ABSTRACT
On 10 July 1989, the Singapore government announced a modified immigration policy to offer permanent residence to 25,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers and their families from Hong Kong. These were to include technicians, craftsmen, white-collar workers, and self-employed people. Prospective applicants needed to have a secondary education to earn at least 1,500 Singapore dollars a month and have five years of working experience; or have at least five GCE “O” levels; or have an acceptable trade certificate. The successful applicants would have five years to take up residence and an option to extend for another five years, thus effectively giving them an opportunity to experience post-1997 Hong Kong before finally deciding whether to move to Singapore. Previously, Singapore had only opened its doors to graduates, professionals, and businessmen with capital of at least S$ 10,000. The Singapore government continues not to impose a quota on this occupational group, and suitably qualified Hong Kong people may migrate under this category.
