DP vs LTVP Requirements Comparison
Compare Dependant's Pass vs LTVP requirements
DP vs LTVP Requirements Comparison
Navigating Singapore's family visa frameworks requires a clear understanding of the Dependant’s Pass (DP) and the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). While both allow family members of work pass holders, Permanent Residents (PRs), or Singapore Citizens (SCs) to reside in the country, they cater to distinct relationship categories, income brackets, and regulatory authorities.
Below is a complete, structured comparative guide to help you determine the right pass for your family members.
Key Takeaway Summary
Dependant’s Pass (DP): Reserved strictly for immediate, nuclear family members (legally married spouses and unmarried biological or adopted children under 21) of eligible work pass holders.
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP): Designed for extended family members (parents, common-law spouses, step-children, disabled children above 21) or foreign family members of SCs and PRs.
Issuing Authorities: DP is issued solely by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). LTVP is issued by either MOM (for work pass family members) or the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA, for citizen/PR family members).
DP vs. LTVP: Direct Comparison
Feature | Dependant's Pass (DP) | Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) |
Primary Authority | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) | MOM (for Employment/S Pass dependants) or ICA (for Citizen/PR family) |
Eligible Family | Legally married spouse, unmarried children under 21 | Common-law spouse, step-children, parents, disabled children over 21, or family of SCs/PRs |
Minimum Sponsor Salary | S$6,000 fixed monthly salary (Employment Pass / S Pass) | S$6,000/mo (for common-law spouse / step-children) S$12,000/mo (for parents) |
Work Entitlements | Requires an independent work pass (EP, S Pass, Work Permit) or a Letter of Consent (LOC) for business owners | Requires an independent work pass or LOC / Pre-Approved LOC (PLOC for eligible citizen spouses) |
Validity Period | Up to 2 years, tied directly to the main sponsor’s work pass duration | Up to 2 years (MOM/ICA) or up to 3–5 years for LTVP+ (spouses of SCs) |
Processing Time | Generally 3 to 8 weeks | MOM: ~3 weeks ICA: 6 weeks to 6 months |
Detailed Eligibility Breakdown
1. Who Qualifies for a Dependant's Pass (DP)?
To sponsor a DP, the primary pass holder must hold an Employment Pass (EP), Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass, or EntrePass, and earn at least S$6,000/month in fixed base salary.
Eligible dependants include:
Legally Married Spouse: Opposite-sex marriages legally recognized under Singapore law.
Unmarried Children Under 21: Biological children or legally adopted children.
2. Who Requires a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)?
An LTVP is required when family members fall outside the strict definition of the immediate nuclear family or when the sponsor is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Eligible applicants include:
Common-Law Spouses: Spouses without a legally recognized civil marriage certificate (requires MOM LTVP sponsored by EP/S Pass holder earning ≥ S$6,000).
Parents: Parents of EP holders earning a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$12,000.
Unmarried Step-Children or Disabled Children Over 21: Step-children under 21 or unmarried handicapped children over 21.
Foreign Family of SC/PR: Foreign spouses, children, or parents of Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents (via the ICA route).
Working in Singapore on DP vs. LTVP
Neither pass automatically grants full working rights, but the rules differ depending on the arrangement:
Employment Options: Holders of both DP and LTVP who secure a local job must generally be sponsored for a separate work pass (e.g., Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit).
Business Owners (DP): DP holders who own at least 30% of a Singapore company can apply for a Letter of Consent (LOC) from MOM to work as a sole proprietor, partner, or company director, subject to hiring local employees.
Pre-Approved LOC (LTVP+): Foreign spouses of Singapore Citizens on an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ may be granted a Pre-Approved Letter of Consent (PLOC), allowing them to work without impacting employer quota counts.
Document Requirements
When preparing your submission, ensure all foreign documents are translated into English by an official certified body.
Standard Supporting Documents:
Copy of applicant's valid passport biodata page
Official Marriage Certificate (for spouse applications)
Official Birth Certificate showing parents' names (for child applications)
Proof of common-law relationship/cohabitation, if applying for LTVP for common-law partners
Vaccination Verification document (HPB) for foreign-born children aged 12 and below
Step-by-step Checklist for Submitting a DP or LTVP Application
Below is a step-by-step checklist for applying for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) or a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) in Singapore via the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
(Note: If you are applying for an LTVP sponsored by a Singapore Citizen or PR rather than a Work Pass holder, the application goes through ICA instead of MOM. The checklist below covers the MOM pathway for Employment Pass/S Pass holders).
