{"id":2479,"date":"2023-07-25T15:25:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T07:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/?p=2479"},"modified":"2023-07-25T16:25:56","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T08:25:56","slug":"singapore-citizenship-permanent-residence-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/singapore-citizenship-permanent-residence-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Citizenship vs. Permanent Residence: What\u2019s the difference and how do you apply? (Updated 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you attracted to the vibrant cosmopolitan of Singapore? Perhaps you are drawn in by Singapore\u2019s high quality of living and its well-deserved status as one of the best cities in Asia. It\u2019s high time you consider staying. You have two options available: permanent residence and Singapore citizenship. What\u2019s the difference and how do you know which one to go for? In this\u00a0Pacific Prime Singapore<\/a>\u00a0article, you\u2019ll see a comparison of benefits between Singapore citizenship and Permanent Residence. In addition, we\u2019ll go through the application process for both so you\u2019ll know what to expect.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of Singapore Citizenship<\/h2>\n

From healthcare<\/a> and education to employment rewards, Singaporean Citizens (SC) enjoy a wealth of benefits. Here, you\u2019ll find a quick rundown of several major benefits available to a SC.<\/p>\n

1. Travel freedom<\/h3>\n

Singapore passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa on arrival access to a stunning 192 countries and territories. In fact, Singapore is ranked 2nd in travel freedom on the\u00a0Henley Visa Restrictions Index<\/a>\u00a0in 2022.<\/p>\n

2. Employment rewards<\/h3>\n

Most companies in Singapore prefer to hire citizens or PRs over foreigners since there is a lot less paperwork required. Interested in getting a work permit in 2022? Check out our article on the\u00a0difference between work passes in Singapore<\/a>\u00a0and how to get yours.<\/p>\n

3. Housing<\/h3>\n

Singaporean citizens aged 21 or above are eligible to buy and rent apartments from the\u00a0Housing & Development Board<\/a>\u00a0(HDB). These include subsidized 2 to 5-room flats, and even executive flats and studio apartments developed by the HDB. You can also apply for loans at a concessionary interest rate from HDB to fund housing. On top of that, first-time buyers of these flats can enjoy housing subsidies such as the CPF Housing Grant for up to SGD $40,000. SCs can further enjoy subsidies when their home and neighborhood undergo various upgrading programs, and they can rent out their entire HDB flat.<\/p>\n

4. Education<\/h3>\n

Primary school kids do not have to pay school fees, while secondary schoolers pay only SGD $5 and junior college students pay only SGD $6 per month in school fees, provided they are SCs.<\/p>\n

All SC students are entitled to an\u00a0Edusave<\/a>\u00a0account through which they\u2019ll receive a yearly contribution from the government. This scheme also awards students who excel in academics and non-academic activities.<\/p>\n

5. Healthcare<\/h3>\n

With the Medifund, the Singaporean government helps finance medical expenses for citizens in need. In addition, the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS) offers affordable healthcare for those without access to one of Singapore\u2019s 18 polyclinics.<\/p>\n

6. Leave benefits<\/h3>\n

All mothers may enjoy 16 weeks of\u00a0paid maternity leave<\/a>\u00a0if their child is a SC. Also, parents who have worked for their employer for at least 3 months are entitled to 6 days of paid parental leave per year until the child turns 7.<\/p>\n

7. Parenthood Incentives<\/h3>\n

As long as your child is a SC, he\/she is eligible for the Baby Bonus Scheme. You can receive up to SGD $8,000 in cash gifts for your first and second child, and up to SGD $10,000 for the third and fourth child. To make infant care and childcare affordable, the government also provides subsidies of SGD $300 to $600. Also available are tax incentives for parenthood, which include Working Mother\u2019s Child Relief (WMCR), and more.<\/p>\n

Disadvantages of Singapore Citizenship<\/h2>\n

Despite the plethora of benefits, there are a few drawbacks to becoming a SC. First, Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. In other words, to be a citizen here means you must renounce all other citizenships you possess. Moreover, all male Singapore citizens are required to serve in the National Service for two years at the age of 18. Withdrawing all of your CPF savings in a lump sum would also require you to renounce your citizenship status.<\/p>\n

Differences between Permanent Residence and Singapore Citizenship<\/h2>\n

Permanent Residents enjoy only a fraction of the benefits SCs are entitled to. Both PRs and foreigners pay a higher percentage of school and polyclinic consultation fees compared to SCs.<\/p>\n

Your paid maternity leave duration is also subjected to the employment contract if your child or you aren\u2019t a SC. Most importantly, you cannot vote as a PR. In terms of healthcare benefits, PRs are not eligible to access the Medifund for sick and needy Singaporeans. The PCPS is also open to citizens only.<\/p>\n

Crucially, if a PR leaves Singapore without a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP), or if a PR\u2019s REP expires when he\/she is outside Singapore, that person’s PR status automatically and, with rare exceptions, irrevocably ends. Singapore’s\u00a0Immigration and Checkpoints Authority<\/a>\u00a0(ICA) typically renews REPs for 5 years, subject to PRs having some actual residence, and economic or other relevant activity, in Singapore.<\/p>\n

Similarities between Permanent Residence and Singaporean Citizenship<\/h2>\n

Similarly, second-generation male PRs must serve in the National Service upon reaching 18. PRs can also purchase and rent flats from the HDB. However, when the government is upgrading these flats, PRs have to pay in full for the features they have opted for. SCs only need to pay a fraction of the costs. To buy any private residential property, PRs must seek first approval from the Ministry of Law. Both PRs and SCs are eligible for the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a compulsory social security savings plan.<\/p>\n

Applying for Singapore Citizenship<\/h2>\n

In this section, you can see whether you\u2019re eligible for citizenship in Singapore, and how to apply for one.<\/p>\n

Eligibility<\/h4>\n

You will be eligible for a Singapore citizenship as long as you meet any one of the criteria below:<\/p>\n