The Ministry of Manpower announced that it will raise the minimum salary eligibility requirements for work pass holders sponsoring dependents. The changes will take place from 1 September and are intended to ensure employees are able to support their spouse, children and/or parents living in Singapore.
Employers will need to be aware that the following minimum fixed monthly salary limits for work pass holders will apply after 1 September:
- $5,000 to sponsor a spouse/children on the Dependant’s Pass (DP)
- $10,000 to sponsor parents on the Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
These new limits concern applications submitted after 1 September. Firms employing foreign workers who send DP or LTVP applications prior to this date will still be assessed on the current criteria. Passes issued before 1 September will also be renewed following the present conditions provided that the main pass holder still works with the same employer.
According to immigration law specialists, Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL), this will have a high impact on certain local firms. “The increased salary requirement will make it more challenging for companies who plan to employ foreign workers with dependents”, the firm said in a recent analysis. To assist with the transition, BAL recommends employers update their corporate policies on DP and LTVP applications to reflect this new change.
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