You must meet the salary threshold to be eligible for a DP; below it you cannot bring family.
YUSENYUSEN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORYYUSENYUSEN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORYSingapore GuidesLiving in Singapore
LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Once an EP or S Pass holder earns a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000, they can apply for a Dependant's Pass (DP) for a spouse and unmarried children under 21 — note that this is above the S$5,600 EP minimum. The DP is a dependent status tied to the main pass — if the main pass lapses, the DP lapses with it. A child on a DP can study in Singapore, but school placement and the choice between international and government schools is a separate set of rules needing its own planning.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a DP | EP/S Pass holders with a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000, sponsored by a Singapore-registered company |
| DP covers | Legal spouse, unmarried children under 21 |
| Nature | Dependent status, tied to the main pass |
| If the main pass lapses | The DP lapses with it |
The key to understanding the DP: it is not an independent status but a dependent one attached to the main pass (your EP). This means several things:
You (the main pass holder) must first meet MOM's salary threshold to be eligible to apply for a DP — not every EP can bring family; below the threshold, you cannot.
The DP's existence depends on your EP. If your EP is cancelled or not renewed, the spouse's and children's DPs lapse too. So the family's landing stability fundamentally rests on the main pass's stability.
Spouse: a legally recognised spouse can apply for a DP.
Children: unmarried children under 21 can apply for a DP. Children over 21 or married do not qualify for a DP and need another pass route.
This is why "whole-family landing" planning must count the main pass and the dependant passes together — first ensure the EP can pass and the salary meets the family threshold, before the DP is even on the table.
A child on a DP can study in Singapore, but "can come" and "which school" are two things:
International schools: open to foreign students, wide choice and easier language transition, but higher fees and waitlists at popular schools. Many expat families take this route.
Government / government-aided schools: foreign students can apply, but places prioritise local students and foreigners must pass entry tests like the AEIS — competition and places are variables.
The key: schooling must align with the landing timeline — schools have application windows and waitlists, and a place does not appear the moment the pass is approved. Plan ahead and allow time.
You must meet the salary threshold to be eligible for a DP; below it you cannot bring family.
The DP is tied to the main pass; if that lapses, the DP lapses. Family stability rests on the main pass.
Schools have windows and waitlists, and government schools require entry tests. Schooling must align with the landing timeline and be planned ahead.
We plan "whole-family landing" as one whole: first ensure the main pass (EP) can pass and the salary meets the family threshold, then arrange the spouse's and children's DPs, and align the schooling timeline with the pass progress. See EP and legal pathway assessment; EP salary thresholds in the EP complete guide.
No. MOM requires a DP sponsor to earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 — above the S$5,600 EP minimum. An EP holder earning between S$5,600 and S$5,999 can hold their own pass but cannot bring family.
Yes. The DP is a dependent status tied to the main pass; if your EP is cancelled or not renewed, the spouse's and children's DPs lapse too.
A legally recognised spouse and unmarried children under 21. Children over 21 or married do not qualify for a DP.
They can study in Singapore. International schools are open to foreigners but costly with waitlists; government schools prioritise locals and foreigners need entry tests like AEIS. Align with the landing timeline.
Sources: MOM (DP eligibility, salary threshold, coverage), school admission rules. Verified September 2026; thresholds change — follow official updates. General information, not immigration or legal advice.
The main pass, dependant DPs and children's schooling must be planned together. We align the salary threshold, DP eligibility and school timeline.
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