Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a Singapore citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Singapore passport and ID
Singapore citizens can hold a national identity card and apply for a passport immediately after completing citizenship formalities.
A passport lasts 10 years for citizens aged 16 or older and 5 years for younger citizens; it must then be renewed, not extended.
Live in Singapore for life
Singapore citizens can live in Singapore indefinitely without a re-entry permit.
Citizenship does not lapse because a citizen lives abroad.
Study in Singapore
Citizens can study without a study pass and may get financial assistance for fees and other expenses at specified schools and publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
Eligible citizens get the highest Tuition Grant subsidy tier for eligible courses.
Higher-education support is also available based on financial need.
Work in Singapore
Singapore citizens can work in Singapore without a work pass.
Travel more easily
A Singapore passport may allow visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, depending on the destination.
Get help abroad
Singapore citizens can request help abroad, including advice, emergency travel documents and help contacting relatives.
Help is also available during disasters or civil disorder and to arrange a return home, but it does not cover your bills or override foreign courts.
Vote in elections
Singapore citizens can vote from age 21 if they are on the Register of Electors and are not otherwise disqualified.
Use public healthcare
Eligible Singapore citizens can receive healthcare subsidies, including for nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations.
MediFund can help citizens who cannot pay their remaining public-hospital bills.
Get financial support
Eligible citizens and their families can get ComCare support based on financial need, including short-, medium-, long-term and interim help.
Citizens working in Singapore generally make compulsory CPF savings contributions for housing, healthcare and retirement; employer rates vary by age and wages.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Ask your parent or guardian to prepare the documents required for your Singapore citizenship application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Your Singapore citizen sponsor logs in to the Singapore Citizenship Application e-Service with Singpass, fills in your application and uploads your documents. You then log in to review the application and make the required declarations; if you are under 15, use ICA's non-Singpass option.
Fill in the applicationSubmit your application
Your parent or guardian submits your application online and pays the fee using a payment option shown in the service. The fee depends on your category and is not refundable.
Submit the applicationWait for the decision
Wait for ICA to email the outcome, and ask your parent or guardian to respond if ICA requests more information or documents. You can also check the application status online.
Check your application statusComplete the required tasks
If your application is approved, ask your parent or guardian to follow the instructions in the approval letter. Your parent or guardian logs in to the ICA e-Service, completes the required tasks and pays any fees for issuing your documents.
Complete the required tasksDownload your outcome letter
Ask your parent or guardian to download your Final Outcome Letter from the ICA e-Service when it is available. Follow its instructions for any appointment you need to attend.
Download the outcome letterAttend your appointment
If your Final Outcome Letter says you need to visit, go with your parent or guardian to the ICA Services Centre at the stated appointment time. Your parent or guardian can reschedule online if needed.
Manage your appointmentTake your oath
Once registered, you can apply for a Singapore passport. To keep your citizenship, you must take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty in person within 12 months after turning 21, before you turn 22.
Find oath-taking instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath to retain Singapore citizenship after registration as a minor?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Provide your birth certificate or household register. If you were born outside Singapore, get your birth certificate from the office that records births where you were born. If you were adopted, also provide your adoption papers.
Custody and consent *
Provide the custody papers for children from a previous marriage. If there is joint custody of you, provide the other parent's letter of consent.
* Only if there is joint custody or children from a previous marriage.
May need translationMarriage certificates *
Provide your Singaporean parent's marriage certificate if the marriage was not registered in Singapore. If relevant, also provide a separation deed, divorce certificates including the final divorce certificate, or a deed poll or religious certificate recording a name change.
* Only if your parent's marriage was not registered in Singapore, your parent is separated or divorced, or a name has changed.
May need translationDeath certificates *
Provide the death certificate of the spouse or child from the previous marriage.
* Only if a spouse or child from a previous marriage has died and the death was not registered in Singapore.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Other citizenship as an adult
An adult who acquires another citizenship must renounce Singapore citizenship.
Renunciation is only possible from age 21, with another citizenship and a sound mind; it may be refused for men with outstanding National Service duties.
Military service for men
Men liable for National Service must follow exit permit rules from 13, register at 16½ and normally enlist at 18.
Later duties generally last to 40, or 50 for officers; mature new citizens are generally not enlisted.
Living abroad or holding another citizenship does not end liability; failure to register or serve can mean fines, jail and harm to family immigration applications.
Compulsory voting
Voting is compulsory for registered voters.
A person who does not vote is removed from the Register of Electors, though their name can be restored.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship ends if you renounce it, with no provision for reinstatement.
Citizenship by descent or registration ends at 22 if the required pledge of loyalty is not made within 12 months after turning 21.
Citizenship can also be taken away over another citizenship, use of its passport or use of rights reserved to its citizens.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
新加坡公民交流区
Facebook group for people interested in Singaporean citizenship and local life (Chinese & English)
Join on Facebook新加坡(pr)永久居民生活交流区
Facebook group for people living in Singapore interested in Singaporean visas (Chinese & English)
Join on FacebookSingapore Expats Group
English Facebook group for people living in Singapore interested in Singaporean local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated