Quick answer: A Dependent Pass Singapore is a family pass from MOM. It lets the spouse and children of an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holder live here. The main pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000. The employer applies online, and MOM decides most cases within 3 weeks. Fees are S$105 to apply and S$225 when the pass is issued.
The Dependent Pass Singapore is the official way to bring your family with you. MOM, the Ministry of Manpower, calls it the “Dependant’s Pass” or DP. People search for both spellings, but they mean the same pass. This guide covers who qualifies, the steps, the papers and the fees. It also shows what to do if your family does not fit the rules.
What Is the Dependent Pass in Singapore?
The Dependant’s Pass is a family pass from MOM. It lets the spouse and children of an EP or S Pass holder live in Singapore.
Here are the key facts:
- The employer or an appointed employment agent applies, not the family.
- There is no levy and no quota for a DP.
- The DP lasts as long as the main pass or the time you ask for. MOM uses whichever is shorter.
- The pass can be renewed.
The DP depends on the main pass. So the main pass holder must qualify first. Not sure your own pass will qualify? Try MOM’s free eligibility checker before you plan the move.
Who Can Apply: Dependent Pass Singapore Eligibility
The main pass holder must meet three rules:
| Rule | What MOM asks for |
|---|
| Pass type | An Employment Pass or S Pass |
| Salary | A fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 |
| Sponsor | An established company registered in Singapore, usually the employer |
The S$6,000 is your own salary. MOM does not count your household income. So your spouse’s pay does not help you reach the limit.
“Fixed monthly salary” means your basic pay plus fixed allowances. Bonuses and overtime do not count. Need help sorting out the papers? Translators who check family papers can tell you which ones need English copies.
Which Family Members Count as Dependants?
Only two groups can get a Dependant’s Pass:
- A legally married spouse. This means a marriage that the law recognises.
- Unmarried children under 21. This includes children who are legally adopted.
Other family members cannot get a DP. They may fit a Long-Term Visit Pass instead. We cover that option further down.
There is one more rule. Family members of some EP holders who came as overseas intra-corporate transferees cannot get a DP. This is a worker moved here by their overseas company under a trade deal, such as WTO GATS. A few trade deals allow an exception.
Documents for a Dependant’s Pass Application
MOM lists these documents:
| Applicant | Documents |
|---|
| Everyone | Copy of the passport’s personal particulars page |
| Child sharing a parent’s passport | The parent’s passport particulars page too |
| Spouse | Copy of the marriage certificate |
| Child under 21 | Copy of the official birth certificate showing the parents’ names |
| Adopted child under 21 | Copy of the adoption order or other proof |
| Foreign-born child aged 12 or below (new DP) | Verification of Vaccination Requirements from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) |
MOM may ask for more papers while it reviews the case.
When a document is not in English
MOM has a clear rule. Upload the original document and its English translation together as one file. A translation service provider can do the translation.
Is your marriage certificate in Chinese, Hindi or Bahasa? Then getting your marriage record ready for the DP upload is the first job. Upload it with the original as one PDF.
Bringing Your Spouse and Children to Singapore? Get Their Certificates Ready in English First
How to Apply for a Dependent Pass Singapore: Step by Step
- Employer submits the form. The employer logs in to EP eService on myMOM. First, they update the company’s turnover for the past 3 years. Then they upload the documents and pay S$105.
- MOM decides. Most EP and S Pass cases take about 3 weeks. If approved, MOM sends an in-principle approval (IPA) letter. This letter says MOM agrees in principle.
- Family travels. Do not bring your family until the pass is approved. The IPA letter works as a single-entry visa for the trip.
- Pass is issued. The family member must be in Singapore. The employer pays S$225 and sends any extra details through EP eService.
- Fingerprints and photo, if needed. The notification letter will say. EP dependants register within 2 weeks at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC). S Pass dependants register within 1 week at MOM Services Centre, Hall C.
- Digital pass and card. The family member logs in to the SGWorkPass app with Singpass. MOM delivers the card within 5 working days after registration.
How long the IPA lasts
The IPA does not last forever. EP dependants get 6 months to enter and get the pass issued. S Pass dependants get only 2 months. If you are unsure what each line says, start by reading your IPA letter with your employer.
