benefits of singaporean citizenship?

[MrRocknRoll]

What are the benefits for having a Singaporean citizenship? I am British and I am thinking to change citizenship, except for the obvious benefits like visa restrictions etc, what are the benefits?

Is there really much difference between PR and singaporean citizenship?

thanks

[Truth Teller]

What are the benefits for having a Singaporean citizenship? I am British and I am thinking to change citizenship, except for the obvious benefits like visa restrictions etc, what are the benefits?

Is there really much difference between PR and singaporean citizenship?

thanks

Let me put it like this - even Vulcanl has'nt become a citizen!!!   For all his pro-Singaporean stance, he clutches his US passport close to his chest.

Why would you swap a First World European passport for a Third World Asian one?   Your last question does make me wonder how bright you are - maybe it's the right thing for you to do after all LOL!

[MrRocknRoll]

What are the benefits for having a Singaporean citizenship? I am British and I am thinking to change citizenship, except for the obvious benefits like visa restrictions etc, what are the benefits?

Is there really much difference between PR and singaporean citizenship?

thanks

Let me put it like this - even Vulcanl has'nt become a citizen!!!   For all his pro-Singaporean stance, he clutches his US passport close to his chest.

Why would you swap a First World European passport for a Third World Asian one?   Your last question does make me wonder how bright you are - maybe it's the right thing for you to do after all LOL!

gimme a break man, i was just asking! no need for cheap shots like patronising my intelligence over this!

reason 1: cant be bothered with UK lifestyle anymore and i dont know if i will bother coming back. its certainly is not a place where i want to grow old!!

reason 2: i grew up as an expat anyway and i worked all over the world! (yes i am south east asian by heritage)

reason 3: investment in property, as i heard that there are some restrictions for PRs and foreigners in general, though my knowledge in this is a bit vague

[Kafka]

What are the benefits for having a Singaporean citizenship? I am British and I am thinking to change citizenship, except for the obvious benefits like visa restrictions etc, what are the benefits?

Is there really much difference between PR and singaporean citizenship?

thanks

Let me put it like this - even Vulcanl has'nt become a citizen!!!   For all his pro-Singaporean stance, he clutches his US passport close to his chest.

Why would you swap a First World European passport for a Third World Asian one?   Your last question does make me wonder how bright you are - maybe it's the right thing for you to do after all LOL!

gimme a break man, i was just asking! no need for cheap shots like patronising my intelligence over this!

reason 1: cant be bothered with UK lifestyle anymore and i dont know if i will bother coming back. its certainly is not a place where i want to grow old!!

reason 2: i grew up as an expat anyway and i worked all over the world! (yes i am south east asian by heritage)

reason 3: investment in property, as i heard that there are some restrictions for PRs and foreigners in general, though my knowledge in this is a bit vague

Other than being visa-free in ASEAN, I think the benefits are:
- real estate, you can buy direct from HDB (PR can too), you can buy landed property without URA approval (PR cannot)
- I assume rates to bank loans with local banks are better? (not even sure actually !)
- you can buy exec condo from developer (PR can too)
- income tax related: the goodies/tax breaks mentioned in the 2011 budget are mostly for low income S'poreans, which I assume you are not, so forget about this
- no surcharge in hospital, priority for public school (vs, foreigners)

+ as a citizen, I suppose you benefit from the no-inheritance tax system here.

Have a look on Mindef website, I am sure they have something in stock for new citizens when it comes to NS.

So overall, unless you plan to buy a couple of $30 millions bungalows, that's actually not much of a difference with being a PR I think...

[LR6]

OP

You cannot get citizenship immediately, It has to be PR then Citizenship. Citizenship application only accepted if you have live here more than 5 years as PR
go to www.ica.gov.sg for more info

Why don't you read this

http://www.ica.gov.sg/data/resources/docs/BenefitsPrivilegesRightsObligations_20080429.pdf

For NS thingey, if you are under PTS scheme once your PR is approve, you do not need to serve the NS but your son will as he will be considered 2nd GEN PR

[SEAtizen]

I had been wondering about this, too, actually. Good to know.

Plus an additional question that I'm hoping someone else would be able to address: What impact does changing to Singaporean citizenship have on your children?

Like the original poster, I am thinking I might perhaps stay permanently in Singapore rather than go "home." If I become a PR (and later a citizen), does it automatically require them to do NS or is their status considered separate (as in, we'd have to apply for them to become PRs, it's not automatically granted)? If I wait to do this until they are adults and can make their own choices, are they still going to be considered second generation PR's and required to do NS?

