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Response to "One less route to becoming a PR" (Today, 23 Mar 2010)

The route has not been eliminated, but criteria tightened

Letter from Chia Hui Keng Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch Corporate Communications Division Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

Today
29 March 2010

WE REFER to "One less route to becoming a PR" (Mar 23) from Ms Djeni Lee.

Singapore citizens can still apply for permanent residence (PR), Singapore citizenship (SC) or other immigration passes for their aged parents or members of their immediate family.

Each case will be assessed on its merits. This route is therefore not eliminated.

However, the criteria for consideration have been tightened following the review of the framework for the granting of SC and PR to all foreigners.

In this connection, the Government has explained that its policies relating to the grant of PR and SC have been reviewed and that the eligibility criteria are tightened and the numbers and pace of granting PR and SC are moderated.

This is to ensure that the Singaporean population takes in better quality candidates.


One less route to becoming a PR

Letter from Djeni Lee

Today
23 March 2010

THE Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website used to show that four categories of foreigners were eligible to become Singapore permanent residents. This list is now down to three: The fourth category, "aged parent of a Singapore citizen", has disappeared.

I intended to apply for PR status for my parents. I had filled up the application forms, with all the supporting documents, and had them ready for submission; my parents purchased their air tickets last month and were due to arrive here in May.

Imagine my surprise when I noticed the change on the website. An ICA officer I contacted told me that it had decided to stop accepting applications for aged parents effective from this month.

What is the rationale for this sudden move? Why were there no efforts made to notify the public in advance about the intent to remove this category from this month? And why was there no explanation for the move or forewarning anywhere to be found on the ICA website?