TNAG-2947-FCO40-4223-Third-Country-Right-of-Abode-Schemes-for-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 21

Si

и

17 June 1993

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Ms Deborah Barnes ́ Jones

HKD

FCO

Ja

4 Woodyow 21/6

more mentemat on FRA.

HKD 341/1

R.

22 J. 1993

British

High Commission Singapore

Tanglin Road Singapore 1024

Telephone: 4739333

Telex: RS 21218 (a/b UKREP SP RS 21218) Telegraphic address: UKREP Singapore Facsimile: 4759706; 4752320

ear

Deborah

HONG KONG: FOREIGN RIGHT OF ABODE SCHEMES

1.

ok

(49)

Further to my fax of 3 June, I have now obtained clarification from the Singapore MFA on the current position.

2. The MFA say quite explicitly that there has been no change in the scheme announced in July 1989, nor any new schemes. The 1989 scheme remains open and provides for up to 25,000 heads of household to apply for approval in principle (AIP) for Singapore permanent residence (PR), valid for an initial 5 years. Successful applicants become permanent residents when they decide to arrive in Singapore, and set up a business or take up employment; if they do not wish to leave Hong Kong within the five years, they can get extensions for up to 5 years at a time. AIP PR scheme is open to people from Hong Kong with:

(a)

(b)

(c)

The

secondary education, income of at least S$1,500 per month (approx £600) and 5 years of relevant working experience; or

at least 5 GCE O levels or equivalent; or

acceptable trade certificates or equivalent.

As noted at the time, an important Singaporean motive was and remains its need to counter its chronic shortage of skilled labour, as much as the more altruistic one of helping Hong Kong.

3.

There are various other permanent residence schemes in Singapore, for which there is no special provision for people from Hong Kong. Among these is one, in existence well before 1989, where investors and entrepreneurs can obtain permanent residence by investing S$1 million. In 1989 this was extended to businessmen who set up and

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