family · Apply ASAP — 3-8 week processing
Apply for a Dependant's Pass for your spouse and children
EP holders earning SGD 6,000+ can sponsor a DP for spouse and children under 21. Apply via EP Online. Processing time 3-8 weeks.
Source: MOM · verified 2026-04-06
Why this matters
Bring your spouse and unmarried children (under 21) to live in Singapore on a Dependant Pass (DP).
EP holders earning at least SGD 6,000/month can sponsor DP for immediate family. CRITICAL change since May 2021: DP holders can NO longer obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) to work in Singapore — they must apply for their own work pass. Exception: spouses of ONE Pass holders.
If you skip it: Without DP, family members cannot legally stay in Singapore beyond visitor visa (30-90 days). DP holders cannot work — planning around this is essential.
When to do it
Earliest
After EP is approved (can apply concurrently with EP in some cases).
Optimal
Submit immediately after EP approval to minimize wait. Processing takes 3-8 weeks.
Deadline
No hard deadline, but family cannot stay in Singapore beyond visitor visa (30-90 days) without DP.
If late: Family must leave Singapore and return on visitor visa while waiting. Overstaying is a criminal offence.
How to do it
- 1
Confirm salary eligibility: minimum SGD 6,000/month fixed salary
This is the minimum to sponsor DP for spouse and children. Check your EP salary on myMOM Portal.
- 2
Gather dependant documents: passport, marriage certificate, birth certificates
All documents must be in English or officially translated. Marriage and birth certificates may need apostille or embassy attestation.
- 3
Submit DP application via EP Online on myMOM Portal
Employer or appointed EA submits on your behalf. You can also self-apply if you have SingPass.
https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/ep-online - 4
Pay application fee: SGD 105 per dependant
- 5
Wait for approval (3-8 weeks processing)
MOM may request additional documents during processing.
- 6
After approval: pay issuance fee SGD 225 per dependant and collect DP card
DP card is collected at MOM Services Centre or mailed to your address.
Common mistakes
- · Assuming DP holder can get LOC to work — this ended in May 2021 (except ONE Pass spouses)
- · Not meeting the SGD 6,000 minimum salary threshold
- · Submitting untranslated or unapostilled marriage/birth certificates
- · Not planning for the 3-8 week processing time — family stuck on visitor visa
What you need
- · passport — Sponsor (EP holder) passport details
- · ep_card — Proof of valid Employment Pass and salary eligibility (minimum SGD 6,000/month)
Cost
SGD 330
- · Application fee (per dependant): SGD 105
- · Issuance fee (per dependant, upon approval): SGD 225
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Related steps
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Collect your EP card
You can't open a bank account, register SingPass, or sign a lease until you have your physical EP card. This is the gate.
health
Get health insurance
EP and DP holders get NO public coverage. A 3-day SGH stay is SGD 4,500-12,000 unsubsidised. Private insurance is essential, not optional.
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International school waitlists are 12-18 months. Local schools are brutal for foreigners (P1 phase 3). Start applying BEFORE you arrive.
This is one of 13 things you need to do when moving to Singapore.
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