Long-Term Visit Pass Priority Processing for Post-birth Childcare Support in Mixed-Citizen Marriages
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) applications for expectant foreign spouses and their parents are prioritized to support immediate post-birth childcare in mixed-citizen marriages, as asked by Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim. In response, Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam stated that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) assesses each application on its individual merits amidst a high volume of requests. He noted that couples are strongly encouraged to utilize the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment, which provides greater transparency and faster processing of six weeks or less, while eligible foreign spouses can receive LTVP+ for healthcare subsidies and longer stays. Furthermore, parents of foreign spouses may stay on Short-Term Visit Passes and apply for extensions to support caregiving. Finally, ICA takes declared specific caregiving needs and special circumstances into consideration when reviewing applications warranting a longer stay.
Transcript
13 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) applications for spouses in mixed-citizen marriages who are about to give birth, as well as for their own parents (a) whether priority is accorded to such applications beyond ICA's usual considerations to assess LTVP applications, to assist with providing immediate post-birth childcare; and (b) if so, whether such priority is weighed against any other considerations.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) assesses each Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application on its merits.
Singapore citizens with a foreign partner are strongly encouraged to use the Pre-Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) before they get married. That will let them know the likelihood of the foreign partner obtaining long-term stay facilities. This will give them greater transparency on whether their partner can stay in Singapore – even before marriage. Applicants who have completed the PMLA can also benefit from faster processing of six weeks or less for their LTVP application. Foreign spouses who are applying for or renewing their LTVP will also be granted LTVP+ if they qualify, which will make them eligible for healthcare subsidies and longer duration of stay.
Parents of foreign spouses can stay on a Short-Term Visit Pass and apply to extend it if they wish to stay longer to support caregiving for the child. If applicants declare specific caregiving needs or special circumstances which may warrant longer stay, ICA will take this into consideration.
There are a large number of applications for various passes, to stay in Singapore. The different needs for the stay need to be assessed.