Singapore Dependant's Pass: Conditions, benefits & detailed procedures

• Compared to Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass: EP/S Pass is a work permit for individuals to work directly in Singapore. Meanwhile, DP is only issued to spouses and dependent children, for the purpose of residence, not work.
• Compared to Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP): DP is usually applied for spouse and children under 21 years old. In contrast, LTVP is suitable for parents, children over 21 years old or other relatives. However, LTVP does not have the right to work, while DP can apply for Letter of Consent (LOC) or Work Pass to work legally.
• Compared to Student Pass: Children with DP can study in Singapore (both public and private schools). Only when they go on to study at a long-term university level will they need to apply for a Student Pass.

• Legal basis of residence: The Singapore Dependent Pass (DP) confirms the dependent's legal right to reside in Singapore for the duration of the main employment visa (EP, S Pass, EntrePass, etc.).
• Extended benefits: DP holders can participate in studies, social activities, and are allowed to work with additional permits.
• Binding: The duration of the DP is tied to the duration of the main work visa. If the EP/S Pass/EntrePass expires or is cancelled, the DP also loses its validity immediately.

In other words, Dependant's Pass Singapore is a legal bridge that helps your family live and settle in Singapore, while opening up opportunities to study, work and enjoy social benefits similar to legal residents.

The applicant is an individual who is legally working in Singapore and holds one of the following permits:

• Employment Pass (EP) – Work permit for professional, managerial and executive staff.
• EntrePass – License for startup founders and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in Singapore.
• S Pass – Work permit for technical workers and mid-level specialists.

Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) or Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) can also sponsor dependents under specific conditions.

In addition, sponsors must have a minimum income of SGD 6.000/month to be eligible to sponsor a spouse or children. If they want to sponsor parents, the required salary is higher, from SGD 12.000/month.

Legitimate family members who may be issued a Dependant's Pass include:

• Legal spouse (with valid marriage certificate).
• Children under 21 years of age, unmarried, including legally adopted children.

In the case of parents, children over 21 years old, or siblings who are not granted a DP, they can instead apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) if they meet the sponsor's income requirements.

Thus, to register for Dependant's Pass, the sponsor needs to prove legal working status, minimum wage as prescribed and legal family relationship with the dependent. Preparing full documents to prove the relationship is an important step to help the application be approved.

The Dependant's Pass allows dependents to live legally in Singapore for the duration of the sponsor's work permit. This allows families to settle together and avoid separation due to short-term visa procedures.

Children under 21 years of age, unmarried and granted a Dependant's Pass, are entitled to study in public and private schools in Singapore. This gives them access to top quality education in Asia. For short-term programs, children only need a Dependant's Pass to study; but if they are studying at university or long-term courses, they may need to apply for an additional Student Pass as required by the law. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).

Dependents with a DP do not automatically have the right to work. However, they can work legally if they apply for additional:

• Letter of Consent (LOC): applies to the case of operating or participating in business in Singapore.
• Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit: applicable when working at a Singapore company.

This gives dependents more opportunities to develop their careers and contribute financially to the family.

Dependants with a Dependant's Pass have access to the medical system and healthcare services in Singapore. Sponsors or sponsors often assist in purchasing medical insurance to ensure benefits for the whole family, helping to minimize medical expenses.

Dependents with a Dependant's Pass do not automatically have the right to work. To be legally allowed to work, dependents must also register one of the following documents:

• Letter of Consent (LOC) – applicable to those engaging in management or business in Singapore.
• Employment Pass, S Pass or Work Permit – apply when you want to work at a Singapore company.

Without valid documents, employment will be considered illegal and may result in cancellation of the Dependant's Pass.

The validity of the Dependant's Pass is always linked to the validity of the main work permit (Employment Pass, S Pass, EntrePass, etc.). When the sponsor's visa/work permit expires or is cancelled, the Dependent Pass (DP) will also immediately become invalid. Therefore, the sponsor needs to closely monitor the validity of the EP/S Pass to proactively renew it for the whole family.

Not all relatives are eligible for a Dependant's Pass. In the following cases, a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) may be a more suitable option:

• Parents.
• Children over 21 years old or married.
• Siblings or other relatives.

Although the LTVP does not allow direct employment like the Singapore Dependent Visa (DP), it still ensures legal residency in Singapore when the sponsor meets the required income requirements.

In summary, the Dependant's Pass offers many benefits but also has important legal constraints. Understanding the limitations and notes will help you choose the right type of dependent visa, and plan your family's residence - work - study effectively and legally in Singapore.

• When to Apply: The sponsor's employer or authorized staffing agent can apply for renewal up to 6 months before the dependent card's expiry date.
• Implementation process:
  • The business (where the sponsor works) logs into the EP Online system to submit a renewal request.
  • MOM will consider based on employment status, salary and validity of primary permit.
  • If the application is successful, MOM will issue a new card for the dependent with a validity period corresponding to the main work visa.
• Expert advice: To avoid disruptions in residency, families should apply as soon as the EP/S Pass is renewed. Late applications may cause the Dependant's Pass to expire, forcing the dependent to leave the country and reapply.

Dependant's Pass will become invalid and must be canceled in the following cases:

• Sponsor terminates employment contract or EP/S Pass is not renewed. When EP/S Pass is cancelled, DP automatically expires.
• Sponsor no longer meets the financial requirements. For example, income falls below the minimum (SGD 6.000/month for sponsoring spouse and children; SGD 12.000/month for sponsoring parents).
• The dependent no longer meets the legal requirements. For example: child turns 21 or gets married; spouse gets divorced.
• The dependent intends to leave Singapore permanently. In this case, the sponsor or the company must proactively submit a request to cancel the DP via the MOM system.

• Card cancellation must be done online via EP Online within 1 week of sponsor termination.
• Upon cancellation, the dependent may be issued a 30-day Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) by MOM to make arrangements for their departure from Singapore.
• If the dependent is eligible and wishes to continue residing, the sponsor may consider applying for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) instead.

Dependant's Pass (DP) is a card issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore, allowing the legal spouse and children under 21 years old (including legally adopted children) of foreign workers to reside legally in Singapore.

People who are working legally in Singapore with an Employment Pass (EP), S Pass, EntrePass, ONE Pass or PEP can sponsor their spouse and children under 21 years old.

The validity of the DP depends on the validity of the main work permit (EP, S Pass, etc.). When the work visa expires or is cancelled, the DP also expires.

Yes, but not automatically. DP holders must apply for an additional Letter of Consent (LOC) or work permits such as EP, S Pass, Work Permit to be allowed to work legally in Singapore.

Yes. Children with a DP can enrol in both public and private schools. However, for university or long-term courses, they may need to apply for an additional Student Pass.

No. Parents and children above 21 years old are not eligible for DP. Instead, sponsors can apply for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) if they meet the income requirement (from SGD 12.000/month to sponsor parents).

Sponsor needs to have a salary of at least SGD 6.000/month to sponsor spouse and children.

Usually 3 – 8 weeks, depending on the sponsor's work permit type and the completeness of the application.

No. The DP will cease to be valid once the sponsor's EP/S Pass is cancelled or not renewed. The dependent may apply for a 30-day Short-Term Visit Pass to make arrangements to depart Singapore.