Dual Citizenship

[incuriam]

Hi Everyone,

I know this has been discussed in previous posts but I just needed some clarification.

I've been living in Australia since the age of 13 as a permanent resident. Having fulfilled my National Service a long time ago (I'm now 27), I'm seriously contemplating taking up Australian citizenship. However, I'm reluctant to give up my Singapore citizenship as well for family reasons. Past discussions on this board suggest that it is OK to have both passports as long as you enter/exit the country's customs checkpoint with that country's passport. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Also, if one is using a Singapore passport at the Singapore airport, wouldn't the counter staff stop you from checking in given that there wouldn't be a valid Australian visa on it (as you'd be relying on your Aussie passport in Australia to gain entry??).

Thanks!

[jpatokal]

The basic answer is that legally Singapore does not allow dual citizenship, but in practice they have little way of knowing that you're a citizen elsewhere if you don't go out of your way to tell them. There's also been high-level talk lately about changing the policy. Still, it is technically a crime, and I don't really see why family reasons are relevant -- do you actively want your sons to do NS? You won't stop being a part of your family just because your passport changes color.

And oh yes: check in counter staff are not immigration personnel, so you can show them your Aussie passport.