13,500 foreign spouses took up citizenship in last 5 years
13,500 foreign spouses took up citizenship in last 5 years
Govt studying ways to attract more to make S'pore their permanent home
By Sue-Ann Chia
IN THE last five years, about 13,500 foreign spouses of Singaporeans have become citizens.
Another 27,000 are permanent residents (PRs) and 60,000 have been given long- term social visit passes.
In giving these figures yesterday, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee said the hope was for more foreign spouses and foreigners to make Singapore their permanent home.
But he was quick to add that marriage to a Singaporean is not an automatic passport to a long-term stay here. He also dispelled the perception that newly married foreign spouses were given only a short-term social visit pass, which allows them to stay here for up to 90 days.
Prof Ho made these points following questions from Dr Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC).
Dr Lam wanted an update on the number of foreign spouses who became citizens and PRs and the reasons of those who did not want to be Singaporeans. Ms Lee had raised, among others, the issue of the short- term pass for foreign spouses.
Replying to Dr Lam, Prof Ho said foreign spouses have different reasons for not giving up their citizenship.
Some hail from countries more developed than Singapore, while others have strong roots with their home country.
Also, some may want to continue enjoying perks such as medical benefits back home.
Prof Ho assured the House that the National Population Committee has been exploring ways to attract and encourage suitable foreigners to be residents.
'With these efforts, we hope that more foreigners, including foreign spouses, will become emotionally attached to Singapore...and eventually choose to take up citizenship.'
But not every foreign spouse is allowed to stay here by virtue of marriage to a Singaporean, he told Ms Lee.
'Our immigration policies take into account the preservation of family unity, while striking a balance in ensuring that foreigners do not become a burden to the State,' he said.
Still, he said it was not true that newly-married foreign spouses are given short-term social visit passes.
Between 2002 and last year, 85 per cent of their applications for long-term passes were approved. The duration of such passes varies, and there is no annual quota on the issue of such passes, Prof Ho added.
For the 15 per cent who were turned down, they were given reasons such as their unstable income or lack of proof of employment.
But the guidelines are sufficiently 'flexible and compassionate to allow deserving spouses to stay', said Prof Ho.
Usually, they are given a short-term social visit pass of about two to three months, providing their Singaporean spouse with an opportunity to 'improve the situation'.
'But if still, that does not come to pass, then it's a matter of separation until the husband meets the requirement,' he said.
When Ms Lee sought to confirm if foreign spouses were disallowed from having a baby until they get their PR status, Prof Ho's reply sparked a burst of laughter.
He said: 'Of course you can start a family. We encourage that. In fact, that may strengthen your case.'
Govt studying ways to attract more to make S'pore their permanent home
By Sue-Ann Chia
IN THE last five years, about 13,500 foreign spouses of Singaporeans have become citizens.
Another 27,000 are permanent residents (PRs) and 60,000 have been given long- term social visit passes.
In giving these figures yesterday, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee said the hope was for more foreign spouses and foreigners to make Singapore their permanent home.
But he was quick to add that marriage to a Singaporean is not an automatic passport to a long-term stay here. He also dispelled the perception that newly married foreign spouses were given only a short-term social visit pass, which allows them to stay here for up to 90 days.
Prof Ho made these points following questions from Dr Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC).
Dr Lam wanted an update on the number of foreign spouses who became citizens and PRs and the reasons of those who did not want to be Singaporeans. Ms Lee had raised, among others, the issue of the short- term pass for foreign spouses.
Replying to Dr Lam, Prof Ho said foreign spouses have different reasons for not giving up their citizenship.
Some hail from countries more developed than Singapore, while others have strong roots with their home country.
Also, some may want to continue enjoying perks such as medical benefits back home.
Prof Ho assured the House that the National Population Committee has been exploring ways to attract and encourage suitable foreigners to be residents.
'With these efforts, we hope that more foreigners, including foreign spouses, will become emotionally attached to Singapore...and eventually choose to take up citizenship.'
But not every foreign spouse is allowed to stay here by virtue of marriage to a Singaporean, he told Ms Lee.
'Our immigration policies take into account the preservation of family unity, while striking a balance in ensuring that foreigners do not become a burden to the State,' he said.
Still, he said it was not true that newly-married foreign spouses are given short-term social visit passes.
Between 2002 and last year, 85 per cent of their applications for long-term passes were approved. The duration of such passes varies, and there is no annual quota on the issue of such passes, Prof Ho added.
For the 15 per cent who were turned down, they were given reasons such as their unstable income or lack of proof of employment.
But the guidelines are sufficiently 'flexible and compassionate to allow deserving spouses to stay', said Prof Ho.
Usually, they are given a short-term social visit pass of about two to three months, providing their Singaporean spouse with an opportunity to 'improve the situation'.
'But if still, that does not come to pass, then it's a matter of separation until the husband meets the requirement,' he said.
When Ms Lee sought to confirm if foreign spouses were disallowed from having a baby until they get their PR status, Prof Ho's reply sparked a burst of laughter.
He said: 'Of course you can start a family. We encourage that. In fact, that may strengthen your case.'
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