On 5th Jan 2024 the Straits Times reported of a man living in Bukit Batok being married to a Vietnamese woman for seceral years. Upon checking with other family members, his mother told ICA officers that she did not know her son was married. [Nadine Chua, 2025]
What is a Sham Marriage?
A Sham Marriage is a marriage of convenience.
Quoting Inspector Mark Chai, deputy officer-in-charge of ICA’s intelligence division,
sham marriages in Singapore often involve a foreign woman paying a Singaporean man money for a union to be arranged, so she can get a permit to stay or work here.
Between January and September in 2024, there were 32 cases of marriage of convenience, up from four cases during the same period in 2023.
Penalty of Sham Marriages
According to section 57C of the Immigration Act (IA), if you enter into a marriage knowing that the purpose of the marriage is to help either you or your spouse gain an entry permit to Singapore, and either you or your spouse is offered a reward for entering into the marriage, you will be guilty of an offense. This applies even if the marriage is solemnized outside of Singapore.
Any person who arranges or otherwise assists in arranging a sham marriage is also guilty of committing an offence. In both cases, if convicted, the guilty offender is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Why do these Sham Marriages occur?
Singapore’s economic power as well as a immigration brings about higher chances of Sham Marriages to occur.
For Sham Marriages between 1 Foreigner and 1 Singaporean, The Singaporean stands to gain access to acquiring a BTO flat while the Foreigner gains a work permit allowing.
However, according to the Ministry of Manpower,
A foreigner with a work permit in Singapore must get approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) before marrying a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. This approval is required regardless of the type of marriage
There is a strong possibility that many sham marriages exist undetected, eluding the scrutiny of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or other government agencies.
Despite rigorous checks and enforcement measures, the sheer complexity and clandestine nature of these arrangements make it challenging to identify and address every instance effectively.
Sham Marriage between LGBT Singaporeans
For many LGBT folks in Singapore, the Singaporean dream of getting a HDB is a pipe dream with the terms of Marriage defined between a Man and a Women.
With limited options, what should they do?
Some LGBT gays and lesbians have been marrying each other in order to game the system and be able to apply for BTO flat.
There are no options for grants for individuals due to their sexual orientation.
Conclusion
Sham marriages in Singapore are a multifaceted issue, driven by economic incentives, immigration loopholes, and systemic constraints.
While stringent laws and enforcement efforts aim to deter and penalize such practices, the persistence of these arrangements highlights deeper societal challenges.
From foreign nationals seeking work permits to LGBT individuals navigating housing limitations, these marriages reveal gaps in policy and the complexities of human behavior.
Addressing sham marriages requires not only robust enforcement but also a deeper examination of the underlying social and economic factors that drive individuals toward such arrangements.
Ultimately, there ought to be a policy aimed at addressing the root causes of sham marriages rather than enforcement and punishment.
For now, sham marriages will occur, we will only see how many are found this year.
References
