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Becoming a citizen of Singapore is an exciting milestone in your life. As an expat, you will be able to retain your current citizenship, but also gain access to many privileges that only citizens are entitled to, such as voting in parliamentary elections and pursuing certain career paths.
To become a citizen of Singapore, you must have been a resident for at least five years (which can be split up over 10 consecutive years) and not have any criminal convictions.
If you’re eligible, the process of becoming a Singaporean may take anywhere from six months to two years depending on whether or not you need language skills lessons. You will also need to pass an interview with the citizenship office before final approval is given.
Find out if you are eligible to become a Singaporean
Before you start the process of becoming a Singaporean, you should first ensure that you’re eligible to do so. The eligibility requirements vary depending on your age, marital status, and criminal record. You can find out if you’re eligible for citizenship by contacting the Department of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
You can also find out if you’re eligible to become a Singaporean by contacting the nearest overseas Singaporean or Singapore permanent resident. If you’re unsure, it never hurts to ask! If you’re not eligible, you may still be able to become a Singapore citizen if you meet certain requirements. For example, you can become a citizen if your spouse is a Singapore citizen.
Register as a citizen of Singapore
When you become a Singaporean, you will automatically become a citizen of Singapore. However, you may also choose to register as a citizen of Singapore with the government. This allows you to retain your current citizenship while also gaining access to many of the benefits of citizenship, such as voting in parliamentary elections and applying for government jobs.
Registering as a citizen of Singapore is a straightforward process. If you’ve lived in Singapore for at least two years, you can register online with the NSO. You can also register as a citizen of Singapore by attending a registration centre.
Find out if you need to take language lessons before your interview
There are no specific requirements for language abilities before you go for Singapore citizenship application. However, there are some general guidelines that may help you decide if you need to take language lessons first. First, you’ll want to see if you’re required to take language tests. All Singapore citizens aged 18 and above are required to pass an English Proficiency Test and an Oral Proficiency Test.
You’ll also be required to take the test if you’re applying for an open job with the government, such as a job as a public servant. If you pass the EPT and OPT, you can also choose to take a third test, the Malayan Language Proficiency Test (MLPP), to further enhance your language skills.
However, you don’t need to take the MLPP if you’ve already passed the EPT and OPT. If you’re not required to take a language test, it’s still a good idea to take some lessons before your citizenship interview. Language skills are an important part of becoming a citizen of Singapore.
Research the citizenship requirements for the citizenship office
Before your citizenship application is processed, you must research the citizenship requirements for the citizenship office. This will help you determine if you need to take any language tests, as well as any other requirements you may have to meet.
You can find information about the citizenship requirements on the Singapore Citizenship website. You can also get general information from the nearest overseas Singaporean or Singapore permanent resident. You can also use the citizenship application guide to help you research the requirements for the citizenship office.
Prepare for the citizenship test
The citizenship test is a multiple choice English test that you will take at one of the centres run by the Singapore Citizenship Board. Although you can take the test at any time during a six-month period, it’s best to get an early start.
The best way to prepare for the citizenship test is to take a practice test. You can find practice tests for the Singapore citizenship test online. You can also get a tutorial at a local test centre to help you practice with the test-taking format and structure of the test.
Review what you’ve learnt and practice for the citizenship interview
Once you’ve completed your research and prepared for the citizenship test, it’s time to review everything you’ve learnt and practice for the citizenship interview. The citizenship interview is a conversation with a citizenship officer.
You should have a good idea of your answers before the interview so you can think through your responses. You can also take notes during the interview to help you remember what was said.
Conclusion
Becoming a citizen of Singapore is a big deal and a huge milestone in your life. It may take anywhere from six months to two years to complete the process, depending on the citizenship office you choose to apply at. Ready to become a citizen of Singapore? Register with the NSO and start researching the requirements for the citizenship office to make sure you’re eligible.
