Dear TRS,
I wish to highlight an issue I am facing now. I am recently married to a foreigner. My spouse was granted a long term visit pass valid for a year. As we wish to start a family soon, my spouse would like to find a job to help with the expenses before starting a family. However, it has been more than 6 months and numerous interviews but was rejected as she was holding to a long term pass.
After checking with ICA and MOM, it came to my attention that a foreigner who is earning a salary of $4000 or more can apply a dependent pass for their spouse. The dependent pass is much favoured by employers as it does not count towards the foreigners' hiring quota and companies need not pay any levy for hiring the pass holder.
One of my spouse's friend holding such a pass found a job within a month of getting this pass.
I understand there is a LTVP+ that have the same benefits as a dependent pass holder. But the criteria is to be at least married for 3 years or have a baby.
I simply cannot understand why the government is providing more help to a foreigner than a Singaporean. Even if I earn more than $4000 a month, there is no pass that I can apply for my spouse that allows her the same flexibility to find a job. What about those low income who are married to foreigners?
Unhappy spouse