SPOUSES ON DEPENDANT'S PASS

Dr Ker Sin Tze asked the Minister for Manpower if he will consider allowing spouses of citizens and permanent residents who stay here on Dependant's Pass to work.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: I would first like to clarify that Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR) issues dependant's passes to two categories of foreigners:

(a) spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of Employment Pass holders; and

(b) children of intended adoptive parents who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents.

In the case of eligible foreign spouses of citizens and permanent residents, SIR either grants them Singapore permanent resident status or issues them with long term social visit passes. Foreign spouses who are issued with long term social visit passes are allowed to work in Singapore. They can apply for the appropriate category of work pass.

As for Dependant's Pass holders, they are also allowed to work in Singapore. DP holders who wish to work must apply to the Ministry of Manpower for a letter of consent to work.