Immigration & foreign manpower — Topics

19 Feb 2018

Percentage of Singaporean Mother Tongue Teachers in Preschools

The Minister for Social and Family Development reported that about 75% of early childhood educators capable of teaching Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) and 60% of MTL-specialist educators are locals (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents).
The government has implemented strategies such as specialized MTL tracks in polytechnics, training awards, mid-career support through subsidies and salary grants, and awards to raise the profile of MTL preschool teachers.
The Ministry of Education annually presents the Outstanding Preschool MTL Teacher Award to recognize passionate and dedicated MTL teachers.
Future plans include collaboration with the National Institute for Early Childhood Development to enhance training and career development for MTL teachers.
The Minister did not have a specific breakdown of Singaporean percentages for individual mother tongues and indicated further details would be provided at the Committee of Supply.

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19 Feb 2018

Proposal to Give Priority for Singapore PR or Citizenship Applications by Minors who are Stepchildren of Singapore Citizens

Denise Phua asked if priority could be given to PR or citizenship applications for minors who are stepchildren of Singapore citizens.
The Second Minister for Home Affairs clarified that Singapore citizens can only sponsor children for PR or citizenship if they are born within a legal marriage or legally adopted.
She emphasized that stepchildren must be legally adopted by the Singapore citizen to be eligible for sponsorship.
Applications are evaluated holistically, with strong consideration given to family ties such as being the legal child of the sponsoring citizen.

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6 Feb 2018

Manpower Gaps in Quantum Computing, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence

The Prime Minister acknowledged growing demand for data analytics, AI, and nascent quantum computing skills in Singapore's financial sector, with over 20 financial institutions establishing innovation labs, but noted a talent shortage as the key bottleneck.
To address this, the Monetary Authority of Singapore is prioritizing local upskilling through a $27 million grant, new learning modules via the Institute of Banking and Finance, and expanded courses with Institutes of Higher Learning, though building local talent takes time.
While developing local capabilities, Singapore plans to complement them by attracting international experts through the Capability Transfer Programme, working with the Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore to ensure a favorable environment for foreign talent.

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6 Feb 2018

Foreign Students Applying for Permanent Residency and Subsequent Citizenship in Singapore

Saktiandi Supaat asked about trends in foreign students applying for PR, approval rates, and subsequent citizenship in Singapore over the past decade.
From 2008 to 2017, 7,251 foreign students applied for PR with 82% approved, and 18% of those granted PR later took up citizenship.
The Second Minister noted the nationalities of successful applicants reflect the foreign student profile, mostly from Asia, and emphasized integration and contribution as key criteria for approval.

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5 Feb 2018

Foreign Students Defaulting on Repayment of Study Loans from Local Banks and Institutions

Ong Ye Kung stated that over the past five years, 3.9% of government study loans to international students were in default and deemed unrecoverable after all recovery efforts.
He noted that defaulters may face adverse consequences if they apply to work or reside in Singapore.
He explained that commercial bank study loans to foreigners represent less than 0.0001% of total banking assets, and MAS does not collect default data on these loans due to their negligible exposure.

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5 Feb 2018

Different Fee Scale for Students with at least One Singapore Citizen Parent

Yee Chia Hsing proposed a differentiated fee structure for non-citizen students based on whether at least one parent is a Singapore Citizen.
Ng Chee Meng explained the current tiered fee system where Singapore Citizens pay the lowest fees, followed by Permanent Residents and International Students.
He added that non-citizen students with at least one Singapore Citizen parent who need financial assistance can seek help from their schools for case-by-case support.
The Ministry of Education will assess such requests individually and exercise flexibility where needed.
This approach maintains the existing citizenship-based fee framework while allowing tailored support for specific cases.

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8 Jan 2018

Applications for Citizenship, Permanent Residence and Long-term Visit Passes by Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans

Minister Shanmugam provided annual averages from 2012 to 2016 showing about 6,600 citizenship, 8,700 permanent residence, and 16,600 long-term visit pass applications from foreign spouses of Singaporeans.
The success rates for these applications were approximately 68% for citizenship, 49% for permanent residence, and 84% for long-term visit passes over the same period.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not break down the data by whether applicants had Singaporean citizen children, so the proportion of unsuccessful applicants with such children cannot be determined.

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8 Jan 2018

Number of Permanent Residents Taking up Singapore Citizenship

Pritam Singh asked how the Ministry persuades Permanent Residents (PRs) to take up Singapore citizenship, the number of PRs who have held their status for over 10, 15, 20, and 25 years by nationality, and the common reasons for not taking up citizenship.
Teo Chee Hean, responding for the Prime Minister, stated that about 15% of PRs have been in that status for 20 or more years, mostly from Southeast Asia, and emphasized that citizenship is a personal decision based on commitment, often influenced by long residence or family ties.
He noted that PRs contribute to Singapore's society and economy, and the best encouragement for citizenship is to ensure citizens are well supported through differentiated benefits in parenthood, housing, healthcare, and education, while fostering an inclusive society.

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8 Jan 2018

Manpower Challenges facing Auxiliary Police Forces

The Ministry of Home Affairs faces a growing demand for Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) due to increased terrorism threats and new security projects, but local recruitment efforts have not fully met the need despite incentives like bonuses and career progression.
Singaporean and Malaysian APO pools are shrinking and insufficient, leading to the approval of hiring from other countries, including Taiwan, to address the manpower shortage.
The Ministry considers operational needs and security risks when deciding where non-Singaporean APOs can be deployed, with land checkpoints now allowing Taiwanese APOs alongside Singaporeans due to rising security demands and limited local manpower.

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8 Jan 2018

Immigration (Amendment) Bill

The Immigration (Amendment) Bill seeks to enhance border security by expanding the powers of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, allowing them to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests within and around checkpoints to respond swiftly to security incidents.
The Bill also introduces provisions for collecting personal identifiers from transit passengers and visa applicants to improve security screening, while increasing maximum penalties for breaches of immigration regulations.
Parliament members expressed support for the Bill but raised questions about training for ICA officers, coordination with police, and safeguards for detained persons, with the Minister assuring that comprehensive training and protocols are in place.

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8 Jan 2018

Decision to Refuse Entry to Foreign Religious Preachers

The Minister for Home Affairs stated that entry into Singapore for foreign religious preachers is a privilege assessed on a case-by-case basis, with bans imposed if their teachings promote religious intolerance, segregation, or violence, regardless of where those views were expressed.
Officials emphasized that the government draws a clear line against preachers who threaten Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious harmony, and that banning them is necessary even if their following in Singapore is small to prevent the spread of radical ideas.
While acknowledging the limits of preventing access to such content online, the Minister argued that allowing a physical presence in Singapore gives preachers a more direct platform to build followings and incite divisions, making bans an effective measure.
The government does not engage banned preachers for appeals or explanations, as their past statements—such as describing Allah as a false God or demeaning other religions—are deemed inherently incompatible with Singapore's values and national interest.
To counter radical beliefs, the government supports local religious leaders in promoting interfaith harmony and follows a framework that encourages religious freedom while prohibiting speech that harms other faiths or advocates violence.

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7 Nov 2017

Foreign-registered Motorcycles or Scooters Used in Singapore for Delivery Services

Foreign-registered motorcycles and scooters may be used for delivery services in Singapore if the rider has a valid work pass, complies with Ministry of Manpower regulations, and holds insurance covering third-party bodily injury and death.
Individuals caught using a vehicle without valid insurance face a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Delivery service riders must ensure their insurance policy explicitly covers commercial use, often requiring an additional rider or commercial policy, and employers are obliged to verify this coverage.
A joint advisory will be issued by relevant agencies to remind employers of the motor insurance requirements for delivery riders.

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6 Nov 2017

Statistics on Singapore Citizenship Granted to Foreigners from 2008 to 2017

Mr Png Eng Huat requested a yearly breakdown from 2008 to 2017 of citizenship applications received and approved for foreigners married to Singapore Citizens, categorized by whether they had SC children, non-SC children, no children, or were on work passes.
The Minister for Home Affairs stated that from 2008 to 2016, around 20,000 individuals received Singapore Citizenship annually, with approximately 4,300 being married to Singaporeans.
The Ministry clarified that data cannot be broken down by whether applicants had SC or non-SC children, and that foreigners on work passes are ineligible for citizenship unless they first obtain Permanent Resident status.

