You have built a life in Singapore — a career, a home, a routine. Now you want your family here too. Whether it is your spouse, your children, or your parents, bringing your family to Singapore on a visa starts with one decision: the Dependant’s Pass or the long-term visit pass in Singapore. They look similar on the surface, but they cover very different family situations.
Choose the wrong one and your family’s arrival gets delayed. Miss a salary threshold, and the application is rejected before it even begins. This guide gives you the clarity to get it right the first time.
Key Takeaways
- The Dependant’s Pass covers your legally married spouse and your unmarried children below 21
- The long-term visit pass in Singapore covers your common-law partner, step-children, handicapped children, and parents
- You must hold a valid EP or S Pass and earn at least S$6,000 per month to sponsor most family members
- Sponsoring your parents requires a minimum monthly salary of S$12,000 — double the standard threshold
- Neither pass gives your family member automatic work rights in Singapore
- If your pass is cancelled, your family’s passes are cancelled at the same time
Understanding the Two Main Family Visa Options in Singapore
When it comes to family visas in Singapore, most EP and S Pass holders have two options: the Dependant’s Pass (DP) and the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). Both are governed by MOM. Both allow your family to live alongside you here. And both come with conditions that determine whether your specific family member qualifies.
The difference is not about which pass is better — it is about which pass fits your family.
| Feature | Dependant’s Pass | Long-Term Visit Pass |
| Who it covers | Legally married spouse, unmarried children below 21 | Common-law partner, stepchild, handicapped child, parents |
| Minimum sponsor salary (EP or S Pass) | S$6,000 per month | S$6,000 per month (S$12,000 for parents) |
| Work rights | Not automatic — requires a separate work pass | Not automatic — requires Letter of Consent |
| Governing body | MOM | MOM |
| Validity | Tied to your pass | Tied to your pass |
The LTVP is not a lesser option. For many families — particularly those with a common-law partner or elderly parents — it is the only route available. Understanding this distinction before you start the process saves weeks of wasted preparation.
Who Qualifies for a Dependant’s Pass in Singapore?
If you are legally married and your spouse is waiting to join you here, the Dependant’s Pass in Singapore is most likely the right route. It also covers your unmarried children below 21, including legally adopted children.
What it does not cover is a common-law or unmarried partner. If your relationship is not formally registered as a marriage, your partner will need to apply for an LTVP instead.
Eligibility conditions you need to meet as the sponsor:
- Hold a valid Employment Pass or S Pass
- Earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000
Salary thresholds by sponsor type:
| Your Pass Type | Minimum Monthly Salary to Sponsor a DP |
| Employment Pass | S$6,000 |
| S Pass | S$6,000 |
| EntrePass or PEP | S$12,000 |
Once your application is approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. Your spouse or child then travels to Singapore and completes registration at the Employment Pass Services Centre within the IPA validity period.
A few practical details to keep in mind:
- Your employer submits the application on your behalf via the myMOM Portal using CorpPass — you cannot submit it yourself
- Processing takes approximately three weeks
- Your spouse’s or child’s pass validity mirrors your own — when you renew, they renew too
👉 Read more: Dependant’s Pass Application in Singapore: Key Requirements and Procedures
Who Qualifies for a Long-Term Visit Pass in Singapore?
If your family member does not fit the Dependant’s Pass criteria — your common-law partner, your step-children, a child with disabilities, or your elderly parents — the long-term visit pass in Singapore is the route designed for them.
MOM recognises four specific relationships under the LTVP framework:
| Family Member | Your Eligible Pass | Minimum Monthly Salary |
| Common-law spouse | EP or S Pass | S$6,000 |
| Stepchild (unmarried, below 21) | EP or S Pass | S$6,000 |
| Handicapped child (any age) | EP or S Pass | S$6,000 |
| Parent or parent-in-law | EP or S Pass | S$12,000 |
The S$12,000 threshold for bringing your parents to Singapore is the detail that catches most sponsors off guard. It is double the standard requirement — and it applies to both your parents and your parents-in-law.
A few additional points worth knowing:
- The LTVP Plus — a higher-tier version with enhanced benefits including access to healthcare subsidies — may be granted at ICA’s discretion to LTVP holders who have built strong ties to Singapore over time
- LTVP holders do not have automatic work rights; your family member will need a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM through their employer before starting any employment
- The LTVP is also available for parents of Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass holders under a separate application route
Knowing which pass applies to each family member before you start preparing documents is the most important step in this entire process.
👉 Read more: Long-Term Visit Pass and Dependant’s Pass
Work Rights in Singapore: What Your Family Can and Cannot Do
One of the most common questions from families arriving in Singapore on a spouse visa or family pass is whether they can work. The short answer is yes — but not automatically, and the process differs depending on which pass your family member holds.
Neither a Dependant’s Pass nor a long-term visit pass in Singapore gives your spouse or family member the right to start work upon arrival. Here is what they actually need to do:
| Pass Type | Can They Work? | How? |
| Dependant’s Pass holder | Yes — but not automatically | Must qualify for and obtain their own work pass (EP, S Pass, or Work Permit) |
| LTVP holder | Yes — but not automatically | Must obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM; their employer applies on their behalf |
Here is the change many families are still unaware of: since May 2021, your spouse on a Dependant’s Pass can no longer work via a Letter of Consent alone. They must independently meet the qualifications and salary criteria for their own EP, S Pass, or Work Permit.
Your spouse on an LTVP, however, can still work through a Letter of Consent — making the LTVP route more accessible if your partner wants to work but does not yet meet a standalone work pass threshold.
