Assistance for Singapore PR/Citizenship
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Start your Singapore citizenship application with a clear, step-by-step guide. This page provides a comprehensive overview of the process, from understanding the eligibility criteria and preparing the necessary documents to submitting your application through ICA’s online system. Whether you’re applying as a PR, spouse of a citizen, or for your child, this guide helps simplify your path to becoming a Singaporean.
Begin your Singapore citizenship application with an informed overview of the current landscape. As of June 2024, Singapore’s citizen population stands at approximately 3.64 million, supported by about 544,900 Permanent Residents (PRs). This is a 1.2% increase over the previous year. In 2023, 23,472 individuals successfully became citizens, while 34,491 were granted PR status. Understanding this context helps applicants appreciate Singapore’s evolving demographic makeup and the value placed on citizenship.
With the country’s strong bilateral ties, Singapore Passport holders face few travel restrictions across the world. One gets to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of Visa-free travel to different countries without needing to apply for any travelling pass with their respective embassies, which may take up to weeks to approve for some.
As a Singapore citizen, you will enjoy significantly higher healthcare and hospitalisation subsidies compared to PRs and foreigners. These subsidies apply to treatments and medical services in public hospitals, polyclinics, and national centres, reducing your medical expenses considerably.
In addition, there are exclusive government schemes designed to assist needy Singaporeans, further easing the financial burden of healthcare costs. This substantial healthcare benefit is one of the many privileges of Singapore citizenship.
Being a Singapore citizen opens doors to a wider range of career opportunities. Government policies ensure that locals are prioritised in hiring processes, giving citizens a distinct advantage over PRs and foreigners. As a citizen, you will have access to a broader spectrum of job openings, career advancement programs, and opportunities for leadership roles across various sectors, further securing your professional growth in Singapore’s dynamic job market.
As a Singapore citizen, you can sponsor your spouse, children under the age of 21, and parents for long-term passes or PR status. This privilege allows your immediate family members to enjoy stable residency in Singapore, while PRs are limited to sponsoring only their spouse and children under 21.
With this benefit, you can ensure that your family can stay together and enjoy the advantages of living in Singapore, contributing to a stronger, more secure family unit.
Singaporean children are entitled to a government initiative called the Edusave Scheme.
This scheme rewards children who do well academically or non-academic activities. The scheme can also be utilized to pay for 2nd-Tier Miscellaneous Fees.
Furthermore, Singapore Citizens pays the lowest fees for public education and are entitled to substantial number of subsidies for private and tertiary education.
The table below shows a comparison of the latest, maximum rates of school (including Miscellaneous Fees) payable monthly.
For more information, you may visit the Ministry Of Education website to know more:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/international-students
Level | Singapore Citizen (S$) | Singapore PR (S$) | International Student (S$) |
Primary | $13 | $218 | $763 |
Secondary | $25 | $400 | $1,420 |
Pre-University | $33 | $497 | $1,777 |
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme is such, in which a Singaporean or a PR employee and their employer have to contribute a monthly minimum amount to the employee’s pension fund.
The CPF scheme helps the individual financially when it comes to home-ownership, health care, children’s education, family protection and asset growth through investments and higher interest rates given.
CPF contributions can also be a form of tax relief, hence, resulting in a lower taxable income per year.
If one has been a PR for more than 2 years, the employees’ CPF contribution is the same as a Singapore Citizen.
For more information, you may visit:
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/members
The Singapore Government has implemented various measures to encourage and help Singaporeans at each stage or aspect of their journey as parents and also to address the broader set of concerns that have been preventing Singaporeans from having larger families. These measures include:
Making Child Birth More Affordable – Singapore citizens can use Medisave to pay for pre-delivery medical expenses (e.g. ultrasound scans) in addition to delivery expenses, for all their children.
Enhanced Baby Bonus – A cash bonus of up to S$8,000 for the first two children and up to S$10,000 cash bonus for the third and the fourth child of a Singaporean family.
Parenthood Tax Rebate and Working Mother’s Child Relief – Provides a lump sum tax rebate of S$10,000 – S$20,000, depending on the birth order of the child. There will also be a tax relief of 5% – 25% of a working mother’s (of a Singaporean child) earned income, depending on the number of children in the family.
Infant Care Subsidy – Parents of Singapore Citizen infants aged, 2-18 months and attending licensed infant or child care centres, will receive an infant-care subsidy of up to S$400 per month.
Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession – Singaporean families with children aged 12 years and below will only pay an FDW Levy of S$250.
With that many windows of opportunities and incentives to apply Citizenship in Singapore, should you wish to find out more about your chances or how to apply for Singapore Citizenship, do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation today!
Whether you’re transitioning from Permanent Resident status or applying via family ties or academics, this section outlines the key eligibility routes for a Singapore citizenship application:
Applicants may qualify through one of the following paths:
Category | Criteria |
PR for ≥ 2 years & aged ≥ 21 | Must hold PR status for at least 2 years and be employed in Singapore |
Spouse of Citizen | Married to a Singapore citizen for at least 2 years and have PR for ≥ 2 years |
Unmarried Child under 21 | Born in wedlock or legally adopted to a Singapore citizen, aged below 21 |
Student | PR for ≥ 1 year, studied in Singapore ≥ 3 years, and passed a national exam (PSLE/GCE N/O/A‑Levels) or is in an Integrated Programme |
PR Parent (aged ≥ 65) | PR parent of a Singapore citizen, aged at least 65 years |
Even when basic eligibility is met, ICA also examines:
Unsure of how to apply for Singapore citizenship? You must first meet one of the eligibility criteria. Generally, applicants need to have held PR status for at least two years and must be above 21 years of age.
Additionally, you must be employed in Singapore at the time of application. Essential documents required for Singapore PR include your passport, identification card, birth certificate, PR card, and income tax contributions from the last three years. For business owners, an ACRA business profile is also required.
Once all documents are prepared, you can submit your application either online through ICA’s Electronic SG Citizenship Application portal or in person at the ICA building after booking an appointment. Keep in mind that processing times may vary, often taking up to 12 months depending on the complexity of your case.
Becoming a Singapore Citizen brings many privileges such as access to subsidised healthcare, housing, and education. However, it also comes with important responsibilities. Understanding these obligations is essential for those considering the transition from Permanent Resident to full citizenship.
Singapore does not permit dual citizenship. Therefore, all new citizens must renounce their existing citizenship at their respective embassies before completing the formalities to acquire Singapore citizenship. However, Singaporean children may hold dual citizenship until they are enlisted for NS (for males) or until they reach 21 years old.
Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) must fulfil National Service (NS) obligations. NS-liable individuals are required to register when they reach 16.5 years old and are scheduled for enlistment at age 18, usually before university enrolment following completion of Junior College (JC), Polytechnic, or Institute of Technical Education (ITE) studies.
Singapore Citizens and PRs can only withdraw excess funds from their CPF account upon reaching 55 years old, with the amount available for withdrawal being determined by the balance in your CPF account. Starting at age 65, you will receive a monthly payout from your CPF Retirement Account (RA) until your passing, with the payout amount depending on the remaining balance in your RA.
Gain a better understanding of the benefits of Singapore citizenship as well as the entire application process with our expert guidance.
Yes, but it can be an exceedingly tedious and complex process for you. The Government assesses over ten different aspects of your profile, with several additional criteria introduced in late 2019 that are not widely known. Our knowledge and experience are crucial in ensuring your application fully complies with these requirements, saving you time, effort, and money.
Every client’s case is different. We will explain your current chances and how you can improve them after reviewing your entire profile during the consultation.
If all the required documents are submitted correctly, applications will be processed within 12 months. For children born overseas to Singapore citizens, the processing time is typically within 2 months.
Singapore citizens enjoy higher healthcare subsidies, wider career opportunities, the ability to vote, and exclusive government benefits that are not available to PRs.
To check your eligibility, you must first ensure that you have been a PR for at least two years and are currently employed in Singapore. Other factors include your age, employment history, and income tax contributions.
On average, the processing time for a Singapore citizenship application is 12 months. However, for more complex cases, it may take slightly longer.
Yes, as a Singapore citizen, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and parents for long-term passes or PR status, making it easier for them to reside in Singapore.
In addition to assisting with your Singapore citizenship application, we also offer a range of immigration and residency-related services to support your long-term plans in Singapore:
Find out how to apply for an Employment Pass, S Pass, or other work visas required for professionals, skilled workers, and foreign employees in Singapore.
Learn about the eligibility criteria, documentation, and step-by-step process for becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident.
Explore the application process and requirements for family members of Singaporeans, PRs, or eligible work pass holders to stay long-term in Singapore.