Everything You Need to Know About Dependent Pass Singapore

A Guide to Dependent Pass Singapore for Employment Pass Holders

If you’re planning to work or start a business in Singapore, you wouldn’t want to be caught out by the rules changes concerning dependent pass Singapore.

Singapore is an economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia. It is a country where many professionals and experts are looking forward to having a share of the pie. And with that, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is now taking the application process, and all that comes with it a notch higher. Now, in the recent past, the question that has been lingering in people’s minds is whether it’s possible to work on a dependent pass in Singapore. But before we look into that, let’s get to understand more about the dependent pass.

Singapore Dependent Pass Services

Well, in Singapore, holders of Employment Pass, Personalized Employment Pass, EntrePass and S Pass have a chance of getting their families to join them in Singapore. This can only be possible if they fulfill or meet certain qualifying conditions. The children and the spouse remain in consideration under the Dependent Pass Singapore.

Eligibility Requirement Criteria for Dependent Pass Singapore

Now, if you’re an Employment Pass Holder and an S Pass holder you must have at least S$6, 000 fixed monthly salary to lounge an application including:

• Spouse (Legally married)
• Unmarried children below 21 years of age, including those who are legally adopted.

 

What Are Some of the Documents Required for Application?

The candidate applying for a Dependent Pass has to complete the application by submitting the following documents for endorsement:

• A copy of the passport’s personal particulars page
• A copy of the official marriage certificate
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A copy of the adoption certificate in case a child is adopted
• The latest passport photo
• Education details of the applicant
• The recent salary details
• And if any, enrolment details of schools and educational institutions in Singapore.

The procedure stipulates that parents or guardians of children below 16 years of age must sign the dependent pass Singapore application on behalf of the children. Again, the applicant must ensure that any certificates and documents which are not already in English should be translated by an accredited translator before submission.

Well, it’s the prerequisite of the employer of the candidate to sponsor the application of the DP. On the other hand, DP applications need a separate visa application for each member of the family. The work visa Singapore, which may include the Employment Pass, S Pass, or the EntrePass always precedes the dependent pass and the normal processing time is 2-8 weeks.

Get to Know the Restrictions for a Dependent Pass Holder

An applicant Dependent Pass is squarely tied to the Employment Pass of the spouse. The thing is that in case the original EP expires, so does the DP and your LOC. A LOC or a Letter of Consent is the permission to work accorded by the Ministry of Manpower. In a nutshell, your status to work in Singapore is dependent on your spouse.

According to Singaporean laws, each business, especially a Private Limited Company, is required to have a resident director. Now, DP holder cannot be a director for that matter and, therefore, one must either appoint a local resident or hire a nominee. It might cost you around S$1, 800 to S$2, 500 to hire one.

The Rationale of Dependent Pass Privileges

Singapore has a framework within its immigration department of granting dependent privileges to EP/S pass holders. The rationale behind it is to help attract and retain highly skilled foreign talent by permitting their family members to stay with them in Singapore. The prime criterion of assessing the level of dependent privileges for a work pass holder is based on the economic contribution and the ability to finance the dependents in Singapore. The thing is that the more skilled pass types you possess, the broader the dependent privileges.

 

Can You Launch Your Business in Singapore on a Dependent Pass?

More often than not, this is a common question asked by many candidates concerning Dependent Pass Singapore. In spite of the ease of doing business in Singapore, there are several fundamentals steps you need to take to come around your business idea on your dependent pass, including:

• The Nature of Business Structure to Register.

Back in May 2016, the principal body, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) modified the rules so that the applications for the Letter of Consent are considered only for employment with Singapore employers. Earlier, holders of dependent pass who would want to start a small business could register the business and apply for the LOC that enabled them to work. But ever since the modification, the authorities no longer allow LOC’s for DP holders to register for a sole proprietor business. Instead, the permanent residents as the sole proprietor now have the capability of applying for an LOC for the DP holder to work for them.

Well, the moment you’ve determined the nature of the business to start, you then can go ahead and register your business directly with ACRA.

Conclusion

It follows that immigration compliance is essentially critical than ever given the changes in rules and criteria for work visa Singapore. And, therefore, expatriate workers and their employers in Singapore need to understand the process to acquire a valid employment permit. Since work passes and permits vary for different categories of employees, candidates should consult professionals. Dependent Pass Singapore is one such work pass that guarantees you as a foreigner to live with your family with any hitches. The recent tightening of the rules and regulations is part of the measures to curtail illegal immigrates in Singapore and to promote a cordial working relationship with foreign workers.