Singapore Citizenship Rejected

[Lisafuller]

He’s the same case as I am. Didn’t get called up for NS because of his nationality.

OP, I’m a Pakistani PR too. Wasn’t called up for NS either. A veteran here (Mad Scientist) mentioned that some people of certain nationalities do not have to serve NS due to national security reasons.

But I would not consider that to be a blocker. I know of 2nd gen Pakistani PRs who were never called up for NS and still went on to become SG citizens.

Having said that, whether you ever actually get approved for SGC is another matter. I myself just got rejected a few months back even though I’ve been a PR since 2005 and spent a better part of my life in Singapore (studied in locals schools too). Will you or I ever get approved? I don’t know. But I’d make a plan B if you want to get rid of your Pakistani passport.

What do you mean national security reasons? Doesn't every citizen and PR have to serve?

[Lisafuller]

I submitted my application for Singapore citizenship in January 2021 and got a rejection letter and email in March 2022

My Profile:
30 years old / Male
Pakistani, single and unmarried
Applied for myself only
General Manager in an Oil & Gas company with operations in Singapore and Pakistan and the US

My salary at the time of application: $5,000 a month ($60,000 annually)

I was born in Singapore and have lived here until I was 16. Then I did A Levels and university in the UK and then worked at my family's company (which is an MNC) for a year and then went to the UK for my Masters degree and then came back to Singapore and worked at Telstra (Australian telecommunications company) in Singapore as part of its Graduate Program for 2 years and then I went back to work in my family's company where I am currently working.

When I emailed them about my rejection they said the following

"We regret to advise we are unable to share more information.
 
We wish to highlight that each Singapore Citizenship (SC) application is carefully considered and reviewed before a decision is made. When assessing applications, we take into account factors such as the applicant's present economic contributions in Singapore, ability to integrate into the society and commitment to sink roots. If there would be any changes in any of these circumstances for the better, the applicant would have then an improved probability of a positive result."

At the time of applying my salary was $5,000 a month but now my salary is $10,300 a month.

Do you think I have a chance of being successful to apply in future?

How can I have a successful application in the future and have my citizenship application approved?

What exactly can I do to show my present economic contributions to Singapore, integrate into society and commit to sink roots?

Does anyone have any idea of suggestions at all about what exactly can I do to show my present economic contributions to Singapore, integrate into society and commit to sink roots?

Showing how you've integrated into society is especially tough as it's intangible. This is where contributions like serving NS would really help you, but as you've mentioned here, you deliberately avoided it, which I guess turned out fine since you were never called to serve. Other than this though, it's pretty difficult to show your commitment/contribution to SG.

[Lisafuller]

The fact that you attended an International School in Singapore and studied abroad probably won't work in your favour.

Maybe getting married and having kids would increase your chances. Singapore prefers families.

I don't think attending international school is necessarily a red flag, as there are many reasons why an Expat may choose the international route that has nothing to do with intention to stay in SG.

[Lisafuller]

You went to International School for most of your life before going abroad “so you won’t be called up to serve NS”

From ICA’s POV, how does that count as integrating into society? You’re surrounded by mostly expats, not locals. It’s already a red flag.

Did your parents convert to citizenship after all these years? If they didn’t, again, it’s another red flag since it kind of indicates they want to settle elsewhere.

Maybe marrying a local Singaporean can improve your chances but only apply after 2 years of marriage or it will look like a marriage of convenience.

True, but aside from the fact that OP admitted it here my guess is that ICA would be none the wiser. I think it would be FAR more serious if OP had made attempts to evade NS after being called up, which apparently he never was.

[Lisafuller]

^ I know second gen kids who study in International Schools get called up to serve NS. Even Rice Media covered about this before.

The sentence I found very suspicious was “I actually left to a boarding school in the UK to do my A Levels when I was 16 because I did not want to be in Singapore if they were to call me up for NS”.

To me, ICA can probably see through that the individual want the benefits but not fulfil the obligations.

Right, it is my understanding that everyone has to serve NS, as long as they are a PR or citizen.

[Lisafuller]

In all fairness, I don’t think ICA knew or had any idea at that point that he’s studying in a boarding school because he didn’t wanna do NS. I reckon he just got lucky that he didn’t get called up for NS because of his nationality.

So, based on the above, to ICA there aren’t really any red flags other than the fact that he did his A Levels, uni and post grad overseas (which to be fair isn’t uncommon) and I presume that’s why he has no issues renewing his PR.

It's not being called up to serve based on nationality really a thing? What's the explanation for this? And wouldn't this be considered discriminatory?

[Lisafuller]

You went to International School for most of your life before going abroad “so you won’t be called up to serve NS”

From ICA’s POV, how does that count as integrating into society? You’re surrounded by mostly expats, not locals. It’s already a red flag.

Did your parents convert to citizenship after all these years? If they didn’t, again, it’s another red flag since it kind of indicates they want to settle elsewhere.

Maybe marrying a local Singaporean can improve your chances but only apply after 2 years of marriage or it will look like a marriage of convenience.

