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Written Answer by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on Employment Passes and S-Passes issued to persons who have renounced Singapore Citizenship

Work passes and permits

NOTICE PAPER NO. 717 OF 2017 FOR THE SITTING ON 03 JULY 2017

QUESTION NO. 531 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Ms Sylvia Lim

To ask the Minister for Manpower in the last five years, how many Employment Passes and S-Passes have been issued to persons who have previously given up Singapore Citizenship.

Answer

  1. From 2012 to 2016, an average of 65 new Employment Passes and S Passes were issued each year to individuals who had previously given up their Singapore Citizenship. Every work pass application is assessed carefully and in consultation with relevant agencies. A variety of factors is considered including: (i) how much time has elapsed since Singapore Citizenship was renounced; (ii) whether the applicant has any ties to another citizen; and (iii) whether the applicant had avoided any obligations to the State when he gave up Singapore Citizenship.