**Yes, you will be able to buy an HDB resale flat after registering your marriage (ROM), under HDB’s Non-Citizen Spouse (NCS) Scheme.**
Because an Employment Pass (EP) holder is a foreigner (non-resident) rather than a Singapore PR, specific HDB rules apply to your purchase:
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### 1. Age & Pass Requirements
* **If you (SC) are aged 21 to 34:** You can buy a resale flat of any size (except 3Gen), provided your spouse holds a valid Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or **Work Pass (an EP qualifies)** with **at least 6 months’ validity** from the date of issue at the point of your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) and resale application.
* **If you (SC) are 35 or older:** The pass validity requirement is more flexible (any valid work pass or visit pass suffices).
### 2. Legal Ownership vs. Essential Occupier
* Under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme, **you (the Singapore Citizen) will be the sole legal owner on the title deed.**
* Your partner will be listed as an **essential occupier** to form the requisite family nucleus.
* **Financing Impact:** Only your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) and personal income can be used for the HDB/bank housing loan and downpayment. Your partner’s EP income cannot service an HDB concessionary loan or bank loan under normal single-borrower rules.
### 3. Housing Grants
* Grants are pegged to the **Singles Scheme tier** (e.g., Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Singles, up to S$60,000 depending on your assessed income).
* If your spouse obtains Singapore Permanent Residency (SPR) or Singapore Citizenship in the future, you can apply for the **Citizen Top-Up Grant** (an additional S$10,000) and formally add them as a co-owner.
### 4. Sequence of Steps
1. **ROM:** Complete your marriage registration first (foreign fiancé/fiancée pairings cannot apply prior to ROM).
2. **Issue EP:** Ensure your partner has their official digital Employment Pass issued by MOM.
3. **Apply for HFE Letter:** Log into the HDB Flat Portal via Singpass to obtain your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before viewing and placing an Option to Purchase (OTP).
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Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, England, United Kingdom); BBA (South Australia)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Singapore Line:
(+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
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