This distinction often becomes the deciding factor when families are weighing up the practical implications of each pass type — especially when your partner has every intention of building their own career here.
👉 Read more: Understanding Dependant Pass Holders’ Rights in Singapore
How to Apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass or Dependant’s Pass in Singapore
Once you know which pass applies to your family member, the application process itself is straightforward — provided your documents are complete and submitted in one go.
Applying for a Dependant’s Pass:
- Confirm your eligibility — Verify that you hold a valid EP or S Pass and earn at least S$6,000 per month; confirm your spouse or child meets the DP criteria
- Prepare your documents — Gather your pass details, your marriage certificate or your child’s birth certificate, and your family member’s passport; all non-English documents require a certified English translation
- Your employer submits via the myMOM Portal — Your employer applies using CorpPass on your behalf; you cannot submit the application yourself
- Pay the application fee — S$70 per application, non-refundable regardless of outcome
- Your family member travels to Singapore. Once MOM issues the IPA letter, your spouse or child travels here and completes registration at the Employment Pass Services Centre within the IPA validity window
Applying for a Long-Term Visit Pass in Singapore:
- Confirm your eligibility — Verify your pass type, your salary, and the specific relationship you are sponsoring; double-check the S$12,000 threshold if you are bringing your parents
- Prepare your documents — Depending on the relationship, you may need proof of your common-law partnership, your stepchild’s birth certificate, or medical documentation for a handicapped child
- Your employer submits via myMOM Portal — Your employer applies on your behalf using CorpPass; ensure CorpPass access is active before you begin
- Await MOM’s decision — Processing takes approximately three weeks; MOM may request additional documents during this window, so respond promptly
- Your family member completes registration in Singapore — Biometric registration may be required at the Employment Pass Services Centre, depending on your family member’s nationality and age
One important reminder: your family member should not travel to Singapore before the IPA letter is issued. Arriving without one creates unnecessary complications at the border and adds stress to what should be a straightforward reunion.
👉 Read more: Long-Term Visit Pass for Spouse in Singapore: Step-by-Step Application Guide
The Family Pass Risk Most Singapore Sponsors Never Think About
Getting your family to Singapore is one milestone. Keeping them here securely is another — and it requires understanding a risk that most guides never mention.
Your family’s immigration status in Singapore is not independent. Both the Dependant’s Pass and the long-term visit pass in Singapore are directly tied to your pass. The moment your EP or S Pass is cancelled — for any reason, including a voluntary job change — every family pass you sponsor is cancelled at the same time.
Three real scenarios that catch families completely off guard:
- Changing employers: When you move to a new employer, your current EP is cancelled before your new one is issued. During that window, your spouse’s and children’s passes are technically suspended. The shorter this gap, the better — ideally, your new EP should be issued before your existing one is cancelled
- Pass downgrade: If your salary drops and you move from an EP to an S Pass, your eligibility to sponsor family members is reassessed. If your new S Pass salary falls below S$6,000 per month, your family’s passes may not be renewable at the next cycle
- Resigning without a confirmed next role: If you leave your job without an immediate new employer lined up, your EP will eventually be cancelled — and your family’s passes go with it. No grace period keeps family passes active independently of yours
None of these scenarios is impossible to manage. But they require you to think about your family’s status every time your own employment situation changes — not just when you first apply. Families who plan around this dependency move through career transitions without disruption. Those who do not often face a stressful race against the clock to protect their family’s right to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Visas in Singapore
Can my child study in Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass?
Yes. Your child on a Dependant’s Pass in Singapore can attend primary and secondary schools here, both private and public institutions. However, the pass itself does not guarantee admission to a Singapore public school; enrolment follows the standard school registration process and is subject to availability. If your child wants to attend a local university, they will need to apply for a Student’s Pass separately from ICA, as the Dependant’s Pass alone does not cover tertiary-level enrolment.
Can I bring my parents to Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass?
No. Your parents are not eligible for a Dependant’s Pass in Singapore under any circumstances. The correct pass for bringing your parents to Singapore on a visa is the long-term visit pass in Singapore. To sponsor your parents on an LTVP, you must hold a valid EP or S Pass and earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 per month. This is double the standard S$6,000 threshold — and it is a condition many sponsors only discover when they are already deep into the application process.
What happens to my family’s passes if I lose my job in Singapore?
If your EP or S Pass is cancelled, all Dependant’s Passes and Long-Term Visit Passes linked to your sponsorship are cancelled simultaneously. Your family members will need to leave Singapore or find an alternative immigration pathway without delay. If you secure a new employer quickly, your new employer can apply for a fresh EP and subsequently reapply for your family’s passes. This is why planning your career transitions carefully — and keeping the gap between pass cancellation and reissuance as short as possible — is one of the most important things you can do for your family’s stability in Singapore.
Bring Your Family to Singapore the Right Way With Catalyst Immigration
Your family should not have to wait any longer than necessary. And they should not have to leave because of a form submitted incorrectly, a salary threshold overlooked, or a job transition handled without the right plan in place.
Catalyst Immigration handles end-to-end family pass applications for EP and S Pass holders across Singapore — from identifying the correct pass type for your specific family situation and preparing your full document set, to submitting via the myMOM Portal and tracking every update until your family arrives.
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Get in touch today for a free consultation.
- Address: 3 UBI ROAD 1 #08-54 OXLEY BIZHUB SINGAPORE (408733)
- Email: info@catalystconsultancy.sg
Phone: +65 9836 0055