Singapore Citizenship

It is a life-changing decision to give up one’s citizenship however obtaining Singapore Citizenship brings many benefits. Overcome the high competition for Singapore Citizenship with a well-thought out strategy.

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One of the Most Coveted Citizenships in the World

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Total Number of Singapore Citizens in 2021
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Average New Citizens Approved Annually

Singapore is renowned as one of the best countries in the world to live in. Singapore boasts world-class health care, a low crime rate, access to quality education in good schools, and most importantly, thriving employment and business opportunities. People are drawn to Singapore because it has so many benefits compared to other countries in Southeast Asia.

For unrivaled advice on making a strong application for Singapore Citizenship, confide in the professionals at IASG. Our in-depth knowledge of immigration policies ensures your transition to a different nationality is as smooth as possible. Read on to find out how to apply for Singapore Citizenship today!

In the latest Population Trends 2021 report, there were 31,816 citizens by birth in 2020, which is only 3.1% lower than in 2019. This is a worrying statistic for the Singapore government because if replenishment of Citizens and PRs is not quick enough, the nation would likely face not only a population crunch, but also a manpower and talent shortage. This will hamper the pursuit of economic growth and the maintenance of our position as one of the key economic hubs in the region and Asia.

With the declining birth rates and ageing population, the government has remained steadfast in their selective immigration policy. The citizen population shrunk for the first time in recent years as at June 2021. Immigration helps to moderate the impact of ageing and low birth rates in our citizen population, and keeps it from shrinking over the longer term. Similar to past years, Singapore grants between 15,000 and 22,000 new Citizenships annually, to individuals who are committed to making Singapore their home. They either share family ties with Singaporeans, or have studied, worked or lived here for some time.  In 2020, 21,085 Singapore Citizenships (SCs) were granted.

Singapore Citizenship Eligibility

To apply for Singapore Citizenship, one must meet any of the following criteria:

  • Have been a Singapore Permanent Resident(PR) for at least two years and are aged 21 and above.
  • Have been a PR for at least two years and have been married to a Singapore citizen for at least two years.
  • Are unmarried children aged below 21 born within the context of legal marriage to, or have been legally adopted by Singapore Citizens.
  • Are a PR studying in Singapore; and have been residing in Singapore for more than 3 years (of which, at least one year as a PR); and have passed at least one national exam(i.e.PSLE, GCE’N’/’O’/’A’ levels), or are in the Integrated Programme (IP).
  • Are a PR and an Aged Parent of a Singapore Citizen.

Benefits of Being a Singapore Citizen

There are a slew of benefits to becoming a Singapore Citizen, most notably with regard to visa flexibility, housing and education grants, employment opportunities, as well as Tax Reliefs. Singapore Citizens enjoy establishing a career in one of the most competitive economies in the world, and building a family in one of the safest environments.

While Singapore does not have a dual-citizenship policy, those that opt for Singapore Citizenship expressed the following is just some of the motivating factors :

Powerful Travel-Friendly Passport

Singapore has consistently ranked highly as one of the World’s Most Powerful and Travel Friendly passports. The Little Red Dot recently ranked #2 on the Henley Passport Index (HPI) for the third quarter of 2022. The HPI is a global ranking of countries according to travel freedom their citizens enjoy. Measuring 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations, it’s a ranking of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

Global Perception

Singapore continues to be one of the world’s wealthiest and most trade-dependent countries. It is increasingly the choice market for most businesses looking to establish an Asian presence. Singapore punches above its weight in regional and global affairs and is now established as a financial, innovation, and aerospace hub amongst others. This has led to a high concentration of very qualified talent converging in the city state, with a high percentage of total employment stemming from a foreign talent pool.

Safety & Security

In a global survey conducted by Gallup, Singapore ranks 1st in Safety and Police Security for the 5th consecutive year running. The survey explores varying metrics including how residents feel safer and more protected by the police in Singapore compared to residents elsewhere in the world.

Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The government enforces strict laws and punishments on those who break the law, making it one of the safest countries globally. Violent crimes and acts of terrorism are rare but when they do happen, the authorities handle the cases immediately. Punishments for crimes include jail, fine, and even caning. Because of this, women feel safe walking around at night. Singapore's low crime rates not only benefit its residents but also attract tourists into the country.

Singapore’s capital punishments have been frowned upon by the global community, especially human rights groups but to maintain the safety and security of the larger population and as a future deterrent, Singapore maintains its harsh stance. For example, drug traffickers will face the death penalty if convicted.

In addition, Singapore’s zero corruption policy has kept corruption cases low. By law, people convicted of bribery, cheating, or money laundering may be jailed and/or fined. This makes Singapore an attractive location for business and investments.

