APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE (Preference for ex-Singaporeans)

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) if he will consider sympathetically the case of Singaporeans who had given up their citizenship and now wish to come back to Singapore on a permanent resident basis and are gainfully employed and (b) whether these persons will be given preference over other foreigners with similar qualifications who are applying for permanent residence.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: We recognise that many ex-Singaporeans can make positive contributions. If they want to work here, they can apply for employment pass just like other foreigners. Immigration Department will approve their applications if they satisfy prevailing Employment Pass policies.

However, ex-Singaporeans will not be given preference over other permanent residence applicants just because they are ex-Singaporeans. To do so may unwittingly encourage more Singaporeans to emigrate, and later to return to Singapore and obtain permanent residence status if they cannot adjust to life overseas. Giving preference to ex-Singaporeans will also not be fair to our citizens who remain in Singapore to contribute to its development. Finally, as permanent residence is a step towards citizenship, it should not be given liberally to persons whose commitment to Singapore is suspect or who from the outset may have no intention to take up Singapore citizenship.

An exception is made for female ex-Singaporeans who are married to foreigners and whose marriages have broken down or whose husbands had passed away. For this category of ex-Singaporeans we are prepared to give them preference when they apply for permanent residence.