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SINGAPORE – After more than nine months of separation due to Covid-19 border controls, Singaporeans and permanent residents who have relationships with foreign partners are finally reuniting.
About a month ago, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) added a new category of “future spouse” on the application form for foreigners wishing to enter Singapore amid the pandemic.
It allows foreigners in relation to Singapore citizens or permanent residents to come here with a short-term visit pass, even if they are not married.
The Straits Times contacted the ICA, but did not provide details on the requirements to approve a visa in the new category.
In a statement, he said that it “will generally be an enabler for foreigners who are direct relatives or relatives of a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, or a future spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR.
He added that the duration of the stay granted will be evaluated and determined at the point of entry.
A check on the authority’s website revealed no indication that proof of the relationship is needed. The online form states that both parties must provide their details in the request.
Prior to the introduction of the new category, only foreigners who are direct relatives or relatives of Singaporean citizens or permanent residents were allowed to enter the country. Those facing extenuating circumstances, such as the death of a loved one, can also receive permission.
Those who have successfully applied under the new spouse category said they were asked to pay for a Covid-19 test, as well as a 14-day stay at a dedicated facility to deliver their stay-at-home notice (SHN ). , within three days of approval.
After paying $ 2,200 per person, the ICA gives them a four-day window to enter the country.
Priscillia Lau, a recent graduate of Columbia University in the United States, said her 17-month-old American partner arrived in Singapore from New York on Sunday.
You are now serving your SHN at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay and can stay here for up to 90 days.
Ms. Lau, 24, a public official, who has returned to Singapore since June, was initially not optimistic about her partner’s prospects for entering the country, as the United States has been experiencing new five-digit infections a day. since March.
But it only took a week for her short-term visitation pass application to be approved on October 23.
“I couldn’t pick him up at the airport when he arrived, but we will finally see each other after nine months,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms Rashida Rahman has not met her English fiancé living in Birmingham, England, in the past 10 months, and their meeting remains suspended.
Was here for the last time in January.
“We are grateful to the government for giving us the flexibility to bring in our partners, but $ 2200 is not a small sum, aside from having to pay for airline tickets. We are expecting a travel bubble between Singapore and Britain so there is no they need a quarantine, “said Ms. Rahman, 48, a secretary.
The British and Americans can leave their own countries, with some restrictions.
Meanwhile, Ashley Toh, a 30-year-old educator, said her South Korean fiancé would have to be quarantined for two weeks in Singapore and another two when he returns to South Korea.
“That’s one SHN month in total, that your job can’t accommodate,” he said.
The couple were to get married here in May, but had to cancel their wedding plans due to the pandemic.
Many, like Ms. Toh, have sought support through a Facebook group called Love is Not Tourism Singapore, which has more than 570 members.
The group is one of many that have emerged during the course of the pandemic when international couples are forced to keep separate.
“The group has offered me immense support … all of us in similar situations are experiencing the same pain of not knowing when we will see our partners again,” Ms Toh said.
“But everyone has been very forthcoming in offering advice and celebrating together when someone gets approval to come.”
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