Singapore Dependant's Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass: bringing family
Work-pass holders who want their family to live with them in Singapore usually need a Dependant's Pass or a Long-Term Visit Pass from MOM. Here is who qualifies for which, and how the application works.
If you hold a Singapore work pass and want your family to live with you, a short visit visa is not the right tool — those are for short stays. For family to settle for the longer term, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues two passes: the Dependant's Pass (DP) for immediate family, and the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for relatives who fall outside the DP rules.
Both are sponsored by the work-pass holder and applied for by the employer or an appointed agent. Eligibility hinges on who you are bringing and how much you earn; the thresholds below are the levels MOM published as of 2026 and should be confirmed on mom.gov.sg.
Dependant's Pass — for a spouse and children
The Dependant's Pass is for the immediate family of eligible Employment Pass, S Pass or EntrePass holders: a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children. To sponsor a DP, the work-pass holder generally has to earn a fixed monthly salary at or above MOM's threshold (around S$6,000 as of 2026).
Who it does not cover matters just as much: common-law or unmarried partners, stepchildren, parents and in-laws, and children aged 21 or over are not eligible for a DP — they fall under the LTVP route instead, where eligible.
Long-Term Visit Pass — for extended family
The LTVP covers family members who do not qualify for a DP but meet MOM's criteria — for example a common-law spouse, a stepchild or handicapped child, or, where the work-pass holder earns enough, a parent. The salary bar for sponsoring parents is higher than for a spouse, and approval is assessed strictly against the documents provided.
An important limitation: an LTVP does not by itself allow the holder to work. Taking up employment requires a separate authorisation or work pass.
How the application works
The work-pass holder's employer or an appointed agent submits the DP or LTVP application to MOM. If it is approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval; the family member travels to Singapore and completes issuance, after which the pass card is delivered. Processing for dependants of EP or S Pass holders is typically up to three weeks, and can run longer for some sponsor categories.
Can a Dependant's Pass holder work?
A DP holder who wants to work needs their own work pass; the previous Letter of Consent route has been replaced, so an employer arranges the appropriate pass through MOM. The point is simply that the family pass and the right to work are separate questions — holding a DP does not on its own permit employment.
Where to confirm the detail
Salary thresholds, eligible relationships and processing times all change, and they decide whether an application succeeds — so the authoritative source is MOM's Dependant's Pass and LTVP guidance, not a forum post or an old summary. Use this page to understand the shape of the options, then verify your exact case on mom.gov.sg.
Sources
Independent visa assistance service. Not affiliated with the Government of Singapore or ICA. The SG Arrival Card is free at ica.gov.sg. A visa does not guarantee entry; admission is decided by ICA officers.