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6 Nov 2017

Number of Work Permit Holders Granted Transfer of Employer

As of October 2017, about 128,000 Work Permit holders in construction and process sectors transferred employers with consent, while around 400 did so after completing their permits without employer agreement.
The transfer policy, introduced for construction workers in 2005 and expanded to include process workers in 2017, allows employer changes under specific conditions to improve productivity and reduce costs.
The Ministry of Manpower is reviewing whether to extend the transfer policy to other sectors, considering impacts on businesses and workers.

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6 Nov 2017

Immigration (Amendment) Bill

The Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo, presented the Immigration (Amendment) Bill to amend the Immigration Act.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading on the next available parliamentary sitting.
The bill will be printed as part of the parliamentary process.

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3 Oct 2017

Maintaining Ratio of Six Workers to Support One Elderly Person

Gan Thiam Poh questioned the Prime Minister on maintaining the six-to-one worker-to-elderly ratio, given low fertility and the projection that one in four Singaporeans will be over 65 by 2030.
Teo Chee Hean, for the Prime Minister, stated the current support ratio is five-to-one and is expected to decline, with policies including support for families, controlled immigration, and foreign workforce supplementation.
The government is enhancing seniors' continued contribution by raising the re-employment age, extending financial incentives for hiring older workers, and redesigning jobs to be age-friendly.

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2 Oct 2017

Breakdown of Annual Foreign Worker Levies Collected

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the annual breakdown of foreign worker levies collected since 2012 and whether part of these levies could be used to subsidize households needing foreign domestic workers (FDWs) or provide financial assistance to FDWs in exceptional circumstances.
Lim Swee Say stated that FDW levies, like other government revenues, go into the Consolidated Fund to fund all government expenditures, including assistance schemes like the FDW Grant for eligible households with family members needing permanent help with daily activities.
The FDW Grant provides $120 per month to offset FDW hiring costs for means-tested households, benefiting over 17,000 since 2012, and households with children, elderly, or those needing help with daily activities receive a concessionary FDW levy rate of $60 instead of the full $265 rate.
For FDWs needing financial assistance, the government supports NGOs like the Centre for Domestic Employees, which provide humanitarian aid, rather than offering direct government financial assistance.

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2 Oct 2017

Efforts to Strengthen Singaporean Core

Patrick Tay inquired about the Ministry's efforts to strengthen the Singaporean Core, specifically the number of companies on the watchlist and those facing executive measures, and whether harsher penalties like contract moratoriums would be imposed.
Lim Swee Say stated that around 300 firms are on the Fair Consideration Framework Watchlist, with over 60 improving and 25 facing work pass curtailment, leading to more Singaporeans being hired.
The Ministry supports progressive employers under the Human Capital Partnership Programme, with over 70 recognized for strengthening the Singaporean Core and receiving timely work pass processing.

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2 Oct 2017

Progress of EntrePass Scheme

The EntrePass scheme, introduced in 2003, has approved over 7,000 applications from foreign entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, creating about 15,000 jobs for locals.
The scheme has been enhanced to broaden evaluation criteria, allow a year for exploration before company setup, and extend pass validity to two years to attract more global talent.
Additional initiatives like Startup SG and the Action Community for Entrepreneurship International Centre are in place to support and anchor promising startups in Singapore.

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11 Sep 2017

Singapore Citizenship of Late Mr Tan Lark Sye

Low Thia Khiang asked about the revocation and reinstatement of the late Mr Tan Lark Sye’s Singapore citizenship, including the years and reasons for both actions.
K Shanmugam stated that Mr Tan Lark Sye’s citizenship was deprived in 1964 due to activities prejudicial to security and public order, specifically advancing the Communist cause.
The Minister confirmed there has been no change to Mr Tan Lark Sye’s citizenship status since the 1964 revocation.
The response clarified that the citizenship was not reinstated after its revocation.

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