Singapore Dependent Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass: What Families of EP Holders Need to Know in 2026

Employment Pass holders earning at least S$6,000 per month can apply for a Dependent Pass (DP) for their spouse and unmarried children under 21. For family members who do not qualify for a DP, a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) may be available. Both passes allow family members to live in Singapore while the primary pass holder works here.

HeySara’s immigration team handles DP and LTVP applications as part of a comprehensive work and immigration service.

Dependent Pass (DP): Who Qualifies?

The Dependent Pass is issued by MOM and allows eligible family members of EP, S Pass, or EntrePass holders to live in Singapore. As of 2026:

Primary pass holder must: – Hold a valid Employment Pass, S Pass, or EntrePass – Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (for EP holders) – Note: S Pass holders must also meet the S$6,000 threshold to sponsor a DP

Family members who can be sponsored: – Legally married spouse – Unmarried children under 21 (including legally adopted children)

Family members who cannot be sponsored under a DP: – Common-law or unmarried partners – Stepchildren (in some cases — subject to MOM assessment) – Parents and in-laws (they may qualify for a LTVP instead — see below) – Adult children aged 21 and above

Dependent Pass Work Rights

A Dependent Pass holder does not automatically have the right to work in Singapore. To work, a DP holder must obtain either:

1. An Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit in their own right, through a Singapore employer
2. A Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM, applied for by their employer — this is a simpler, faster process available to DP holders taking up employment. The employer applies for the LOC; there is no fee.

DP holders running their own business in Singapore must apply for an EntrePass or convert their DP to a relevant work pass.

Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)

The LTVP is a broader category of long-stay pass administered by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and MOM, covering family members who do not qualify for a DP. In the employment context:

LTVP can be applied for (via MOM) for: – Common-law or unmarried partners of EP/S Pass holders – Handicapped or unmarried children aged 21 and above

LTVP via ICA covers a broader range of circumstances, including: – Parents and parents-in-law of Singapore citizens and PRs – Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs who may not immediately qualify for PR

For family members of EP holders not qualifying for a DP, HeySara’s immigration team assesses whether a MOM or ICA-administered LTVP is the appropriate route.

Application Process for Dependent Pass

1. Apply online via MOM’s EP Online portal — the primary EP/S Pass holder or their employer submits the DP application
2. Processing time: Approximately 3–8 weeks (similar to the primary work pass)
3. Documents required:

• • Passport biodata pages for all family members
  • Marriage certificate (for spouses) — must be translated into English if not in English
  • Birth certificates for children
  • Proof of legal adoption (if applicable)

1. Upon approval: An In-Principle Approval (IPA) is issued; the family member travels to Singapore and completes the pass issuance process
2. DP validity: Typically tied to the primary pass holder’s pass validity

What Happens to the DP If the Primary Pass Is Cancelled?

When an Employment Pass or S Pass is cancelled — whether due to resignation, retrenchment, or retirement — all Dependent Passes and LTVPs issued on the basis of that pass are also cancelled simultaneously. Family members must leave Singapore or secure alternative passes of their own.

HeySara advises clients facing EP cancellations to plan family pass transitions well in advance to avoid disruption.

Permanent Residency Pathway for DP Holders

DP holders may apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Having lived in Singapore for a sustained period, with a working spouse holding an EP, typically strengthens a PR application. The process takes 4–6 months and is not guaranteed.

HeySara provides end-to-end immigration planning for families, including PR application strategy.