SINGAPORE: The number of foreign spouses sponsored by their
Singapore citizen spouses for long-term immigration facilities and
subsequently for permanent residence and Singapore citizenship
under the Family Ties Scheme has been on the rise in the past
decade.
The majority of foreign spouses sponsored by Singapore citizens
under the scheme were females.
At end-2012, there were 70,600 foreign spouses who have taken up
Singapore citizenship, compared to 39,200 in 2003.
Additionally, 58,600 foreign spouses were permanent residents as
at end last year, compared to 43,300 in 2003.
Singapore citizenship was granted by descent annually to 1,100
children born overseas to Singapore citizens between 2005 and
2009.
68 per cent of the children declared they were holding foreign
citizenship at the point of registration for Singapore
citizenship.
Comparatively, an annual average of 700 Singapore citizenships
were granted by descent to children born overseas to Singapore
citizens between 2000 and 2004.
64 per cent of the children declared they were holding foreign
citizenship at the point of registration for Singapore
citizenship.
Individuals with foreign citizenship must renounce their foreign
citizenship within a year upon reaching the age of 21 to retain
Singapore citizenship.
- CNA/xq
