Citizenship application - is internship considered employment

[sanguinepenguin]

Hi,

Just wanted to gather opinions.

I'm in my mid-20s, lived in Singapore since P1, currently applying for citizenship. I've undertook a string of internships (paid, no CPF contribution) between my university studies. I'm currently engaged under the SGUnited Traineeship Programme. However, my place of work has told me that I am strictly speaking not an employee, and that the monthly pay I get are strictly speaking stipends.

In the employment section of the citizenship application, the only options are "not employed", "employed by company", "civil servant", "statutory board", and various forms of "self-employed". I was wondering if I should select "not employed", and upload documentation of my internships and traineeship elsewhere, or if I should select "employed by company"?

Another factor complicating my application is that I'll return to being a student in September (PhD). I'm unsure of whether to apply now (and potentially be counted as - and subsequently dismissed as - an unemployed person), or if I should apply in September as a student (but I worry that my application would then be given less weight because I will be overseas).

Thanks for reading this far. All thoughts, observations, and suggestions welcomed.

[singaporeflyer]

Hi,

Just wanted to gather opinions.

I'm in my mid-20s, lived in Singapore since P1, currently applying for citizenship. I've undertook a string of internships (paid, no CPF contribution) between my university studies. I'm currently engaged under the SGUnited Traineeship Programme. However, my place of work has told me that I am strictly speaking not an employee, and that the monthly pay I get are strictly speaking stipends.

In the employment section of the citizenship application, the only options are "not employed", "employed by company", "civil servant", "statutory board", and various forms of "self-employed". I was wondering if I should select "not employed", and upload documentation of my internships and traineeship elsewhere, or if I should select "employed by company"?

Another factor complicating my application is that I'll return to being a student in September (PhD). I'm unsure of whether to apply now (and potentially be counted as - and subsequently dismissed as - an unemployed person), or if I should apply in September as a student (but I worry that my application would then be given less weight because I will be overseas).

Thanks for reading this far. All thoughts, observations, and suggestions welcomed.

If no rush, I would ask you to apply after your PHD or while doing your PHD if your PHD subject is something that is in demand.

If you apply now no history of CPF and tax payment, may go against you.