PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICATION FOR FOREIGN SPOUSES

PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICATION FOR FOREIGN SPOUSES

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(Maximum age for a Singaporean to apply): **

34.

Ms Ellen Lee asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs in light of rising life expectancy and the encouragement for older Singaporeans to work longer (a) what is ICA's position with regard to the maximum age for which a Singaporean will be allowed to apply for a permanent residence for his foreign wife; and (b) if his foreign spouse does not obtain permanent residence due to his failing to meet the age criterion, whether her Long Term Social Visit pass will be renewed indefinitely as a matter of course.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Applications for the granting of permanent residence are assessed and evaluated in a holistic manner. Age is one factor which ICA considers. But it is not the only factor. ICA also takes into account several other factors such as the Singaporean sponsor's employment and income track record in order to assess if he has the means to maintain his foreign wife living in Singapore. The length of their marriage is also a consideration to ensure that it is not a marriage of convenience.

While marriage to a Singaporean does not automatically entitle the foreign spouse to stay here, I would like to assure the Member that the guidelines in place for granting such long-term immigration facilities are sufficiently flexible to deal with the various types of cases that surface. As far as possible, ICA tries to allow families to remain together including approving their stay on a Long Term Social Visit pass when they do not qualify for permanent residence.

Immigration is an important part of our strategy to support continued economic growth. Immigration can augment our population in the light of low birth rates and an ageing society. Hence we welcome immigrants who can contribute to our economy and to our society. In this regard, we must ensure that those who settle here have the means to

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take care of themselves. Otherwise, instead of contributing to our society, they will not only have difficulty sustaining themselves but also become a burden to their families and society.

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