The Ultimate Guide to Applying Citizenship in Singapore

Interested in applying for Singapore Citizenship? Singapore is well known for it’s high standard of living, excellent healthcare and top-notch education system.

Becoming a citizen will further cement your sense of belonging when you’re planning on making Singapore your permanent home.

Becoming a Singaporean citizen offers numerous advantages, including a stable and secure environment, access to a top-tier education system with subsidies, affordable first class healthcare services. Singaporean citizens also benefit from holding a powerful passport for hassle-free global travel.

However, it’s important to be aware of the obligations, such as National Service (for males), and civic responsibilities that come with citizenship. These benefits and requirements may evolve over time, so staying informed about the latest regulations is crucial if you’re considering becoming a Singaporean citizen.

This guide provides details on eligibility requirements, important factors that will influence the outcome of the application, the necessary documents required, and the application procedure.

The first step is to review your eligibility, which includes individuals who have been a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) for at least 2 to 6 years prior to the date of application, spouses of Singapore citizens with a minimum of 2-year PR and married for at least 2 years preceding the date of application, and children born outside Singapore whose parent is a Singapore citizen.

Apply Citizenship in Singapore

The focus is on providing Singapore citizenship application filing details for the first category. Additionally, factors such as track record of living in Singapore during the permanent residence time period, good character, law-abiding nature, social and financial ‘investment’ into Singapore, and ability to generate income will be taken into consideration.

After determining eligibility, the applicant must download and fill the necessary application forms, and prepare all required documents such as the existing passport, PR card and certificate, educational certificates, and a letter of employment.

Once the application is completed, the applicant must submit it through the available options, which include submitting online or in-person. The processing fee is S$100, and if the application is successful, S$70 is payable for the Singapore Citizenship Certificate.

The time frame for receiving the outcome of the application is between 6-12 months, and if the application is approved, the final step is to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance, and Loyalty at the ICA office.

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1. Meeting the eligibility requirements

Before you begin the application process, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for citizenship in Singapore, you must:

• Individuals who are at least 21 years old and have been Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) for a minimum of 2 years
• Spouses of Singapore Citizens who have a minimum of 2-year Permanent Resident status and have been married for at least 2 years before the date of application.
• Children born outside Singapore but have at least one parent who is a Singapore Citizen.
• Have a good understanding of English
• Be willing to renounce your foreign citizenship

Apart from the eligibility requirements mentioned earlier, several other factors will affect the decision on your Singapore citizenship application.

These include your behavior and adherence to the law during your stay in Singapore as a permanent resident, your social and financial involvement in the country, indicating your desire to remain in Singapore for a more extended period, your ability to contribute positively to Singapore’s economy without being a burden, and your overall financial stability.

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2. Gathering the necessary documentations

Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility requirements for Singapore citizenship, the next step is to download the required application forms.

Documents

Singapore Citizenship Application

ICA Forms

To apply for Singapore citizenship, you will have to fill out the application form and gather all the required documents mentioned in the links you downloaded earlier. For each document, prepare both a photocopy and the original. The usual documents required include:

• Your Passport and Identity card
• Your Birth Certificate
• Your Marriage/Divorce Certificate, or Separation Deed
• Your PR card and PR certificate
• Your Educational Certificates
• Your Death Certificate of ex-spouse, proof of children’s custody from your previous marriage(If applicable)
• Your Deed Poll or Religious Certificate for change of name(If any)
• Foreign Citizenship Certificate
• Your employment records, such as letter of employment from your current employer
• Your income tax statements, including income tax notice of assessment(from IRAS) for the last 3 years
• Payslips for the last 6 months, and CPF contribution history for the last 12 months(if employed)
• Latest ACRA business profile and balance sheet, including profit and loss account of your business(if you own a business)

If your spouse and children are also permanent residents, their citizenship application can be filed along with yours, and you will be responsible for their application(s).

Approval or rejection will be made at the same time. Your spouse will need to prepare a similar set of documents as you, while your children will need their passport, birth certificate, and PR certificate.

Apart from the supporting documents required for the citizenship application, the following document can also be useful:

• Cover Letter. Including a cover letter with your Singapore citizenship application that highlights important aspects of your application, such as your reasons for applying for Singapore citizenship, your ties to Singapore, your financial stability, and other positive factors, can be a beneficial approach
• If you own any real estate in Singapore, make sure to include documentation as part of your supporting documents
• Include documentation of your significant financial assets if you have any.

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3. Apply Singapore Citizenship

Upon completing citizenship application and prepared the supporting documents, head on to ICA’s website and submit your application. It is highly advisable to use a laptop or desktop for this application.

• Submit your Singapore Citizenship Application through this portal. You will also have to select an appointment date.
• Attach all the supporting documents, and bring the hardcopy down to ICA for physical submission.

The processing time for citizenship applications ranges between several months to several years.

With effect from 1st June 2016, all applications must come with an appointment. The ICA will no longer entertain walk-in applications.

Do take note that a non-refundable processing fee of S$100 is payable upfront for every application submitted. If the application is successful, S$70 is payable for the Singapore Citizenship Certificate. New citizens who are above 15 years old must obtain a pink National Registration Identity Card at a fee of S$10.