Political Stability & Strong Governance

Political stability and a competent, progressive government are factors that enable Singapore to stay ahead economically. Singapore remains highly prosperous regionally, serving as a business hub for South East Asia and as one of the world’s most important ports. Additionally, it is a leading financial, aviation, shipping and trade hub for the Asia Pacific region, raking in lucrative investments from global companies looking toward an Asian presence.

This is supported by the government’s pro-business economic and trade policy approach that has paved the way for global opportunities and synergies. Singapore remains one of the world’s wealthiest economies with GDP per capita and enjoys good relations with its neighbours and is an advocate for ASEAN unity and greater ASEAN economic integration. Unlike many developing regions, Singapore is also trusted because of its zero tolerance towards bribery.

Employment Opportunities

A Singapore Citizen or PR will have access to more jobs locally, including civil service positions. This is due to the “Singapore First” policy encouraging employers to hire Singaporeans and PRs first and the Fair Consideration Framework that details fair hiring requirements for companies in Singapore. With a highly diversified economy (industries wise), Singapore has a consistently high employment rate, thanks to an agile, adaptable and highly motivated workforce with a strong emphasis on commitment towards developing local talent and integrating foreign talent through knowledge transfers. With a world-class education system, Singapore’s skills development initiatives ensure residents keep up with changes in the global economy.

Education Subsidy

Singapore citizens pay much lesser monthly school fees from preschool, primary and secondary school and in tertiary education, as compared to Singapore PRs and foreigners. Singapore citizens are also eligible for a further education subsidy scheme called the Edusave.

Health & Medical Coverage

All Singapore citizens are not only eligible for subsidised healthcare in polyclinics and public hospitals but under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Singapore citizens can get subsidies at participating private general practitioners and dentists as well. Apart from these subsidies, Singapore citizens are eligible for the various healthcare financing schemes such as Medisave, Medishield Life, and Careshield Life. Together, they help alleviate large medical costs and make healthcare affordable for everyone.

Property Ownership Perks

Only Singapore citizens are eligible to select from a full suite of housing options including landed homes, private condominiums, and public housing apartments, both new and resale, from the Housing & Development Board (HDB). In addition, Singapore citizens get to enjoy the CPF Housing Grant, a subsidy provided by the government to assist households who have met the eligibility criteria to buy a HDB flat. When HDB flats are being upgraded by the Government, Singapore citizens pay only a fraction of the costs.

Parental Perks

Female Singapore citizens enjoy 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, parents are entitled to 6 days of paid childcare leave per year per parent until the child turns seven, parents are also entitled to 6 days of unpaid infant care leave per year per parent until the child turns two.

All Singaporean babies are eligible for the Baby Bonus Scheme — cash gift of up to SGD 8,000 for the first and second child and up to SGD 10,000 for the third and fourth child. In addition, they are also entitled to the Children Development Account (CDA), a special savings account for children until they turn 6 years of age. The government contributes up to a cap of SGD 6000 for the first and second child and up to SGD 12000 for the third and fourth child. Parents may top-up their child’s CDA account and enjoy a dollar-to-dollar matching by the government.

A Sense of Belonging

Singapore is a cosmopolitan state where a large percentage of residents are foreigners. With its strategic location, Singapore has always been a port of call for immigrants ever since its modern founding by the British colonialists. With all the perks and joys of living in Singapore, many foreigners have come and stayed. Those who have lived in Singapore for many years may have gotten comfortable and do not want to restart their lives elsewhere. They may also have built their lives in the country, including career, business, and family.

Children born in Singapore to foreign parents can often be classified as ‘unofficial’ Singaporeans — they grow up in the Singaporean environment, go to school with local friends, live the Singaporean culture and lifestyle, establish their careers and build their future in the country too. They don’t know anywhere else to call home.

Unique Culture

Singapore is arguably the only country in the world that has successfully integrated people of different races and religions as one united nation. While discrimination still exists, they are mild and infrequent. Incidents that threaten to cause disharmony in the fabric of Singaporean society are immediately dealt swiftly with by the law. It is not uncommon to see the different races of Singapore come together and support each other in times of crisis.

The government has been implementing initiatives to allow intermingling amongst the different local ethnic groups and it starts since young. For example, Singapore primary and secondary school students celebrate Racial Harmony Day every year. It is a fun day where students come to school in their own or others’ ethnic clothings, immerse themselves in the different cultures through games and quizzes, and watch performances such as skits and dances. This promotes understanding of each culture, instils tolerance and respect for each other and celebrates differences. The government continues its efforts to ensure a harmonious society as each Singaporean child leaves school. When going into the workforce, jobs are offered to candidates based on merit. Employers that practice discrimination may be reported to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP). Similarly, when Singaporeans get married, start a family and buy an HDB, the government ensures that Singaporeans of all races continue to intermingle. There is a quota on the number of Chinese, Malays, Indians living in every Housing and Development Board (HDB) block. Because of all these initiatives, Singaporeans are generally very comfortable with diversity and have been very welcoming to foreigners.

