There are several factors to be kept in mind regarding the
renunciation of your Singapore citizenship. This move can have
far-reaching implications and the decision must be made after
careful thought and scrutiny. Once the decision to renounce
Singapore citizenship is made, there are documents to be submitted
and procedural guidelines to be followed. Detailed below is all
that you would need to know about renouncing your Singapore
citizenship.
If you are thinking about renouncing Singapore citizenship, it is
important to think of the implications of this decision. According
to the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, once your
declaration for renunciation is registered:
Under Article 128(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of
Singapore, anyone who wishes to renounce Singapore citizenship must
fulfill the following three conditions:
In addition, for a male citizen, the government may withhold the
registration of declaration of renunciation of Singapore
Citizenship under Article 128(2)(b) of the Constitution of the
Republic of Singapore, the provisions which are listed below:
If the declaration is made during any war in which Singapore is
engaged
Or
If the declaration is made by a person subject to the Enlistment
Act unless he has:
What this essentially implies is that if the male citizen is
subject to the Enlistment Act and has not discharged his duty for
National Service (or equivalent service), the Government has the
right to withhold his renunciation of Singapore Citizenship.
If you are residing in Singapore, you may visit the Citizen
Services Centre of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
(ICA). If you are residing abroad, you can approach the Singapore
Overseas Mission.
The following are the documents you will have to submit
Once you are ready with all the documents, you can approach the ICA
or Singapore Overseas Mission (who will in turn forward your
application to the ICA in Singapore). The processing fee is SGD 35.
The processing time is four weeks for female applicants and eight
weeks for males. The ICA will consider each application on its own
merits. Once the renunciation of Singapore citizenship is formally
registered, a short stay in Singapore will be allowed (if you are
residing in Singapore) so that you have sufficient time to make
arrangements to leave. Once your application is approved, the ICA
will issue the notification letter of cessation of citizenship to
you. If you are overseas, the Singapore ICA will forward the letter
to the relevant Singapore Overseas Mission, to be issued to
you.
You may withdraw your CPF in full, from all the accounts, if you
have left Singapore and West Malaysia permanently with no intention
of returning to either country for employment or residence. In
addition you should have renounced your Singapore Citizenship. You
may apply for withdrawal online under my cpf online services
– My Requests if you have a SingPass (Singapore Personal Access
Identity). Alternatively, you can complete the Withdrawal Application
Form and mail it to the CPF Board, Withdrawal Schemes
Department in Singapore.
The application form needs to be accompanied with relevant
supporting documents (mentioned in the form). These documents must
be certified by a Notary Public or an official from the Singapore
High Commission, with his official seal/stamp duly affixed.
Certifications by Justices of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths are
not accepted. Once the CPF Board receives the form your CPF Funds
will be forwarded to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
(IRAS) to settle your income tax liabilities (if any). You will
receive your money either through a bank transfer or a CPF
withdrawal cheque (if you are in Singapore) or demand draft (if you
are overseas). The processing time takes anywhere between 4-6
weeks.
The two most commonly asked questions are: Can I re-apply for
Singapore citizenship in the future? and Can I come back to
Singapore to work or study?
Once you renounce your Singapore citizenship, you will be treated
like any other foreigner and any application for immigration
facilities, including Singapore citizenship, will be considered on
its own merits under the prevailing rules and regulations. To be
able to work or study in Singapore you will need a valid work pass
and student’s pass. Applications for these passes will be treated
like any other application and will be considered on their own
merits. Being an ex-Singapore citizen has no standing in these
matters and there is no assurance that you will be allowed to enter
Singapore. If you are granted PR or citizen status again, please
note that you will have to refund the amount withdrawn from your
CPF Account at the time of renunciation, along with interest rate
accruals.