Singapore is a vibrant city-state known for economic prosperity, safety, and a high quality of life. The citizens here enjoy many of the advantages and benefits that come with citizenship. Becoming a Singapore Citizen could be a life-changing decision for you and your family as it opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. Let’s delve into the seven key benefits of acquiring Singapore citizenship:
1. Healthcare subsidies
Healthcare is an essential part of our lives. A Singapore citizen enjoys the privilege of more subsidies when it comes to medical and hospitalization bills in Polyclinics and public Hospitals as compared to PRs and foreigners. For example:
Acute Inpatient Subsidy Levels (B2/C Ward)
2. Education Benefits
Singaporean children are enrolled under the Edusave Scheme, which rewards the children for doing well in both their academic and non-academic activities. The funds added into the account can be used to help pay for certain fees. More importantly, Singapore Citizens pay the lowest fees for public education. They are also given the largest amount of subsidies for private and tertiary education. Here is a comparison table:
3. Career Opportunities
Similar to PRs, there are more job opportunities available for Singapore Citizens. The current government’s policies are to ensure that the locals are placed first and always given priority when it comes to jobs. Therefore, there are more career opportunities and places for growth if you convert to a Singapore Citizenship.
4. Benefits for Family Members
Singapore citizens are allowed to sponsor their direct family members to obtain a long-term visa or even a PR status. As a PR, you do not have such a benefit and will only be limited to sponsoring PRs for spouses and children below 21.
5. Government CPF Scheme
As a Singapore Citizen, you will be enrolled under the Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme. Under this scheme, the employer of a Singaporean employee will have to contribute a monthly minimum amount to the employee’s fund. The CPF scheme helps the individual financially in the areas of healthcare, property ownership, children’s education, asset growth, family protection and higher interest rates given for the accounts. CPF contributions can also be considered as a form of tax relief, hence you have a lower amount of taxable income per year.
6. Property Ownership
Singapore PRs are only entitled to purchase resale HDB flats after being a PR for at least two years. Meanwhile, Singapore citizens are eligible to own and rent properties from HDB once they are 21 years of age. Any Singaporean citizen over the age of 35 would be able to own their property for the first time by purchasing the government’s Built-To-Order (BTO) flats. These flats are further subsidised by government grants.
7. Parenthood Incentives
Singapore’s government has implemented various parenthood incentives to encourage people to have children. Such initiatives include the enhanced baby bonus, Parenthood Tax Rebate and Working Mother’s Child Relief, providing tax rebates and tax reliefs for new parents. Furthermore, the Infant Care Subsidy gives parents of Singapore Citizen infants a subsidy per month to defray infant care costs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Singapore citizenship offers a multitude of benefits. If you are considering becoming a Singapore citizen, it is important to research the specific requirements and processes involved. Therefore, it is wise to consult with a professional from a well-established immigration consultancy to ensure you have the necessary information.
Here at Singapore Immigration Consultancy, we meet with individuals and provide specialised advice tailored to meet their unique needs. Our streamlined approach improves the outcomes for applications, allowing for a smooth and easier process to obtain a Singapore PR or citizenship. Feel free to reach out to us to find out more today!
