SINGAPORE: Higher Salary Threshold for Dependent Privileges from January 2018

October 5, 2017


Effective 1st January 2018, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will raise the salary threshold for work pass holders to qualify for dependent privileges.

What is the change?

From 1st January 2018, Employment Pass and S Pass holders need to receive a minimum fixed monthly salary of:

  • SGD 6000 (up from SGD 5000) to obtain a Dependant’s Pass (DP) for their spouse and/or unmarried dependent children of 20 years or younger, or a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for their common-law spouse, unmarried stepchildren of 20 years or under, or unmarried children of 21 years or above in certain circumstances;
  • SGD 12,000 (up from SGS 10,000) to obtain a Long Term Visit Pass for their parents.

Transition

New DP and LTVP applications received before 1st January 2018 will be assessed on the existing criteria.

Renewal DP and LTVP applications approved or issued before 1st January 2018 will also be assessed on the current criteria, as long as the main pass holder holds a valid work pass with the same employer.

Exceptions

The changes will not apply to the EntrePass or the Personalised Employment Pass, which use different criteria to assess dependent privileges.

Our Advice

Companies in Singapore intending to employ foreign nationals with accompanying family members, on a fixed monthly salary of between SGD 5000 and SGD 6000, should submit their application before 1st January 2018.

Renewal applications for Dependant’s Passes or Long Term Visit Passes should be submitted as soon as possible before 1st January 2018 to qualify under the existing salary criteria.

Employers are encouraged to consult their Newland Chase immigration specialist to confirm the impact of the forthcoming changes on their global mobility plans.

For advice and information on immigration to Singapore in general, please email us at [email protected].

This information was provided by our sister company, Peregrine Immigration Management.