PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR FOREIGN SPOUSES (Policy)

Mr Bernard Chen asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the present policy on the grant of permanent residence to foreign spouses of Singapore citizens in view of the increasing incidence of such marriages; and (b) pending the grant of permanent residence, whether the applicants can be given social visit passes of longer duration.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, our policy on the grant of permanent residence to non-citizen spouses of Singapore citizens has been explained before in this House. Ideally, we should allow all foreigners married to our citizens to come in for permanent stay. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to be so liberal as Singapore is a small country with no natural resources. Also, our population density of 4,122 persons per sq km is one of the highest in the world. Our foremost duty as a Government is to safeguard and promote the interest of the vast majority of Singaporeans. We will not be fulfilling our responsibility if all foreign spouses are freely allowed in without considering whether or not they will impose an additional strain on our public housing, medical and other social services.

In 1985, 11,380 foreigners applied for permanent residence, most of whom were relatives of Singapore citizens. In addition, 198,430 foreigners applied for extension of Social Visit Passes. All these people who seek to extend or prolong their stay here are potential applicants for permanent residence.

Permanent residence is a privilege, and not a right which a foreigner can acquire through marriage with a Singapore citizen. If the foreign husband of a Singapore citizen has recognized skills and he is able to contribute to our economic development, we would certainly welcome him to settle in Singapore. If he does not qualify for permanent residence, he can only stay in Singapore provided he holds a valid Employment Pass or Work Permit.

Our policy on the grant of permanent residence to foreign wives of Singapore citizens is less stringent. However, each case is considered on its own merits. Our citizens cannot expect the Government to grant their wives permanent residence, unless they can show evidence that they are well able to support a family in Singapore, and that their dependants will not later become a burden to the State.

Applications for long-term Social Visit Pass must also be considered on a case-by-case basis. If those who are not eligible for permanent residence can stay here on a long-term Social Visit Pass, then they will become de facto permanent residents and the pool of such people will grow larger and larger, as evidenced by the nearly 200,000 persons who applied for extension of Social Visit Passes or other Passes last year. Granting long-term Social Visit Passes will therefore not solve our problem of discouraging our citizens who can ill-afford to marry foreigners from doing so. Therefore, a long-term Social Visit Pass can only be given selectively if there are compelling reasons.

I would like to add that it would be in the interest of those intending to marry foreigners to seek the advice of the Immigration Department regarding permanent stay for their intended spouses beforehand.

I should also like to point out that the Registry of Marriages as well as the Commissioner for Employment (in work permit cases) have made it clear in writing that marriage does not mean rights of permanent residence.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister by way of supplementary questions. First of all, does his Government recognize the sanctity of marriage? May we have an unequivocal answer to that? Secondly, following from it, does his Government recognize the right of a husband and wife to live together? May I say that I am concerned with Singapore male citizens who marry wives from other countries? Would he also tell us the considerations that apply, in this case, before his Ministry allows the wives permanent residence? Is one of the considerations a big bank balance? Or are there other considerations?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, a distinction must be made between sanctity of marriage and a marriage that confers rights of entry, rights of permanent residence or rights of citizenship. In most countries in the world that I know of, marriage does not ipso facto and automatically confer rights of entry and permanent residence. This is also the case with Singapore. Rights of immigration, rights of entry on any pass, rights of permanent residence, are determined in accordance with immigration policy. This is so with most countries in the world. This is so with Singapore too. So the fact that marriage does not automatically confer rights of residence or permanent residence is nothing new. This is the practice in most countries and it does not mean that the sanctity of marriage has been violated.

As to the question whether there should be a fat bank account, this is absurd, Mr Speaker, Sir. As I have said many times previously in this House, approvals given to foreign spouses cut across all categories. Approval is given on considerations which I have mentioned previously and just now. It is not based only on monetary considerations. It is based on many considerations, including the consideration that the local spouse is able to maintain the intended foreign spouse and that the foreign spouse would not be a liability to the State. It also takes into account other compassionate considerations, such as roots with Singapore, and so on.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister tell us - I shall be raising this in the Estimates of his Ministry - how many countries in the world refuse a male citizen from bringing his wife into the country? Could he tell us, instead of saying "most countries"?

Prof. Jayakumar: Since the Member has said that he would be raising this under the Estimates of my Ministry, let us wait for that occasion, Sir.