Straits Times Online

16 May 2014

  

Past applications assessed and processed correctly: ICA

 

THE Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has checked its records and ascertained that Mr Kelvin Ling Wai Ping's past applications of immigration facilities for his wife were all assessed and processed correctly under the prevailing guidelines ("ICA should give reasons for rejecting applications"; Forum Online, May 1).

 

Applications for permanent residence and the long-term visit pass are evaluated on a holistic basis. The factors considered include the financial ability of the sponsor to support the foreign spouse and family, good conduct of the sponsor and the spouse, and so on.

 

As a matter of policy, the ICA does not share details of individual cases for reasons of confidentiality.

 

Mr Ling is advised to contact the ICA if he wishes to seek further clarifications on his applications for his wife.

 

Vincent Ng

Head, Public & Internal Communications

Corporate Communications Division

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

<Original Letter>

 

 

The Straits Times

1 May 2014

 

ICA should give reasons for rejecting applications

 

ABOUT 13 years ago, I applied for a permit for my wife-to-be to remain in Singapore, so I could marry her.

 

I was shocked when the immigration officer told me that her application would be rejected.

 

He refused to tell me why, saying the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) did not disclose the reasons for rejecting applications.

 

When I persisted, he told me that my wife-to-be had committed an offence and had been repatriated previously.

 

I was shocked and asked him to check again as my wife-to-be had never been to Singapore.

 

Later, he confirmed that the person involved was not my wife-to-be, and she was given an extension to remain here.

 

On another occasion, another ICA officer made the same mistake and I told her to check with the first officer. After doing so, she allowed my wife to remain here.

 

I have applied for permanent residence as well as long-term visit passes for my wife and have been turned down many times.

 

The ICA has not given me any reasons for the rejections, and I am at a loss for what to do.

 

I am sure those facing the same problem would want to know why their applications were rejected.

 

Kelvin Ling Wai Ping