Apply for Singapore Citizenship Application in Singapore
Singapore Citizenship Application Package and Fee
Packages Available | Fee (SGD) |
Application of Singapore Citizenship | From $2,000 (W/GST $2,160) |
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Singapore Citizenship Application Package and Fee
Packages Available | Fee (SGD) |
Application of Singapore Citizenship | From $2,000 (W/GST $2,160) |
This is a comprehensive review of all the factors you’ll need to consider if you want to become a citizen of Singapore. Although the process might take a while, we think it’s well worth it, as the rewards can be substantial.
Benefits and Drawbacks
There are several good reasons for gaining Singapore citizenship – it makes it easy to travel when you have a Singapore passport. You’ll find benefits in education, health-care, housing and employment. There are some disadvantages, like giving up your home country citizenship and performing mandatory National Service for two years.
Singapore is one of the most livable cities in the world. The Western-style city is safe and clean. The standard of living is high, attracting many long-term residents and naturalized citizens.
Singapore Passport
Singapore Passport holders are welcome the world round. A holder can easily obtain visas especially for destinations like the United States. You should have a few obstacles going through customs. Singapore ranks eighth in travel freedom worldwide.
Employment
It’s easier to get a job in Singapore if you’re a permanent resident or citizen, because of the superior nature of such people and the freedom from excessive paperwork and expenses.
Housing
Only adult Singapore citizens can buy and rent apartments from the HDB – Housing & Development Board. Variously sized apartments are subsidized. Singapore citizens can also obtain HDB-subsidized executive condos and studio apartments.
Citizens can get low-interest housing loans and special first-home subsidies of up to S$ 30,000. Citizens need only pay a small amount for upgrades to HDB apartments. Only citizens can buy residential property without pre-approval.
Here is a benefit summary:
CITIZENS | PR’S | FOREIGNERS | |
Housing subsidies | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Eligibility for New HDB flats | Eligible if buying with spouse, fiancé or family member of any nationality | Eligible if buying with Singaporean spouse, fiancé or family member | Not Eligible |
Eligibility for Resale HDB flats | Eligible | Number of PR households in the neighbourhood must be within 5% quota. Malaysian PRs are exempt. If buying with another PR, must wait three years from the date of obtaining PR. | Not Eligible |
Renting of HDB flats | Can rent out whole flat | Cannot rent out whole flat but can rent out spare bedrooms | Not Applicable |
Purchase of investment property | Eligible | Eligible (Subject to HDB’s Eligibility schemes) | Not Eligible |
Room rental from owners | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Condo purchase | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Purchase of property with land | Eligible | Eligible (Subject to approval from Ministry of law) | Not Eligible |
Property rental | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
CPF Housing Grant | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Subsidized upgrades | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Low-cost mortgages | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Bank mortgage loans | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible |
Additional buyer’s stamp duty | |||
1st property | 0% | 5% | 10% |
2nd property | 7% | 10% | 10% |
3rd property onwards | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Central Provident Fund (CPF)
Singapore’s mandatory social security savings plan for citizens and PRs is the Central Provident Fund. Employers and employees contribute 14.5% and 20% respectively to the CPF each month. The money goes into three accounts:
Employer CPF contributions non-taxable and your contribution can give tax relief. The CPF is only open to citizens. Voluntary contributions by non-citizens can’t serve tax relief purposes.
For more information, see the Central Provident Fund.
Edusave Scheme
The Edusave Scheme allows the government to help boost the education of young Singapore citizens. Excellent students receive awards. The program covers full-time students at:
The scheme has components for savings, grants and scholarships.
School/University Costs
Citizens pay lower education fees. The savings range from 10 to 50 percent, depending on the type of school. This table summarizes the savings:
CITIZENS | PR’S | FOREIGN STUDENTS | |
School Fees payable per year in SGD | |||
Government Schools | |||
Primary level | Free | $90, up from $40 | 90+ other charges |
Secondary Level | $5 | $120, up from $55 | 130+ other charges |
Pre-University level (Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute) | $6 | $160, up from $80 | 240+other charges |
Independent Schools | |||
Secondary level | 1800-3060 | 2160-3672 | variable depending on the school |
Pre-University level (only applicable for Junior Colleges) | 2700-4800 | 3240-5760 | variable depending on the school |
Others | |||
Universities | Varies | Up to 40% more than citizens | Up to 40% to 80% more than citizens |
Subsidy/Schemes | |||
Edusave Scheme | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Pri 1 registration | |||
Priority when balloting is necessary | Admitted first | Since 2012, only admitted after citizens | Not applicable |
For more information, see the Ministry of Education.
Medifund
The government’s Medifund helps low-income citizens pay medical costs incurred at approved facilities. Others don’t benefit from this fund.
Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS)
If a citizen can’t travel to one of the country’s 18 polyclinics, local doctors and dentists can offer outpatient services at polyclinic rates.
