Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on ICA’s Considerations for Rejecting Applications of Long Term Visit Passes From Spouses of Low-wage and Aged Singaporeans

Question:

Ms Carrie Tan: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the considerations when ICA rejects applications of the spouses of low-wage and aged Singaporeans for Long Term Visit Passes to work and fulfil the care needs of their families in Singapore; (b) whether ICA will consider working with the Ministry of Manpower to create a special entry and work pass category for these foreign spouses to make it easier for them to stay and help with caregiving of our citizens.

Answer:

Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:

1. Long-Term Visit Pass applications for foreign spouses are assessed individually and holistically. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will consider all relevant factors – including the length of marriage, whether there are children from the marriage, whether the sponsor is able to support the applicant and the family financially, and if the sponsor or applicant has adverse records. ICA will also consider unique considerations, including caregiving needs. Foreign spouses are assessed on these criteria, taking into account their close relationship with Singapore Citizen families.