Singapore immigration
Singapore Citizenship applications, and the decisions that come with them.
Citizenship is the final step in making Singapore home, and the most consequential application you will make. We help Permanent Residents present a complete and considered case.
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One case officer from start to finish
You will not need to explain your circumstances again to someone new.
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Each criterion, fee and timeline is attributed to ICA or MOM and linked to the page it came from.
Singapore Citizenship is granted by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to eligible Permanent Residents. The main eligible groups are Permanent Residents aged 21 and above who have held PR for at least two years, Permanent Residents married to a Singapore Citizen for at least two years, children of Singapore Citizens, and long resident PR students. Singapore does not permit dual citizenship, so a successful applicant must renounce any other citizenship held. As with Permanent Residence, ICA assesses citizenship applications holistically and does not publish a points system.
Like Permanent Residence, citizenship is assessed as a whole. Economic contribution, family ties, length of residence and integration into Singapore life are all considered, and ICA does not publish a checklist.
The strongest applications present a consistent picture of a life already established in Singapore. We help you document your employment, family, finances and community involvement so that every part of the application is well supported and coherent.
Who can apply
Who may apply, and what citizenship asks of you.
ICA accepts citizenship applications from the groups below. As with Permanent Residence, eligibility to apply and likelihood of approval are separate questions.
Permanent Residents
PRs aged 21 and above who have held Permanent Residence for at least two years. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included.
Spouses of citizens
Permanent Residents married to a Singapore Citizen for at least two years, having held PR for at least two years.
Children of citizens
Children born outside Singapore to a Singaporean parent, and Permanent Resident children of citizens.
Students in Singapore
PRs studying in Singapore who have lived here for more than three years, including at least one year as a Permanent Resident, and who have passed a national examination or are in the Integrated Programme.
Benefits and obligations
What it offers, and what it requires.
Most consultancies publish only the benefits. We publish the obligations as well, because they materially affect the decision and we believe you should understand them before you apply rather than afterwards.
What it offers
The right to remain
Citizenship is not conditional on a Re-Entry Permit, and it does not lapse because you spend time abroad.
A Singapore passport
The Singapore passport is one of the most widely accepted travel documents in the world.
The right to vote
Citizens take part in Singapore's elections and civic life.
Housing and schooling priority
Citizens receive the highest priority for HDB purchase schemes, grants and school placement.
Healthcare subsidies
Citizens receive the highest tier of subsidy at public healthcare institutions.
Passing status on
Children born to Singapore Citizens are generally citizens by descent.
What it requires
Renunciation of other citizenships is required
Singapore does not permit dual citizenship for adults. This is the most consequential aspect of the decision, and in practice it is irreversible.
National Service
Male citizens and second-generation Permanent Residents are liable for full-time National Service and subsequent reservist obligations.
It is a one-way decision
Renouncing your original citizenship may affect property ownership, inheritance and residence rights in your country of origin. We would encourage you to take advice on that before submitting an application.
How it works
From the first conversation to the outcome.
Book a consultation
We review your residence history and consider whether the timing is right for you.
Eligibility and readiness review
We assess your position against the criteria and against the practical consequences of renunciation.
Case strategy
We plan how best to evidence your integration and contribution.
Document preparation
We prepare your documents, including those that applicants most often overlook.
Submission and follow-up
We file through the ICA portal and guide you through the Singapore Citizenship Journey.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about Singapore Citizenship
Who can apply for Singapore Citizenship?
Permanent Residents aged 21 and above who have held PR for at least two years, PRs married to a Singapore Citizen for at least two years, children of Singapore Citizens, and PR students who have resided in Singapore for over three years with at least one year as a PR and have passed a national examination.
Does Singapore allow dual citizenship?
No. Singapore does not permit dual citizenship for adults. A successful applicant is required to renounce any other citizenship held. This is the most consequential aspect of the decision and it is effectively irreversible, so it deserves careful thought and, where property or inheritance is involved, separate advice in your country of origin.
How long must I be a PR before applying for citizenship?
Generally at least two years as a Permanent Resident. Meeting that threshold makes you eligible to apply; it does not on its own make approval likely. ICA assesses the application as a whole.
What is the Singapore Citizenship Journey?
The Singapore Citizenship Journey is a programme that approved applicants complete before they are granted citizenship. It includes an online component, a physical visit and a community sharing session, and is intended to introduce new citizens to Singapore's history, norms and values.
Will National Service apply to my sons?
Yes. Male citizens and second-generation Permanent Residents are liable for full-time National Service followed by reservist obligations. We would encourage families to discuss this before an application is submitted rather than afterwards.
What happens to my Permanent Residence if the citizenship application is unsuccessful?
It is not affected. Your Permanent Residence continues under your existing Re-Entry Permit, and an unsuccessful citizenship application does not by itself affect it. That is worth knowing, because the fear of losing PR is the most common reason people delay applying longer than they need to.
Can my spouse and children be included?
Children who are unmarried and under 21 are commonly included in a parent's application. A foreign spouse applies on their own footing rather than as a dependant, and the qualifying route is usually marriage to a Singapore Citizen. We would establish which route applies to each member of your household before anything is filed, because their applications do not always progress at the same pace.
Should I apply as soon as I am eligible?
Not necessarily, and this is one of the places where we will say so. Eligibility to apply and readiness to apply are different questions, and the decision to renounce another citizenship is not one to make against a deadline. If we think another year of residence, or a settled employment position, would put you in a materially stronger place, we will tell you, even though waiting costs us the engagement.
Is this the right time for you to apply?
Request a complimentary assessment, and a consultant will respond within two business days with a considered view of your position.
Criteria and fees are set by the Singapore authorities and are revised from time to time. Please confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority.
Immigration Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or any Singapore government agency. All application outcomes are decided solely by the relevant authorities.