Medical Fees and Charges
Citizens pay less for polyclinic medical consultations and receive greater subsidies, up to 10 percent more. Here is a handy summary:
CITIZENS | PR’S | FOREIGNERS | |
Public Healthcare Subsidies | |||
Public & Restructured Hospitals (% subsidised) | |||
Types of Ward Class | |||
Class B1 | 20% | 10% | Not Eligible |
Class B2 | 50% to 65% | 25% to 40% | Not Eligible |
Class C | 65% to 80% | 32.5% to 55% | Not Eligible |
Types of service | |||
Day Surgery | 65% | 40% | Not Eligible |
Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC) | 50% | 25% | Not Eligible |
Polyclinics medical consultation charges in SGD – approximate figures | |||
Adult | 8-9 | 12-14 | Not Eligible |
Child/Elderly | 4-5 | 12-14 | Not Eligible |
Healthcare Financing Schemes | |||
Medisave | 6-8% of monthly wage | 6-8% of monthly wage | Not Eligible |
Medishield | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible |
Eldershield | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible |
Primary Care Partnership Scheme | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Medifund | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Note: Eligibility is subject to fulfilling certain conditions. For more information please see, Ministry of Health.
Civic Life
Only Singapore Citizens have the right to vote in the parliamentary election, run for office or become a Member of Parliament
Maternity Leave
Parents of citizens get 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. The employer and the government share the costs. The government subsidies range from S$20,000 to S$40,000, depending on the stage of pregnancy. Non-citizens must rely on whatever the employer decides.
Enhanced Childcare Leave
Each parent with three months of tenure gets six days of paid childcare leave per year until the child, who must be a citizen, turns seven. The employer and the government share the costs, with a cap on government subsidies of S$500 per day. Non-citizens must rely on whatever the employer decides.
Infant Care Leave
Same benefits as Enhanced Childcare Leave.
Baby Bonus Scheme
The government will pay Singapore citizens to have more children. You can get S$4,000 for your first two children and S$6,000 for the next two. You’ll get dollar-for-dollar government matching of contributions to Children Development Accounts for children up to five years old. The matching funds top out at S$6,000 for the first two children and double that for the next two.
Child Care Centers
Leave the citizen children and infants at licensed daycare centers and receive government subsidies. You’ll get S$600 for infants two to 18 months old and then S$300 a month until age seven.
Parenthood Tax Rebate (PTR)
Raise citizen children and pocket tax rebates! You can get government tax rebates from S$5,000 to S$20,000 per child.
About Taxes
Citizens get .special tax benefits for raising children. We’ve already mentioned the Parenthood Tax Rebate. Here are some other programs for citizens.
Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR)
This program rewards working mothers who are tax residents and have children who are Singapore citizens. The tax credit is based on earned income and increases with each child.
Qualifying/Handicapped Child Relief (QCR/HCR)
This program helps handicapped children who are citizen. It pays up to S$9,500 to parents of eligible children.
Grandparent Caregiver Relief (GCR)
The government will pay up to S$3,000 to resident grandparents who help working mothers raise their citizen children.
Everyone in Singapore pays the same income tax rates, but citizens deduct contributions to the Central Provident Fund. Here is a summary of Singapore’s tax incentives:
CITIZENS | PR’S | FOREIGNERS | |
Tax incentives for parenthood | |||
Parenthood Tax Rebate | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Working Mother’s Child Relief | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Qualifying Child Relief | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Handicapped Child Relief | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Grandparent Caregiver Relief | Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
Others | |||
Tax Relief for CPF (Central Provident Fund) Contributions | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible |
Tax Relief for CPF Cash-Top Up | Eligible | Eligible | Not Eligible |
Obligations of Singapore Citizenship
You can’t expect to gain citizenship to a leading nation like Singapore without also assuming your responsibilities.
National Service (NS)
Young male Singapore citizens must register for the National Service beginning at age 16 ½. At 18, they will enlist for a two-year full-time tour unless deferred. Following this, they serve 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service every year until the age of 40 or 50, depending on rank. Second generation male PR’s must also serve.
Dual Citizenship
No self-respecting Singapore citizen would want to have dual citizenship, which is good because it’s not allowed. You must surrender any other passports and renounce citizenship in other countries.
CPF Withdrawal Limitation
If you want to withdraw your CPF savings, you’ll have to renounce your citizenship or PR status.
Filing for Citizenship
You should apply for Singapore citizenship soberly and deliberatively, as it is one of the biggest steps you can take in your life. Make sure you understand the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship before starting the process Be prepared to give up any other citizenship and to send your male children into National Service. However, the benefits are great, including:
Here is a rundown of the process to become a Singapore citizen.
Step 1: Review Eligibility
The following categories of people may apply:
We’ll concentrate on the first category
The Government will evaluate your character, behaviour and beliefs to make sure you will make a good citizen. A good citizen obeys all the laws and pays income tax on time. Here are some other considerations:
Step 2: Application and Supporting Documents Preparation
If you feel you can earn citizenship, download and fill out the necessary documents.
Complete these forms and provide supporting documents. Make a photocopy of each document. Here is the list of the documents to prepare:
Don’t forget to file applications for your PR spouse and children. Your spouse must supply the same documents and you’ll need the passport, birth certificate, and PR certificate of each child. The government will accept or reject you and your family as a unit.
