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MOM LOC & PLOC

Singapore Letter of Consent (LOC) & Pre-approved LOC (PLOC) Work Rights Guide 2026

Updated 2026 Singapore MOM guide to LOC and PLOC work rights for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders, DP business owners and ONE Pass spouses, including eligibility, processing, levy, quota and renewal rules.

Statutory Fee Schedule & Payment Deadlines (2026)

Fee Item / Transaction	Amount (SGD)	Payment Timeline / Conditions
	Free
	Free
	Free

Work Rights Map

Route: PLOC for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders

Who: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Singapore citizens or PRs who hold an eligible ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+.

Work Arrangement: Can work without first finding a job. Once hired, the employer must notify MOM.

Self Employment: Not allowed under PLOC.

Levy Quota: No foreign-worker levy or quota.

Main Authority: MOM

Route: LOC for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders

Who: An LTVP/LTVP+ holder married to a Singaporean or PR, or an unmarried child under 21 of a Singaporean or PR holding an LTVP.

Work Arrangement: Must first find a Singapore job offer and have the employer or appointed employment agent apply for the LOC.

Self Employment: This employer-sponsored LOC is for employment and is not the DP-business-owner route.

Levy Quota: No foreign-worker levy or quota.

Main Authority: MOM

Route: LOC for DP holders who are business owners

Who: Eligible DP holders who are sole proprietors, partners, or company directors with at least 30% shareholding, or members of a Company Limited by Guarantee, in an ACRA-registered business.

Work Arrangement: Allows the DP holder to operate the qualifying business. The DP holder must first submit the required request and obtain approval before applying for the LOC.

Renewal Condition: For renewal, the DP must have at least 3 months validity remaining and the business must have hired at least 1 Singaporean or PR who earns at least the prevailing LQS and has received CPF contributions for at least 3 consecutive months before application submission.

Levy Quota: The local-hiring condition is specific to the business-owner route and should not be confused with the separate PLOC employment rules.

Route: LOC for spouse of ONE Pass holder

Who: Spouses of eligible ONE Pass holders can obtain an LOC to work in Singapore.

Work Arrangement: The spouse holds a Dependant's Pass and uses the ONE Pass spouse LOC route rather than the general ICA-LTVP PLOC route.

Occupation Rule: MOM's policy announcement states that there are no restrictions on occupations for these ONE Pass spouse LOC holders under the general approach described for that route.

Route: Regular DP employee

Who: A Dependant's Pass holder seeking ordinary employment.

Work Arrangement: Must qualify for and obtain an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit instead of an ordinary employment LOC.

Important Warning: The DP business-owner LOC is an exception for operating a qualifying business; it is not a general DP employee work authorisation.

Ploc

Eligibility

Hold an ICA-issued LTVP or LTVP+.
Be the spouse of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, or an unmarried child below 21 years old of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.
The LTVP/LTVP+ must remain valid; MOM advises renewing the underlying LTVP/LTVP+ first if it is expiring soon.

Application

Eligible foreigners applying for or renewing their LTVP/LTVP+ with ICA are given the option to request a PLOC. If the PLOC was not requested during the LTVP application or renewal, MOM allows the sponsor or holder to submit the later request after the LTVP card has been received, subject to the current procedure.

Processing

MOM states that a PLOC application outcome is emailed within 1 week.

Employment After Approval

The PLOC holder shows the employer the PLOC together with the valid LTVP/LTVP+. The employer must notify MOM before the PLOC holder starts work and again within 7 days after the holder's last day of work.

Restricted Occupations

PLOC holders cannot work in certain restricted occupations, including specified media and religion-related occupations. For a restricted occupation, the prospective employer must apply for a separate LOC instead.

Self Employment

A PLOC does not allow the holder to be self-employed.

Duration

The PLOC duration is tied to the ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ and ends when that LTVP/LTVP+ expires or is cancelled.

Renewal

The PLOC can be requested again when the underlying LTVP/LTVP+ is renewed. MOM advises renewing the LTVP/LTVP+ with ICA at least 3 months before expiry.

Levy Quota

No foreign-worker levy or quota is required for PLOC holders.

Ltvp Loc

Eligibility

Be an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holder who is married to a Singaporean or PR.
Or be an unmarried child under 21 of a Singaporean or PR who holds an LTVP.
The LTVP/LTVP+ must be valid for at least 3 months.
Have a job offer from a Singapore employer.

Application

The employer or appointed employment agent applies for the LOC through MOM's EP eService after obtaining the candidate's written consent.

Fee

Free.

