Singaporean nationality law

Singaporean citizenship was first granted in 1959 when Singapore was a self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. At that time, Singapore had already been granted full internal self-government. The Singapore Citizenship Ordinance Act of 1957 provided Singaporean citizenship to all residents who were born in Singapore or the Straits Settlements, British citizens who had been resident for two years, and others who had been resident for ten years.[1] Singaporeans were still considered British subjects at that time, and their passports had nationality status of "British subject: citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies".[2][3][4]

All Singaporean citizens became Malaysian citizens on 16 September 1963 upon Singapore's merger with the latter on that date. Its nationality law provided that Singaporean citizenship to continue to exist as a sub-national citizenship. Singaporean citizenship continued to be legislated by the Legislative Assembly of Singapore, the state Parliament at the time.

Upon Singapore's secession on 9 August 1965, Its citizenship was withdrawn from Singaporean citizens. Singaporean nationality law was incorporated into the new Constitution of Singapore. The constitution repealed the 1957 Ordinance, and all persons who were citizens as of 16 September 1963 by virtue of the Ordinance continued to be Singaporean citizens.

The Constitution was amended in 2004 to allow female citizens and citizens by descent to transmit their citizenship to children born overseas. For this to occur, citizens by descent must satisfy certain residency requirements.

There are four ways an individual can acquire Singaporean citizenship: by birth with at least one Singaporean parent; by descent (being born to a Singaporean); by registration; and by adoption. Among these, only citizenship by birth is granted automatically with limited exceptions, while citizenship by descent or adoption is acquired automatically if specified conditions have been met. Citizenship by registation, on the other hand, must be approved by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

The position of the Singapore Government is that dual citizenship is not allowed.[9] The laws regarding Singapore citizenship are found in the Constitution of Singapore.

A dual citizen may have acquired citizenship by birth in a foreign country, by descent from a foreign citizen parent, or by naturalisation. Singapore citizens who voluntarily and intentionally acquire citizenship of a foreign country after the age of 18 may be deprived of their Singapore citizenship by the Government.[10] Foreigners who naturalise as Singaporean citizens are required to renounce all foreign citizenships.[11] Persons who are born outside of Singapore and have at least one parent who is a Singapore citizen may register with a Singapore consulate within a year to acquire Singapore citizenship by descent. However, such persons must renounce their foreign citizenship, if any, before reaching 22 years of age. The Constitution of Singapore is silent on a Singapore citizen who acquired citizenship by birth and is a foreign citizen by descent. So long as such a person refrains from exercising the rights of foreign citizenship, the Government has no grounds for depriving them of his Singapore citizenship and they may hold on to dual citizenship.[12]

The prohibition of dual citizenship is a contentious issue in Singapore. As the economy becomes more globalized and Singaporeans more mobile, many Singaporeans have acquired foreign citizenships and reluctantly renounced their Singaporean citizenship even though they may feel a strong emotional attachment to Singapore. Immigrants who have been resident in Singapore for long periods and qualify for Singaporean citizenship may be reluctant to become naturalized citizens as it would mean giving up the citizenship of their native countries.

The government argues that authorising its citizens to concurrently hold foreign nationalities would be undesirable since, due to Singapore's geopolitical position, it cannot afford to allow its citizens multiple allegiances which may be compromised in times of national crisis. The government also fears that those without a second citizenship may feel aggrieved if dual citizens enjoy the benefits of citizenship during periods of wealth but leave the country in trying times.[13] Nevertheless, the government is open to the possibility of allowing dual citizenship if local and global circumstances demand so.[14]

Citizens of Singapore can only renounce Singaporean citizenship if they have acquired citizenship of another country. At the time of renunciation, renunciants must submit their Singaporean passports and National Registration Identity Cards for cancellation.[15]

Male Singaporeans cannot renounce their citizenship until completing national service as is the case with countries such as Austria, Switzerland and South Korea; however, exceptions are made for males who emigrated as an infant or at a young age.[16]

