What this Letter of Consent is
This Letter of Consent (LOC) is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to let an eligible Dependant’s Pass (DP) holder operate a business they own in Singapore, where the business is registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and meets MOM’s conditions. It is the route by which a DP holder who is a genuine business owner, rather than an ordinary employee, may run that business.
The conditions are specific. The holder must be a sole proprietor, a partner, or a company director with at least 30% shareholding in the company (or a member in a company limited by guarantee). On renewal, the business must have hired at least one Singaporean or permanent resident who earns at least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary and has received CPF contributions for at least three consecutive months before the application. Renewal also generally requires at least three months of validity remaining on the Dependant’s Pass.
Like other consents, it is permission tied to the underlying DP, not a separate status. For DP holders, the longer-term aim is often Singapore Permanent Residence, which runs through the family route and settled standing, as our Dependant’s Pass to Singapore PR guide explains.
Key facts at a glance
Here is this Letter of Consent in one view. Confirm the current position on the official MOM page, as figures such as the Local Qualifying Salary change.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Business | Registered with ACRA |
| Ownership role | Sole proprietor, partner, or company director with at least 30% shareholding (or member in a company limited by guarantee) |
| Local hire (on renewal) | At least 1 Singaporean or PR employee |
| That employee’s pay | At least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary |
| CPF for that employee | At least 3 consecutive months before the application |
| DP validity (on renewal) | At least 3 months remaining on the Dependant’s Pass |
Who qualifies
This LOC is for genuine DP business owners meeting MOM’s conditions. In broad terms:
A DP holder who wants to be an employee rather than run their own business would instead need the appropriate work authorisation for that, so it is worth confirming which route applies.
The local-hire condition explained
The local-hire condition is the one that catches people out on renewal, so it is worth spelling out. To renew, the business generally needs to have employed at least one local, a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, who:
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of locals | At least 1 |
| Salary | At least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary |
| CPF contributions | Received for at least 3 consecutive months before the application |
Because the Local Qualifying Salary figure is set by MOM and changes over time, confirm the current amount on the official MOM website when planning a renewal.
How to apply
The DP holder, as business owner, follows MOM’s process. In outline:
Check the business is ACRA-registered and the ownership role, and for renewal the local-hire condition, are met.
Apply for the Letter of Consent through MOM's official channel.
Submit evidence of the business, ownership and, on renewal, the local hire's salary and CPF.
Where granted, the DP holder may run the business, subject to the conditions.
Keep at least three months’ validity on the Dependant’s Pass when applying to renew.
How it relates to PR
This LOC is permission to run a business, not a route to PR in itself. For a DP holder, the PR route runs through the family relationship and settled standing, and a genuinely successful business, one that employs locals and contributes, can form part of a strong overall case. Our Dependant’s Pass to Singapore PR guide explains how the family route is approached, and our overview of why PR is not easy to get sets expectations.
Common misunderstandings
A few points cause confusion.
What people get wrong
- Assuming the DP alone allows running a business, when this LOC is the permission for it.
- Overlooking the 30% shareholding requirement for company directors.
- Forgetting the local-hire condition on renewal, at the Local Qualifying Salary with three months of CPF.
- Letting the Dependant’s Pass fall below three months’ validity before renewing.
- Treating the LOC as a separate status or a direct route to PR.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Letter of Consent for DP business owners?
It is MOM's permission that lets an eligible Dependant's Pass holder run a business they own in Singapore, where the business is ACRA-registered and meets MOM's conditions.
What shareholding do I need?
If you are a company director, you need at least 30% shareholding in the company. You can also qualify as a sole proprietor, a partner, or a member in a company limited by guarantee.
What is the local-hire requirement?
On renewal, the business must have hired at least one Singaporean or PR earning at least the prevailing Local Qualifying Salary, with CPF contributions for at least three consecutive months before the application.
Is it a separate immigration status?
No. It is permission tied to the underlying Dependant's Pass; it does not change your status.
Does it lead to PR?
Not on its own. For DP holders, the PR route runs through the family relationship and settled standing, though a genuinely successful business that employs locals can support an overall case.
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