Staying with your child: the Long-Term Visit Pass for a parent
How a parent or grandparent applies for a Long-Term Visit Pass to stay while a child studies in Singapore: who can apply, the local sponsor and documents, fees, how long ICA takes, and what the official page does not say.
Verified 2026-10-31 Changes often
If a child studies in Singapore and a parent or grandparent wants to stay, they need a separate pass, the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). It is separate from the child’s Student’s Pass. This follows ICA’s pages as of 31 October 2026.
Who can apply
- A parent or grandparent of an international student who holds a valid Student’s Pass.
- Only one person per student, either a parent or a grandparent.
- A local sponsor is needed: a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or above, who logs in with their own Singpass and submits the application.
The LTVP has other categories too, such as spouses, children and parents of Singapore Citizens or PRs. This article covers only the accompanying-parent category.
Documents
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| A recent colour digital photo | 400 × 514 pixels, following ICA’s photo guidelines |
| Travel document | The applicant’s passport or similar |
| The student’s birth certificate | |
| The applicant’s birth certificate or household register | |
| The student’s parents’ marriage certificate | |
| Divorce certificates, separation deed or custody papers | If applicable |
| A letter from the student’s school | From the school the child attends |
Originals are required, and documents not in English need official translations from the issuing country’s embassy or a notary public. ICA warns that insufficient documents may mean the application is not accepted.
Fees
| Item | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | S$45 | When you submit |
| LTVP issuance fee | S$60 | When formalities are completed |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable) | S$30 |
All are non-refundable. You can pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, internet direct debit from some local banks or PayNow. ICA says successful applicants will be told of any other fees later.
Process
- The child’s Student’s Pass is in place (the page is for the parent of a student holding a valid Student’s Pass).
- The local sponsor logs in with Singpass, submits the application and uploads the documents.
- ICA processes it within 6 weeks if everything is submitted, and some take longer. The result comes by email and can be checked online or in MyICA.
- If approved, you receive an In-Principle Approval letter and complete the formalities for the pass to be issued.
What the page does not say
- The approval criteria: not on this page. Do not assume approval.
- The validity period of the pass: not on this page.
- Any requirement about the child’s level or course: not on this page.
- What to do without a local sponsor: the page says who can sponsor, not what to do instead. Ask ICA.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the parent is approved automatically with the child: it is a separate application, for one person only.
- Assuming a Dependant’s Pass can be used: we did not check whether a parent can use one, so rely on ICA’s pages.
- Assuming the sponsor can be a company: this page says the sponsor is a Singapore Citizen or PR aged 21 or above, and a company is neither; the Student’s Pass page also says companies and organisations cannot sponsor for government schools.
- Using last year’s information: fees and procedures get updated.
Next steps
- Read Start here to see the whole process in one place.
- For the child’s pass, read Student’s Pass.
- For what to bring when you arrive, read Entering Singapore.
FAQ
Who can apply to stay with the child?
ICA says a parent or grandparent of an international student holding a valid Student’s Pass can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass. Only one person, either a parent or a grandparent, can apply per student.
Is a sponsor needed?
Yes. ICA says you need a local sponsor who is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or above, and the sponsor must log in with their own Singpass to submit the application.
Will it definitely be approved, and how long does it take?
The page gives no approval criteria, so do not assume approval. ICA says it processes applications within 6 weeks if all documents are submitted, and some may take longer. The result is sent by email and can be checked online or through MyICA.
How long is the pass valid?
The page we read does not state a validity period. Check the issued pass and ICA’s guidance.
Can we apply before the child’s Student’s Pass is in place?
ICA’s page is written for the parent or grandparent of an international student holding a valid Student’s Pass, so do not assume you can apply before the child’s pass is issued. Ask ICA if unsure.