You can supply the following documents to improve your chances:
Bottom line: do what it takes to ingratiate yourself with the hardworking government officials who hold your future in their hands.
Step 3: Application Procedure
Submit your application in person at the ICA office. Bear in mind the following :
Step 4: Application Outcome
After cooling your heels from three to nine months, the Government will inform you of its decision via regular mail. If you find the wait unbearable, you can call the ICA office for a status update. The staff person will not be of much help other than telling you that your application is still under review. Once you are approved, you must prepare to take your Loyalty Oath.
Step 5: Oath Taking and Becoming a Singapore Citizen
You must visit the ICA office to swear to the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty. Arrive at the appointed time without fail and bring along the following documents:
At the Loyalty Ceremony, the presiding officer will:
After the Loyalty Officer dismisses you, you can apply for your Singapore passport by filling out another application form. This will set you back another S$70 per passport. You’ll receive your passports in three to five days by registered mail.
Your assimilation continues with the Citizenship Ceremony organized by the Group Representative Constituency (GRC).
Step 6: Citizenship Ceremony
In three to four months, you will be” invited” to the Citizenship Ceremony. Attendance is not optional. Present yourself at your local Community Center at the appointed time. You will be introduced to your fellow assimilants. Bring along the following papers:
The event lasts precisely two hours and you may not leave early. The State Minister and local MP will preside over the program, which will include:
Congratulations! You are now a completely assimilated citizen of Singapore!
Rejection is given without explanation. Obviously, you have failed to persuade or motivate the Government Officials. Reasons for rejection could include:
You might:
Yes, if they catch you in a lie or find you failing to live up to your Loyalty Oath. You will then be a stateless individual with extremely poor prospects.
Some individuals choose to renounce citizenship. This requires careful thought and it might forever dominate your destiny. Should you choose this fate, you will have to follow a procedure and fill out some papers.
Implications of Singapore Citizenship Renunciation
Here is what awaits you:
Eligibility Criteria
Under Article 128(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, anyone who wishes to renounce Singapore citizenship must fulfill the following three conditions:
In addition, for a male citizen, the government may withhold the registration of declaration of renunciation of Singapore Citizenship under Article 128(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the provisions which are listed below:
If the declaration is made during any war in which Singapore is engaged
Or
If the declaration is made by a person subject to the Enlistment Act unless he has:
What this essentially implies is that if the male citizen is subject to the Enlistment Act and has not discharged his duty for National Service (or equivalent service), the Government has the right to withhold his renunciation of Singapore Citizenship.
Who to Approach
If you are residing in Singapore, you may visit the Citizen Services Centre of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). If you are residing abroad, you can approach the Singapore Overseas Mission.
List of Documents to Submit
The following are the documents are necessary:
Processing Time and Fee
Once you are ready with all the documents, you can approach the ICA or Singapore Overseas Mission (who will in turn forward your application to the ICA in Singapore). The processing fee is SGD 35. The processing time is four weeks for female applicants and eight weeks for males. The ICA will consider each application on its own merits. Once the renunciation of Singapore citizenship is formally registered, a short stay in Singapore will be allowed (if you are residing in Singapore) so that you have sufficient time to make arrangements to leave. Once your application is approved, the ICA will issue the notification letter of cessation of citizenship to you. If you are overseas, the Singapore ICA will forward the letter to the relevant Singapore Overseas Mission, to be issued to you.
Withdrawal of CPF Balance
You may withdraw your CPF in full, from all the accounts, if you have left Singapore and West Malaysia permanently with no intention of returning to either country for employment or residence. In addition you should have renounced your Singapore Citizenship. You may apply for withdrawal online under my cpf online services – My Requests if you have a SingPass (Singapore Personal Access Identity). Alternatively, you can complete the Withdrawal Application Form and mail it to the CPF Board, Withdrawal Schemes Department in Singapore.
The application form needs to be accompanied with relevant supporting documents (mentioned in the form). These documents must be certified by a Notary Public or an official from the Singapore High Commission, with his official seal/stamp duly affixed. Certifications by Justices of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths are not accepted. Once the CPF Board receives the form your CPF Funds will be forwarded to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to settle your income tax liabilities (if any). You will receive your money either through a bank transfer or a CPF withdrawal cheque (if you are in Singapore) or demand draft (if you are overseas). The processing time takes anywhere between 4-6 weeks.
The two most commonly asked questions are: Can I re-apply for Singapore citizenship in the future? and Can I come back to Singapore to work or study?
Once you renounce your Singapore citizenship, you will be treated like any other foreigner and any application for immigration facilities, including Singapore citizenship, will be considered on its own merits under the prevailing rules and regulations. To be able to work or study in Singapore you will need a valid work pass and student’s pass. Applications for these passes will be treated like any other application and will be considered on their own merits. Being an ex-Singapore citizen has no standing in these matters and there is no assurance that you will be allowed to enter Singapore. If you are granted PR or citizen status again, please note that you will have to refund the amount withdrawn from your CPF Account at the time of renunciation, along with interest rate accruals.