Processing

MOM states that the application takes 1 week; some cases may take longer.

Start Work

The candidate can only begin work after the employer receives the LOC.

Duration

The duration granted is based on the earlier of the period the employer indicates in the LOC application and the expiry date of the LTVP/LTVP+.

Cessation

The LOC stops being valid when the LTVP/LTVP+ expires or is cancelled, or when the candidate is no longer employed by the company. The employer still needs to cancel the LOC.

Levy Quota

No foreign-worker levy or quota is required.

Dp Business Owner Loc

Eligible Business Owner Types

Sole proprietor.
Partner.
Company director with at least 30% shareholding.
Member in a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Pre Application Step

An eligible DP holder who wants to operate a business must first submit the required request and obtain approval before applying for the LOC.

Renewal Requirements

At least 3 months validity remaining on the Dependant's Pass.
At least 1 Singaporean or PR hired by the business.
The local employee earns at least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary.
CPF contributions have been received for that local employee for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the LOC renewal application.

Current Lqs2026

The current Local Qualifying Salary for a full-time local employee is S$1,800 gross per month from 1 July 2026.

Important Lqs Distinction

The S$1,800 LQS is the current 2026 threshold. A local employee earning at least S$1,800 per month counts as 1 local employee for foreign-worker quota calculations.

Duration

First Time

Whichever is shorter: 1 year from the LOC issue date or the expiry date of the Dependant's Pass.

Subsequent Renewals

Up to the expiry date of the Dependant's Pass.

When It Ends

The Dependant's Pass is cancelled or expires.
The business is no longer active; the LOC must then also be cancelled.

One Pass Spouse Loc

Rule

Spouses of ONE Pass holders can obtain an LOC to work in Singapore.

Important Distinction

This is a distinct ONE Pass spouse arrangement and should not be represented as the PLOC available to spouses and unmarried children of Singapore citizens or PRs holding ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+.

Occupation Position

MOM's published ONE Pass policy statement says there are no occupation restrictions on the spouse LOC under that framework.

Regular Dp Employment

Rule

From 1 May 2021, DP holders who want ordinary employment generally need an applicable work pass such as an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit, unless they qualify for a specific exception such as the business-owner LOC route.

Business Owner Exception

The DP-business-owner LOC allows an eligible DP holder to operate the qualifying business subject to the separate business-owner conditions.

Practical Warning

A 30% shareholding alone does not give a DP holder a general right to take employment with any Singapore employer.

Levy Quota

Ploc

MOM states that PLOC holders do not require a foreign-worker levy or quota.

Ica Ltvp Loc

MOM states that the LOC for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders has no foreign-worker levy or quota.

Dp Business Owner

The DP-business-owner LOC is a separate route with a local-employment condition. Do not describe the route as a blanket exemption from every quota or employment-law obligation.

Employment Law

Regardless of levy or quota treatment, employers and LOC/PLOC holders must comply with applicable employment, licensing, sectoral and professional requirements.

Documents

Ploc

Valid ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ information.
PLOC issued or requested through the ICA/MOM process.
Any information required by MOM for the particular LTVP/LTVP+ record.

Ica Ltvp Loc

Valid ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ and candidate FIN details.
Written consent from the candidate for the employer to apply.
Job information and employer details.
Additional professional documents where the occupation is regulated or specifically listed by MOM.

Dp Business Owner

DP holder identification and valid DP information.
Proof of eligible business ownership through ACRA records or the relevant corporate structure.
Evidence of the approved request to apply for the LOC before the LOC application.
For renewal, evidence of the qualifying local employee, prevailing LQS and at least 3 consecutive months of CPF contributions.

Regulated Professions

MOM may require additional documents for selected professions, including healthcare professionals, lawyers, football players or coaches, regional representatives and certain food-establishment employees.

Translation

For specified selected-profession documents that are not in English, MOM requires the original document together with an English translation in accordance with its instructions.

Application Process

Identify the correct LOC route

Step 1

Detail: Determine whether the candidate needs a PLOC, an employer-sponsored LOC for an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+, a DP-business-owner LOC, or the distinct ONE Pass spouse LOC.

Check the underlying pass

Step 2

Detail: Confirm the candidate holds the correct ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ or Dependant's Pass and meets the route-specific validity requirements.

Complete any pre-application requirement

Step 3

Detail: For a DP business owner, obtain MOM approval of the required request before applying for the LOC. For a PLOC, request it through the applicable LTVP/LTVP+ process.

Submit the LOC application or notification

Step 4

Detail: For an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ employment LOC, the employer or appointed EA applies through EP eService. For a PLOC holder taking employment, the employer submits the required notification before work starts.

