Navigating Family Migration with Your Singapore Employment Pass
If you’re an Employment Pass (EP) holder in Singapore, you might be considering bringing your family along. Singapore offers various visa options to facilitate family migration, ensuring your loved ones can join you and enjoy the benefits of living in this vibrant city.
Understanding the eligibility criteria and available visa options is crucial for a smooth migration process. This guide will help you navigate the complexities of family migration, covering key aspects like dependent passes, long-term visit passes, and salary requirements.
We’ll explore detailed solutions and expert advice to help you make informed decisions about family migration. Whether it’s bringing your spouse and children or considering long-term visit passes for extended family members, we’ve got you covered.
Bringing Family on a Dependent’s Pass (DP)
Spouses and children of EP holders can apply for a Dependent’s Pass (DP). To be eligible, children must be under 21 years old and unmarried. This pass allows them to live in Singapore for the duration of the EP holder’s stay.
The application for a DP can be submitted simultaneously with your EP application. Often, the approval process for DPs is streamlined and happens concurrently, making it easier to plan your family’s move.
The DP’s validity is directly tied to the EP holder’s employment pass. When your EP is renewed, the DPs for your family members will also be extended, ensuring continuous stay without the need for separate renewal processes.
| Step | Responsible Party | Outcome |
| Submit Application | Employer or appointed employment agent (EA) of the main pass holder (for dependants of EP or S Pass holders), The main pass holder (for dependants of PEP or EntrePass holders), Your local sponsor (for dependants of EP (Sponsorship) holders) | Issuance of an in-principle approval letter or rejection letter |
| Prepare for Arrival in Singapore | Foreigner | Compliance with the latest travel requirements |
| Pass Issuance | Employer or appointed employment agent (EA) of the main pass holder (for dependants of EP or S Pass holders), The main pass holder (for dependants of PEP, EntrePass, or EP (Sponsorship) holders) | Receipt of a notification letter, and if necessary, registration of fingerprints and photo by the foreigner, with an acknowledgment of card delivery |
| Receive the Card | Authorized recipients or the foreigner | Acquisition of the Dependant’s Pass card |
Additional Notes:
- Submission of the application can coincide with the main pass holder’s work pass application or be done separately. Each family member requires a distinct application.
- If the foreigner’s visit pass is expiring before the Dependant’s Pass is issued, an extension isn’t possible.
- The foreigner need only arrive when the pass is approved. They aren’t required to be in Singapore during the application process, and extending their visit pass isn’t possible.
- For babies born in Singapore, the parent obtains a Special Pass from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), valid for 6 weeks, during which a Dependant’s Pass application can be initiated.
Exploring Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for Extended Family
Extended family members such as common-law spouses, unmarried handicapped children above 21 years, and step-children can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). This pass allows them to stay in Singapore for an extended period, similar to the DP.
Like the DP, the LTVP application can be submitted together with the EP application, streamlining the process. This helps ensure your extended family members can join you in Singapore without delays.
For bringing parents, the criteria are slightly different. EP holders must meet a minimum salary requirement to sponsor their parents for an LTVP. This ensures that you have the financial means to support your extended family while living in Singapore.
| Step | Responsible Party | Outcome |
| Submit Application | [For dependants of EP or S Pass holders] Employer or appointed employment agent (EA) of the main pass holder [For dependants of PEP or EntrePass holders] The main pass holder [For dependants of EP (Sponsorship) holders] Your local sponsor | In-principle approval or rejection letter |
| Prepare for Arrival in Singapore | Foreigner | Compliance with travel requirements |
| Pass Issuance | [For dependants of EP or S Pass holders] Employer or appointed employment agent (EA) of the main pass holder [For dependants of PEP, EntrePass, or EP (Sponsorship) holders] The main pass holder | Notification letter, fingerprint and photo registration (if required), Acknowledgement of card delivery by the foreigner |
| Receive the Card | Authorized recipients or the foreigner | Receipt of Long-Term Visit Pass card |
Long term Visit Pass Under Student Pass
Only Mothers and Grandmothers of young children studying in Singapore accredited Schools can apply for LTVP for themselves when their children or grandchildren are studying here. This LTVP does not allow them to work or apply for Singapore PR.
This LTVP is not to be confused with the LTVP for aged parents under EP. Some parents chose not to go for this LTVP as it only limited one parent to be here in Singapore instead of both. Some however use this LTVP obtained from the student Pass as a means to be in Singapore for the duration that their Child/ Grandchild is in Singapore.
Additional Notes:
- Application can be submitted together with the main pass holder’s work pass application or separately, with each family member requiring a separate application.
- If the foreigner’s visit pass expires before the Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) is issued, extension isn’t possible.
- The foreigner should only arrive when the pass is approved, and their presence isn’t required during the application process.
Understanding Salary Requirements for Family Migration
To bring your family on a DP or LTVP, you need to meet a minimum salary threshold. This requirement ensures that you can adequately support your family in Singapore. Currently, the minimum salary for an EP holder to bring dependents is SGD 6,000 per month.
Sponsoring parents for an LTVP has a higher salary requirement, set at SGD 12,000 per month. This higher threshold reflects the additional financial responsibility of supporting elderly family members.
Meeting the financial criteria is essential for the success of your family’s visa applications. Ensuring that your salary meets these thresholds will facilitate the approval of DPs and LTVPs, allowing your family to join you in Singapore smoothly.
Conclusion
In summary, EP holders have several options for bringing their family to Singapore, including Dependent’s Passes for spouses and children and Long-Term Visit Passes for extended family members.
Understanding the eligibility criteria and salary requirements is crucial for a successful family migration process. Meeting these criteria ensures that your applications are processed smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
Navigating the family migration process can be complex. Seeking expert advice from immigration specialists like Xignam can provide valuable insights and ensure a smooth transition for your family. With the right guidance, you can make informed decisions and enjoy your new life in Singapore together.