Dual nationality issue

[CCH]

I am singapore PR now and will face the dilemma of whether taking sg citizenship or not very soon. As I know, sg doesn't allow dual nationality even though my country is ok with that. I really want to keep my own original nationality so that I can freely go back to work or stay with my family.

Is there any way to walk around or postpone the deadline of renoucement??

[Grep]

Well, some countries allow an ex-national to reclaim his citizenship after he has renounced it. I know someone who did that, gave up UK citizenship, got Singapore citizenship, and then went to reclaim his UK citizenshio again. Just curious, why do you want to take up Singapore citizenship ?

I am singapore PR now and will face the dilemma of whether taking sg citizenship or not very soon. As I know, sg doesn't allow dual nationality even though my country is ok with that. I really want to keep my own original nationality so that I can freely go back to work or stay with my family.

Is there any way to walk around or postpone the deadline of renoucement??

[Guest]

[quote="Grep"]Well, some countries allow an ex-national to reclaim his citizenship after he has renounced it. I know someone who did that, gave up UK citizenship, got Singapore citizenship, and then went to reclaim his UK citizenshio again. Just curious, why do you want to take up Singapore citizenship ?

I am a Taiwanese. My passport is not strong for many political reasons. I travel a lot and a sg passport will help. Getting sg passport is actully easy though renouncing own nationality is a great pain.

[Grep]

Alright, then it makes sense to get a Sing p/pt. What's the issue then ? I'm sure you can still enter Taiwan with a Sing p/pt.

[Vaucluse]

I agree. Even though you will have a Singaporaen passport, you will still feel Taiwanese in your heart - how can a passport take that away?

[earthfriendly]

CCH,

You may just have to do some soul-searching and ask yourself what is most important to you. Convenience that a SG passport affords or sentiments for your country. You will be happier if you follow your heart.

I can understand your situation. I am a Singaporean living in the USA married to an American. My husband thinks that it is best for the family to be the same when it comes to citizenship i.e Amercan. However, that also means giving up my Singapore citizenship. I can never bring myself to do it.

I have too much sentiments attached to the country that I was born and bred. Singapore government has provided me with a stable and prosperous environment to grow up in and I consider it ungrateful to "forsake" it in order to pursue greener pasture. It is even harder now that I have read the book "From Third World to First - the Singapore Story". Our forefathers immigrated to this land and give themselves selflessly so that their future generations can have better lives. I feel that I would have demeaned all the sacrifices they made if I discard my citizenship. It is what the Chinese called "ren qing". I place a lot of value on my Singapore citizenship and defined myself as a distinct Singaporean. Hence, switching to US citizenship will not hold much meaning to me. Plus, I do not see myself growing old in USA and will return to Singapore to make whatever little contribution I can after my kids are all grown up.

I wish you all the best and hope you make the choice that is best for your situation.

[Strong Eagle]

However, that also means giving up my Singapore citizenship. I can never bring myself to do it.

No, the United States does not force you to give up your citizenship in another country in order to become a naturalized American.

You will be asked to pledge allegiance to the United States when you become a citizen, but there is no requirement that you renounce your citizenship to an embasssy or consulate as Singapore requires.

Over the years, there have been a number of court cases and federal legislation that supports this. As a result, I am a naturalized US citizen (and have lived there for 30 years before coming to Singapore) but I also hold a Canadian passport (citizen by birth) and a UK passport (citizen by right of descent).

When and if you travel to Singapore, leave the US on your US passport (a requirement), come in on your Singapore passport.

More information on US citizenship can be found at:

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/

[Guest]

CCH,

You may just have to do some soul-searching and ask yourself what is most important to you. Convenience that a SG passport affords or sentiments for your country. You will be happier if you follow your heart.

