APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE (By male and female spouses of Singapore citizens)

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will state the number of applications by male and female spouses of Singapore citizens for permanent residence in 1991; what was the success rate; and if his Ministry is willing to allow the economic and financial status of the Singaporean spouse to be the determining factor in such applications, regardless of sex.

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1991, 4,676 female spouses of Singapore citizens applied for permanent residence (PR). The approval rate was 68%. In the same year, 1,284 male spouses of Singapore citizens applied for permanent residence. The approval rate was 57%.

As for the second part of the Member's question, Immigration Department does take into account the qualifications and skills of the Singaporean spouse in assessing such PR applications, regardless of whether the spouse is the husband or wife. The only distinction is that where the foreign spouse is the husband he should be gainfully employed and has the means to look after his family.