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Same sex married couple for dependent's visa

Last activity 13 January 2021 by beppi

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krissanfrancisco

Hello,

I'm aware through official websites that Singapore does not recognise same sex marriage and therefore dependent's visa can not be released for me (my spouse is currently in Singapore after being offered a job last December).

However, we're hearing some unofficial accounts of other same sex couple having successful applications and I'm crowdsourcing anyone who has / know of someone with a similar experience? Would be great to be in touch with you.

I used to live and work in Singapore for 6.5 years before leaving last 2018 to take my masters abroad. I have a current application that's pending results, however, MOM reached out to me saying that they need 3-4 months of further review citing holistic review of applicant's credentials and whether the employer has done fair hiring on local talents.

any thoughts/insights or leads to a similar thread are mostly welcome.

cheers

beppi

The information you found is only partially correct:
There are no same-sex marriages in Singapore (and, as you probably know, the issue is socially sensitive, as large parts of the population reject the idea of same sex relationships altogether). Sex between two males is even illegal due to an old, colonial time law (but curiously, between two females it isn't).
On the other hand Singapore is, by international treaty, obliged to recognise foreign marriages. That includes same sex marriages from countries where they are legally possible.
There have  been a (very small) number of family reunion visa / DP issued in such cases. But obviously the authorities dislike this fact and (as you have encountered) will do anything they can to discourage or delay your application (short of saying it isn't possible, which they legally can't).
You might be lucky in the end if your partner is a type that is very welcome here (highly skilled in a niche with severe manpower shortage, world-known scientist, artist or athlete, etc.) and if the authorities are covinced that you will keep a low profile and not make your family situation widely known.
If you want to fight for your rights here (or gay's rights in general), you will lose.
I recommend you apply for a different kind of visa (e.g. for work), if you have the opportunity for it.

beppi

I know a Singaporean-German gay couple who, due to the known difficulties, decided to marry and live in Germany instead. They are happy there.

There also was, a number of years ago, a public discussion about whether same sex relationships should be de-criminalized. At the time the authorities concluded that this would not represent the will of the majority and thus should not be implemented. I think this observation is probably correct - the Singapore society isn't ready for it!
(Please don't blame me for writing this - I do have a different opinion about gays and am just trying to state the facts here.)

krissanfrancisco

beppi wrote:

I know a Singaporean-German gay couple who, due to the known difficulties, decided to marry and live in Germany instead. They are happy there.

There also was, a number of years ago, a public discussion about whether same sex relationships should be de-criminalized. At the time the authorities concluded that this would not represent the will of the majority and thus should not be implemented. I think this observation is probably correct - the Singapore society isn't ready for it!
(Please don't blame me for writing this - I do have a different opinion about gays and am just trying to state the facts here.)


Thank you so much for your insights. I think that our best chances is indeed applying for separate jobs - which we have. As mentioned, he is already in Singapore and my application is currently pending with 3-4 months waiting as per MOM. I now wonder if my inputting in data that I'm married to a man has played a role in this unprecedented delay in my visa status...

beppi

krissanfrancisco wrote:

I now wonder if my inputting in data that I'm married to a man has played a role in this unprecedented delay in my visa status...


You will never find out, but you are allowed to have your own opinion about it.
Once in Singapore, it is better not to mention it. "Don't ask, don't tell" works best.

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