Citizenship offers many benefits, including the right to purchase public housing (HDB flats) and private property without restrictions. Citizens also enjoy first priority in employment opportunities. However, all natural-born male citizens and second-generation PR holders and new citizens are required to perform the mandatory National Service, which promotes a sense of belonging to the nation.
Qualifications
It is important to prepare all the required documents before filing your Singapore Citizenship application. This will prevent you from making a mistake that may delay the process or even cause it to be rejected by ICA. Organise the documents, scan them, and officially translate them if necessary. Also, double-check the required documents to make sure that you do not miss anything. Citizenship carries many benefits for individuals, such as the right to vote in national elections and social benefits, such as childcare subsidies, parental leave, and housing grants. It can also help you secure better jobs.
Moreover, citizenship will allow you to sponsor your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 who are born within the context of a legal marriage or legally adopted. However, you should note that the granting of citizenship will require you to renounce your previous citizenship, as well as pay taxes and contribute to the country’s economical, societal, and government needs.
Documents Required
To apply for Singapore citizenship, you must submit the following documents. These include letters of employment, income tax assessment forms, and bank statements for the last three years. You also need to provide affidavits or notarised translations of any documents that are not in English. These must be double-checked to ensure that they are accurate. If you are applying for citizenship on behalf of your spouse and children, you must include their documents as well.
Including a cover letter is also recommended, as it will give the official assessing your application more context on your skills and experience. This will help you stand out among other applicants.
Fees
Applicants have to pay the following fees when applying for Singapore citizenship. These fees are non-refundable. You can submit your application online via ICA’s Apply for Citizenship e-Service. Alternatively, you can also submit a paper form. The file size of each document should not exceed 2MB. If your documents are not in English, you must provide an English translation of them. This can be done at a local Notary Public. Besides the above-mentioned fees, you will also have to pay for your Re-Entry Permit (REP) renewal processing fee and the issuance of your Singapore identity card. The REP fee varies based on the duration of your permit.
ICA has set aside a certain number of spots each year for Singapore citizenship. Approval of applications is determined on the basis of exceptional economic merits, as well as family ties with Singapore citizens. Those who have been approved will be required to take an oath of loyalty. Moreover, they must renounce their previous citizenship as Singapore does not allow dual citizenship.
Processing Time
If you’re considering applying for Singapore Citizenship, you may be wondering how long it will take to process your application. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your age, your work status, and the number of documents you have to submit. Generally, it takes about four hours for applicants to complete the online Singapore citizenship application. It’s best to prepare all the required documents beforehand, and ensure that they are organised in folders with readable digital soft copies. This will save you time and reduce the chances of losing any critical documents.
Once you’ve been approved for Singapore Citizenship, you’ll have to renounce your previous nationality by visiting your country’s embassy in Singapore and taking the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance, and Loyalty. This step is important because it demonstrates your commitment to Singapore and your willingness to uphold the nation’s values.
Conclusion
In order to receive an in-principle approval (IPA), you will have to submit a variety of documents. ICA will also examine your commitment to sinking roots in Singapore. They want to make sure that you’re a good fit for the city-state. For enquiries on Singapore Citizenship applications, call Immigration@SG at +65 6493 1830.