Singapore citizenship: eligibility, fees and processing time

Who is eligible to apply for Singapore citizenship

Under the current rules of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), you may qualify to apply for Singapore citizenship depending on your specific status:

• Became a Singapore permanent resident (PR) at least 2 years ago and are aged 21 or above: may apply on your own, or together with an eligible spouse and unmarried children below 21.
• Became a PR at least 2 years ago and have been married to a Singapore citizen for at least 2 years: the application is submitted by the citizen spouse via Singpass (Singapore’s national digital identity system).
• Unmarried children below 21: if born within a valid marriage, or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen, the application may be submitted by the citizen parent.
• PR students studying in Singapore: have lived in Singapore for more than 3 years (of which at least 1 year as a PR), and have passed at least one Singapore national exam (PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ levels) or are in the Integrated Programme (IP); may apply via Singpass or non-Singpass depending on age.
• Aged parents of a Singapore citizen who are PRs and aged 21 or above: the application is submitted by the citizen child.

In its assessment, ICA considers family ties with Singapore citizens, economic contribution, educational qualifications, age, family profile and length of residence in Singapore. These factors show whether the applicant can contribute to Singapore, integrate into society, and intends to settle here for the long term.

National Service obligations (for male applicants)

Under the Enlistment Act 1970, unless exempted, all male Singapore citizens and permanent residents must perform National Service (NS).

• Service arrangements: After completing full-time NS, you become an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman). Reserve obligations end at age 50 for officers and age 40 for other ranks.
• Foreign students or sponsored approval holders: Any male who became a Singapore citizen or PR as a foreign student or under parental sponsorship must perform NS. They must register for NS at age 16½, and enlist as soon as possible after completing pre-tertiary education (that is, the ‘A’ level certificate, a polytechnic diploma or an equivalent pre-university qualification) or turning 18, whichever is later. If still studying at the enlistment date, they must interrupt their university course to enlist. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will not grant deferment on the basis that university has started.
• Responsibilities of existing citizens: A male who is already a Singapore citizen and has not performed NS but wishes to renounce citizenship — the Government may defer processing of the renunciation.
• Consequences of breach: Breaching the Enlistment Act, on conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, or both.
• Impact on future applications: Renouncing or losing Singapore citizenship or PR without performing or completing full-time NS will seriously affect later applications for work, study or any long-term stay facility in Singapore. It will also adversely affect the relevant applications, sponsorship eligibility, Re-Entry Permit (REP) renewal or citizenship/PR applications of immediate family members.

Male applicants should, before submitting, first check their NS status at the CMPB (Central Manpower Base) website. For specific queries, call 1800-3676767 (local) or +65-65676767 (overseas), or email contact@ns.gov.sg.

Singpass requirements

During the application, every person listed as an applicant must review and confirm the application contents before submission. To do so, they must log in to ICA e-Service using Singpass, or use the dedicated login credentials that ICA provides to persons not eligible for Singpass, to sign the declaration.

A Singpass account is generally approved within 2 to 5 working days. Sponsors or applicants are advised to wait until all relevant applicants have successfully registered for a Singpass account before starting the application.

Required documents

On submission, you must upload certified true copies of original documents, and official translations of non-English documents.

ICA accepts the following translations:

• Translations from the embassy of the issuing country or region
• Translations from a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country or region
• Private translations certified by the embassy of the issuing country or region, or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country or region

ICA does not endorse any private translation company or entity. Incomplete documents may result in the application not being accepted. ICA may also require additional documents.

For the specific checklist, see the relevant document checklist: PR application document checklist, citizenship application document checklist.

Fees

The fees are as follows:

Singapore permanent resident (PR) application

Singapore citizenship application

All fees paid are non-refundable. Payment may be made online by:

• Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card
• American Express (AMEX) credit card
• Internet banking direct debit from Singapore local banks (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered)
• PayNow

Approved applicants will later be notified of any other applicable fees.

Processing time

• PR application: generally processed within 6 months, provided all required documents are complete and in order. Some applications may take longer.
• Citizenship application (general): generally processed within 12 months, provided all required documents are complete and in order. Some applications may take longer.
• Children born overseas to Singapore citizen parents (citizenship application): generally processed within 1 month, provided all required documents are complete and in order. Some applications may take longer.

You may check your application status via MyICA or the relevant e-Service. ICA generally notifies outcomes by email or post (post applies to PR applications submitted before 26 June 2024).

Completion of formalities

After In-Principle Approval (IPA), applicants must complete the specified formalities as notified, in order to formally obtain PR or Singapore citizenship.

• PR application: Upon completion, you will be issued an entry permit, a Re-Entry Permit (REP) and an NRIC (aged 15 and above).
• Citizenship application: Upon completion, you will be issued a citizenship certificate and an NRIC (aged 15 and above). Citizen applicants aged 16 to 60 must complete the mandatory Singapore Citizenship Journey (SCJ) programme.

Other practical information

• Change of residential address: Update promptly via ICA e-Service. Details at change of address on NRIC.
• Change of name: A PR holder with a Singapore NRIC must first change the name on the foreign passport, then apply to ICA to change the name on the NRIC. Details at replace/renew NRIC (update particulars/damage).
• Beware of unreliable commercial intermediaries: ICA has no association with any external immigration agency that calls itself a Singapore immigration consultant, commissioner or partner. ICA does not support or endorse the services such entities provide for PR or citizenship applications. Details at applying for long-term immigration facilities through commercial entities.
• Treatment of original nationality: ICA’s public pages do not list the specific procedures, required proof, processing times, or whether submission is required before the oath, for renouncing other nationalities. These details are not uniformly published by ICA as general mandatory rules on the PR or citizenship application pages. For requirements relating to your original nationality, enquire directly with ICA and rely on the written notification you receive in your case.

Official pages this article is based on

• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) – Apply for Singapore Permanent Resident (PR)
• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) – Apply for Singapore Citizenship