Granting Citizenship and Permanent Residency Status

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Prime Minister (a) for each of the past five years, how many Singaporeans who relinquished their citizenship were new citizens; and (b) what were the reasons for doing so.

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Prime Minister (a) what are the criteria for granting Singapore citizenship and permanent residency; (b) whether there is a rigorous system in place to ensure that the right people are given these status; (c) for the past four years, how many foreigners gave up their Singapore citizenship; and (d) whether these foreigners are required to sell their HDB flats and properties when they leave the country or are they allowed to profit from renting them out.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Teo Chee Hean) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I take Question Nos 6 and 7 together, please?

Mr Speaker: Yes, please.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Sir, every application for Permanent Residence or Singapore Citizenship is evaluated holistically on a range of criteria, including economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of stay in Singapore. We assess how well an applicant is able to contribute and integrate into our society and his commitment to sinking roots. For those with family ties to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, we also consider the local sponsor's ability to support the family.

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An average of 1,200 Singaporeans renounced their citizenship each year from 2007 to 2011. Three hundred of these were naturalised citizens. The renunciation rates for both naturalised citizens and Singapore-born citizens were low, 0.1% or less. The reasons for emigration vary. Some emigrants leave for family reasons – because of marriage, or to reunite with family members overseas, while others do so for a different living environment. All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who own HDB flats will have to sell their properties if they renounce their citizenship or cease to be Permanent Residents. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Nee Soon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his answer. I would like to ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether there is any characteristic specific to this group of 300 new citizens who renounced their citizenship. For example, what was their original nationality? How long did they stay in Singapore? Did they have children who have taken advantage of our education system or do they have a child who is due for National Service (NS)? And is there any penalty for them when they renounce their citizenship?

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Sir, there is no particular pattern to the naturalised citizens who have renounced their citizenship. Once a person is a citizen, he is liable for National Service if he is of National Service age and he has to fulfil those requirements.

Mrs Lina Chiam: Thank you, Deputy Prime Minister, for the answers. I would like to ask a supplementary question. What is the time frame for the Government for granting citizenship to foreigners and PRs? Is there a time frame?

Mr Teo Chee Hean: The length of stay that the person has had in Singapore is one of the considerations. There is no specific time frame.