states that an employer or an appointed employment agent must apply on the candidate’s behalf. MOM also requires the holder to be sponsored by an established, Singapore-registered company, which is usually the employer.

Applications can be submitted together with the EP application or separately. MOM notes that each family member needs a separate application.

How does the LTVP application process work?

MOM’s pass map sets out the sequence from application to card. These are the main steps.

1. Check the eligibility rules and the documents required before applying.
2. The employer or agent applies for the LTVP and waits for the outcome.
3. If approved, the employer receives an in-principle approval (IPA) letter.
4. Before travelling, the parent should check the latest ICA travel requirements for entering Singapore.
5. On arrival, the pass is issued and a notification letter states whether registration is required.
6. If required, the parent makes an appointment to register fingerprints and a photo.
7. The pass card is delivered to the address provided 5 working days after registration or document verification.

Always follow the instructions in your own IPA letter, as MOM can change procedures. The detailed document list is on MOM’s LTVP documents page, so gather the parent’s documents before the application is filed.

How long does the pass last and can it be renewed?

The LTVP lasts for the validity of the EP holder’s pass or the duration requested, whichever is shorter. It is renewable. No foreign worker levy or quota applies to an LTVP.

In practice, an LTVP cannot outlast the sponsor’s pass. If the EP holder’s pass ends, the family’s passes are affected, so plan the family timeline alongside the EP timeline. Our guide on what happens when a main pass is not renewed explains how family passes wind down.

Can an LTVP parent work or stay as a long-term resident?

An LTVP is a visit pass for family members, not a work pass. MOM says eligible LTVP holders may be able to work in Singapore and maintains a separate page on working for LTVP holders. Do not assume a parent can take a job; check that page and the conditions that apply before making any commitments.

Holding an LTVP also does not itself give permanent residence. Parents of Singapore citizens can apply for PR under ICA’s family category, but that route is not available just because a child holds an EP. Our article on LTVP for parents of Singapore PRs and citizens covers the different rule for that group, and our piece on healthcare for LTVP parents and grandparents explains the medical cost planning that families should do before bringing an elderly parent.

What if the EP holder earns less than S$12,000, or holds an S Pass?

If the salary is below S$12,000, the parent cannot come on an LTVP through the EP holder. Visits for shorter periods fall under ICA’s entry rules instead, and ICA publishes the current entering-Singapore requirements. The family should plan visit-based stays rather than a long-term pass.

MOM’s LTVP eligibility page is written for EP and S Pass holders, with parents available to those earning at least S$12,000. In practice, S Pass holders rarely earn that much, because the S Pass salary range is far lower, so most S Pass families will not reach the parent category. Raising salary at renewal can change eligibility, but only the actual fixed monthly salary at the time of application counts.

What mistakes should families avoid?

• Adding a spouse’s salary to reach S$12,000; MOM tests the pass holder’s own salary.
• Counting pay that is not fixed monthly salary under MOM’s definition.
• Buying tickets before the IPA letter is in hand.
• Assuming an LTVP lets a parent work or gives a path to PR.
• Forgetting that the LTVP ends with the EP holder’s pass.

Frequently asked questions

Can both of my parents come on an LTVP?

MOM treats parents as an eligible category, and each family member needs a separate application. Each parent therefore needs their own application.

Do I need to earn S$12,000 at the time of application?

Yes. MOM’s rule is a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 for parents, and the test is based on the pass holder’s salary.

Does the LTVP cost the employer levy or use quota?

No. MOM states that no foreign worker levy or quota is required for the LTVP.

Can an employer apply for my parents together with my EP?

Yes. The application can be submitted together with the EP application or separately later, as a separate application for each family member.

What happens to my parents’ LTVP if I resign?

MOM ties the LTVP duration to the validity of the main pass, so expect your parents’ pass to end when your EP does. Confirm the exact cancellation steps with MOM before you resign.

Bringing family to Singapore on an EP? Contact Little Big Employment Agency for pass, PR and citizenship applications. Email [email protected] or Call/SMS/WhatsApp +65 8501 7133.

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026. The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency.