Approval is not the finish line. When ICA grants in-principle approval for citizenship, there is one more stage before you become a Singaporean, and it is the part almost nobody is briefed on properly.
The Singapore Citizenship Journey is a short programme that every approved applicant between 16 and 60 completes before taking the oath. This guide explains the stages, what happens at the ceremony, and what changes the day you sign.
Quick answer: The Singapore Citizenship Journey is a mandatory programme for approved citizenship applicants aged 16 to 60. It combines an online module, a guided visit to historical and cultural sites, and a community session, and is completed before the oath ceremony where you become a citizen.
What Is the Singapore Citizenship Journey?
The Citizenship Journey exists to make the transition mean something. Rather than handing over a certificate at a counter, ICA asks new citizens to spend a little time understanding the country’s history, its institutions and the community they are joining.
It is not an examination. There is no pass mark and nothing to revise for. What it does require is attendance and attention, because completing it is a condition of proceeding to the oath.
The Three Parts of the Programme
As currently structured, the Journey has three components. ICA will confirm the exact format and schedule in your appointment details.
- The e-Journey: An online module covering Singapore’s history, cultural heritage, national symbols and civic values. It usually takes two to four hours and you can work through it at your own pace.
- The experiential visit: A guided tour of significant historical and cultural sites, which puts the online content into a physical context. Expect a half day.
- The community session: A sharing session that introduces you to the neighbourhood networks and grassroots organisations you are joining as a resident and citizen.
Who Has to Complete It?
Approved applicants aged 16 to 60 must complete the Journey. Younger children and older applicants are generally exempted, though family members who fall within the age band each complete their own programme. If several members of a household are converting together, plan the diary carefully.
The Oath Ceremony: What Actually Happens
Once the Journey is complete, ICA schedules your citizenship registration and oath ceremony. Most are held at community clubs, alongside other new citizens, with family present. The ceremony itself runs for about an hour.
- The oath: You take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty before a presiding officer, then sign it. This is the legal moment your citizenship takes effect.
- The pledge and anthem: New citizens recite the National Pledge and sing Majulah Singapura together.
- What you receive: Your citizenship certificate, and the arrangements for collecting your pink NRIC and applying for a Singapore passport.
Renouncing Your Previous Citizenship
The word renunciation in the oath is not ceremonial. Singapore does not permit dual citizenship for adults, so becoming a citizen means giving up your existing nationality and surrendering that passport through your home country’s own process. Our article on dual citizenship in Singapore explains how this works and what it means for children born with two nationalities.
Start the renunciation paperwork early. Some countries process it in weeks, others take months, and the timeline is outside ICA’s control.
Should You Convert at All?
Not every PR should. Citizenship brings the vote, a Singapore passport, full housing and education access, and National Service obligations for eligible males. Permanent residency keeps your existing passport and much of the practical convenience. If you are still deciding, our comparison of converting from PR to citizen is a useful starting point, and our Singapore citizenship application service can assess your position properly.
If you conclude that PR suits you better for now, remember that the status is not indefinite and needs maintaining. Our guide to PR renewal in Singapore covers the re-entry permit and what ICA looks at.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not immigration, legal or financial advice. ICA, MOM, HDB and IRAS rules change from time to time, so please confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified consultant before making a decision.
Crossing the Last Step
The Singapore Citizenship Journey is the shortest and most human stage of a process that often takes years. A few hours online, a morning walking through the country’s history, an afternoon meeting your neighbours, and then an hour in a community hall that changes your nationality.
If you are preparing a citizenship application, or weighing it against staying a PR, Singapore Immigration Consultancy can help you make the call with clear eyes. Reach out to us for a confidential discussion.
Ready to take the citizenship step? Speak to our consultants about your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Singapore Citizenship Journey
Is the Singapore Citizenship Journey compulsory?
Yes. Approved citizenship applicants aged 16 to 60 must complete the Singapore Citizenship Journey before attending the oath ceremony. Applicants outside that age range are generally exempted.
Is there a Singapore citizenship test?
There is no pass or fail test. The Citizenship Journey includes an online module on Singapore’s history and civic values, but it is a learning programme rather than an examination. Completion, not a score, is what matters.
How long does the Singapore Citizenship Journey take?
The online e-Journey typically takes two to four hours at your own pace, and the experiential visit and community session each take roughly half a day. Overall, most applicants complete everything within a few weeks, depending on available session slots.
What happens at the Singapore citizenship oath ceremony?
You take and sign the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty before a presiding officer, recite the National Pledge, sing the National Anthem, and receive your citizenship certificate. The ceremony lasts about an hour and is usually held at a community club.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to become a Singaporean?
Yes. Singapore does not allow dual citizenship for adults, so you must renounce your existing nationality and surrender that passport through your home country’s process. Begin this early, as timelines vary widely between countries.
