Applied Australia citizenship but thinking of cancelling

[renounce]

Hi all

I did a search of the archive here but couldn't find the answer to this question.

I served NS and have moved to Australia for a number of years, currently in mid 30s. I have an Australia PR and is eligible for citizenship application.

I did something that I probably shouldn't have done without much thoughts a few days ago. I applied for Australia citizenship online and only then did I have a deeper realisation into the implications of my Singapore citizenship. I don't have any current plans or wish to return to Singapore for good but I would like to keep my Singapore citizenship just in case and I do not want to commit perjury for when my Singapore passport and Exit permit is up for renewal. There is still some years before my newly renewed Singapore passport expires.

I feel that my current arrangement of Australia PR and Singapore citizenship is probably the more appropriate arrangement given Singapore's restriction on dual citizenship.

Is it possible to cancel the online application? If so would it in anyway have any repercussion to my future application of Australia citizenship?

Could you let me know the reasons if you think I should go ahead with the Australia citizenship anyway.

Also I read somewhere on this forum that if you are under 40 years of age you can't renounce your Singapore citizenship even if you want to due to reservist obligation? I have not served any reservist since I finished serving my NS. Does that mean I have to serve reservist if I do the right thing by renouncing Singapore citizenship now? That sounds rather ridiculous.

By the way I can't remember if renewing Singapore Exit permit online (it only allows me to renew a year each time so I have been doing it every year) requires you to answer of you have obtained a foreign citizenship?

Thanking you in advance for your help.

[teletraan1]

Why don't you call the Citizenship hotline and ask? I think as long as you have not attended the Citizenship ceremony, you should be able to cancel the application.

If you decide to proceed, I reckon you should be able to hold on to your Singaporean citizenship while also holding the Australian one until you need to renew your Singaporean passport. (Just a qualification that I don't know what the position of the Singaporean authorities will be if you are found doing this.) When that happens, declare truthfully that you are also an Australian citizen. ICA will then send you a letter requesting that you renounce your Australian citizenship if you want your Singaporean passport renewed. If you renounce your Australian citizenship while in Australia, DIAC will issue you with a permanent visa ie. your immigration status reverts to that of a PR. Should you want to reacquire Australian citizenship in the future, you can apply again under the Former Citizen category, the only requirement being that you are of good character to be proven by good character certificates from all countries that you have lived in since renouncing Australian citizenship.

[renounce]

Thanks teletran1.

Do yo know about the under 40 years of age with reservist obligation? I have not served any reservist since I finished serving my NS. Does that mean I have to serve reservist if I do the right thing by renouncing Singapore citizenship now?

[teletraan1]

As far as I am aware, the only condition of renouncing Singaporean citizenship during peace time is that you are of sound mind and at least 21 years of age. My brother left for Australia right after finishing his NS and has never been back since so he has not served a single day of reservist. He successfully renounced his citizenship in 2006.