Singapore: The Dependant's Pass for the spouse and children of an expatriate employee

The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reserves the Dependant's Pass for the spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders. The sponsor must have a fixed salary of at least S$ 6,000 per month, assessed solely on their salary. The spouse must be legally married; the children must be unmarried and under 21 years of age. The employer or their designated employment agent submits the application online.

This page deals with the Dependant's Pass for an employee under an Employment Pass or S Pass. It does not cover the Employment Pass salary threshold itself, the residency of French citizens without a permit, schooling, healthcare, or taxation. Holders of a ONE Pass have their own specific rules, discussed below. For families of an EntrePass holder, the Ministry of Migration and Refugees (MOM) has a separate application process, which is not covered on this page.

Who is the Dependant's Pass for?

The MOM page, updated on July 9, 2026, describes it as the pass for "spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders." Detailed conditions are found on the MOM eligibility page, which is dated March 14, 2024. This is an older date: please review the page before making a decision.

The MOM clarifies that this threshold is not based on the household's cumulative income.

Family members not covered by the Dependant's Pass

The Ministry of Labour (MOM) indicates that family members who are not eligible for the Dependant's Pass may be eligible for the Long-Term Visit Pass. The page dedicated to this pass addresses the common-law spouse, stepchild, and disabled child of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder.

One exclusion deserves attention: according to the Ministry of Migration (MOM), the families of Employment Pass holders who applied for their pass as "overseas ICT" under the WTO (WTO GATS) or an applicable free trade agreement are not eligible for either the Dependant's Pass or the Long-Term Visit Pass, unless they are specifically covered by an applicable free trade agreement and meet the relevant criteria. The MOM does not elaborate on the abbreviation "ICT".

Who submits the application, and how?

For a sponsor under Employment Pass or S Pass, the MOM's "key points" page (updated November 20, 2024) states: "An employer or appointed employment agent must apply on behalf of the candidate." The application is made via the Employment Pass eService on the myMOM portal, with documents submitted online.

The fees

The MOM indicates three amounts:

• 105 S$ application fee: the summary table writes "for each pass", the steps on the page write "for each application"; ;
• 225 S$ for each pass issued; ;
• 30 S$ for each "Multiple Journey Visa" (multiple entry visa), if applicable.

The MOM also requires a separate application for each family member ("Submit a separate application for each family member"). For a family of three, the application fee is therefore applied three times.

The required documents

The MOM page on required documents, updated on May 18, 2026, list:

• a copy of the passport's identity page; ;
• For the spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate; ;
• For a child, a copy of the official birth certificate indicating the names of the parents; ;
• for a legally adopted child, the adoption order or other relevant document; ;
• for a child born abroad aged 12 or younger who is applying for a new pass, a vaccination verification document issued by the Communicable Diseases Agency; ;
• For documents that are not in English, the original and an English translation in the same file.

The MOM may request additional documents during the examination.

Duration and renewal

The duration of the Dependant's Pass is linked to that of the main work pass: "The duration is tied to the validity of the main work pass or up to the requested duration, whichever is shorter." The employer can request a renewal up to 6 months before expiry, and the request must be made before expiry. The MOM specifies 225 S$ for issuing the renewed pass.

Can the spouse work?

The Ministry of Labour (MOM) states that Dependant's Pass holders who wish to work can obtain a work permit. An employer can apply for an Employment Pass, an S Pass, or a DP-Work Permit on their behalf. Under the heading about starting or running your own business, the page states: "You can apply for a Letter of Consent." Unpaid charitable volunteering can be done without a permit, under conditions detailed on the page.

ONE Pass holders

For families of ONE Pass holders, the Ministry of Migration (MOM) page, updated on August 3, 2026, provides for a Dependant's Pass for the legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. The common-law partner, a disabled child aged 21 and over, a stepchild under 21, and parents are covered by the Long-Term Visit Pass. Spouses holding a Dependant's Pass can apply for a Letter of Consent. The salary conditions for the ONE Pass are not addressed on this page.

Dependant's Pass in Singapore: a numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. A French executive, a fictitious profile, joins a Singaporean company with an Employment Pass and a fixed salary of 7,500 S$ per month. He arrives with his legally married wife and their two unmarried children, aged 9 and 14.

Issue. He wants to know if his salary qualifies him for the Dependant's Pass and what the three passes cost in official fees.

Strategy. He compares his salary to the MOM's 6,000 S$ threshold, then adds up the indicated fees: 105 S$ application fee and 225 S$ per pass issued, for each of the three people (one application per person, as required by the MOM).

Result. 7,500 S$ exceeds the 6,000 S$ threshold by 1,500 S$. The three passes cost 3 × 225 = 675 S$, and the three applications cost 3 × 105 = 315 S$, for a total of 990 S$. The multiple-entry visa, if applicable, adds 30 S$ per person, or 90 S$ for three, bringing the total to 1,080 S$. By contrast, a salary of 5,800 S$ would remain 200 S$ below the threshold.

This profile is fictitious; the salary, ages, and number of people are examples. The fees are those displayed by the MOM on the dates indicated above.

Dependant's Pass in Singapore: what changes depending on your situation

• The sponsor's pass: Employment Pass or S Pass, or other pass with separate rules.
• The sponsor's fixed monthly salary, calculated without the spouse's income.
• Civil status: legally married spouse, or common-law partner.
• The age and situation of the children: under 21 years old and unmarried, or other case.
• The sponsor's method of arrival: an intra-group transfer under a trade agreement may exclude the family.
• The spouse's work project: work permit or Letter of Consent.

No results are promised: the examination is done case by case.