by MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap
Chairman Sir,
1. In a recent reply to a question on whether the Ministry would grant permanent residence more easily to the foreign spouses of Singaporeans especially those who have children who are Singaporeans, the Prime Minister replied that there is no such automatic policy. The PM also said that citizens who sponsor their foreign spouses for PR status will need to show that they are able to support them financially.
2. While the length of stay and duration of marriage may be important factors to consider in the grant of PR status to foreign spouses, the condition that citizens must first prove that they are able to support their partners is a bit unusual. This is because once their spouses become permanent residents, what is there to stop them from seeking employment? Even when these foreign spouses are on Long Term Visit Passes, they are also allowed to work as highlighted by the Prime Minister in this chamber.
3. Perhaps it is time to review this pre-condition. As long as these citizens are working and contributing to their CPF savings, the chances of their foreign spouses in getting a PR status should be based solely on the family nucleus, length of stay, duration of marriage and whatever undisclosed criteria the ICA may have.
4. It was reported on CNA that this government has granted PR status to almost 168,000 foreigners from 2008 to 2010. (3) It is anybody’s guess how many of these PRs will eventually stay on, take up citizenship, and have children.
5. But unlike the many PRs who are here mainly for economic reasons, foreign spouses of Singaporeans have every reason to make this place their permanent home because their partners are deeply rooted here to begin with.
6. In my MPS, I have met a number of residents who are disappointed with the many rejection letters they received from ICA. Some citizens with foreign spouses and Singaporean children have become disillusioned with the immigration policy. I can understand their frustration. On one hand, we want more babies and foreigners to grow our population. On the other hand, it is so hard for these Singaporeans to secure a PR status for their spouses even when they have children who are born Singaporeans.
7. It is hard for Singaporeans with foreign spouses or anyone for that matter to live with a separation anxiety all the time. I urge this Government to review the immigration policy on foreign spouses with a compassionate and forward looking yardstick.