Dependant’s Pass Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|
| Application | S$105 per application |
| Issuance | S$225 per pass |
| Multiple Journey Visa (if needed) | S$30 per visa |
A Multiple Journey Visa is only for people whose nationality needs a visa to enter Singapore. The renewal fee is S$225 per pass, plus S$30 for a visa if needed.
Validity and Renewal
A DP never lasts longer than the main pass. If your EP ends in 18 months, your family’s DP ends then too.
The employer can renew a DP up to 6 months before it expires. The renewal must be sent in before the expiry date. MOM checks the case against the rules in force at the time. So a renewal is not automatic.
If the main pass is cancelled, MOM cancels the family’s DPs at the same time. The employer can ask for a Short-Term Visit Pass of up to 90 days. This gives the family time to pack and leave.
Marriage or Birth Certificate Not in English? We Prepare Translations for Dependant's Pass Uploads
Can You Work on a Dependant’s Pass?
Yes, but you need your own work pass. Since 1 May 2021, a DP alone does not let you work. The old Letter of Consent route for most jobs ended then.
Your new employer can apply for one of these:
| Work pass | What changes |
|---|
| Employment Pass | Your DP is cancelled. You no longer depend on your spouse’s pass. |
| S Pass | Your DP is cancelled. You no longer depend on your spouse’s pass. |
| DP-Work Permit | You keep your DP. The employer pays the Work Permit levy and uses its quota. |
Volunteering is different. You do not need a work pass if the work is unpaid and for a charity.
Many spouses we help land a job offer soon after they arrive. The new employer then wants their degree and job letters fast. Getting documents for your own Employment Pass translated early means you can say yes quickly.
LTVP: The Option for Other Family Members
Some relatives cannot get a DP. They may get a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) instead. The same S$6,000 salary rule applies to the main pass holder.
| Family member | LTVP possible? |
|---|
| Common-law spouse | Yes |
| Unmarried step-children under 21 | Yes |
| Unmarried children aged 21 and above with a disability | Yes |
| Parents | Only if you earn at least S$12,000 a month |
A common-law spouse is a partner you live with as a couple without a legal marriage. A step-child is your spouse’s child from an earlier relationship.
Step-children often need extra papers. These include the child’s birth certificate and the parents’ marriage record. Are those in another language? Then get your MOM family pass paperwork translated in one go, so names and dates match.
Common Mistakes That Slow Down a DP
- Birth certificate without both parents’ names. MOM asks for the official version that names the parents. Check yours before you upload it.
- Uploading the original and the translation as two files. MOM wants them as one file.
- Names spelled differently. A name on the marriage record may not match the passport. Fix this before you apply.
- Flying in too early. Wait for the IPA letter.
- Missing the IPA deadline. S Pass dependants have only 2 months.
A common problem we see is a child’s birth record issued in a local language only. Is your child’s record like that? Ask for children’s birth certificates in English before the form opens.
Applying for a Dependant's Pass Soon? Send Us Every Family Document That Needs Translating
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Dependant’s Pass holder start a business in Singapore?
A DP holder who owns a business can apply for a Letter of Consent for DP business owners. You must be a sole proprietor, a partner, or a director with 30% or more of the shares. The business must be registered with ACRA. To renew it, the business must employ at least one Singaporean or PR. That worker must earn the Local Qualifying Salary, a minimum pay level set by MOM. Their CPF must also have been paid for the last 3 months in a row.
Can my child go to school in Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass?
Yes. ICA says a valid DP holder does not need a Student’s Pass for full-time studies. This applies to courses that are not religious. Your child can enrol in such a course while the DP is valid. A Student’s Pass is still needed for an approved religious school or madrasah.
What should we do if we leave Singapore for good?
The employer must cancel the DP within 1 week of the departure date. This is not needed if the pass has already expired. After cancelling, cut the pass card in half and throw it away. This stops anyone from misusing it.
Do we need to tell MOM if our details change?
Yes. You must report changes to a DP holder’s personal details to MOM. If the card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can ask MOM for a replacement card.
Conclusion
The Dependent Pass Singapore lets your spouse and children join you. You need an EP or S Pass and a salary of at least S$6,000. The employer applies and MOM decides in about 3 weeks. The pass lasts as long as your own pass. Relatives who do not fit the DP rules may qualify for an LTVP.
Most delays come from paperwork. Get your marriage and birth certificates checked, and translate any that are not in English. Then upload each one with its original as a single file.
