Many foreigners in Singapore reach a point where they consider becoming a Permanent Resident (PR) or applying for citizenship. Both offer long-term stability but come with different rights, responsibilities, and restrictions.
This choice matters because your status affects your work opportunities, travel freedom, property ownership, and even your family’s future in Singapore. If you are deciding between Singapore PR and Singapore citizenship, knowing these differences will help you see which path fits you best.
Need help with your PR or citizenship application? Reach out to us via WhatsApp, call, or our enquiry form, and we will get back to you within one working day.
Singapore PR vs. Citizenship: Who Is Eligible?
Before weighing the pros and cons, it is essential to know what Singapore PR and citizenship actually mean:
1. Singapore Permanent Residency (PR)
PR allows foreigners to live, work, and stay in Singapore without needing a work pass. However, it is not the same as full citizenship. PRs enjoy certain benefits but come with certain limitations as compared to Singapore citizens.
Who Can Apply?
PR applications are open to:
- Spouses of Singapore citizens or PRs.
- Individuals under 21, born to or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen or PR within a legal marriage.
- Students studying in Singapore
- Aged parents of Singapore citizens.
- An individual with an Employment Pass or S Pass.
- Foreign investors.
2. Singapore Citizenship
Singapore citizenship grants full legal rights, including voting privileges and access to a Singapore passport. Citizens enjoy greater benefits in areas like housing, healthcare, and education.
Who Can Apply?
- Individuals who have been PRs for at least two years, are 21 years or older, and are applying alone or with their spouse and unmarried children under 21 (born or legally adopted within a marriage).
- Individuals who have been PRs for at least 2 years and married to a Singapore citizen for at least 2 years.
- Individuals under 21 who are unmarried, born to or legally adopted within a marriage by a Singapore citizen.
- Individuals who are PRs, have studied in Singapore for over 3 years (including at least 1 year as a PR), and have completed a recognised national examination or are enrolled in the Integrated Programme (IP).
- Individuals who are PRs and aged parents of a Singapore citizen.
(Source: Envato)
What Makes Singapore PR and Citizenship Different?
Your status as a PR or citizen affects everything from work opportunities to family benefits. Here is a breakdown of their comparative strengths and weaknesses:
- Residency Status: PRs can live in Singapore long-term but are not full citizens, whereas citizens have permanent residency with full national rights.
- Work & Employment: PRs can work without a work pass but may have limited opportunities in certain government roles, while citizens have no job restrictions.
- National Service (NS): Male PRs may need to serve NS if they obtained PR as a foreign student or through family sponsorship, while NS is compulsory for all male citizens.
- Travel & Passport: PRs must use a foreign passport and maintain a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) to retain PR status, whereas citizens hold a Singapore passport with visa-free travel benefits.
- Property Ownership: PRs can purchase resale HDB flats and form a family nucleus, whereas citizens can purchase both new and resale HDB flats with additional housing grants.
- CPF Contributions: Both PRs and citizens contribute to CPF, but citizens receive a higher employer contribution rate.
- Healthcare & Subsidies: PRs can access MediShield Life and basic healthcare subsidies, but citizens receive full government-funded healthcare benefits, including CHAS subsidies.
- Public Housing Grants: PRs have limited access to government housing grants, while citizens qualify for full CPF Housing Grants.
- Private Property Ownership: PRs must pay an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 5% on their first private property, while citizens either pay a lower rate or none at all.
- Government Financial Assistance: PRs have limited access to financial aid schemes, while citizens are eligible for full financial assistance and social benefits.
- Sponsorship for Family Members: PRs can sponsor their spouse and children for PR status, while citizens can sponsor them for full citizenship.
- Voting Rights: PRs cannot vote in elections, but citizens can participate in general elections and referendums.
- Renunciation: PRs can give up their status anytime, while Singapore citizens must formally renounce their citizenship if they choose to adopt another nationality.
These are some of the main differences, but there is more to it. Both PR and citizenship come with specific requirements and responsibilities, and the rules can change over time. If you are thinking about making the switch, it is always good to check the latest guidelines and make sure it is the right fit for you.
Need help with your PR or citizenship application? Reach out to us via WhatsApp, call, or our enquiry form, and we will get back to you within one working day.
(Source: Envato)
How to Know Which Status Suits You Best
Why Choose PR?
If you want to live in Singapore long-term but still keep your foreign citizenship, PR might be the right choice.
You would not need a work pass to stay employed, and your employer will contribute to your CPF, which helps with retirement and medical costs. You will also get some public healthcare subsidies, though not as much as citizens.
If you became a PR as an adult, you would not have to serve National Service (NS). This makes PR a popular option for those who want stability in Singapore without the full commitments of citizenship.
Plus, if you ever decide to leave Singapore, PR gives you more flexibility to relocate. Just keep in mind that you will need to renew your Re-Entry Permit (REP) every five years to keep your PR status when traveling.
Why Choose Citizenship?
If you see Singapore as your permanent home, citizenship gives you the most security and benefits.
You will have full access to government support, including better housing options, more healthcare subsidies, and financial assistance. As a citizen, you would not have to worry about renewing a Re-Entry Permit (REP) every five years, unless you choose to renounce it.
One of the biggest advantages is the Singapore passport, which is one of the strongest in the world for visa-free travel. You will also have the right to vote, which means you can have a say in shaping the country’s future.
However, citizenship is a lifelong commitment. If you are a male citizen, or if you have sons, National Service (NS) is mandatory. Unlike PR, citizenship also requires you to give up any other nationality.
Still Unsure?
When choosing between Singapore PR and citizenship, it all comes down to what aligns with your lifestyle, priorities, and future plans. Before deciding, ask yourself:
- Are you planning to stay in Singapore permanently, or do you prefer the flexibility to move?
- How will your decision impact your family’s future in Singapore?
- Will your children benefit more from citizenship in terms of long-term prospects?
- Are you or your children prepared for National Service if required?
- Do you need career stability, or are you open to opportunities elsewhere?
- Do you plan to invest in property, and are you prepared for the different ownership rules?
- How important is it for you to retain your current nationality?
- Do you see yourself retiring in Singapore or relocating in the future?
- How much do government benefits and subsidies influence your decision?
- Does having the right to vote and shape national policies matter to you?
- How important is it for you to travel freely with a stronger passport?
- Will your long-term financial plans be affected by your residency status?
- Are you willing to go through the application and approval process for either status?
Conclusion
Choosing between PR and citizenship is a big decision, and there is no right or wrong answer. Think about where you see yourself in the years ahead, what matters most to you, and how each status fits into your plans. Take your time, weigh your options, and make a decision that gives you peace of mind.
Need help with your PR or citizenship application? Reach out to us via WhatsApp, call, or our enquiry form, and we will get back to you within one working day.