Because of the strong cohesiveness in Singaporean society, it is no wonder that the different races speak words and phrases of the other languages. Singlish, an English-based creole language of Singapore, is made world famous by foreigners who are intrigued by it. Unlike other countries, foreigners don’t have to learn an entirely new language to be able to integrate into the local society. The uniqueness of the language has been studied by linguistics experts globally and many expats have tried speaking it to the amusement of locals. For their efforts, expats who are fluent in the language generally get an unofficial approval stamp from locals.

Singapore Immigration Roadmap

Current Goal

  • Acquire Singapore Citizenship

Future Possibilities

  1. Sponsor Citizenship/ PR/LTVP for immediate family members
  2. Business Incorporation (without Local Nominee Director) + Work Pass (for employees)
  3. Directorships in multiple Singapore Companies

More Information

What Makes a Strong Application?

With thousands of Singapore Permanent Resident applications being reviewed monthly, it is important for applicants to fully understand some of the contributing factors affecting their applications.

Learn more

How We Help Boost Applications

Having worked with thousands of applicants, our proven approach systematically guides you through the processes in a manner that is designed to create a minimal hassle.

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Our Approach to Successful Applications

We leverage on the intimate knowledge of highly experienced members to provide assistance with your Singapore Permanent Resident application to enhance your chances of success

Learn more

Appeals and Advisory After Rejection

Application rejection can be for different reasons, such as incomplete forms, insufficient documents or weak profiles. What are the options for you if you had your Singapore PR application rejected?

Learn more

FAQs

It is challenging and competitive to attain Singapore Citizenship as Singapore aims to attract  and retain the best talents to join their workforce and society, thus, getting Singapore citizenship is not easy. Besides professional qualifications, candidates must also display a clean record and spent sufficient time and effort integrating within the local society. On average, only about 30% of all applicants eventually get approved annually.

Increase your chances of getting Singapore citizenship by preparing a strong, updated documents package, be well integrated into the Singaporean society, and show your contributions and future plans in Singapore. While this sounds easy and straightforward, it is easy to get it wrong. As applying for Citizenship is a big life decision, it is often best to seek a second opinion or advice from an immigration expert like Immigration@SG (IASG) who can assess your situation and recommend the best course of action for you.

This depends on the individual. People apply for Citizenship for various reasons. It is important to note that Singapore does not accept dual-citizenship, hence the decision to pursue Singapore Citizenship requires much thought. Having said that, most pursue this option because of benefits that are reserved for Singapore citizens such as affordable world-class housing, education, and healthcare. The Singapore passport is also consistently ranked as one of the most powerful globally with regards to visa-free travel.

Dual citizenship is not allowed for Singapore citizens. If you’d like to become a Singapore citizen, you’d have to renounce your native citizenship. For children below the age of 21, you are allowed to hold dual citizenship but will have to decide on one, before the 21st birthday.

Yes, you can live in Singapore without being a Singapore citizen. You do have to be a citizen of your home country, and are not stateless. As a foreigner, you can live in Singapore by applying for one of the various Work Passes for yourself and/or your family members such as Work Permit, S-Pass, Employment Pass (EP), Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), and others. For more information on Work Passes, visit this page. Foreigners that have been living in Singapore under a work pass for some time may also consider applying for Permanent Residence.

For spouses and children of existing Singapore Citizens and/or PR, long term and dependent passes can be granted to eligible family members.

No, babies born in Singapore to foreign parents are not automatic citizens or eligible for Singapore citizenship. Neither are they eligible for automatic Permanent Residents. The nationality and resident status of the child will largely be determined by that of its parents.

Singapore citizenship application would take minimally between 9 months to a year for the Singapore government to review.

There is no guaranteed time period when applying for Singapore citizenship. The approval process is managed by the Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). There is no avenue to expedite the process either.
You can apply for Singapore citizenship on the Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website, MyICA.
You may apply for Singapore citizenship at any time of the year, there is no specific application period. Specifically however, you may want to apply for Singapore citizenship after at least two years of getting your Singapore Permanent Residence (PR).

The Singapore government does not revoke citizenship unless under extreme circumstances. In the event where a citizen has done extreme acts such as terrorism, acts of treason, or any other criminal acts, they will be served by the law accordingly.

However, Singapore citizens may renounce their citizenship if they have decided to take up citizenship of another country.

You may login to your MyICA account or enquire directly on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

The Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) does not reveal the reason for rejection, so there is no way to know for sure. However, if you apply via an immigration consultancy like Immigration@SG (IASG), you may seek our assessment and advice on the possible rejection reasons., you may seek our assessment and advice on the possible rejection reasons. Complete our online Initial Profile Analysis to find out where you stand.

You may submit an appeal within six months from the date of rejection letter. For appeals to be considered, you will need to show some form of progression or material change in your appeal.

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