Singapore Citizen..to be or not to be

This question triggers a lot of emotions, from excitement to fear or you are simply dumbfounded. It's a difficult decision to make when you don't know the favourable and unfavourable factors of becoming one. Since you have already been released from any inhibition of your anchor in Singapore by holding a SPR status (Singapore Permanent Resident), why ask for more?

If you have allocated a favourable amount of time in Singapore to contribute to the country's progress and rooted yourself and family here, it is time to consider the country's  provisions to  reciprocate your contribution.

What are the concessions readily available to Singapore Citizens? There are benefits in different categories.

For housing, a Singapore Citizen will receive a CPF Housing Grant of $ 30K-40K depending on your family's income ceiling. This will be deposited into your CPF Ordinary account which can then be used for paying off the 10% down payment for your flat purchase. So if your ordinary account is not enough for this purpose then problem solved. For example, if the valuation price of the flat you're getting is 300k, the down payment is 30k. Your CPF Ordinary Account holds only 15k, if you are eligible for the 30k CPF Housing Grant, the total amount will tally to 45k which is more than enough to pay the down payment. You can use the extra for other fees like Stamp Fees,Conveyancing fee and others. The CPF Housing Grant can also be used when purchasing an Executive Condominium if you satisfy the requirements. Only Citizens are eligible for an HDB Housing loan which gives you 90%-100% loan for your flat. If you are required to give a 10% down payment, you can fully utilize your CPF ordinary account to pay it off. Singapore PR will have to seek assistance from private banks or financial institutions.They will have to pay 5% in cash and only 5% can be withdrawn from the CPF for the 10% initial payment.

Citizens can purchase a new flat from HDB while SPR's can only purchase re-sale flats from the open market. Re-sale flats are minimum 5 year old flats which is the allowed duration before a new flat can be sold. If you bought a resale flat and upgrading works are conducted ,Citizens will pay a subsidized rate while SPR's will pay a much higher fee. When we bought our flat 7 years ago, we were SPR's and asked to pay $8000 for the Lift Upgrading Program while our local neighbors paid $800. We were given a year to take up Citizenship to enjoy the subsidized rate which they adjusted after taking our oath. Any upgrading works can be paid off using your CPF ordinary account in a 10 year installment plan but still $8000 compared to $800 is something you could agonize about. By the way, when upgrading works are offered in your block only Citizens can vote for implementation. No wonder a lot of our neighbours moved out long before the upgrading started, SPR's maybe trying to avoid the costly charges.

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/

Baby Bonus is one of the perks of becoming a Singapore Citizen. This is a program that extends financial help for your growing brood. The 1st and 2nd Child will be given a cash gift of  $4000 given in 4 equal installments over 18 months from birth. The 3rd and 4th child will be receiving $6000.The first installment is given within 3 weeks after you have completed all forms for application. The subsequent installments will be given at intervals of 6,12,18 months thereafter. The cash gift will be credited into your nominated bank account.

Another bonus given will be the Matching Government Contribution. It is a dollar-per-dollar scheme where the governmwnt will open an account for your child, and whatever deposits you make will be matched. The cap for the 1st and 2nd child will be a maximum amount of $6000 and the for the 3rd and 4th child $12000, for the 5th and subsequent child is $18000. However, if you do not make any deposits the account will be stagnant. This saving can only be used for chik for the following purpose:

1) Fees at Approved Institutions which have registered with MCYS under the Baby Bonus Scheme:
a) Child care centres;
b) Kindergartens and special education schools registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE);
c) Early intervention programmes registered with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS); and
d) Healthcare institutions licensed under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics (PHMC) Act.

