Citizenship Chances- Applying on 1-year REP

[jay.sam]

I have just been given one-year REP renewal (My first renewal cycle) and to be honest I am a little surprised. I have wanted to apply for Singapore Citizenship and now I am a little lost.

A little about myself:
- 41
- PR since 2019
- Working for a multi-national company as mid/senior manager
- Hong Kong passport holder
- Have been on an international assignment since 2021 and I will be moving back to Singapore in few weeks time
- My CPF contribution never stopped while I have been away

I am thinking if I should put in my Citizenship application despite I am on my one-year REP. Reason being I want to do this in my early 40s.

Appreciate your thoughts.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You will probably be better off waiting as you have been out of the country for at least the last 3 of the five year REP and are still out of the country. There are normally only 2 reasons for the REP of one year. One is a notice to get your butt back to Singapore and stay in Singapore for the near future (going back offshore while on the 1 year REP will signal the death of your PR if you leave without a valid REP as the one year REP will not be renewed UNLESS you remain in Singapore for the duration of the One Year REP (not talking about going to Batam or Johor for the weekend.) I am sure you comprehend what I'm saying. The other reason is to give you some time to wrap up your affairs here before it expires (losing your PR in the process in either case). Not an easy choice if you have a plum position but again, keeping a family separated like the is hard. (If you are a family man) If you are single then it just looks like an abuse of PR if you are living in a different country. Good Luck - the choice is yours.

[NYY1]

Did they just give you one year automatically or did you need to call them and explain that you are coming back soon (just to get that)?

I would also suggest waiting. It is not like 9 months to 1 year is that long anyways. Have an address and paycheck in Singapore for about a year, and you'll probably be in better standing.

Good luck.

[jay.sam]

I had mine given automatically (though they did ask me to provide two letters- one from my employer in Singapore and the other one from the overseas branch confirming my assignment. You are right, actually, I can apply in 9 months time but just wanted to shorten the waiting time because I am not getting younger :/

Did they just give you one year automatically or did you need to call them and explain that you are coming back soon (just to get that)?

I would also suggest waiting. It is not like 9 months to 1 year is that long anyways. Have an address and paycheck in Singapore for about a year, and you'll probably be in better standing.

Good luck.

[jay.sam]

You will probably be better off waiting as you have been out of the country for at least the last 3 of the five year REP and are still out of the country. There are normally only 2 reasons for the REP of one year. One is a notice to get your butt back to Singapore and stay in Singapore for the near future (going back offshore while on the 1 year REP will signal the death of your PR if you leave without a valid REP as the one year REP will not be renewed UNLESS you remain in Singapore for the duration of the One Year REP (not talking about going to Batam or Johor for the weekend.) I am sure you comprehend what I'm saying. The other reason is to give you some time to wrap up your affairs here before it expires (losing your PR in the process in either case). Not an easy choice if you have a plum position but again, keeping a family separated like the is hard. (If you are a family man) If you are single then it just looks like an abuse of PR if you are living in a different country. Good Luck - the choice is yours.

Thank you. I did not realise taking an overseas assignment for a Singapore company would create so many problems. I am clear about what I want- which is to move back and not leave again. That means I will have to find a new job :S