Has anyone gave up US citizenship to become a Singaporean?

[shao.kevin]

Share some thoughts please?

[PNGMK]

The Co founder of Facebook. Although he was born a Russian.

[Strong Eagle]

You should definitely ensure that you will become a Singapore citizen before beginning the renunciation process, lest you end up stateless.

[PNGMK]

I don't think modern countries allow renunciation without proof of second citizenship now.

[Strong Eagle]

I don't think modern countries allow renunciation without proof of second citizenship now.

US has no such rule.

The 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness sought to address what was then the large issue of persons without citizenship in any nation. One of the provisions of this convention requires that “renunciation shall not result in loss of nationality unless the person concerned possesses or acquires another nationality.” (Full text of Convention here; the pertinent section is Article 7.1(a)). In countries that signed the convention, you are not legally allowed to renounce citizenship unless you have another nationality.

However, due to political issues regarding conflicts with existing domestic laws, the U.S. never signed the 1961 Convention. And the U.S. has no other law requiring another nationality before expatriation.

In any event, it would appear that the OP is seeking Singapore citizenship, and if that is the end game, he/she should be certain of that outcome before pursuing anything else.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The Co founder of Facebook. Although he was born a Russian.

I thought Eduardo Saverin was a Brazilian? he was born in Brazil and as far as I know, he only had US and Brazilian citizenship and PR here in Singapore. He did give up his US citizenship, but still retains his Brazilian Citizenship, hence only a PR in Singapore.

Jim Rogers is also still a Permanent Resident as well. Says it's too expensive to give up US citizenship.

Bernie Utchenik, a.k.a. "Botak Jones", however, did renounce his US citizenship and became a Singapore Citizen.

[bgd]

I thought Eduardo Saverin was a Brazilian? he was born in Brazil and as far as I know, he only had US and Brazilian citizenship and PR here in Singapore. He did give up his US citizenship, but still retains his Brazilian Citizenship, hence only a PR in Singapore.

Yes correct. He gave it up to reside in Sg as a PR. I'm sure the saving of some $700 million in US taxes didn't factor in his decision.

[chinnyreckon]

I guess anyone who takes Singapore citizenship from a 'western' country has to be pretty confident that they have enough funds for their retirement so that they don't need to spend their latter years clearing trays at hawker centres.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Due to a certain turn of events, that might be me clearing trays!

[bgd]

Due to a certain turn of events, that might be me clearing trays!

Hope you're joking?

If not, apply to lagoon hawker on East Coast Park, at least the surroundings are nice.

And get one of those e-bikes to get you there.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I wish I was.

[Datapoint334559]

I know a few who have done it. Like chinnyreckon says, its usually the more well-heeled types. US tax status is a serious burden. Most average workers either get homesick or return home for the social safety net.

[bgd]

If you do a Google search all the headlines are about Americans renouncing their citizenship in record numbers. But look at the numbers and they are tiny, less than 6,000 in 2016. No idea how many of those end up in Sg.

[malcontent]

I know 2 cases personally.

One is my bro in law who was naturalized and and after moving here, it was too much of a tax and compliance headache for him.

Another guy I know is a partner at a US consulting firm here, clearly for tax reasons.

Many who renounce are accidental Americans, but the number of US renunciations is still minuscule on a per capita basis. Compare it to other countries and you will see.