British citizenship and nationality law
Introduction
British nationality law (History) Irish citizens in the United Kingdom
Nationality classes
British citizens British subjects (under the British Nationality Act 1981) British Overseas Territories citizens British Nationals (Overseas) British Overseas citizens British protected persons
See also
Commonwealth citizens Right of abode Indefinite leave to remain Belonger status (in certain British Overseas Territories)
Relevant legislation
British Nationality Act 1948 / 1981 Ireland Act 1949 Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 / 1968 Immigration Act 1971 British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 British Overseas Territories Act 2002

All Singaporean citizens are Commonwealth citizens and are entitled to certain rights in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. For example, they can vote in all elections, hold public office and serve on juries in the UK. Singaporeans are entitled to consular assistance from British embassies in non-Commonwealth countries without a Singaporean representative.[17]

These rights include:

• The right, unless otherwise disqualified (e.g. imprisoned), to vote in all elections (i.e., parliamentary, local[18] elections) as long as they have registered to vote (they must possess valid leave to enter/remain or not require such leave on the date of their electoral registration application[19])
• The right, unless otherwise disqualified, to stand for election to the British House of Commons as long as they possess indefinite leave to remain or do not require leave under the Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77) to enter or remain in the UK
• The right, if a qualifying peer or bishop, to sit in the House of Lords
• Eligibility to hold public office (e.g., as a judge, magistrate, minister, police constable, member of the armed forces, etc.)

Other Commonwealth countries recognize Singaporean citizens as Commonwealth citizens, though the significance of this designation varies from one member state to another. For example, Singaporeans may be entitled to certain rights or privileges offered by the United Kingdom under British law, including:

• The ability to join the British Armed Forces, subject to certain residency requirements.[20][21][22]
• If resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain or right of abode, the ability to join the police service.[23]
• For those with a British-born grandparent, access to the UK Ancestry visa.[24]
• For those born before 1983 who meet the requirements, right of abode in the United Kingdom under the Immigration Act 1971.[25]
• If resident in the UK, the right to vote and stand for public office in the UK.[26]
• If in need of consular assistance in a country that does not have a Singaporean embassy and access to British consular service provided by the local branch of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[27]

Singapore passport

Singaporean citizens are entitled to

• vote in general elections and referendums upon reaching the age of 21;
• run for political office: the Parliament of Singapore, the State and Supreme Court;
• obtain a Singapore passport and a National Registration Identity Card;
• return to Singapore at any time;
• avoid deportation from Singapore;
• be able to live, work, study, buy property, and open up a business anywhere in the city-state;

Male Singaporean citizens, including second-generation permanent residents, are required to perform military service (women can do it voluntarily). Singaporean citizens are not allowed to work for a foreign (non-Singaporean) military.

Travel freedom of Singaporean citizens

Main article: Visa requirements for Singaporean citizens

Visa requirements for Singapore

  Singapore

  Visa not required

  Visa on arrival

  Electronic authorization or online payment required / eVisa

  Both visa on arrival and eVisa available

  Visa required prior to arrival

Visa requirements for Singaporeans are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Singapore. According to the 2020 Henley Passport Index, holders of a Singapore passport had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 countries and territories, ranking Singapore 1st in travel freedom, tied with Japan.[28]

Singaporean nationality is ranked thirteenth, together with Luxembourg and Portugal, in The Quality of Nationality Index (QNI). This index differs from the Visa Restrictions Index, which focuses on external factors including travel freedom. The QNI considers, in addition, to travel freedom on internal factors such as peace & stability, economic strength, and human development as well.[29]

• Citizenship of Singapore
• Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
• Immigrant workers in Singapore
• National Registration Identity Card
• Nationality law
• Singapore passport

• Chiew, Seen Kong; Tan Ern Ser (1990). The Singaporean: Ethnicity, National Identity and Citizenship: Singaporean Identity and Citizenship. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
• Goh, Phai Cheng (1970). Citizenship Laws of Singapore. Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau.
• Tan, Kevin Y.L. (Yew Lee); Thio Li-ann (1997). Tan, Yeo & Lee's Constitutional Law in Singapore (2nd ed.). Singapore: Butterworths Asia. ISBN 0-409-99908-3., ch. 10 ("Citizenship")