Singapore Letter of Consent (LOC) – Steps To Apply

Singapore Letter of Consent (LOC) is a document issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows a foreigner who is already in Singapore on a Dependent’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or other types of work passes to work in Singapore.

The Letter of Consent is usually valid for the duration of the underlying work pass of the spouse or parent of the applicant, or up to 2 years, whichever is shorter.

Once the LOC is approved, the applicant must obtain a valid work pass from the MOM within six months, or the LOC will expire. It is important to note that the LOC is tied to the employer and job offer, and the applicant cannot work for another employer or take up a different job without obtaining a new Letter of Consent.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A LOC?

The applicant must first receive a job offer from a company with headquarters in Singapore. The business will submit an application for a letter of consent (LOC) to employ them when they accept it. The following requirements must be met for this application:

• The applicant has an EP, EntrePass, or PEP pass-based Dependent Pass (DP). Also, their Dependant Pass (DP) is valid for a minimum of three months after the application date, or
• The applicant is married to a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident and has an LTVP or LTVP +. (PR). Also, their LTVP or LTVP + is valid for a minimum of three months after the application date, or
• The applicant is under 21 years old, a child of a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident (PR), and has an LTVP or LTVP +. Also, their LTVP or LTVP + is valid for a minimum of three months after the application date, and
• A Singaporean employer has made them a job offer that has been accepted.

Along with the above, the applicant must:

• The applicant must not be a shareholder or have a directorship in the business where they work.
• Being employed in Singapore without being subject to a limit on salary or having additional qualifications (other than those required by the employer).

The Letter of Consent (LOC) is not available to dependents of S Pass holders; they must instead apply for a work permit, employment pass, or S Pass.

The applicant cannot work in certain contentious professions, such as dancing hostess.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR LOC

The following paperwork must be sent to MOM to apply for a LOC:

• Application for a Singapore EntrePass, Form 8
• A copy of one’s academic credentials
• One recent 3-month-old passport-sized photo
• A copy of the passport’s personal information page
• Agreements in writing with potential customers for the new business
• Information from prior or current company initiatives, such as brochures and financial statements
• A 10-page business plan outlining the goals and objectives of the company

When requesting a LOC, applicant may need to provide supplementary documentation if he works in any of the following specific professions:

• Health practitioners (dentists, doctors, nurses)
• Regional ambassadors for international businesses
• Lawyers
• Players and coaches in football
• Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine
• Therapists and druggists (occupational, physio, radiation, speech

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR LOC

Remember that only a licensed employment agent or the applicant’s prospective employer may submit an online or manual application on the applicant’s behalf to obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) for the Singapore Dependant Pass (DP) or LTVP holder.

• Complete the Letter of Consent (LOC) application and submit it to EPOL. 
• Prepare and upload the required documents.
• An update regarding the progress of the Letter of Consent (LOC) application can be verified at EPOL after three weeks for Dependant Pass (DP) holders and one week for LTVP and LTVP + holders.
• For Letter of Consent (LOC) application processing, there is no fee.

HOW DOES THE AUTHORITY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE THE LOC?

Even though there are no particular requirements for applicants, not all LOC applications are accepted. Every application is assessed individually, and MOM has sole discretion over the results.

The following are some of the elements that influence the application’s success:

• The applicant’s credentials include the applicant’s age, salary, nationality, education, professional experience, and abilities; 
• the applicant’s duties, responsibilities, and positions; 
• and the employer’s company’s qualifications, including its financial eligibility.

Approval of Application

• Once the application for a Letter of Consent (LOC) has been approved, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will mail the letter of in-principle approval (IPA) to the applicant’s sponsor. Yet, it is online in the case of electronic submission.
• The letter informs that the application for a Letter of Consent (LOC) has been accepted and that the applicant is now authorised to pick up the Letter of Consent (LOC) in person. 
• Beyond maintaining the LOC record, no other procedures are required.

WHAT IS A PRE-APPROVED LETTER OF CONSENT (PLOC)?

The same legal document as a Letter of Consent is a Pre-approved Letter of Consent (PLOC). It makes it possible for LTVP/LTVP+ holders who are the spouses or kids of Singaporeans or long-term residents to work there. A PLOC, on the other hand, does not require the applicant to have a job offer before applying for it, unlike a LOC.

Foreign nationals who qualify may apply for or renew their LTVP/LTVP+ with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and have the option of also applying for a PLOC. However, two days after receiving the LTVP card, the LTVP sponsor or bearer can contact MOM if they want to get a PLOC later.

PROCESSING TIME AND VALIDITY OF THE LETTER OF CONSENT (LOC)

• Letter of Consent (LOC) application applied online – 1 week
• Manually submitted Letter of Consent (LOC) application – 4 to 6 weeks.

The following factors determine the letter of consent (LOC) validity:

• the duration specified by the employer on the Letter of Consent (LOC) application
• the Dependant Pass (DP), the LTVP, or the LTVP+’s expiration date

HOW TO RENEW LOC IN SINGAPORE?

As long as the connected visa (DP or LTVP/LTVP+) is in effect, the LOC is still valid. However, when renewing a LOC, these things should be considered:

If the applicant is a DP holder, he can request the employer to renew the LOC when the DP renews. The LOC needs to be renewed six months prior to its expiration date.

Make sure the LTVP/LTVP+ is valid for at least three months before requesting an extension. In any other case, the applicant must first renew the LTV/LTVP+.

A DP holder who owns a business must employ at least one Singaporean or Permanent Resident who earns the required income and has been receiving CPF payments for at least three months in order to be qualified for a LOC extension.

Even if the applicant has a LOC from the past, there is no certainty that he will be granted permission for an extension because Singapore’s foreign employment policy might alter at any time.

The applicant should report the loss and ask for a replacement if he misplaces the LOC.

For DP holders, the renewal procedure can take up to three weeks, while it just takes one week for LTVP/LTVP+ holders.

CANCELLING A LETTER OF CONSENT IN SINGAPORE

The DP, LTVP, LTVP+, and consequently, the LOC are immediately terminated with the cancellation of the appropriate work pass because they are linked to the primary work pass.

After the LOC holder’s final day of notice, the LOC will be cancelled within a week. An employer or designated employment agent (EA) shall make the cancellation, which is effective right away.

Prior to cancelling, the applicant must resolve all outstanding employment issues and request tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

BENEFITS OF LOC IN SINGAPORE

• Employment flexibility – With a valid LOC, a foreign worker can work in Singapore for any employer, provided the job is in line with the LOC conditions.
• Easy and streamlined application process – The LOC application process is online and can be completed relatively quickly, making it easier and faster for employers to hire foreign workers.
• Extended stay for dependents – Foreign workers who hold a Dependent’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass can stay in Singapore for a longer period while they work, which can be beneficial for families looking to stay together.
• Reduced administrative burden – Employers who hire foreign workers on a LOC do not have to pay the Foreign Worker Levy or provide medical insurance coverage, which can reduce the administrative burden and costs for the employer.