PR or Citizen

[midnitesun]

Hi all,
I have been following this forum some time now and gladly to say, this is sure a good and cool forum platform to get advice and information. To all involved in making this forum possible, keep u the great work, there are just tremendous information. Good work!!
Much said, I have a relative who has been a PR for more than 10 years now and he is contemplating if he should convert the PR to be a Singapore citizen. I could not help him to answer and I wish to check if anyone could help to give some feedback and information on the pro and con of both and the implications for the children who are currently studying in primary schools in Singapore.
Thanking all in advance.

[taxico]

is his son a PR, Singapore Citizen (SC) or international student... ?

(you might want to look within the "Strictly Speaking" discussions inside the General sub-forum too)

you can check this website for fees:

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissi ... eral-info/

an extract: "For children of Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents and dependants of Employment Pass and Skilled Work Permit Holders, the monthly school fees payable for the first 2 years are S$3.50 for primary, S$6 for secondary and S$7 for pre-university levels. For the third year onwards, the school fees payable will be determined based on their citizenship status."

in general, i don't think there's much unaffordable differences between PRs/SCs when it comes to singapore education.

however, only SCs enjoy education grants/awards (edusave) which are usually used for extra-curricular activities (eg, trips to place, special programs). PRs/ISs have to pay in good ole cash at the front of the class to the form teacher.

at least, that's what i had to do in the past before each trip/program... and if i didn't have/forgot to bring the money, i would be left in school by myself or left out of the class/program.

it was a real confidence booster! but do note these programs occur more regularly in some schools than others (during my time many moons ago)...

[econoMIC]

This is a tricky question.

There are a lot of issues to consider here: most important, current citizenship, children (gender, age), financial situation, future plans, current living arrangements and last but not least what benefits does the person expect from taking SC and is he alright with the responsibilities that come with it. At the same time what would the person give up if she renounces her current citizenship?

In my opinion, you have all the benefits you could ever wish for as a Singapore PR (especially in my case where the wife is a citizen as well). I would never give up my Canadian or German Citizenships. Yes, as a SPR you have to pay a bit more money here and there and you don't get progress packages etc. but that is about it from my point of view. So why give up all the possibilities and benefits I get from my other two citizenships? On the other hand if I was North Korean or East Timorese (just to name two other citizenships, no offense to anyone) I couldn't wait to drop them and become a Singapore Citizen.

[JustAnotherExpat]

Hi all, saw this thread about PRs and Citizens so thought of putting my question here instead of creating a new thread.

I'm a male first-generation PR who's been here for more than 3 years, and considering applying for citizenship.
But there is something that is concerning me before I decide to send in my citizen application - national service.

Would anyone be able to tell me whether I would need to serve the 2 years NS once I become a Singapore citizen? I've tried to look up this information in ICA and NS.com.sg websites, but all I could find was the statement: "All male permanent residents and citizens in Singapore, aged 16 to 40 years (or 50 years for officers and members of certain skilled professions) are subject to the Enlistment Act".
However this does not mention whether it's referring to 'native' (or second-generation onwards) Singapore citizen, or ALL male Singapore citizens regardless of him being first-generation or not.

Does the first-generation PR's NS exemption also translate to a first-generation citizen NS exemption?

Many thanks in advance for the help

[econoMIC]

Hi all, saw this thread about PRs and Citizens so thought of putting my question here instead of creating a new thread.

I'm a male first-generation PR who's been here for more than 3 years, and considering applying for citizenship.
But there is something that is concerning me before I decide to send in my citizen application - national service.

Would anyone be able to tell me whether I would need to serve the 2 years NS once I become a Singapore citizen? I've tried to look up this information in ICA and NS.com.sg websites, but all I could find was the statement: "All male permanent residents and citizens in Singapore, aged 16 to 40 years (or 50 years for officers and members of certain skilled professions) are subject to the Enlistment Act".
However this does not mention whether it's referring to 'native' (or second-generation onwards) Singapore citizen, or ALL male Singapore citizens regardless of him being first-generation or not.

Does the first-generation PR's NS exemption also translate to a first-generation citizen NS exemption?

Many thanks in advance for the help

Nope. As you are first generation and I guess you you came through the technical/skilled stream you don't have to do NS. What will happen is that one day you will receive a letter from Mindef asking you to register and halfway through the process they thank you and tell you that your services are not needed at this time. Reason behind this is that they want you in their register to know their troop strength if they want to mobilise the "bottom of the barrel in case of emergency", ie. us (including myself).

The only thing where you might have to serve is if you are really young, like under 25 but I doubt you are that young given you are first gen and have been PR for 3 years.

Of course should you have a soon in the future, he will be liable for NS as a citizen but that would have also been the case should you decide to make him a PR...

In general though, call ICA and make sure, I personally would not rely on anyone in a forum telling me this but would want it black on white.