SINGAPORE – Higher Salary Threshold for Dependent Privileges from January 2018

What is the change?

From 1 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 1 January 2018 will be assessed on the existing criteria.

Renewal DP and LTVP applications received after 1 January 2018 will also be assessed on the current criteria if the initial work pass was issued before 1 January and the main pass holder remains 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.

Action Items

• 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 1 January 2018.
• Employers are encouraged to consult an immigration specialist to confirm the impact of the forthcoming changes on their global mobility plans.