IMMIGRATION / LETTER OF CONSENT
Letter of Consent (LOC) Application in Singapore
The Letter of Consent allows eligible Dependant’s Pass and LTVP holders to work or operate a business in Singapore — without needing a separate work pass. No salary minimum. No quota. No levy. But the rules have changed significantly since May 2021, and eligibility is more limited than most people expect.
We help you understand whether an LOC is still available for your situation — and what the alternatives are if it isn’t.
Application
From $600
Renewal
From $400
We help you understand whether an LOC is still available for your situation — and what the alternatives are if it isn’t.
Eligibility assessment under current 2021+ rules
LOC for business owners (30%+ shareholding)
LOC for spouses of ONE Pass holders
PLOC advisory for eligible LTVP holders
Alternative work pass advisory
What’s included in our LOC service
PRE-APPLICATION
APPLICATION
POST-APPROVAL
LOC application processing: typically 1–3 weeks. The LOC is valid for the remaining duration of the underlying DP or LTVP.
How it works
Pricing
SELECT SERVICES
LOC Application
(employment)
From $600
LOC Application
(business owner)
From $800
LOC
Renewal
From $400
LOC
Cancellation
From $150
Alternative Work Pass Advisory
(if LOC not available)
$300
Who is eligible for a Letter of Consent?
The May 2021 Change — Critical Context
Before 1 May 2021, DP holders could obtain an LOC relatively easily to work for any employer in Singapore. This changed significantly.
Since May 2021, most DP holders who want to work need their own qualifying work pass (EP, S Pass, or Work Permit) — not an LOC. The LOC pathway for general employment of DP holders has been largely removed.
The LOC now applies primarily to specific categories. Understanding which category you fall into is the first step.
Since May 2021, most DP holders who want to work need their own qualifying work pass (EP, S Pass, or Work Permit) — not an LOC. The LOC pathway for general employment of DP holders has been largely removed.
The LOC now applies primarily to specific categories. Understanding which category you fall into is the first step.
DP Holders — Business Owners
DP holders can still obtain an LOC to operate their own Singapore-registered business, provided they:
— Hold at least 30% shareholding in the company
— The company is registered with ACRA
— The business demonstrates genuine economic activity
This is the most common LOC route for DP holders post-2021.
— Hold at least 30% shareholding in the company
— The company is registered with ACRA
— The business demonstrates genuine economic activity
This is the most common LOC route for DP holders post-2021.
Spouses Of One Pass Holders
Spouses of ONE Pass holders on a Dependant’s Pass can obtain an LOC to work in Singapore — no separate work pass required. This is a significant advantage of the ONE Pass and remains available without the restrictions that apply to other pass types.
LTVP/LTVP+ Holders (SC/PR Spouses)
LTVP or LTVP+ holders who are spouses or unmarried children (under 21) of Singapore citizens or PRs may be eligible for a Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC).
The PLOC is assessed by ICA at the time of LTVP application or renewal — not by MOM separately. If granted, it allows the holder to work without a separate application.
If a PLOC is not granted, work authorisation is not automatic. The LTVP holder would need the employer to apply for an LOC separately through MOM.
The PLOC is assessed by ICA at the time of LTVP application or renewal — not by MOM separately. If granted, it allows the holder to work without a separate application.
If a PLOC is not granted, work authorisation is not automatic. The LTVP holder would need the employer to apply for an LOC separately through MOM.
What The LOC Is Not
The LOC is not:
— A standalone work pass (it’s tied to an existing DP or LTVP)
— Available to all DP holders for general employment (post-May 2021)
— Something you can apply for yourself (the employer must apply)
— Valid if the underlying DP or LTVP expires or is cancelled
— A standalone work pass (it’s tied to an existing DP or LTVP)
— Available to all DP holders for general employment (post-May 2021)
— Something you can apply for yourself (the employer must apply)
— Valid if the underlying DP or LTVP expires or is cancelled
Understanding the LOC landscape
I’m a DP holder and want to work — what are my actual options?
This is the question we answer most often, and it depends on what you want to do:
Start a business (30%+ shareholding):
→ LOC is available. We apply via MOM’s EP Online portal.
Work for someone else’s company:
→ LOC is generally NOT available since May 2021.
→ You need your own work pass — EP (if salary ≥$5,600 + qualifications), S Pass (if salary ≥$3,300 + diploma), or Work Permit.
→ Your DP would be cancelled when the new work pass is issued.
Spouse of a ONE Pass holder:
→ LOC is available for any employment. This is the exception.
Freelance or contract work:
→ You need a valid LOC (if running your own business) or a work pass. Working without authorisation is illegal.
We assess your specific situation and recommend the fastest, most practical path to working legally in Singapore.
Start a business (30%+ shareholding):
→ LOC is available. We apply via MOM’s EP Online portal.
Work for someone else’s company:
→ LOC is generally NOT available since May 2021.
