Quora Answer: How Can a Foreigner be a Singapore Citizen?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “How can a foreigner be a Singapore citizen?”

To become a Singaporean, you first need to be a Permanent Resident.  Application for PR is through several schemes:

You could study here, as a student, and pass your examinations.  The PSLE and GCE ‘N’, ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels carry more weight.  You need to have been in the school system for at least two school years.

You could work here as a skilled worker, having the required work permit, and earn over $3,500 monthly.  This number may vary, and is always revised upwards.  You need to have worked here for at least a year to be eligible to apply for permanent residency.  You will also need to provide details of your education, your employment history and your current work.

You could set up a business here, and invest at least $1.5 million.  You need to provide some details of your prior businesses, if any.

You could marry a Singaporean, which eventually allows you to apply for PR.

After 2 years as a PR, you may apply for citizenship.  The details for this, and everything above is on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.  The process is transparent.  If you have a prior criminal conviction, or association with groups that may be viewed as a threat to the multicultural, secular state, you are not likely to get your citizenship.