The effect of ‘visa permits’ on the integration of PRC migrants in Singapore.

• Main Author: Ling, Joy Suvin.
• Other Authors: Caroline Pluss
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51680
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research explores how first time migrants from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with different work passes presumably have it better or worse in Singapore, and receive different receptions here. These work passes are visa permits that are allocated to migrants upon their entry to Singapore, validating their stay in Singapore for up to 4 years. The terms ‘visa permit’ and ‘pass’ are used interchangeably throughout the essay, both referring to the same thing. I argue that the type of visa permit, or ‘pass’ a mainland Chinese migrant is allocated upon entry to Singapore, determines their ability to integrate in Singapore. As they refer to the same thing, the terms visa permit and ‘pass’ are used interchangeably throughout the essay, both referring to the same thing. I use the term ‘integrate’ because full-scale assimilation rarely happens, and define it according to Singapore’s definition of integration – ‘encouraging interaction’, ‘enhancing communication’, and ‘reinforcing commitment’ (NIC 2012). I interview 9 highly and semi-skilled migrants who hold Employment Pass (EP) and S-Pass (SP) holders, and 9 low-skilled Work Permit (WP) holders.