EXCHANGE VISITOR SKILLS LIST

EXCHANGE VISITOR SKILLS LIST

6.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Minister for Manpower if he will review the US State Department Exchange Visitor Skills List for Singapore, requiring particular Singapore Exchange "J" Visa visitors to return to Singapore, according to our current national skill needs as the Skills List for Singapore has not been reviewed for some years and is over-encompassing.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, exchange visitors to the US on a J1 Visa have to fulfil a two-year home residency requirement before they can return to the US on a non-tourist visa or apply for permanent residence in the US. This home residency requirement can be waived by the US State Department if the J1 Visa applicant is able to obtain a formal letter of "no objection" from his/her home government.

MOM is the agency responsible for vetting requests for letters of "no objection". MOM has been issuing such letters liberally as the Government has no desire to hold back Singaporeans from honing their skills and knowledge overseas on exchange programmes. The experiences and skills that Singaporeans acquire globally will help enrich our skill base and experience when they choose to return to Singapore. MOM has reviewed this practice and decided to do away with it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will therefore approach the US State Department to inform them that Singapore has no objections to any Singapore citizen renewing their J1 visa. The Exchange Visitor Skills List will then no longer be required.

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