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Parliament had earlier passed the
Constitution (Amendment) Bill on 19 April 2004. The Articles in the
Constitution on the grant of citizenship have remained unchanged since the
1960s. However, the world today is very different compared to then.
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Growing numbers of Singaporean men
and women are travelling overseas to work, study or pursue their personal
goals, and starting their families abroad.
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The following changes to the
citizenship laws will take effect from 15 May 2004.
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Grant of Citizenship by descent
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Currently, only male Singaporeans
can pass on citizenship by descent to their children born overseas. Children
born overseas to female Singaporeans have to acquire citizenship by
registration.
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With the changes to the
Constitution, the grant of citizenship by descent will now be gender neutral.
Singapore citizens, be they male or female, will be allowed to pass on
citizenship by descent to their foreign-born child.
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The transmission of citizenship by
descent will also no longer be limited to one generation. From 15 May 2004, a
Singapore citizen by descent will be able to pass on citizenship by descent to
his or her child born overseas, as long as he or she had stayed in Singapore
for a total of:
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* At least five years before the
child's birth, or
* At least two years out of the five years immediately before the child's
birth.
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With the new absence period of up
to one year (explained below), citizens by descent effectively need to have
stayed in Singapore for a total of at least four years before the child's
birth, or a total of at least one year out of the five years immediately
before the child's birth, to qualify to pass on citizenship by descent to
their children.
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This residency requirement is
imposed so that we will not have generations of absentee Singaporeans with no
real links to Singapore.
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Amendment to Absence Period
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Singapore permanent residents need
to meet a residential requirement before they can qualify to be citizens.
Currently, the Constitution allows a person to be away from Singapore for up
to six months when calculating the period of residence. Recognising that more
Singapore citizens and permanent residents have to travel in the course of
their work or study, this period of absence will be increased to 12 months.
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Value of Singapore Citizenship
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The Government values every
citizen, regardless of gender or the schemes under which he or she obtained
citizenship. However, citizenship comes with privileges and responsibilities.
Singaporeans living and working overseas must continue to make the effort to
ensure that they and their children remain rooted and committed to Singapore.
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Application Procedure
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Singaporean parents who wish to
obtain Singapore citizenship for their children born overseas may submit
citizenship applications to ICA or through any of the Singapore Missions
overseas. Each case is assessed on its own merits and in accordance with the
law.
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Singaporeans who wish to find out
more about citizenship application can visit our website at www.ica.gov.sg
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More.....
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Changes to citizenship laws
