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Singapore Government

Apply for Dependant’s Pass

Adoption

Apply for Dependant’s Pass
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MORE INFORMATION

ADOPTION
 

ADOPTION PROCESS

The Dependant’s Pass (DP) is a pass issued to a foreign child so that he or she is allowed to remain in Singapore until the adoption is finalised. Prospective adopters (regardless of nationality) who wish to adopt a foreign child must apply for a DP for the child. You can only have a foreign child under your care after obtaining an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter for the child’s DP application.

Before applying for the DP, you must have obtained a favourable Home Study Report.

Please note that ​from 27 February 2023, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority​ (ICA) will cease the issuance of physical DP cards and will issue digital DPs only.

How to apply for a Dependant’s Pass

To apply for a new Dependant's Pass, please click here​. 

The list of required documents can be found in this checklist: ​New DP Checklist

Application submissions that are incomplete will be deemed as invalid and you will be informed to resubmit your application once you have all the required documents.

Once the completed set of documentation is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 7 calendar days.

​If the outstanding  documentation is not furnished within 7 calendar days of our request, the DP application will be rejected. You may wish to re-submit your application once you are ready to submit the completed set of documentation required.​​​

Do note that only applications with complete set of forms and documents will be processed. 

  1. Applications with a ​complete set of forms and documents will take an average of 20 working days to be processed from the date of submission of all required documents. For applications where more information is required, processing time will be extended.  Please ensure that the child's passport remains valid for at least 24 months.

    ​If your application is successful, MSF will issue an IPA letter for the child to be brought into Singapore for the purpose of adoption.​​​​

    You will then make an appointment with MSF to facilitate the issuance of the DP. You must bring the child along for the appointment with MSF. During the appointment, you are also required to bring along the original documents (submitted for the DP application) for verification.​

    2. Once the formalities are completed, you will receive an email notification to retrieve the Child's digital DP. If you do not receive the email notification within 2 weeks of completing formalities, please contact MSF_CW_DP@msf.gov.sg for assistance.

    You must initiate the adoption proceedings with the Singapore Family Justice Court within 3 weeks of the DP having been issued to you. Applicants who fail to do so may risk having the DP terminated.


  2. ​​​​​​​​ The DP is valid for a period of 21 months*. Once the DP application is approved, you will be informed to pay $105 for the application fee and $225 for the issuance of the DP. You may also be required to pay $30 for each visa issued for the child to enter Singapore. You may pay the required amount via interbank funds transfer or PayNow. Please indicate the child's name for us to identify the payment.

 

As of 1 May 2020, security deposit will not be required if the foreign child is your spouse's or your biological child. Otherwise, you will need to prepare a security deposit ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 on the day you collect the DP. The exact amount required will be stated in the IPA letter to you.

Payment for the Security Deposit has to be made by the adoption applicant. The payment can be made via interbank funds transfer or Paynow as detailed above. The amount will be refunded to the adoption applicant who had paid for the Security Deposit.

*DPs that are issued before 25 September 2020 are valid for 9 months.


How to renew the Dependant’s Pass when it is about to expire

​

Dependant’s Pass (DP) will only be renewed on valid reasons, for example, if the investigation by the Child Welfare Officer has not been completed or if the adoption outcome is pending. Application for the renewal of the DP has to be made (1) one month before the expiry date of the pass. The Child’s DP must be valid for a time beyond the date of the next hearing.  If it is not, prospective adopters must apply to MSF for the DP to be extended.

To apply for an extension of DP, please click here​.

  1. The list of required documents can be found in this checklist: DP Extension Checklist​ The application for renewal will be processed within 20 working days after you submit the completed application form and required documents.
  2. ​​ If your application is successful, MSF will issue the DP. It is valid for a maximum of 6 months. You will be informed to pay $225 for the issuance of the DP. You may also be required to pay $30 for each visa issued for the child to enter Singapore. You may pay the required amount via interbank funds transfer or PayNow. Please indicate the Child's name for us to identify the payment.


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Information on application for valid immigration pass after completion of adoption investigation

​If your child is currently attending school or has enrolled into a school in Singapore, you can apply for a Student's Pass (STP) for your child. More information on the STP can be found at https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/apply. The processing time for STP applications may take up to 2 weeks. You are strongly advised to apply for the STP early to avoid any lapse between the expiry/termination of the DP and commencement of the STP. Otherwise, schools may require your child to withdraw from the school if your child does not hold a valid STP after the expiry/termination of the DP.

If your child is not schooling but wishes to continue residing in Singapore, you can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). More information on the LTVP can be found at https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/LTVP/apply. The processing time for LTVP applications may take up to 6 weeks.

Those who wish to apply for Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Residence may find out more via the respective links below.


Important things to note

Under the Immigration Act, it is an offence to overstay after the expiry/termination of an immigration pass, including the DP. To avoid overstaying, please apply for and obtain the appropriate immigration pass before the expiry/termination of your child's DP. Please see above for the time taken for STP/LTVP application.

There is a longer processing time for Singapore Citizenship (SC) and Permanent Residence (PR) applications. Do consider applying for a STP or LTVP while waiting for the outcome of your child's SC/PR application.

​If the Court grants the Adoption Order and the child's new birth certificate is issued by ICA, you should obtain a new foreign travel document (TD) before the expiry of your child's DP for the application of other immigration passes. If this new TD cannot be issued before the expiry of your child's DP, you may submit an application for other immigration passes under your child's old TD before the expiry of the DP.​

​How to get a refund of the Security Deposit 

If the Adoption Order is granted, you are to submit a copy of the child’s new Singapore Birth Certificate to MSF_Adoption@msf.gov.sg for the refund of the security deposit.

If the Court dismisses your application, you are required to return the Dependant’s Pass to MSF for cancellation.

The refund will be made to the adoption applicant who had paid for the Security Deposit within two months after submission of the relevant documents (if Adoption Order is passed) or the Dependant’s Pass (if the Family Court had dismissed the adoption application).        
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