For foreign professionals relocating to Singapore, securing a work pass like the Employment Pass (EP) is only half the journey. The other half is bringing their family. The Dependant’s Pass (DP) and the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) — both issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) — are the two main routes for spouses, children, common-law partners and parents of pass-holders to live legally in Singapore.
This guide explains who qualifies for the DP, who falls to the LTVP, what documents you need, how long it takes, and the recent regulatory tightening around earnings thresholds and family eligibility.
What is the Dependant’s Pass (DP)?
The DP is issued by MOM to immediate family members of certain higher-earning Singapore work pass holders. Eligibility is tightly tied to the principal pass-holder’s salary and pass type. As of 2026, only EP, S Pass, Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), ONE Pass, EntrePass, and Tech.Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 are eligible to sponsor DPs for their family.
Who can be sponsored on a DP?
- Legally married spouse.
- Unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children.
- Unmarried stepchildren under 21 (only after MOM assessment).
Common-law spouses, unmarried partners, stepchildren without formal adoption, and children aged 21 or above must apply for an LTVP instead.
What is the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?
The LTVP is a more flexible category, covering family relationships that fall outside the strict DP definition. The salary threshold for sponsoring an LTVP is also S$6,000 per month for most categories, rising to S$12,000 if the foreign pass holder wishes to bring in their parent.
LTVP categories
- Common-law spouse.
- Step-child or handicapped child (over 21).
- Parent of a work pass holder (S$12,000 salary threshold).
DP vs LTVP — at a glance
| Feature | Dependant’s Pass (DP) | Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor minimum salary | S$6,000/month | S$6,000 (spouse/child); S$12,000 (parent) |
| Who can be sponsored | Legal spouse + unmarried children under 21 | Common-law spouse, step-child, handicapped child, parent |
| Validity | Tied to principal pass (up to 2 years) | Tied to principal pass (up to 2 years) |
| Can hold a job? | Needs Letter of Consent (LOC); not all DP holders qualify | Same as DP — needs LOC and MOM approval |
| Pathway to PR? | Yes, can apply for PR after sufficient stay | Limited; depends on category |
The Letter of Consent (LOC) — can DPs work?
Before September 2021, DP holders could work in Singapore on a Letter of Consent. That route was closed for new applications. Today, DP and LTVP holders who wish to work must apply for their own EP, S Pass or Work Permit. The only carve-out is for those running their own business — they may apply for an LOC if they hold at least 30% of the company they run and meet additional criteria.
Application process — step by step
Step 1 — Verify eligibility
Check that the principal pass holder’s fixed monthly salary meets the threshold. Increasingly, MOM scrutinises “fixed” salary — bonuses and allowances are excluded.
Step 2 — Prepare documents
- Personal particulars page of the family member’s passport.
- Marriage certificate (for spouse). Translations notarised if not in English.
- Birth certificate (for child).
- Educational certificates (where required for school enrolment downstream).
- For LTVP-parent applications: birth certificate of the principal pass holder showing parentage; medical insurance covering S$60,000 hospitalisation.
Step 3 — Submit via EP Online or via your employer/EA
Applications are submitted through MOM’s EP Online portal. Most are auto-processed within 3 weeks; complex cases take 6–8 weeks. The principal pass-holder’s employer or an MOM-licensed employment agency (such as Singapore Employment Agency) typically lodges the application.
Step 4 — In-Principle Approval (IPA) and pass issuance
Once approved, MOM issues an IPA Letter valid for 6 months. The family member enters Singapore, undergoes medical screening (where required), and reports to MOM for biometrics and pass collection.
Renewing DP and LTVP
DPs and LTVPs are tied to the principal pass. When the principal pass is renewed, family passes must be renewed in parallel. MOM checks that the salary still meets the threshold. If the principal pass holder is downgraded (e.g. EP to S Pass) or earns less than S$6,000, the family passes will not be renewed.
What happens if the principal pass holder leaves Singapore?
The DP and LTVP are cancelled when the principal pass is cancelled. Family members typically receive a 30-day grace period to remain in Singapore, after which they must depart unless they transition to another pass (e.g. Student Pass, fresh DP via a new principal pass holder).
Pathway from DP/LTVP to PR or Citizenship
DP holders are eligible to apply for Permanent Residence after 6+ months in Singapore, though most successful applicants have lived in Singapore for 2+ years and the principal pass-holder is also applying. LTVP holders may also apply for PR but face a higher rejection rate. See our PR Rejection guide for what to do next if denied.
Common pitfalls
- Mistaking variable pay for fixed salary — bonuses do not count toward the S$6,000 threshold.
- Common-law spouses misfiled as DP — they qualify only for LTVP; mis-filing causes automatic rejection.
- Step-children applied without adoption — without legal adoption, step-children must use LTVP, not DP.
- Documents not translated — marriage and birth certificates from non-English jurisdictions need certified translations.
- Working without LOC — DPs/LTVPs caught working without authorisation may have their passes cancelled and face barriers to re-entry.
How RCS and Singapore Employment Agency can help
At Raffles Corporate Services, we co-ordinate work pass and family pass applications end-to-end through our MOM-licensed employment agency arm, Singapore Employment Agency. We handle the EP/S Pass/Tech.Pass alongside DP/LTVP, ensuring family members aren’t left in limbo when the principal pass is renewed.
For Singapore-bound professionals also wanting to compare work visa options, see our EP vs ONE Pass vs PEP guide. For those eyeing eventual PR, our PR resources walk through every pathway.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services