Citizenship approval chances with vs without family?

[jellojello]

Hello,

We plan to stay in Singapore for the long-term and are considering applying for citizenship. My husband wants to apply for SG citizenship ASAP (like, yesterday). I would prefer to stay SPR, as I just don't feel emotionally ready to call myself Singaporean. Every year we live here I do feel a little less American and more Singaporean, and maybe in another 5-10 years I would be ready to apply for Singaporean citizenship, but my husband wants to apply for it now.

We've heard that the odds are much better if you apply as a family. What do you think his odds are if he applies alone, without me and the kids? Has anyone here successfully applied for citizenship while their spouse remains a PR?

Ethnicity: both Chinese
Citizenship: both USA
Age: 40 (him) 36 (her)
Background in SG: living in Singapore since 2013 and PR since 2016
His education: Master's in Computer Science from top 5 US university
His employment: CEO/business owner of a software business, employs 15 full-time people in Singapore. Annual salary $300k+ not including business profits.
Family: Two boys and one girl, all born after we obtained PR in 2016. They are currently all on LTVP with PR application pending for all 3. We understand and are on board with NS obligation for the boys.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I reckon you husband will be rejected because of you. The obvious view ICA is going to be looking at is the leaving of a back door open with regard to the NS issue and the ability to remove them and go back to the US. I reckon he'll be damned lucky if he's successful unless he includes at least the children. Personally, I think you will be opening.....

[PNGMK]

Get divorced. He can then apply on his own. Otherwise no chance.

SC is how Singapore increases the PAP vote.

[SingerExpat]

Would say the chances are zero. Might be better if husband applies with kids and you stay out of the application. As mentioned by other posters, not applying with the kids is a big no-no. It’s trying to eat your cake and have it too. Especially wrt to NS. After all, the govt are more interested in your kids than you

[jellojello]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure I understand the NS issue a couple of people raised. We have already applied for the children to be PR. Regardless of whether they are PR or citizen, they still have NS obligation. So why would the ICA think we are trying to avoid NS (which we're not) if we don't apply for them to be citizen?

[simple_guy]

I think I has shared this before also (if you can search), one of my friend was talking about a family where only wife is SPR and rest of the members are citizen. So I think should be possible.

[MOCHS]

So why would the ICA think we are trying to avoid NS (which we're not) if we don't apply for them to be citizens

Because there were people with SG PRs who just said “kthxbye” and jetted back to their home countries without fulfilling the NS obligations. They can’t enter SG again without facing the consequences though...

You say you’ll stay forever but you won’t know for sure if your circumstances will change in the future where the grass aka US is greener on the other side and you go “Hmm... maybe we should head back” and just say bye bye.

By keeping your US citizenship, you are indeed keeping the back door open. Even if that’s not your intention, ICA has wisened up and will be cautious. There is no way around it without making yourself look like you’ll bail out any time.