Statistics on Relationship Profile of Permanent Residents

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Prime Minister (a) in the past five years, what is the total number and percentage of (i) permanent residents (PRs) who are spouses/siblings of Singapore citizens; and (ii) new PRs who are spouses/siblings of Singapore citizens; and (b) whether a zero growth rate for PRs will be maintained in view of the increasing number of Singaporeans who are married to foreigners.

Between 2010 to 2014, an average of 4,000 spouses of Singapore Citizens (SCs) were granted Permanent Residence (PR) under the Family Ties Scheme each year. This is a slight increase over the average of 3,800 per year between 2010 and 2012. As at 31 December 2014, there were 62,100 spouses of SCs who were PRs granted under the Family Ties Scheme, an increase compared to 58,600 at the end of 2012. The above figures do not include spouses who obtained PR on their own merits or those who were already PRs at the time of marriage to SCs.

While the number of marriages between SCs and foreigners has risen over the last decade, the numbers have remained relatively stable in the past five years at around 6,700 on average. All else being equal, applicants with an SC spouse are more likely to obtain PR, compared to applicants without a Singaporean nexus.

ICA does not track the number of PRs who are siblings of SCs, as these applicants are not eligible to be considered under the Family Ties Scheme. They are considered on their own merits when they apply for PR.