Insights for work and life.
Hiring a Dependant’s Pass Holder: EP, S Pass or DP Work Permit for Employers
Short answer: When hiring a Dependant’s Pass holder in Singapore, an employer can apply for an Employment Pass, an S Pass or a DP Work Permit. The EP and S Pass need the candidate to meet the normal qualifying criteria and end the dependency on the main pass holder. The DP Work Permit has no minimum qualifying salary, is tied to the DP’s validity, and is subject to quota and levy.
Key facts at a glance
- MOM allows employers to apply for an Employment Pass, S Pass or DP Work Permit (DP-WP) for a DP holder.
- A DP holder who gets an EP or S Pass must meet the prevailing criteria and must have the DP cancelled before the new pass is issued.
- A DP-WP holder can be of any nationality, and the pass has no minimum qualifying salary.
- The DP-WP validity is tied to the DP, so it ends if the DP ends.
- DP-WP holders are subject to the relevant work permit quota and levy, aligned to the lowest levy rates for each sector.
- In the Services sector, the lowest tier levy is S$300 a month, and in Manufacturing it is S$250 a month for Tier 1.
- A current DP-WP holder must have the existing employer cancel the Work Permit before a new employer applies.
- Section 5(1) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 requires a valid work pass before a foreign employee starts work.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. For matters needing legal advice, we work with a panel of experienced Singapore law firms.
Many employers still think a spouse on a Dependant’s Pass can only work with a Letter of Consent. MOM’s current guidance is different. Hiring a Dependant’s Pass holder now runs through the standard work pass routes, and a Letter of Consent is reserved for DP holders who want to set up or run their own business. This guide helps HR and hiring managers choose the right route and avoid the traps. Our older guide to the Dependent’s Pass and Letter of Consent remains useful background on the business-owner route.
Which pass can an employer apply for when hiring a Dependant’s Pass holder?
MOM lists three options. The right one depends on the role, salary and the candidate’s own plans.
| Route | Qualifying salary | Link to main DP | Quota and levy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Must meet prevailing EP criteria | Independent; DP must be cancelled first | EP rules apply |
| S Pass | Must meet prevailing S Pass criteria | Independent; DP must be cancelled first | S Pass rules apply |
| DP Work Permit | No minimum qualifying salary | Validity tied to the DP | Subject to work permit quota and levy |
Employers can use MOM’s Self-Assessment Tool to test whether a candidate qualifies for an EP or S Pass. The official summary is on the MOM page on working as a DP holder.
When does the DP Work Permit make sense?
The DP-WP suits roles where the candidate would not meet the EP or S Pass salary and qualification tests, or where the candidate wants to remain a dependant of the main pass holder. MOM lists several practical features: the holder can be of any nationality, no minimum qualifying salary applies, and the pass is not subject to the six-monthly medical examination or the security bond requirements. The employer also does not need to provide medical insurance if the holder is already covered by a plan that meets MOM’s minimum mandatory coverage.
The cost side is the levy. MOM aligns DP-WP levy rates with the lowest rates in each sector. In Services, the monthly levy by tier is S$300, S$400 and S$600, and in Manufacturing it is S$250, S$350 and S$550. MOM adds that from 2028 the current Tier 1 and Tier 2 in Services and Manufacturing will merge, with a merged-tier levy of S$400 in Services and S$300 in Manufacturing, and that more details will follow. Check your sector’s quota before you extend an offer.
When should you choose an EP or S Pass instead?
Choose the EP or S Pass if the candidate meets the prevailing criteria and wants independence from the spouse’s pass. A DP holder who gets an EP or S Pass receives the work and stay privileges of that pass and no longer depends on the main pass holder. The DP must be cancelled before the new pass is issued, so plan the timing to avoid a gap. Our conversion routes article explains how those switches fail in practice.
What is the step-by-step process before day one?
- Confirm the candidate’s DP is valid and note its expiry date.
- Choose the route: EP, S Pass or DP-WP, based on salary, role and the candidate’s plans.
- For an EP or S Pass, run the Self-Assessment Tool and prepare qualification evidence.
- For a DP-WP, check your sector’s quota and levy tier.
- If the candidate currently holds a DP-WP with another employer, ask for the existing Work Permit to be cancelled before you submit.
- Submit through MOM’s online system and wait for approval before the start date.
- Set a diary alert for DP expiry, since a DP-WP ends with the DP.
What common mistakes should employers avoid?
Employers often start the candidate before approval, which breaches Section 5(1) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Other mistakes include applying for a DP-WP while another employer’s Work Permit is still active, ignoring the DP’s own expiry, and forgetting that the levy is a recurring cost. Employers should also budget for the main pass holder’s status: if the sponsor’s EP or S Pass ends, the DP and any DP-WP linked to it are at risk. See the marital status and DP sequence for a related example.
How do payroll and tax fit in?
A DP-WP or EP holder is a foreign employee for payroll purposes. Review CPF obligations in our CPF employer guide and the tax points in tax considerations for foreign talent.
Related guides
- Singapore Dependant’s Pass 2026: what spouses and children are entitled to
- Local Qualifying Salary rises to S$1,800 from 1 July 2026
- Official guidance: Ministry of Manpower and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum salary for a DP Work Permit?
No. MOM states that DP-WP holders are not subject to a minimum qualifying salary.
Does a DP-WP holder need a separate stay pass?
The DP-WP validity is tied to the DP, so the DP remains the stay pass and the DP-WP depends on it.
Can a DP holder with a Letter of Consent work for an employer?
MOM now points DP holders who want to set up or operate their own business to the Letter of Consent. Employers hiring a DP holder use the EP, S Pass or DP-WP routes.
What happens to the DP when the candidate gets an EP?
The DP must be cancelled before the EP or S Pass is issued, and the holder is no longer dependent on the main pass holder.
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.
Last reviewed: 07 October 2026. The Editorial Team.
Real people. Right here in Singapore.