[nationalistic 0.02]

it's personal. if quality of life is better in an adopted country and you feel you belong - then go ahead.

there are no huge cons to not being a citizen where i am, except i get official rights to vote. from one govt or another ... show me an honest politician first who actually delivers ... and then maybe i will even be bothered to cast.

offhand, benefits of SG citizenship that come to mind:
 = since 25 yrs ago, SG already seems to have enough credibility and international clout neccessary to waive those visas to many countries. paperwork and visas which other Asian countries still seem to require (the more affluent HK, Taiwan and China inclusive).
i have long noticed on constant travels with other passport holders that Singapore passports clear customs pretty fast, without requiring further hassle and questioning. that anal, strict, sterile reputation of the little red dot on the globe does have some benefits, globally.
 = yes, property ownership - citizens have no limitations that PRs will face
 = stability, safety and a more long-sighted government with progressive vision. there are pros and cons to that one-party rule. (if teams only stay for 4-8 yrs per term, they make short term plans accordingly)
=  racial harmony. i find heartening that efforts of the govt with racial blending actually seems to work in SG, as opposed to other countries i have visited and seen, the people i have spoken to.

'home' is where you identify with, and comfortably where you visualise yourself at the end of the day perhaps. and maybe naive, but a place you truly feel in your heart that you'd be willing to fight for (or is even worth fighting for). i believe you do not bite or forget the hand that fed you, and thus prefer to hang onto the passport of my home country.

yet truth be known, i don't feel i belong really anywhere anymore because  in my journey i have blended many aspects of different cultures into overall lifestyle and perspectives.

[SEAtizen]

After reading the definition of 2nd generation PR, I realize that my husband would also fall under this classification -- so this means that, as long as he is age-eligible (what's the NS age limit? 40?) by the time I become a PR - which he would be, then he would also have to go into NS, not just my sons. Is this correct? If so, then it's definitely something to think about... But again, presumably my spouse would not be automatically become a PR - presumably he would have to apply for it himself, albeit under my sponsorship since I am the one who would sponsor him and the kids...

[Vulcanl]

Mr. RockNRoll,

Contrary to what most people believe, I am of the opinion that the Western standard of living is on the decline, whilst that of Asia 's is on the up - so it is a perfectly logical consideration to give up one's passport and take up a Singaporean one. 

Seems to me that it comes down to one's own individual situation: For example, if you have no children and/or are older (and closer to retirement) it may make more sense to take up citizenship now. 

As for actual benefits relative to PR, there are few at this time (meaning that if you are fortunate enough to have obtained PR status, it's probably best to leave it at that for the moment).  I am personally watching this situation (how tightly the Gov't is going to be going forward with PR) closely - they may well at some point sweeten the pot some more to get some of us who are on the fence to pull the trigger.   

[LR6]

Like the original poster, I am thinking I might perhaps stay permanently in Singapore rather than go "home." If I become a PR (and later a citizen), does it automatically require them to do NS or is their status considered separate (as in, we'd have to apply for them to become PRs, it's not automatically granted)? If I wait to do this until they are adults and can make their own choices, are they still going to be considered second generation PR's and required to do NS?

I have done abit of research on this too. According to ICA and NS website you are liable for NS if you are 2nd Gen PR if your parent falls under PTS Scheme First Gen PR. First Gen PR need to register for NS but no need to serve. NS liabilities up till the age of 40
If you want to apply PR now and has male child, your chances of getting approve is better  coz your child will be considered as 2nd Gen PR hence become Government cannon fodder. You have to apply under family scheme. Once you got it , if your child does not want to serve NS by the turn of 18 he has to renounce PR which means he can come here under social visit but not able to again employment nor his PR back. which will be a bummer

[cruiser]

As a former American, I was able to escape the clutches of the onerous US tax system. In addition to avoiding double taxation on income, I also pay no capital gains tax as a Singaporean, which is very material to me as I have a meaningful amount of company shares and two properties (one here and one abroad) that have appreciated significantly over the years. Also, as a PP mentioned, there is no estate tax in Singapore. Another bonus has been very smooth immigration clearances worldwide, even on trips to the US. I have to say, though, if I had had a UK passport I would've thought a lot harder before giving it up, as there aren't the same tax issues as a US passport (yet anyway) and it opens up the entire EU for employment, residence, etc.

[uk accountant]

I see no advantages other than govt dole outs.

Some land restrictions but they are usually approved.

As for inheritance tax, this does NOT get you out of it. Based on domicile not citzenship and very, very hard to change. Best assume you can't.  US may be different but for UK almost impossible (whether anyone pays or not is another question).

[$Pripps]

I think for somebody from the UK it is better to keep the citizenship and just be a PR here. It is nice to have a place to return to if for some reason Singapore/Asia deteriorates in the future - e.g. losing the job and not being able to find another.

[Don't see any]

For citizens of developed nations, there are few benefits.  Americans with their global taxation being an exception, though I understand that the IRS there has many rules in place which attempt to clutch USD even from former Americans.

For Chinese, Indians, Burmese, Filipinos, etc...it's a step up and thus much more appealing.

As for me, I haven't even considered PR.  Doing so would immediately end my housing allowance, business class flights home, transport allowance, etc which I've enjoyed for the past several ywars.  It all depends on one's circumstances.