Really thank you. In the beginning when I moved to sg, I didn't know I would become so hesitated to renounce my nationality. Taiwan is open and welcomes multiple nationalities. Getting the 2nd passport wont hurt the feelings of being a Taiwanese. Though discarding the nationality means different. I also have many concerns as maybe many emigrants agree too that people immigrate to obtain more freedom and opportunities. If the thing turns to be losing an existing arena and change to the other, it may not be worth doing then.

Maybe I take it too seriously. Guess some people really hold 2 passports which, one of them is Sg passport. It would be even great if such case became legal and open....

[JackOutOfTheBox]

earthfriendly, it appears you are still stuck in the inherent boxed-in mode of operation that most Singaporeans seem to be afflicted with despite having the good fortune of living outside the country. If you don't know already, many Singaporeans are dual citizens. No issues at all.

[CCH]

If you don't know already, many Singaporeans are dual citizens. No issues at all.

I need to know how it happens. Very important to me indeed.

[JackOutOfTheBox]

The ones I know were existing Singaporeans who, after having lived for a period of time in another country, chose to be naturalized as a citizen of the host country. This is fine because although the authorities say they don't allow dual citizenship, they put the onus on the Singaporean to voluntarily give up his citizenship after taking on another one. Those I know chose simply not to do that. Your case is different because you're taking up Singapore citizen. They have a more rigorous process in place in that they require you to provide evidence that you have actually renounced your original citizenship before granting th Singaporean one to you. So, no way out there. Unless, as mentioned by one of the posters above, Taiwan allows you to reclaim your Taiwanese citizenship after you've renounced it. That I see is the only available option for you.

I need to know how it happens. Very important to me indeed.

[Guest]

Well, some countries allow an ex-national to reclaim his citizenship after he has renounced it. I know someone who did that, gave up UK citizenship, got Singapore citizenship, and then went to reclaim his UK citizenshio again. Just curious, why do you want to take up Singapore citizenship ?

I am a Taiwanese. My passport is not strong for many political reasons. I travel a lot and a sg passport will help. Getting sg passport is actully easy though renouncing own nationality is a great pain.

Some Countries you cannot renounce, like UK, born a UK citizen always a Citizen.
I also know Taiwanese with dual passports? So even though Singapore will aquire that you give up your Taiwanese passport, You may still be able to apply for a new one in Taiwan. Why don't you ask your government. My daughter is Taiwanese and UK passport holder.

[Strong Eagle]

[quote="Anonymous"]Some Countries you cannot renounce, like UK, born a UK citizen always a Citizen.

Not true. You can renounce UK citizenship.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... ality.html

[ksl]

Some Countries you cannot renounce, like UK, born a UK citizen always a Citizen.

Not true. You can renounce UK citizenship.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... ality.html

I think you may find the link only applies to those who received British Citizenship, through other means, other than birth right. But I am not 100% sure, I was in fact pondering changing my citizenship to Danish, when I was informed that Denmark would take my passport, formality of Danish law.

But I couldn't renounce my birth right, it would always remain open and i could ask for a UK passport anytime, i wanted.

Danish law states you must renounce your other Citizenship, yet the Danish authorities informed me, it was a formality that cannot be enforced becuase UK will not comply if Born on the Island.

But for people that receive Citizenship, through one parent being British, does not give them birth right, like my daughter who is born in Taiwan, can renounce her right, if she has another passport, but if she did renounce, she would not get her British nationality back automatically. So god only knows!!!

[earthfriendly]

This is fine because although the authorities say they don't allow dual citizenship, they put the onus on the Singaporean to voluntarily give up his citizenship after taking on another one.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. One more reason that I love this forum.

I did a search on Singapore dual citizenship and government stand is that they may exercise their discretion to take your Singaporean citizenship away if you are taking up foreign citizenship. I do not want to take the risk.

On a spiritual note, if I am not able to give my heart and soul to my adopted country, I don't see much meaning in becoming its citizen. I do admire and love the ideals that the USA is build upon but deep inside, I will always be a Singaporean. I feel better when form follows function.