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Response To 'Baffling Refusal for Permanent Residence' (Straits Times, 20 Jan 2011)
Marrying a citizen doesn't guarantee PR status
Straits Times
25 Jan 2011
MARRIAGE to a Singapore citizen does not entitle a foreigner to automatic permanent residence status (Mr Ian Porteous, 'Baffling refusal for permanent residence'; Thursday).
Mr Porteous' son was unemployed when he applied for permanent residence. His application was rejected. He has since obtained gainful employment and has reapplied. His case will be considered and processed accordingly.
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public and Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Baffling refusal for permanent residence
Straits Times
20 Jan 2011
I AM confused by the headlines on Tuesday ('50% drop in PR passes granted' and 'Fertility figures hit all-time low').
I am a British citizen living in Asia for most of my working life. My Hong Kong Chinese wife and I chose to become Singapore permanent residents (PR) in 2007, after moving back here in 2004.
Our son, who has also resided here since 2004, decided to marry his Singaporean girlfriend last year.
Their wish is now to take the first steps in entering the property market by registering with the Housing Board, and later planning a family in Singapore with a view to becoming long-term residents, and possibly even considering citizenship, in the case of my son.
Step one is for my son, who is fully employed here and holds a recognised university degree, to apply for Singapore PR status.
This was duly done shortly after his marriage. The result: His application was turned down. My son and his wife even went to ask a government official to appeal to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on their behalf. He was denied again.
From this, I can only assume that should my son and his wife choose to live, work and build a family in Britain, then Singapore is much happier to say goodbye to one of its own rather than welcome one, two or possibly three new citizens from this young and ambitious family.
Ian Porteous
Straits Times
25 Jan 2011
MARRIAGE to a Singapore citizen does not entitle a foreigner to automatic permanent residence status (Mr Ian Porteous, 'Baffling refusal for permanent residence'; Thursday).
Mr Porteous' son was unemployed when he applied for permanent residence. His application was rejected. He has since obtained gainful employment and has reapplied. His case will be considered and processed accordingly.
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public and Internal Communications
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
Baffling refusal for permanent residence
Straits Times
20 Jan 2011
I AM confused by the headlines on Tuesday ('50% drop in PR passes granted' and 'Fertility figures hit all-time low').
I am a British citizen living in Asia for most of my working life. My Hong Kong Chinese wife and I chose to become Singapore permanent residents (PR) in 2007, after moving back here in 2004.
Our son, who has also resided here since 2004, decided to marry his Singaporean girlfriend last year.
Their wish is now to take the first steps in entering the property market by registering with the Housing Board, and later planning a family in Singapore with a view to becoming long-term residents, and possibly even considering citizenship, in the case of my son.
Step one is for my son, who is fully employed here and holds a recognised university degree, to apply for Singapore PR status.
This was duly done shortly after his marriage. The result: His application was turned down. My son and his wife even went to ask a government official to appeal to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on their behalf. He was denied again.
From this, I can only assume that should my son and his wife choose to live, work and build a family in Britain, then Singapore is much happier to say goodbye to one of its own rather than welcome one, two or possibly three new citizens from this young and ambitious family.
Ian Porteous