MOM assessment

Step 5

Detail: MOM processes an ordinary ICA-LTVP LOC in about 1 week, while its eService guidance states that most LOC applications take within 1 week for LTVP/LTVP+ holders and within 3 weeks for DP holders.

Receive the approval

Step 6

Detail: MOM emails the outcome for an approved LOC. A PLOC outcome is emailed within 1 week according to MOM's current PLOC eligibility page.

Start or continue work legally

Step 7

Detail: An ordinary LOC holder can begin only after the employer receives the LOC. A PLOC holder can start after the employer has completed the required notification.

Renew or cancel when required

Step 8

Detail: LOC/PLOC validity depends on the underlying pass and route. Employers must cancel an employer-sponsored LOC when required, while PLOC holders do not need to cancel a PLOC merely because they stop working.

Processing Times

Route: PLOC

Time: Within 1 week

Qualification: MOM's current PLOC eligibility page states that the application outcome is emailed within a week.

Route: LOC for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holder

Time: 1 week

Qualification: Some cases take longer if additional information or documents are required.

Route: DP-business-owner LOC

Time: Up to 3 weeks for most DP LOC applications

Qualification: MOM's EP eService guidance distinguishes up to 3 weeks for DP holders from the 1-week standard for LTVP/LTVP+ holders.

Route: PLOC notification to start work

Time: Before work starts

Qualification: The employer must notify MOM before the PLOC holder starts employment.

Renewal And Validity

Tied to the expiry of the ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ and ends when the LTVP/LTVP+ expires or is cancelled.

Route: PLOC

The duration is based on the earlier of the period the employer indicates and the LTVP/LTVP+ expiry. The LOC also stops when the candidate is no longer employed.

Route: ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ LOC

Whichever is shorter: 1 year from issuance or the expiry date of the DP.

Route: DP-business-owner LOC first issue

Up to the expiry date of the DP, subject to the renewal conditions.

Route: DP-business-owner LOC subsequent renewal

Employment Restrictions

Restriction: PLOC restricted occupations

Detail: Certain occupations, including specified media and religion-related roles, are not permitted under a PLOC. The prospective employer can apply for an LOC instead for a restricted occupation.

Restriction: PLOC self-employment

Detail: PLOC does not permit the holder to be self-employed.

Restriction: Ordinary DP employment

Detail: A normal DP holder who wants employee work generally needs an EP, S Pass or Work Permit unless the person qualifies for the separate DP-business-owner LOC route.

Restriction: Professional licensing

Detail: LOC/PLOC work rights do not replace professional registration or other statutory licensing requirements.

Decision Guide

❓ Do you hold an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ as the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a Singapore citizen or PR?

💡 Action / Assessment: Consider a PLOC if you want to work without first finding a job. If you already have an employer or need to work in a PLOC-restricted occupation, the employer may need to apply for an ordinary LOC.

❓ Are you a normal DP holder looking for an employee job?

💡 Action / Assessment: You generally need an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit rather than an LOC.

❓ Are you a DP holder who wants to operate an ACRA-registered business?

💡 Action / Assessment: The DP-business-owner LOC route may apply if you fit an eligible ownership category and satisfy the application and renewal conditions.

❓ Are you the spouse of a ONE Pass holder?

💡 Action / Assessment: A distinct ONE Pass spouse LOC route is available. Do not substitute the ICA-issued LTVP PLOC rules for this route.

Seo

Primary Intent

Informational and decision-support search for Singapore LOC and PLOC work rights, including ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders, DP business owners, ONE Pass spouses, processing times, levy/quota treatment and renewal conditions.

Primary Entities

Ministry of Manpower
Letter of Consent
Pre-approved Letter of Consent
Dependant's Pass
Long-Term Visit Pass
LTVP+
ONE Pass
Local Qualifying Salary

Keyword Strategy

Use natural terms such as Singapore LOC, Singapore PLOC, Letter of Consent Singapore, PLOC spouse, LTVP work rights, DP business owner LOC, ONE Pass spouse LOC and Singapore LQS without merging the separate MOM routes.

Schema

Article Type

Article

Faq Page

Faq Count

Date Modified

2026-08

Author

NationRules Global Visa Team

Primary Entity

Singapore Letter of Consent and Pre-approved Letter of Consent work rights

Official Sources

Ministry of Manpower

Implementation

Calculator

Dynamic Claims Warning

LOC/PLOC eligibility, restricted occupations, processing standards, LQS and work-pass rules can change. Revalidate the current MOM route-specific pages before each material publication update.

