TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - About 1,000 Indonesian citizens renounced their citizenship and applied for Singaporean citizenship in the middle of last year, according to a report by national radio broadcaster Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) on its official website. The Indonesian Embassy confirmed the news, explaining that the move was due to several factors, including marriage to a resident or receiving a job offer.

Singapore is considered one of the best Asian cities to live in. It boasts a high quality of living, lucrative employment opportunities, and easily accessible healthcare facilities. A Singapore passport is also one of the world's most powerful passports, and its holders can enjoy visa-free travel to 189 countries.

People eligible for Singapore citizenship

According to Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), people can become Singaporean citizens if they fall into one of the following five categories:

1. Have been a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) for at least two years and are aged 21 and above (you can apply together with your spouse and any unmarried children aged below 21 born to you within the context of a legal marriage or legally adopted by you).

2. Have been a PR for at least two years and have been married to a Singapore citizen for at least two years.

3. Are an unmarried child aged below 21 born within the context of a legal marriage to, or have been legally adopted by, a Singapore citizen.

4. Are a PR studying in Singapore; and have been residing/living in Singapore for more than 3 years (of which, at least one year as a PR); and have passed at least one national exam (i.e. PSLE, GCE ‘N’/‘O’/‘A’ levels), or are in the Integrated Programme (IP).

5. Are a PR and an Aged Parent of a Singapore citizen.

Documents and service fee

The documents required to be submitted for the citizenship application are differentiated into age groups, namely adults, children, and the elderly. 

The application service fees range from S$10 to S$100, or Rp112,900 to Rp1,129,000, at an assumed exchange rate of Rp11,290. All applications must be submitted online through the ICA's e-Service.

Procedure to renounce Indonesian citizenship 

The Singapore government does not allow dual citizenship. Thus, people need to renounce their citizenship to get the Singapore one.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its website kemlu.go.id, Indonesians who wish to give up their citizenship status must comply with the following procedures:

1. Submit the application form via the Electronic Citizenship Administration System (SAKE) at

2. Obtain the legalization of the translation of the certificate (Apostille Certificate) issued by the Directorate General of the General Legal Administration (AHU) at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. For consular services, an individual must make an appointment via

3. Submit your Indonesian Passport to the Immigration Department by attaching a copy of the certificate from the Directorate General of AHU.

MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA

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