I am glad new measures were announced to help prospective transnational couples plan better for their future. (“New moves to smooth way for transnational marriages here”; Oct 25)
Currently, they can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) only after marriage. While awaiting the outcome, which takes months, the foreign spouse may be unable to find employment, as prospective employers would have to pay the non-refundable foreign worker levy.
Without knowing the outcome, even applying for a public flat is an issue.
The new letter of consent the Manpower Ministry will issue to foreign spouses with an LTVP when they find work will not only make it easier for them by not counting them in the foreign worker quota, it also recognises that spouses are in a different position.
More than the new marriage preparation course, what transnational couples need from the Government is an acknowledgement of family migration that transcends the fear of sham marriages and people abusing the system to get social welfare.
It is only right that Singapore is doing more to help these couples manage the realities of living here, particularly the challenges and hurdles they must overcome.
Foreign spouses must be allowed to work rather than be financially dependent. Transnational couples also need to be eligible for affordable housing from the start of the marriage and not only when the Singaporean is aged 35 and above.
If the permanent residency process could be expedited for family migration, that would solve these two issues and also give these couples peace of mind.
EUNICE LI DAN YUE
*Article first apperaed on TodayOnline Forums (28 Oct 2014)