Sponsoring Singapore PR Application For Wife Or HusbandSEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Sponsored Scheme For Foreign Spouse Or Child(Ren) Of A Singapore Citizen Or PR

For your foreign spouse or children to be eligible for the sponsored scheme, you need to provide the following:

• An official marriage certificate to prove your marital status.
• The birth certificate(s) of the child(ren) showing both parents’ names and the child’s name (including adoption papers) from the current marriage.
• The divorce certificate, in any, and custody papers for the child(ren) regarding the previous marriage.

Couples who fail to present the legal document or are just live-in couples will not be eligible to apply under the sponsored scheme.

Marriages solely entered for immigration are not accepted and may be considered illegal in Singapore. Engaging in a Marriage of Convenience (MOC) or Sham marriage to obtain immigration benefits can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

Evaluating Qualification For Singapore Permanent Resident Status For Your Spouse

Although sponsored by a Singapore citizen or PR, both profiles will be evaluated holistically.

It’s crucial to be meticulous when applying for PR for your spouse and ensure that your profile is substantial too.

Although there is no point system to determine the success of a Singapore PR application, some essential influencing factors are involved during the assessment process that should be well considered.

There are five factors to consider when sponsoring Singapore PR for your spouse include the following:

1. Family ties & connection
2. Family profile
3. Social integration
4. Professional achievement
5. Economic contributions

Family Ties & Connection

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) places great importance on social cohesion and family connections, considering them indicators of an applicant’s commitment to Singapore and ability to integrate into the local community.

In the eyes of ICA, those with family members who are already residing in Singapore as permanent residents or citizens would be able to assimilate easier into Singapore society.

Family Profile

A family walking at Marina Barrage, SingaporeThe longer a couple has been married, the better their chances of a successful application.

Based on our experience, a three-year duration is an ideal duration of marriage for the sponsored scheme. The advantage is to foreign spouses who are already LTVP+ holders.

For context, the LTVP+ status is only eligible for the foreign spouse who has been married to a Singapore PR or Singapore citizen for at least three years, or they must have a Singaporean child (a child born in Singapore).

The family profile would also mean the number of children the couple has, legally theirs. For those planning to get children of their own, the chances for you are not necessarily lower.

You can still prove your strong interest in starting a family, and ICA will evaluate the other aspects of your profile.

Social Integration

As a proud multi-cultural nation, Singapore emphasises social harmony within its diverse population. Applicants who contribute positively to society and integrate well with the local community are favoured.

How can you and your spouse show that you have made efforts to be a part of Singapore?

Screenshot of a donation and volunteering website, Giving.sg

You can commit some time to volunteering in local organisations or donate regularly to known charities in Singapore.

Having recommendation letters from locals would help your profiles significantly as well.

Couples who have worked and resided in Singapore for a more extended period may have the upper hand, as you would have fitted into the local culture better over the time spent here.

Professional Achievements

Demonstrating a solid career background and significant accomplishments within one’s field can increase the likelihood of a successful PR application. The ICA values applicants who can positively contribute to Singapore’s economy and maintain a financially stable lifestyle for their families.

They pay close attention to your income trajectories, where a consistent upward trend signifies career progression, the potential for further growth, and the ability to contribute to Singapore’s economic development.

The ICA also considers earnings from multiple sources, such as investments, freelance work, or part-time jobs, which can demonstrate an applicant’s financial standing and resourcefulness, reflecting positively on their PR application.

A foreign spouse on a work pass like Employment Pass (EP) may have a stronger profile than a foreign spouse coming in as a homemaker.

Economic Contributions

Applicants who exhibit a steady increase in their income, strong earnings, and solid financial stability are more likely to be granted PR status.

Those working in high-demand industries or sectors, such as technology, finance, healthcare, or research and development, are more likely to be considered favourably, as these sectors align with Singapore’s economic priorities.

The ICA also values applicants with specialised skills, expertise, or knowledge that can contribute to Singapore’s economic growth and global competitiveness. Proficiency in areas with high demand for skilled professionals can enhance PR application chances.

Alternatively, your foreign spouse may apply for permanent residency on their own merits if they are an S Pass, EP, PEP or ONE pass holder. Foreigners with a work pass status who have worked here for at least six months would be eligible to apply for Singapore PR under the PTS scheme.

In such cases, while you do not act as their sponsor, you are expected to provide certain documents during the application process as their spouse and will consider your relationship when making their decision like

• The stability and length of your marriage,
• The financial ability of each spouse, and
• The presence of children in the family.