2) MediShield or Medisave-approved private integrated plans.

https://www.babybonus.gov.sg/  

GST Rebates will just catch you napping. A letter will notify you that you will be receiving a specified amount for rebates. So far I have received on two occassions $200 and there will be rebates to assist you on your PUB bills and Service and Conservancy Charges (this is charged every month for your flat maintenance by the Town Council)

Health Assitance and Subsidized Rates for Polyclinics and Singhealth Medical Institutions . You will benefit from subsidized rates from these medical institutions. Hospital connected with Singhealth are KK Hospital, Changi Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, National Cancer Centre Singapore, NAtional Dental & Heart Centre, Singapore National Eye Centre and National Neuroscience Institute. To utilize the subsidized rate when you need to go to Singhealth hospitals, you must acquire a referral from Polyclinics. It's easy, just go to any polyclinics and see a doctor. Express your interntion to see a specialist from your desired Institution and you will be given a referral letter that includes a doctor's appointment at your specified hospital. You can also directly go to the desired hospital's Accident & Emergency block and will be charged the subsidized rate.

Edusave is additinal Government aid for your children's education. It is a fund provided for a Singapore Citizen's child, it is called Edusave Account. This fund can be used as payment for enrichment programmes in his/her school or for purchase of additional resources. Usually mid-year additional books are required for purchase and the school will give you a form to fill up if you wish to use the Edusave fund to pay for it.

If your child is a Singaporean and studying full time in a Government, Government-aided or independent school, Singapore Sports School, NUS High School, NorthLight School, School of Arts, Assumption Pathway School and Government-supported special education school, he will automatically be given an Edusave account and receive a yearly contribution from the Government’s Edusave Pupils Fund. However, only the first, second and third child were eligible for the Edusave account prior to 2004 and only students between the age of 6 and 16 prior to 2009 were eligible for the annual Edusave contributions. From 2009, the Government contributes $200 and $240 to the Edusave account of each eligible student at primary and secondary level respectively.

There are also additional grants given. My eldest child received an award for best in English and received a letter from the Ministry of Education congratulating her and was given an additional sum credited into her Edusave account. Yes, the Government keeps track of your child's progress and school and rewards them for their achievements.


Ease of Travelling Overseas is another benefit you can truly enjoy! Travel Visa free to any country carrying your Singapore Biometrics passport. I had the priviledge of travelling to the USA hassle free, since my Mulitple Visa had expired I didnt have to renew it. Under the US Visa Waiver Program, you are only required to register online at the US Immigration to inform them of your travel. You must provide the details of your acccommodations there and a contact person if you are not staying in a hotel. In just 5 minutes you will get the result. If approved you can travel in and out of the US for 2 years, thereafter you have to register again. Under this program, you are allowed to stay in the USA for 90 days or less. If you have to stay longer then you have to attain the United States Visa from the US Embassy. You can visit Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to make the necessary registration in 4 easy steps.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cA0A35712-C367-8267-D8F0-52805F4BFB25_k4D6979F4-83CD-A0F6-089C-A1BC343DD0E6

Here's the link showing the list of countries you can enter Visa free carrying a Singapore Passport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_passport


Phillipines Still Matters

Now, how about matters concerning your Country of Birth. Worry not, you can still visit the Philippines Visa free for 30 days stay. If you need to stay longer, you can benefit from the Balikbayan program where you can stay for as long as a year maximum.

How about  Land Inheritance? Yes, you are still eligible to inherit land as a former Citizen. You can also still invest on realty. A maximum of 1000 sq.m of land as a whole or in part can be acquired. Below you can find the information extracted from the Philippine Embassy website.

If for some reason, you need to re-acquire your Philippine Citizenship it is possible and allowed. You can take your Oath of Allegiance at the Philippine Embassy.

Beofre becoming a SIngapore Citizen you have to renounce your Philippine CItizenship. Stated below are the procedures and requirements which will be conducted at the Philippine Embassy. This is a requirement in finalizing your Singapore Citizenship.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF OATH OF RENUNCIATION OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP

Personal Appearance;

Duly accomplished application form (click on the button below to download, in PDF format, a copy of the form)

Original and one (1) photocopy of the Notice of Approval from the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA);

Two (2) signed original of Oath of Renunciation (form available at Window 8);

Two (2) identical passport size photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) in color, recently taken, showing clear fron view of the applicant's face;

Applicant’s current Philippine passport with two (2) photocopies of the Identification Page;

Processing Fee of S$85.00 to be paid in cash.

