Various factors considered when granting foreign spouse Permanent Residency: Parliamentary reply by Prime Minister's Office

TODAY, 15 Feb 2012

The Prime Minister's Office is studying how it can further help Singaporean families with foreign spouses, in particular, those with children who are Singapore citizens, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

Member of Parliament (Ang Mo Kio GRC) Intan Azura Mokhtar had asked if permanent residence (PR) is granted more easily to the foreign spouses of Singaporeans, especially those with Singaporean children.

In his written reply, Mr Lee said PR is not automatically granted to foreigners who marry Singapore citizens. 

"However, if such a married couple has children who are Singapore Citizens, this is taken into consideration when the application for PR for the non-citizen spouse is assessed," he said.

Various factors are considered in deciding whether or not to grant a foreign spouse PR, such as the duration of marriage and length of stay in Singapore, he said. 

Citizens who sponsor their foreign spouses for PR status will have to show that they are able to support them financially, Mr Lee added.

In the case of foreign spouses who do not qualify for PR, they may be granted a Long-Term Visit Pass. This will allow them to remain in Singapore and seek employment here.