Step 1: Check Eligibility & Salary Thresholds
DP Eligibility: Spouse or unmarried children under 21 of EP or S Pass holders earning a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$6,000.
LTVP Eligibility: Parents (minimum salary S$12,000), common-law spouses, unmarried stepchildren, or handicapped children over 21.
Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents
Gather clear, official copies of all required files (non-English documents must include an official English translation):
[ ] Applicant's Passport: Particulars page.
[ ] Proof of Relationship:
For Spouses: Official Marriage Certificate.
For Children: Official Birth Certificate.
For Parents: EP/S Pass holder's Birth Certificate showing parents' names.
For Common-Law Spouses: Notarized affidavit or embassy letter recognizing the union.
[ ] Vaccination Verification (if applicable): Required for foreign-born children aged 12 and below before submitting the application.
Step 3: Submit Online Application
[ ] Initiate Submission: The main pass holder's employer or Employment Agent (EA) must log in to MOM's EP eService to submit the application.
[ ] Pay Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable S$105 fee per pass via Visa/Mastercard/Amex.
[ ] Processing Wait: Standard processing takes 1 to 3 weeks.
Step 4: Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA)
[ ] Download IPA Letter: Once approved, download and print the IPA letter via EP eService.
[ ] Entry Visa: The IPA acts as a single-entry visa for applicants outside Singapore to enter the country.
Step 5: Complete Post-Arrival Formalities
Once the applicant is in Singapore:
[ ] Medical Examination: Complete a medical checkup in Singapore if indicated in the IPA letter.
[ ] Request Pass Issuance: Log into EP eService to issue the pass and pay the S$225 fee.
[ ] Download Notification Letter: This temporary pass allows legal residence while the physical card/digital pass is finalized.
Step 6: Biometrics & Digital Pass Setup
[ ] Card Registration Appointment: If stated in the notification letter, schedule an appointment at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) for fingerprinting and photo capture within 2 weeks.
[ ] Set Up SGWorkPass / Singpass: Access the digital pass via the SGWorkPass app once biometrics are complete.
Navigating Singapore’s immigration framework requires choosing the correct pass for your family members. Both the Dependant’s Pass (DP) and Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) grant residency to foreign family members, but they cater to different eligibility profiles, issuing authorities, and employment allowances.
Below is a breakdown of the requirements comparing DP and LTVP, and how Bestar streamlines the application process.
DP vs. LTVP: Requirements & Key Differences
Feature | Dependant’s Pass (DP) | Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) |
Primary Target | Immediate legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. | Common-law spouses, stepchildren, adult handicapped children, parents, or family of SC/PR. |
Sponsoring Body | EP, S Pass, ONE Pass, or EntrePass holders. | Work Pass holders (MOM) or Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents (ICA). |
Minimum Income Requirement | S$6,000/month fixed income for the sponsor. | S$6,000/month for common-law/stepchildren; S$12,000/month for parents. |
Issuing Authority | Ministry of Manpower (MOM). | MOM (work pass sponsors) or ICA (SC/PR sponsors). |
Work Rights | Requires an independent work pass (EP, S Pass, Work Permit) or DP LOC for business owners. | Requires an independent work pass, or a Letter of Consent (LOC) if married to an SC/PR. |
Validity | Tied directly to the primary work pass validity. | Tied to the primary work pass or sponsor status (up to 2–5 years). |
Core Requirements Breakdown
Dependant’s Pass (DP): Reserved strictly for legally married spouses and unmarried biological or legally adopted children under 21 of eligible work pass holders. Requires proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificates) and main-pass salary criteria.
Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP): Covers non-traditional or extended family categories that fall outside the DP criteria—such as parents, common-law partners, stepchildren, or family of Singapore Citizens/PRs. Document verification varies depending on whether the application goes through MOM or ICA.
How Bestar Assists Your Application
DP vs LTVP Requirements Comparison
Securing approval for immigration passes involves meticulous documentation, authority liaisons, and compliance checks. Bestar provides end-to-end guidance to streamline your DP or LTVP application:
Eligibility Assessment & Strategy: Bestar evaluates your family structure, income proof, and pass status to determine whether the DP or LTVP route offers the highest chance of success.
Document Audit & Translation: Experts review legally required certificates, tax records, and sponsorship documents to ensure full compliance before submission, preventing unnecessary rejection risks.
Authority Liaison: Bestar acts as your official corporate service partner, filing applications via the relevant MOM or ICA portals and managing queries from government officers.
Appeals & Re-submissions: In the event of a rejected or delayed application, Bestar assesses the grounds, restructures supporting documentation, and submits formal appeal letters.
Comments