The collection of the Oath of Renunciation Form will be after two working days from the date of application, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Form can be downloaded from the embassy website below

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/index.cfm?GPID=194


If you need to give up your Singapore Citizenship for some reason, you can re-acquire your Philippine Citizenship through the Philippine Embassy.

CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND RE-ACQUISITION UNDER R.A. 9225

Former Filipinos may re-acquire their Philippine citizenship through the Citizenship Reacquisition under Republic Act (RA) No. 9225. This Law, which took effect on 17 September 2003, declares that former natural-born Filipino citizens who acquired foreign citizenship through naturalization are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under conditions provided in the Act. A former Filipino can re-acquire Philippine citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.

A. Documentary Requirements:

1. Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office duly authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. In case the birth certificate is not available, other documentary proof of the applicant’s being a former natural-born Filipino citizen.

2. Certificate of Naturalization. Since the Act requires that the “loss of Philippine citizenship by the applicant must be on account of naturalization as a citizen of a foreign country”, he/she should submit documents showing the fact of his/her naturalization as a citizen of a foreign country.

3. Authenticated Marriage certificate, if married.

4. Authenticated Death certificate, if widowed.

5. Annulment, if the marriage is annulled. The court decision to nullify the marriage must be certified by the proper court and authenticated by the DFA.

6. Divorce decree, if divorcee. It must be certified by the proper court.

7. Duly accomplished application form for the citizenship re-acquisition/retention.

8. Three (3) 2 X 2 photos (white background) with the following view: left side view, front view and right side view.

B. Procedures:

1. Order of Approval will be issued by the Consular Officer of the Embassy which shall be the substantive proof that applicant has re-acquired/retained his/her Philippine citizenship.

2. Oath of Allegiance to be undertaken by the Consular Officer after the Order of Approval is issued.

The processing of the application will take two (2) working days.

C. Consular Service Fee

S$85.00 for taking an Oath of Allegiance for the re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship.


BALIKBAYAN BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES


Please be informed that the pronouncement by then Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo dated 04 June 2001 granting benefits and privileges to all Balikbayans and former Filipinos every time they enter the country to visit regardless of their frequent travel is still in effect.

Family members (spouse and children holding foreign passports) of a Balikbayan (returning Filipino citizen or former Filipino citizen) are entitled to a visa-free entry to the Philippines for a maximum stay of one (1) year from the date of their arrival in the country each time they enter the country. The family members of a Balikbayan shall likewise be admitted as Balikayans on the condition that they (i) travel with the Balikbayan; (ii) pay immigration fees; and (iii) observe and comply with immigration rules and regulations

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/index.cfm?GPID=77



Foreigners Owning Philippine Land

Only Filipino citizens and corporations and associations at least 60% of whose capital is owned by Filipinos may acquire private lands.

Foreigners are allowed to purchase a condominium unit, provided that total foreign ownership of the condominium corporation does not exceed 40%. They may also inherit real property from their deceased Filipino spouses or parents.

Children born to a Filipino parent, whether legitimate or illegitimate, may inherit the property o the Filipino parent, even if the child is not a Filipino citizen.

Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship will remain the owners of any property they have acquired before changing nationalities. On the other hand, a natural-born Filipino citizen who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land, subject to the following limitations and conditions:


Land Ownership by Former Filipinos in the Philippines

Natural-born Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship are entitled to own or acquire lands in the Philippines.

Article XII, Section 8, of the Philippine Constitution provides that a natural born citizens of the Philippines who has lost his or her Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private lands, subject to limitations provided by law.

Section 7 of the same Article entitles former Filipinos to own and acquire lands through hereditary succession, i.e. by virtue of inheritance.


