COS 2015 Debate: PMO – Singaporeans with Foreign Spouses (MP Lee Li Lian)

By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 10 March 2015]

Today in Singapore, 4 in 10 marriages involving Singaporeans are between a Singaporean and a non-Singaporean.[1] Yet despite this increasing trend, many Singaporeans, who tend to be lower income, face a huge challenge getting their spouses the appropriate pass to stay in Singapore long-term and live as a stable family unit.

Today, we know that there are over 11,000 Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders, including Long Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+) holders.[2] However today we are unable to track the number of spouses who only get Short-Term Visit Passes (STVP) which require them to move in and out of the country, and do not allow them to work in Singapore. I would like to ask the Minister why is it that we are unable to track this number today and if there is a way to work towards being able to do so.

Many of these foreign spouses on social visit passes tend to be female, and if they have children, the children often have to shuttle in and out of Singapore along with their mothers. Extension of the social visit pass also takes time, and there is no guarantee that the foreign spouse will be granted that extension. Such conditions create a lot of stress on a family, who cannot plan a stable life together long-term given the constant disruption and unknown outcomes.

We know today with the cost of living, it is very hard for a family with children to manage on a single income. Many of these foreign spouses would like to work and help support their Singaporean spouse and family, but they are not able to because they are on STVPs. In cases where the Singaporean spouse who is the sole breadwinner, passes away or becomes critically ill the foreign spouse has little ability to support the family without working or being able to stay here long-term.

I understand the need for caution and that we don’t want to encourage sham marriages in exchange for benefits. However, no Singaporean should be unduly penalized for his or her choice in a marriage partner based on social status or income level.[3] The current criteria for applications – regardless of long/short-term passes, PR, or citizenship – should be made more transparent.

We should prioritise long-term stays for foreigners married to Singaporeans, especially when there are children involved.[4] They are a group that is naturally integrated in the Singaporean core, and priority should be given to them when granting new citizenships”.[5]

We need to be able to distinguish foreigners who want to make a home here from those who want to use Singapore as a transit point. With that, I urge the Government to provide more information on this family unit and support their efforts to make Singapore a home.


[1] Population White Paper, p. 27.

[2] http://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/topic.jsp?currentTopicID=00078790-WA&currentPubID=00078784-WA&topicKey=00078784-WA.00078790-WA_1%2Bid-36eac887-988f-4a0b-b3d8-aa552dda7d26%2B

[3] http://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/topic.jsp?currentTopicID=00077023-WA&currentPubID=00077017-WA&topicKey=00077017-WA.00077023-WA_10%2Bbudget%2B

[4] WP Population White Paper, p. 6,  section 1.8.

[5] Ibid, p. 16, Section 2.31.