Consent letter application process streamlined

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The Ministry of Manpower has streamlined the process for applicants seeking a letter of consent (LOC). The declaration form that is part of the approval process may now be submitted along with the online LOC application, instead of being submitted after initial approval.

What does the change mean? Applicants no longer need to mail the signed declaration form manually to the ministry once the LOC application has been approved.

• Implementation time frame: April 29.
• Visas/permits affected: Letter of consent.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals to be employed using a letter of consent.
• Impact on processing times: The change in process will allow earlier completion of the LOC application formalities.
• Business impact: Applicants will have one less action to take after the ministry approves and issues the LOC.

Background: The letter of consent grants work authorization to dependent pass holders and spouses of Singapore citizens or permanent residents who hold a long-term stay pass. Once the LOC application is approved, an in-principle approval letter is issued and the applicant must complete the steps listed in the letter to have the LOC issued.  Previously, the applicant did not receive the declaration form until after the in-principle approval, and then needed to sign and mail it to the ministry office within three weeks of the approval date. However, in a recent memo sent by the ministry, the declaration form must now be signed by both the employer and employee and included in the documents to be submitted at the application stage.

BAL Analysis: The end-to-end processing of the LOC application can now be completed online, since the manual part of the process has been eliminated. Updates in the process have yet to be reflected in the ministry website at the time of this alert. BAL will continue to monitor and provide further information once authorities make it available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Singapore. For additional information, please contact singapore@bal.com.

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