GOVERNING LAWS ON LAND OWNERSHIP BY FORMER FILIPINOS

The laws on land ownership by natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship are governed by Batas Pambansa Blg. 185 (BP 185), which was enacted in March 1982, and Republic Act 8179 (RA 8179), which amended the Foreign Investment Act of 1991.

BP 185 stipulates the guidelines on land ownership by former Filipinos for purposes of establishment of residence while RA 8179 (Section 10) specifies entitlements and conditions for land acquisition for investment purposes. The acquisition or transfer of private lands refers to either voluntary or involuntary sale, devise or donation. Involuntary sales include sales on tax delinquency, foreclosures, and execution of judgment.


The following are the provisions of BP 185 and RA 7042, as amended by RA 8179, pertinent to land ownership by former Filipinos:


PARTICULARS

PROVISIONS UNDER BP 185 (Applies to acquisition of land for purposes of residence)

PROVISIONS UNDER RA 7042 AS AMENDED BY RA 8179 (Applies to acquisition of land for purposes of business or commerce)



Size/Area Coverage For Purpose of Residence

Maximum of 1000 sq. meters for urban land
Maximum of one (1) hectare for rural land

Either of the spouses may avail of this privilege .In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purposes, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum


Size/Area Coverage For Purpose of Business or Commerce

Maximum of 5000 sq. meters for urban land
Maximum of three (3) hectares for rural land

Either of the spouses may avail of this privilege .In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purposes, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum



Additional Land Acquisition

In case he/she already owns urban or rural lands for residential purposes, he/she may acquire additional urban or rural lands, which when added to those he/she presently owns shall not exceed the authorized maximum area.

In case he /she already owns urban or rural lands for business purposes, he/she may acquire additional urban or rural lands which when added to those he/she presently owns shall not exceed the authorized maximum area.


Limits to Acquisition of Land

A person may acquire not more than two (2) lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines, provided that the total area of those lots do not exceed 1,000 sq. meters for urban land or one (1) hectare for rural land for use as residence.

An individual who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa.

A person may acquire not more than two (2) lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines, provided that the total area of those lots do not exceed 5,000 sq. meters for urban land or three (3) hectares for rural land for use as residence.

Under Section 4 of Rule XII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 704 as amended by RA 8179, a transferee who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa. However, if the transferee has disposed of his rural land, he may still acquire rural land and vice versa, provided that this will be used for business.

A transferee of residential land acquired under Batas Pambansa Blg. 185 may still avail of the privilege granted under this law.



Use of Land

The acquired land should not be used for any purpose other than for his/her residence

Section 5 of Rule XII specifically states that "the land should be primarily, directly and actually used in the performance or conduct of the owner's business or commercial activities in the broad areas of agriculture, industry and services including the lease of land but excluding the buying or selling thereof.


Special Requirements

In addition to the requirements provided for in other laws for the registration of titles to lands, the transferee should submit to the Register of Deeds of the province or city where the property is located a sworn statement showing the following:

Date and place of birth
Names and addresses of his/her parents, his/her spouse, and children, if any;
The area, location, and mode of acquisition of his/her landholdings in the Philippines, if any;
His/her intention to reside permanently in the Philippines;
Date he/she lost his/her Philippine citizenship and the country of which hw/she is presently a citizen.
In addition to the usual registration requirements pertinent to the conveyance of real estate, the transfer contemplated shall not be recorded unless the transferee submits to the Registry of Deeds of the province or city where the land is situated, the following:

Certification of business registration issued by the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection of the Department of Trade and Industry;

Sworn statement same as that in BP 185;

Certification from the assessor of the municipality or province where the property is situated that the subject land for transfer is in an urban or rural area;

If an agricultural land is acquired, a certification from the Department of Agrarian Reform that the land is a retained area of the transferor and an affidavit of the transferee attesting that his total landholdings inclusive of the land to be acquired does not exceed the 5-hectare limit fixed by RA 6657 (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act - CARP).

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/