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4. Singapore Citzenship Application Outcome

The time frame for receiving the result of your Singapore citizenship application can range from 6 to 12 months, and you will be notified of the outcome through a letter sent by regular mail.

Currently, there is no online system available to check the status of your application. However, you can contact the ICA office by phone to inquire about the status, although the typical response will be that it is “under processing.”

The staff member answering the call may not be able to provide an estimated time frame for your outcome.

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5. Getting Singapore Citizenship

After receiving the approval letter for your citizenship, you must go to the ICA office to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty. The approval letter will specify the date and time of the appointment for the oath taking ceremony and the necessary documents that you need to bring with you. Remember to bring along your PR card(Blue Identity card), four passport sized photos as per specification, and any other documents indicated in the approval letter.

To renounce your foreign citizenship, you need to bring the original and photocopy of the Renunciation Letter to the embassy of your current nationality.

Once you receive the approval letter for Singapore citizenship, you need to visit the embassy and give up your current citizenship by swearing a statement.

The embassy will then send the statement to the concerned authorities in your home country for further processing. The process of losing your current citizenship may take anywhere from 1-12 months depending on your country, and you will be issued a certificate indicating the loss of nationality.

However, the embassy can provide a letter immediately stating that you have submitted the renunciation application. This letter is enough for the oath taking event at the ICA office, but you must submit a copy of the Loss of Citizenship certificate to the ICA office once you receive it from the embassy.

After completing the meeting with the officer, you can apply for your Singapore passport immediately by filling out a passport issuance application.

The process is straightforward and usually takes less than 5 minutes. You can submit the application at the same ICA office, but on a different level, and pay S$70 per passport application via NETS.

Your passport will be sent to you by registered post within 3-5 working days. The final step in obtaining Singapore citizenship is attending the Citizenship Ceremony, which is organized by the Group Representative Constituency (GRC).

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6. Singapore Citizenship Ceremony

Approximately 3-4 months after the Oath Taking event, you will receive a letter inviting you to attend a Citizenship Ceremony held at a nearby community center.

This is a group event where all new citizens in the area will attend together. You will be required to bring the following documents:

The ceremony is a gathering to welcome new citizens and is mandatory to attend unless you have special circumstances such as being an infant or elderly.

• The letter you will receive
• your temporary identity card

The event typically lasts around 2 hours, and will be attended by state minister and local MP. There will be a speech made by a Guest-Of-Honour, Pledge Recitation, Singing the National Anthem, presentation of Singapore citizenship Certificates and pink Identity Cards, a group photo-taking session, and finally concluded by a buffer reception.

Congratulations! You are now a Singaporean, and may we contribute towards Singapore’s nation building.

Applying for a citizenship in Singapore can be a lengthy and complex process, but for what it’s worth, if you look forward to making Singapore your permanent home, no process or procedure should hinder you. With patience and perseverance, you too can become a Singaporean, where we belong!

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12 Benefits of being a Singapore Citizen

Becoming a Singaporean citizen comes with multiple benefits, including:

1. Stability and Security: Singapore is known for its political stability and low crime rate, which provides citizens with a safe and secure environment to live and work.
2. Right to Live and Work in Singapore: As a citizen, you have the right to live and work in Singapore without the need for a work visa or employment pass, making it easier to find and maintain employment.
3. Access to Quality Education: Singapore citizens have access to a well-regarded education system, including subsidized education in public schools and preferential admission to local universities. They are also eligible for various scholarships and financial aid.
4. Healthcare Benefits: Singaporean citizens enjoy subsidized healthcare services at public healthcare institutions. They can also benefit from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) to help with medical expenses.
5. Housing Priority: Singapore citizens are given priority for public housing under the Housing and Development Board (HDB) schemes, which offer affordable and well-maintained housing options.
6. Social Services: Citizens are eligible for various social assistance programs and schemes, including the Public Assistance Scheme for those in need.
7. Retirement Savings: Singaporean citizens contribute to their CPF, a mandatory savings scheme that helps secure their retirement, housing, and healthcare needs.
8. National Service Duties: While this may not be seen as a benefit by all, male citizens in Singapore are required to complete two years of National Service (NS). After NS, they become part of the Reservist Force, which can help in developing a sense of discipline and leadership skills.
9. Passport and Visa Benefits: Singaporean citizens hold one of the most powerful passports globally, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries. This can simplify travel and business opportunities.
10. Political Participation: Citizens can participate in national elections, have the right to vote, and stand for public office. They have a say in shaping the country’s future through the democratic process.
11. Family Benefits: Citizens can sponsor family members for permanent residency in Singapore, allowing them to live and work in the country as well.
12. Protection Abroad: The Singapore government provides assistance and protection to its citizens when they are abroad, including during emergencies and crises.

It’s important to note that while there are numerous benefits to being a Singapore citizen, there are also obligations and responsibilities, such as fulfilling National Service requirements (for males) and participating in the democratic process. The specific benefits and requirements may evolve over time, so it’s essential to check the most current information if you’re considering becoming a Singaporean citizen.