Dependant Pass (DP) and Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) — Step-by-step walkthrough
The Dependant Pass is a Singapore pass that lets the spouse and children of eligible Employment Pass, S Pass or other qualifying pass holders live in Singapore, while the Long-Term Visit Pass covers other family members such as common-law spouses, parents and stepchildren. This walkthrough explains who qualifies, what each pass allows and how to apply in 2026.
Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.
What the Dependant Pass and LTVP allow
The Dependant Pass is issued to the legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a sponsor who holds an Employment Pass or S Pass and earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000. The Long-Term Visit Pass extends to a common-law spouse, an unmarried handicapped child aged 21 or above, an unmarried stepchild under 21, and, for higher earners, parents. Both are sponsored passes administered by the Ministry of Manpower.
The legal basis is the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 and the Immigration Act 1959. The sponsor undertakes responsibility for the dependant, including upkeep and repatriation, and the pass validity is tied to the sponsor’s own work pass.
Eligibility and the salary thresholds
To sponsor a Dependant Pass, the work-pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000. To sponsor parents on an LTVP, the threshold is higher, at a fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000. These thresholds are reviewed periodically and reflect MOM’s tightening of family-sponsorship rules in recent years. For the corporate context behind the sponsor’s pass, our cross-site note on Sole proprietorship vs LLP vs Pte Ltd is a helpful companion.
Can a Dependant Pass holder work?
A Dependant Pass holder who wishes to work in Singapore must obtain their own work pass; the previous Letter of Consent route for Dependant Pass holders was discontinued, so a dependant who wants to work now needs an Employment Pass, S Pass or work permit obtained by their employer. An LTVP holder married to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident may, however, still work on a Letter of Consent in defined cases. Our cross-site guide on Singapore Corporate Tax 2026: Rates, Exemptions and Filing Guide explains the tax position once a dependant starts earning.
Step-by-step application
The sponsor’s employer submits the Dependant Pass or LTVP application through MOM’s EP Online portal, attaching the marriage certificate or birth certificates and the sponsor’s salary evidence. Processing usually takes around three weeks. On approval, an in-principle approval letter is issued, the dependant enters Singapore, and the pass card is issued after any required formalities. Our on-site walkthrough on Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass sets out how dependant passes fit alongside the main applicant’s pass strategy.
Cost and timeline
Each Dependant Pass or LTVP costs S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue, so budget around S$330 per dependant. The pass is issued for the duration of the sponsor’s own work pass, up to a maximum, and is renewed together with it. Most complete applications are processed within three weeks.
Common mistakes
Common errors include assuming a Dependant Pass allows the holder to work without a separate pass, sponsoring children aged 21 or over (who fall outside the Dependant Pass and need an LTVP if eligible at all), and overlooking that the dependant’s pass lapses if the sponsor’s work pass is cancelled. Marriage and birth documents not in English must be officially translated.
FAQs on the Dependant Pass and LTVP
What salary is needed to sponsor a Dependant Pass? The sponsoring work-pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000.
Can a Dependant Pass holder work? Only with their own valid work pass; the Letter of Consent route for Dependant Pass holders has been discontinued.
What does an LTVP cover that a Dependant Pass does not? Common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above, unmarried stepchildren under 21, and parents of higher earners.
How much does each pass cost? Around S$330 in total per dependant, comprising a S$105 application fee and a S$225 issuance fee.
Authoritative sources: the Ministry of Manpower. See also the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. See also the Economic Development Board.
Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.