My parents did not convert to citizenship after all these years. I guess that could possibly be a factor that led to the rejection of my SG citizenship application. It may be hard for them to get citizenship now because unlike myself who spends a lot of time in Singapore, in the last few years, they have been spending of time of in Pakistan and have only been coming to Singapore about 3 times a year for 3-4 weeks visits.

If they only visit singapore thrice a year, then it makes sense why they wouldn't be keen on citizenship.

[Lisafuller]

You went to International School for most of your life before going abroad “so you won’t be called up to serve NS”

From ICA’s POV, how does that count as integrating into society? You’re surrounded by mostly expats, not locals. It’s already a red flag.

Did your parents convert to citizenship after all these years? If they didn’t, again, it’s another red flag since it kind of indicates they want to settle elsewhere.

Maybe marrying a local Singaporean can improve your chances but only apply after 2 years of marriage or it will look like a marriage of convenience.

On my SG citizenship application, if I remember correctly, I think they only require you to put your highest qualification so I just put my Master's and Bachelor's degrees. I did not put my A Levels which I obtained from the UK and my GCSEs (AKA O Levels) which I obtained from an international school in Singapore.

This will not stop the ICA from finding out, they know everything.

[Lisafuller]

OP, when I said plan B, I meant getting a PR in Canada or Australia or anywhere else really. It’s relatively easier to get citizenship in Canada than in SG.

My profile is pretty similar to yours, though like what others said comparing profiles won’t help you much. Bottom line is, you’re gonna have a hard time getting citizenship because of your nationality and other factors that only ICA is aware of.

Out of curiosity, why do you think that nationality is a factor in this? Are you in the others category or "Indian"?

I’ve actually been confused on this myself and have asked several people but the general consensus is that Pakistanis are under the “Indian” category.

As to why I think nationality is a factor in this? I mean I don’t know this for sure but I would think ICA does have a preference in nationalities too and not just race, and Pakistan is more likely than not, not a preferred nationality. I could be completely wrong but then again I’m also a pessimist.

I'm pretty sure the categorization extends beyond just the CMIO categories. For example, I am Caucasian according to my IC, and a good friend of mine is Javanese.

[MOCHS]

What do you mean national security reasons? Doesn't every citizen and PR have to serve?

There could be sensitive & classified military secrets that they don’t want leaking out to other countries, potentially jeopardising SG’s defence. PRs of certain nationalities are probably deemed high risk compared to others.

Malays are supposedly not posted to “highest” ranks either and I recall their explanation was if we get into a conflict with our geographically close neighbours, the military does not want them to “be conflicted” having to go on offence against their own “kin”.

If a citizen has Pes F medical status, they don’t serve either.

[therat]

In all fairness, I don’t think ICA knew or had any idea at that point that he’s studying in a boarding school because he didn’t wanna do NS. I reckon he just got lucky that he didn’t get called up for NS because of his nationality.

So, based on the above, to ICA there aren’t really any red flags other than the fact that he did his A Levels, uni and post grad overseas (which to be fair isn’t uncommon) and I presume that’s why he has no issues renewing his PR.

It's not being called up to serve based on nationality really a thing? What's the explanation for this? And wouldn't this be considered discriminatory?

If nationality is an issue. In the first place, should not give them PR.
PR is a stepping stone to citizen.
Dont call for NS bcoz of nationality.
Dont make sense at all.

[therat]

What do you mean national security reasons? Doesn't every citizen and PR have to serve?

There could be sensitive & classified military secrets that they don’t want leaking out to other countries, potentially jeopardising SG’s defence. PRs of certain nationalities are probably deemed high risk compared to others.

Malays are supposedly not posted to “highest” ranks either and I recall their explanation was if we get into a conflict with our geographically close neighbours, the military does not want them to “be conflicted” having to go on offence against their own “kin”.

If a citizen has Pes F medical status, they don’t serve either.

NS does not mean must be in army.
They can serve in Civil defence.

[singaporeflyer]

In all fairness, I don’t think ICA knew or had any idea at that point that he’s studying in a boarding school because he didn’t wanna do NS. I reckon he just got lucky that he didn’t get called up for NS because of his nationality.

So, based on the above, to ICA there aren’t really any red flags other than the fact that he did his A Levels, uni and post grad overseas (which to be fair isn’t uncommon) and I presume that’s why he has no issues renewing his PR.

It's not being called up to serve based on nationality really a thing? What's the explanation for this? And wouldn't this be considered discriminatory?

If nationality is an issue. In the first place, should not give them PR.
PR is a stepping stone to citizen.
Dont call for NS bcoz of nationality.
Dont make sense at all.

It's their country and they can do what they want.

[therat]

If those NSmen and those opp politician know that some nationality PR no need to do NS.
They sure will make hell of noise. LOL

I will not be surprise if mothership to pick up this thread.

[smoulder]

If those NSmen and those opp politician know that some nationality PR no need to do NS.
They sure will make hell of noise. LOL

I will not be surprise if mothership to pick up this thread.

Before mothership, the EDMW guys are going to go full retard.