Legal Boundary

This page describes published MOM work-pass rules and does not guarantee an LOC, PLOC, underlying LTVP/LTVP+, Dependant's Pass, employment approval or continued eligibility.

Content Boundary

Keep the PLOC, ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ LOC, DP-business-owner LOC and ONE Pass spouse LOC routes separate. Their eligibility, validity, application mechanics and restrictions are not interchangeable.

Source Hierarchy

Use current MOM route-specific pages, eServices, official forms and current LQS guidance as the primary authority. Do not use older 2021 LQS figures or historical DP-LOC arrangements where current MOM pages provide newer rules.

Common Mistakes & Legal Misconceptions

❌ Misconception: Using PLOC and LOC as interchangeable terms

✅ Statutory Fact: PLOC is the pre-approved arrangement for eligible ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders; an ordinary LOC is normally employer-applied after a job offer, and there is also a separate DP-business-owner LOC.

❌ Misconception: Saying PLOC is available only to spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs

✅ Statutory Fact: MOM also includes unmarried children below 21 of Singapore citizens or PRs who hold an eligible ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+.

❌ Misconception: Saying all DP holders can obtain an LOC for employment

✅ Statutory Fact: Ordinary DP holders generally need an EP, S Pass or Work Permit. The LOC exception is for eligible DP business owners, while ONE Pass spouses have a distinct LOC arrangement.

❌ Misconception: Using S$1,800 as a timeless LQS figure

✅ Statutory Fact: S$1,800 is the current full-time LQS from 1 July 2026. The threshold can change, so the page should remain date-specific.

❌ Misconception: Requiring only one month of local employment for DP-business-owner LOC renewal

✅ Statutory Fact: The current MOM requirement is at least 3 consecutive months of CPF contributions before the renewal application, along with the other renewal conditions.

❌ Misconception: Saying PLOC holders can be self-employed

✅ Statutory Fact: MOM explicitly states that PLOC does not allow self-employment.

❌ Misconception: Calling LOC/PLOC processing 1 to 3 weeks for every route

✅ Statutory Fact: MOM's current published timings differ: PLOC is within 1 week, ICA-LTVP LOC is 1 week, and MOM's eService guidance states most DP LOC applications take 3 weeks.

❌ Misconception: Saying a PLOC starts work automatically

✅ Statutory Fact: The employer must notify MOM before the PLOC holder starts work.

❌ Misconception: Treating the PLOC as having unrestricted occupation rights

✅ Statutory Fact: MOM lists restricted occupations for PLOC holders. A separate LOC may be needed for those occupations.

❌ Misconception: Assuming the LOC duration is always the full underlying pass duration

✅ Statutory Fact: For ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ LOCs, the duration is the earlier of the employer-requested period and the LTVP/LTVP+ expiry. DP-business-owner LOCs have separate duration rules.

❌ Misconception: Calling every LOC/PLOC route completely free of other employment obligations

✅ Statutory Fact: The LOC/PLOC itself has no application fee on the routes covered here, but employers and holders must still comply with applicable licensing, employment and sector rules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A PLOC is available to eligible ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders who are spouses or unmarried children under 21 of Singapore citizens or PRs and lets them work without first finding a job. An ordinary LOC for an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holder is normally employer-applied after a job offer. There is also a separate LOC route for eligible DP business owners.

Yes, an eligible holder can request a PLOC. MOM says the PLOC allows eligible LTVP/LTVP+ holders to work without having to find a job first. The employer must notify MOM before the person starts work, and PLOC holders cannot be self-employed.

Generally no. A normal DP holder seeking employee work needs an Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit. An LOC is available to eligible DP holders who operate a qualifying business, and spouses of ONE Pass holders have a distinct LOC arrangement.

The DP holder must fall within an eligible business-owner category, such as a sole proprietor, partner or company director with at least 30% shareholding. For renewal, the DP must have at least 3 months validity remaining, the business must employ at least 1 Singaporean or PR earning at least the prevailing LQS, and CPF contributions must have been made for that employee for at least 3 consecutive months. The current full-time LQS is S$1,800 from 1 July 2026.

MOM states that PLOC applications have an outcome within 1 week. An employer-sponsored LOC for an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holder takes 1 week, although some cases take longer. MOM's eService guidance says most DP LOC applications take up to 3 weeks.

MOM states that PLOC holders and eligible ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ LOC holders do not require a foreign-worker levy or quota. The DP-business-owner route has separate local-employment conditions and should not be described as a universal exemption from every quota or employment obligation.