Singapore’s immigration framework does not grant Dependant Pass (DP) eligibility to unmarried partners. The DP is reserved for legally married spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass holders. Unmarried partners — including common-law spouses — may qualify for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) instead. This article sets out the statutory distinction, the LTVP criteria, and the documents the sponsor must prepare.
Why unmarried partners cannot get a Dependant Pass
The Dependant Pass is issued only to the lawful spouse of an EP or S Pass holder and to their unmarried children under 21 years old. The eligibility page for the Dependant Pass states this requirement directly: the sponsor must hold an EP or S Pass, earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000, and be sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company (usually the employer). A marriage certificate issued by a competent authority is the accepted proof of spousal relationship. Common-law partners, de facto partners, and parties to a foreign civil union or registered partnership do not meet this definition and are not eligible for a DP.
Long-Term Visit Pass as the alternative for common-law spouses
The Long-Term Visit Pass covers family members who fall outside the DP scope. For EP and S Pass holders, the LTVP eligibility page lists the following categories:
- Common-law spouse
- Unmarried handicapped children aged 21 and above
- Unmarried step-children under 21 years old
- Parents — only if the sponsor earns a fixed monthly salary of at least $12,000
The same baseline requirements apply: the sponsor must hold an EP or S Pass, earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $6,000, and be sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company. The LTVP duration is tied to the validity of the main work pass or the duration requested, whichever is shorter. There is no foreign worker levy or quota for LTVP holders.
Salary thresholds and sponsor obligations
| Pass type | Minimum fixed monthly salary for sponsor | Additional condition for parents |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant Pass (spouse, children < 21) | $6,000 | Not applicable |
| Long-Term Visit Pass (common-law spouse, step-children, handicapped children 21+) | $6,000 | Not applicable |
| Long-Term Visit Pass (parents) | $12,000 | Sponsor must earn ≥ $12,000 |
The salary benchmark is the sponsor’s fixed monthly salary as defined by MOM — basic salary plus fixed allowances, excluding variable payments such as bonuses or overtime. The employer (or appointed employment agent) must submit a separate application for each family member. The application can be lodged together with the main pass application or separately at a later date.
Documents the sponsor should prepare
MOM does not publish a fixed checklist for common-law spouse LTVP applications, but the eligibility pages for DP and LTVP both reference the same core requirements. Based on those requirements, the sponsor should be ready to provide:
- Sponsor’s EP or S Pass details
- Sponsor’s latest payslips and CPF contribution records showing the fixed monthly salary meets the $6,000 (or $12,000 for parents) threshold
- Company’s ACRA registration particulars confirming an established Singapore-registered entity
- For a common-law spouse: evidence of a genuine, long-term relationship. Official sources do not prescribe a specific list, but the requirement to demonstrate a “genuine, long-term relationship” means the sponsor should compile documents such as joint tenancy agreements, shared utility bills, joint bank account statements, correspondence addressed to both parties at the same address, and any government-issued partnership registration (e.g., a civil union certificate from a jurisdiction that provides one). The weight given to each document is assessed by MOM case by case.
- For step-children: the child’s birth certificate and the sponsor’s marriage certificate to the child’s parent
- For handicapped children 21+: medical reports establishing the handicap
- For parents: sponsor’s proof of $12,000+ fixed monthly salary plus parents’ passports and birth certificates showing the relationship
All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified English translations.
Application process and issuance
- The employer or appointed employment agent submits the LTVP application via MOM’s eService.
- If approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.
- The dependant travels to Singapore (complying with prevailing ICA entry requirements).
- On arrival, the employer gets the pass issued and receives a notification letter stating whether fingerprint and photo registration is required.
- If registration is required, the dependant makes an appointment and completes it.
- The pass card is delivered to the address provided within 5 working days after registration or document verification.
The LTVP is renewable. Renewal applications should be submitted before the pass expires. The sponsor must continue to meet the salary and employment requirements at the point of renewal.
Restriction for EP holders admitted as overseas intra-corporate transferees
Family members of EP holders who applied as overseas intra-corporate transferees (ICT) under WTO GATS or an applicable FTA are not eligible for Dependant Passes or Long-Term Visit Passes, unless specifically covered by the relevant FTA and meeting its prevailing criteria. This restriction applies regardless of salary or relationship status.
Official reference pages
- MOM – Eligibility for Employment Pass
- MOM – Key facts on Employment Pass
- MOM – Passes for families of Employment Pass holders
- MOM – Eligibility for S Pass
- MOM – Key facts on S Pass
- MOM – Eligibility for Dependant’s Pass
- MOM – Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass
- MOM – Key facts on Long-Term Visit Pass
- MOM – S Pass quota and levy requirements