→ You need your own work pass — EP (if salary ≥$5,600 + qualifications), S Pass (if salary ≥$3,300 + diploma), or Work Permit.
→ Your DP would be cancelled when the new work pass is issued.
Spouse of a ONE Pass holder:
→ LOC is available for any employment. This is the exception.
Freelance or contract work:
→ You need a valid LOC (if running your own business) or a work pass. Working without authorisation is illegal.
We assess your specific situation and recommend the fastest, most practical path to working legally in Singapore.
LOC for business owners — what does MOM actually require?
If you’re a DP holder wanting to run a business, you need:
1.A Singapore-registered company (ACRA registration required before applying)
2.At least 30% shareholding in the company
3.Genuine business activity — MOM assesses whether the business has economic substance
4.Your DP must be valid for at least 3 months
When applying, you’ll need to provide:
— ACRA business registration details and UEN
— Your role and shareholding percentage
— Description of business activities
— Your current DP details
MOM evaluates the application based on the business’s credibility, the applicant’s qualifications, and the company’s hiring profile. Not all applications are approved — especially for businesses with limited operational substance.
We help structure the application to demonstrate genuine economic contribution.
1.A Singapore-registered company (ACRA registration required before applying)
2.At least 30% shareholding in the company
3.Genuine business activity — MOM assesses whether the business has economic substance
4.Your DP must be valid for at least 3 months
When applying, you’ll need to provide:
— ACRA business registration details and UEN
— Your role and shareholding percentage
— Description of business activities
— Your current DP details
MOM evaluates the application based on the business’s credibility, the applicant’s qualifications, and the company’s hiring profile. Not all applications are approved — especially for businesses with limited operational substance.
We help structure the application to demonstrate genuine economic contribution.
Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC) — how does it work?
The PLOC is a streamlined work authorisation for specific LTVP/LTVP+ holders:
Who gets it:
— Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs who hold an LTVP or LTVP+
— Unmarried children (under 21) of Singapore citizens or
PRs on an LTVP
How it works:
— ICA assesses PLOC eligibility at the point of LTVP application or renewal
— If granted, the holder can work immediately without a separate MOM application
— The PLOC validity follows the LTVP — when the LTVP expires or is cancelled, the PLOC ends too
If not granted:
— The LTVP holder cannot work by default
— A separate LOC application through MOM may still be possible, submitted by a prospective employer
The PLOC is assessed by ICA, not MOM — so the process is different from a standard LOC application.
Who gets it:
— Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs who hold an LTVP or LTVP+
— Unmarried children (under 21) of Singapore citizens or
PRs on an LTVP
How it works:
— ICA assesses PLOC eligibility at the point of LTVP application or renewal
— If granted, the holder can work immediately without a separate MOM application
— The PLOC validity follows the LTVP — when the LTVP expires or is cancelled, the PLOC ends too
If not granted:
— The LTVP holder cannot work by default
— A separate LOC application through MOM may still be possible, submitted by a prospective employer
The PLOC is assessed by ICA, not MOM — so the process is different from a standard LOC application.
What happens when I switch employers?
If you have an LOC and change employers, the existing LOC becomes invalid. Your new employer must submit a fresh LOC application through MOM’s EP Online portal.
Important: You must not begin working for the new employer until the new LOC is approved. Working without a valid LOC is a violation of pass conditions.
We can manage the transition to minimise the gap between employers.
Important: You must not begin working for the new employer until the new LOC is approved. Working without a valid LOC is a violation of pass conditions.
We can manage the transition to minimise the gap between employers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the LOC application take?
Typically 1–3 weeks. Business-owner LOC applications may take slightly longer due to additional assessment of the company.
Is there a salary requirement for the LOC?
No. Unlike EP or S Pass, the LOC has no minimum salary threshold. It also doesn’t count toward foreign worker quotas and carries no levy.
Can I apply for the LOC myself?
No. The employer (or appointed employment agent) must submit the application. For business-owner LOCs, the company is effectively the ’employer’ and the application is submitted accordingly.
What if I don’t qualify for an LOC?
If the LOC isn’t available for your situation, the alternative is obtaining your own work pass — EP, S Pass, or Work Permit. We assess which pass you qualify for and manage the application. Note: getting your own work pass means cancelling your DP.
Can I hold an LOC and a DP at the same time?
Yes. The LOC is an authorisation layered on top of your DP — it doesn’t replace it. Both remain active until the DP expires or is cancelled.
Does the LOC count toward the company’s quota?
No. LOC holders do not count toward the employer’s foreign worker quota and do not attract a levy — making them attractive hires for companies.
What if my DP is expiring soon?
Your DP must be valid for at least 3 months before applying for an LOC. If your DP is expiring, renew the DP first, then apply for the LOC.
You might also need
Dependant’s Pass
The underlying pass for most LOC holders. From $800
Employment Pass
If LOC isn’t available — own work pass. From $1,500
Incorporation
Need a company for business LOC? From $300
ONE Pass
Spouse LOC included automatically. From $2,500