If you are planning to study abroad in Singapore, you might want to know if your spouse can come and live with you during your studies. Many students refer to this as the Singapore Spouse Visa, but the rules are not always simple. Let’s explain your options clearly.
What Is the Singapore Spouse Visa?
People often use the term Singapore Spouse Visa to talk about any kind of pass that lets a husband or wife stay in Singapore with their partner. If you want to study in Singapore, it’s important to know there isn’t a single pass called “spouse visa.” Instead, there are different options available, depending on your situation.
Can International Students Bring Their Spouse?
For Most Students
If you are coming to Singapore for a Bachelor’s degree or a regular Master’s degree (coursework), you cannot sponsor your spouse for a long-term visa. Your spouse can only come to visit for a short period, using a Short-Term Visit Pass (SVP).
- The Short-Term Visit Pass is like a tourist visa.
- It usually allows your spouse to stay for up to 30 days at a time.
- You may extend the visit up to 90 days, but you can’t always do this and approval isn’t guaranteed.
- After the visit, your spouse must leave Singapore. They can try to return, but immigration may not always approve re-entry.
This means there is no long-term Singapore Spouse Visa for most students.
For Research Students (PhD, MPhil, etc.)
If you are doing a PhD or a research-based Master’s program, some universities, such as NUS or NTU, might be able to help your spouse apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
- The Long-Term Visit Pass lets your spouse stay in Singapore for a longer period, sometimes up to a year (with possible renewals).
- To get this pass, your university must sponsor the application.
- You will need documents such as your marriage certificate, your Student Pass, and sometimes a letter from your university.
- Not every research student will get this option—each university has its own rules, and the process can take several weeks.
Can Your Spouse Work in Singapore?
This is a very important question for many couples! Here’s how it works:
1. If Your Spouse is on a Short-Term Visit Pass (SVP)
- No, your spouse cannot work in Singapore if they are in the country on a Short-Term Visit Pass.
- This pass is strictly for visiting, not for working or studying.
2. If Your Spouse is on a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
- Your spouse also cannot automatically work with just an LTVP.
- If your spouse wants to work while staying in Singapore on an LTVP, they must first find an employer willing to hire them.
- The employer must then apply for a valid work pass for your spouse (like an Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit).
- Your spouse can only start working after this work pass is approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
- Simply put: The LTVP alone does not give your spouse permission to work. Extra steps and approvals are needed.
3. If Your Spouse is on a Dependant’s Pass (After You Get an Employment Pass)
- When you start working in Singapore and bring your spouse on a Dependant’s Pass, your spouse can work, but only if they also get a valid Letter of Consent (LOC) or a proper work pass through an employer.
- The process is usually easier with a Dependant’s Pass, but work is not automatically allowed.
After You Graduate: A Different Path
Once you finish your studies and get a job in Singapore, you may be able to apply for an Employment Pass (EP). If your monthly salary is high enough (currently at least S$6,000), you can then apply for a Dependant’s Pass for your spouse.
- The Dependant’s Pass is the closest thing to a true “Singapore Spouse Visa.”
- This pass allows your spouse to live in Singapore with you while you work.
- To work, your spouse still needs a Letter of Consent or a separate work pass.
Summary Table
| Your Situation | Can Spouse Stay Long-Term? | Can Spouse Work? | What Pass Can They Get? |
| Bachelor’s/Master’s (coursework) | No | No | Short-Term Visit Pass |
| PhD/Research Student | Maybe (if university sponsors) | Only with a separate work pass | Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) |
| Working (Employment Pass holder) | Yes (if salary meets requirement) | Yes, with a Letter of Consent or work pass | Dependant’s Pass |
What You Should Do
- Contact your university’s international student office. Ask them if your program allows for spouse sponsorship and what documents you need.
- Prepare early. Get your marriage certificate (translated to English if needed), passports, and any other documents ready.
- Think about your spouse’s plans. If your spouse wants to work or study in Singapore, they must apply for their own work or student pass.
Final Advice
For most students, bringing your spouse to Singapore for a long stay is only possible if you are a research student, and even then, only if your university supports your application. If you are not eligible, your spouse can still visit you for a short time with a Short-Term Visit Pass. Once you find a job after graduation, it’s much easier to bring your spouse using a Dependant’s Pass, and they may be able to work with the right approvals.
If you have any questions or need help, always ask your university first—they know the most up-to-date rules and can guide you through the process.
