What's next after getting citizenship?

[lemon tree]

Hi guys,

34F single here, and I finally just recently become a Singapore citizen (after a 19 month wait for AIP). Now asking experienced folks on what to do from here?

For instance, I have collected my pink IC from the post office, I have already updated my HR on my change of citizenship status, I am about to apply for a passport, I'm happily reading up on what BTO I can apply next year.

Any other things I should do? Or that I should sign up for?

Kinda wished that they would send some form of letter on your benefits like what you get when you sign up for some membership program, or is that going to be given later during the citizenship ceremony?

Thanks in advance!

[malcontent]

Hi guys,

34F single here, and I finally just recently become a Singapore citizen (after a 19 month wait for AIP). Now asking experienced folks on what to do from here?

For instance, I have collected my pink IC from the post office, I have already updated my HR on my change of citizenship status, I am about to apply for a passport, I'm happily reading up on what BTO I can apply next year.

Any other things I should do? Or that I should sign up for?

Kinda wished that they would send some form of letter on your benefits like what you get when you sign up for some membership program, or is that going to be given later during the citizenship ceremony?

Thanks in advance!

Congrats on getting newly minted. Singapore passport really is one of the best there is, so you can start making travel plans too!

Singapore is not a socialist state, so I hope you weren’t expecting a long list of benefits. I think you’ve identified the main ones already. If you want more… I suspect you’ll need to get married and start making babies .

The only other benefit I can think of is the increased subsidy for public healthcare (if you use that), but nothing you need to do, it should be automatic.

I don’t believe you’ll see any change in Medishield Life or Integrated Shield Plan (if you have one), but you may need to update any accounts/policies/etc. that you hold.

[jalanjalan]

Apart from what Malcontent said, download LifeSG App and you'll see if you are eligible for any credits like SkillsFuture, GST and such. All updated automatically.
You also get to claim one grandfather road where you can proudly walk every day. (I joke. I have one tho)

[malcontent]

Apart from what Malcontent said, download LifeSG App and you'll see if you are eligible for any credits like SkillsFuture, GST and such. All updated automatically.
You also get to claim one grandfather road where you can proudly walk every day. (I joke. I have one tho)

When I first moved to Singapore, the very first place I stayed (an HDB room rental) was just off Balestier Road. Long after I’d moved on and after more than a decade passed, I learned the history of the road and the person behind it. Balestier’s wife had an even more interesting background and Singapore still has the bell she donated (made by her father, who is far more famous than either of them) sitting in a museum here. I certainly never would have imagined any of that. In fact, the only reason I stumbled across it was for a paper that my daughter had to write in school.

There is actually a lot of history here. In many cases you’ve got to make an effort to uncover it. But it is certainly a worthwhile endeavor, especially for a newly minted Singaporean, IMO.

[jalanjalan]

Apart from what Malcontent said, download LifeSG App and you'll see if you are eligible for any credits like SkillsFuture, GST and such. All updated automatically.
You also get to claim one grandfather road where you can proudly walk every day. (I joke. I have one tho)

When I first moved to Singapore, the very first place I stayed (an HDB room rental) was just off Balestier Road. Long after I’d moved on and after more than a decade passed, I learned the history of the road and the person behind it. Balestier’s wife had an even more interesting background and Singapore still has the bell she donated (made by her father, who is far more famous than either of them) sitting in a museum here. I certainly never would have imagined any of that. In fact, the only reason I stumbled across it was for a paper that my daughter had to write in school.

There is actually a lot of history here. In many cases you’ve got to make an effort to uncover it. But it is certainly a worthwhile endeavor, especially for a newly minted Singaporean, IMO.

yes indeed. National Library has a wealth of information on this, plus street guides/maps dating back to the beginning. It's fascinating to delve into.

[Swn4]

Free national library membership!
If you have kids in the future, higher priority for primary school registration.
The occasional gifts from the govt - gst subsidy, skills future money.
Cheaper medical care at polyclinics & govt hospitals.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[malcontent]

Free national library membership!
If you have kids in the future, higher priority for primary school registration.
The occasional gifts from the govt - gst subsidy, skills future money.
Cheaper medical care at polyclinics & govt hospitals.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’d guess many a PR who convert to SC would have already signed up for NLB membership and paid the small fee.

Probably the biggest financial benefit is the right to buy a new HDB direct from government (believe it’s 2 in a lifetime; with a minimum 5 year holding period each). Ideally at an early an age — earn too much, you lose subsidies.

Probably the second biggest benefit is all of the child related subsidies, grants and tax relief. I think they should throw in one free COE too!

[lemon tree]

Good point on the accounts/policies, malcontent! Yea, I'm updating my bank accounts and insurance policies now. Also trying to remember what accounts I have that requested for citizenship status lol.

LifeSG App - Yeah, thanks jalanjalan. Just downloaded it and now exploring it. Initially thought it was for folks who want to follow their children's milestones or something.

NLB membership - Yep, already had that since young, when back in old days we did not have netflix/youtube to occupy us lol.

Do wished I applied for citizenship earlier when I was still studying so that I could have enjoyed the educational subsidies and handouts, but at that time my mindset was mainly more on how much cooler the blue IC looked as compared to the pink IC lol.