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A Dependant's Pass is the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) pass for the family of an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holder. The sponsor must earn a fixed S$6,000 a month or more. Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue each pass. Checked .
Who qualifies for a Dependant's Pass?
Two groups of family members qualify:
- Your legally married spouse.
- Your unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children.
You, the sponsor, must hold an Employment Pass or S Pass and earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000. The sponsoring company must be an established, Singapore-registered company, usually your employer. MOM looks at your salary alone. It does not add your spouse's income.
For EntrePass and Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass holders, MOM has separate eligibility pages. See EntrePass for the founder route.
What does a Dependant's Pass cost?
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee, for each pass | S$105 |
| Issuance fee, for each pass | S$225 |
| Multiple-entry visa, if applicable | S$30 each |
The fees are charged for each pass. A spouse and two children means three passes, so budget for three application fees and three issuance fees.
How long does it take?
| Main pass holder | MOM processing time |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass or S Pass | Within 3 weeks for most cases |
| Personalised Employment Pass, EntrePass or EP (Sponsorship) | Within 6 weeks for most cases |
After registration, MOM sends the physical card within 5 working days.
Who applies, and how?
It depends on the main pass.
- EP or S Pass: the employer, or the employment agent the employer appointed, applies.
- EntrePass or Personalised Employment Pass: the main pass holder applies.
- EP (Sponsorship): the local sponsor applies.
The steps are the same for each:
- Prepare the documents MOM lists.
- Submit the application online and pay S$105.
- Receive the in-principle approval letter.
- The dependant arrives in Singapore with the approved visa, if one is needed.
- Get the pass issued by submitting the information and paying S$225.
- Register the fingerprints and photo if MOM asks, and wait for the card.
How long is the pass valid?
It is tied to the main pass, or to the duration requested, whichever is shorter. There is no foreign worker levy or quota.
Can a dependant work or run a business?
MOM says eligible pass holders may be able to work in Singapore. A dependant who owns a business gets there by a Letter of Consent (LOC). MOM's business-owner LOC is open to a sole proprietor, a partner, or a company director with at least 30% shareholding. The first LOC runs for one year or until the Dependant's Pass expires, whichever is earlier. For a renewal, the business must employ at least one Singaporean or permanent resident on the local qualifying salary with CPF contributions for three consecutive months. The route is explained further in employment pass for a company director.
What if your family member is not eligible?
MOM points ineligible family members to the Long-Term Visit Pass. It is a separate application with its own rules, so read MOM's Long-Term Visit Pass page before you apply.
What does the sponsor need to clear first?
The S$6,000 is for the dependant rule. It is a different number from the EP minimum, which rises with age. Read Employment Pass salary and COMPASS to check the main pass first. If the EP is refused, there is nobody to sponsor.
A quick check before you apply
- Your pass is an Employment Pass or S Pass, not another type. Other pass types have their own dependant rules on MOM's site.
- Your own fixed monthly salary is at least S$6,000. Allowances and bonuses that are not fixed do not belong in that figure.
- Your family member is a legally married spouse or an unmarried child under 21.
- Your employer is a Singapore-registered company that will submit the application, or you have asked the appointed employment agent to do it.
- You have budgeted S$105 and S$225 for each person.
If any of these is a no, check MOM's page for the pass that fits before you pay a fee. Application fees are paid when you submit, so a wrong start costs money.
Prefer to have a provider handle the forms? Use the quote form on this page and a suitable provider can take it from there.
Sources
- MOM, Dependant's Pass eligibility: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/eligibility (who qualifies, S$6,000 rule)
- MOM, Dependant's Pass key facts: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/key-facts (validity, levy, working)
- MOM, Apply for a Dependant's Pass: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/apply-for-a-pass (fees, timing, who applies, steps)
- MOM, LOC for Dependant's Pass business owners: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/loc-for-dependants-pass-business-owners/eligibility (business owner LOC)
