The Straits Times
16 Feb 2013
Assessing citizenship applications: It's about keeping families together
WE REFER to the letters ("Close 'escape route' of PR spouses" by Mr Chan Hean Boon, "Allow dual citizenship for S'porean kids with foreign parent" by Mr James Westberry, and "Dilemma of a foreign bride with no long-term pass" by Madam Pham Thi Ngoc Anh; all published on Tuesday).
Strong families are the bedrock of our society. Those who apply for Singapore citizenship and permanent resident status as a family unit will be considered more favourably, as this demonstrates a commitment to settle down in Singapore.
In assessing applications for long-term visit pass/long-term visit pass-plus from foreign spouses of Singaporeans, we consider factors such as the length of marriage and whether the couple have Singaporean children.
It is also important that the Singaporean spouse demonstrates the means and ability to support the family financially.
In Madam Pham's case, her long-term visit pass application was not successful as her Singaporean husband did not meet the criteria then.
Nonetheless, we granted her a six-month long-term visit pass on compassionate grounds.
Upon expiry of her long-term visit pass in the middle of this year, we will reassess and review her case, given that her husband has recently found employment.
The Government has no plans to allow dual citizenship at this juncture.
Singapore citizens make a commitment to Singapore as their home and see their long-term future with the country.
Therefore, those who wish to become Singapore citizens should be prepared to give up their foreign nationality.
Vincent Ng
Head, Public & Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
<Original Letters>
The Straits Times
12 Feb 2013
Close 'escape route' of PR spouses
ONE of the key points in the Population White Paper is to take in between 15,000 and 25,000 new citizens each year to halt our citizen population from shrinking because our total fertility rate is way below the replacement rate of 2.1 ("Goal: 15,000-25,000 new citizens a year"; Jan 30).
Over the past few years, as the Government sharpened the distinction between citizens and permanent residents (PRs), I noticed a disturbing trend whereby one spouse would apply for citizenship while the other spouse remains a PR, especially when they are about to start a family, so that they can enjoy benefits such as extended maternity leave, baby bonuses and priority in primary school balloting.
These families regularly travel back to their home country, especially during festive seasons.
I strongly urge the Government to reassess this group of applicants holistically.
Having one spouse remain a PR with no intention of becoming a citizen leads to the conclusion that they are keeping an "escape route" open should Singapore fail.
Though Singapore may have gained more new citizens, the allegiance to Singapore from this cluster of Singaporeans shall be severely tested when the time comes.
Chan Hean Boon
The Straits Times
12 Feb 2013
Dilemma of a foreign bride with no long-term pass
I AM a 31-year-old Vietnamese national in Singapore on a six-month visit pass since giving birth here.
My husband, son and aged mother-in-law are all born-and-bred Singaporeans.
I am a university graduate and was a teacher in Ho Chi Minh City before getting married here in September 2010.
My application for a Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus was rejected.
Instead, I was issued another six-month visit pass that, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, is not renewable.
While I may not be currently contributing economically, I do so socially by raising my Singaporean son and looking after my widowed 80-year-old mother-in-law.
My son will one day serve national service.
My husband also served national service and has finished his stint as an operationally ready national serviceman. He is currently employed as a full-time tutor with the Chinese Development Assistance Council, helping children from low-income families who would otherwise not have access to tuition.
This sense of uncertainty has put our plans to have a second child on hold.
My husband paid almost $20,000 for the delivery charges of our son at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
I am not even applying to be a permanent resident, let alone a citizen. All I am seeking is a Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus, which would entitle me to some subsidy from the hospital.
What I find staggering is the number of foreigners living in our condominium, who are permitted to bring in their spouse, children, parents and even parents-in-law, while I am not not allowed to stay in Singapore despite my entire family being Singaporeans.
Pham Thi Ngoc Anh (Madam)
The Straits Times
12 Feb 2013
Allow dual citizenship for S'porean kids with foreign parent
THE article on foreigners taking up Singapore citizenship is spot on ("Home in Singapore, heart in homeland"; Feb 4).
I can understand the Government's desire to have citizenship applicants who are highly educated. However, serious consideration should be given to migration expert Leong Chan Hoong's observation that Asian wives raising Singaporean children contribute to society in an invaluable way ("Many want citizenship because of their children"; Feb 4).
Mothers who stay home to raise their children are in no way less valuable than mothers who contribute to society through their careers.
At the very least, the Government could grant these wives permanent resident (PR) status to help make their standing in Singapore more secure. These women are mothering Singaporean children. Without them, Singapore's birth rate would be even lower than it presently is.
Second, I also agree that many highly educated foreign husbands are not willing to give up their native citizenship to take up Singapore citizenship.
I am in such a position. Personally, I am happy with my PR status, as it gives me the best of both worlds.
But I would be interested in taking up Singapore citizenship were dual citizenship allowed.
However, the greater concern for me is Singaporean children with dual citizenship from birth.
For teenagers such as mine (who have a Singaporean mum and foreign dad), the Government faces a high risk of losing their citizenship by forcing them to give up one nationality at age 21.
The risk would be lower if these Singaporeans were allowed to continue as dual citizens into adulthood.
With this forced choice, Singapore risks losing citizens who have spent their entire lives here, and are likely headed towards higher education and a society-contributing career.
These are the very type of people Singapore is trying to attract. It would be sad to lose these citizens just as they are becoming productive members of society.
My hope is that the Singapore Government will soon allow dual citizenship for such children who have been born and raised in Singapore.
James Westberry