On 26-Mar-2020, I received an email from ICA Citizenship Unit that there is an update on the status of my application for Singapore citizenship. I was so nervous and worried because there are only two possibilities, either it is approved or rejected. Without further ado, I quickly log on to ICA portal to check. Bravo! 🎉 The status shows as Approved-in-principle! After nine months of waiting and eventually I got the approved-in-principle (AIP) for my Singapore citizenship application. I am now eligible for the next step to complete the Singapore Citizenship Journey. 😄
From the ICA portal, you can download the approved-in-principle letter where you can find the instructions for the tasks you must complete in this stage. You will also find the citizenship roadmap and useful FAQ to get answers to your queries quickly.
Singapore Citizenship Journey Portal
The next step is to complete the Singapore Citizenship Journey. You must complete the journey within two months from the date stated in the letter. You need to login to the Singapore Citizenship Journey portal with your SingPass ID to complete the process.
The Singapore citizenship journey comprises of
- Singapore Citizenship e-Journey
- Singapore Experiential Tour
- Community Sharing Session
Singapore Citizenship e-Journey
The e-Journey is an online journey with a series of video that allows new citizens to learn about Singapore. It includes information on our history and development as a country, key national policies, Total Defence, as well as our efforts in building a cohesive and harmonious society.
Singapore Experiential Tour
Singapore experiential tour is a half-day tour to bring new citizens to key historical landmarks and national institutions. You will learn about Singapore history and how we overcome national challenges in the different domains.
Community Sharing Session
Community sharing session is an event for you to meet fellow residents and Grassroots Leaders (GRLs) from your own constituency. During the session, you will reflect on your journey towards citizenship and share your hopes and aspirations for Singapore. You will also meet other new citizens and learn how they can actively participate in the community.
GRLs and Integration & Naturalisation Champions (INCs) from the People’s Association will also share their experiences living in a multi-racial and multi-religious society, and provide valuable information to help new citizens better settle into their community.
However, due to circuit breaker constraints, my Singapore citizenship journey was completed entirely online. In my case it was in the earlier stage where the circuit breaker just started (early April-2020). During this period, most activities were suspended or restricted.
Final Stage Approval
After completing the Singapore Citizenship Journey, you will be receiving an email from ICA stating that there is a status update of your application for Singapore Citizenship. Login to the ICA portal and you will see the final stage approval letter.
From the letter, you can find the appointment date to report to ICA for Singapore Citizenship registration and to take the Oath of renunciation. So, the next step is to renounce your Malaysian Citizenship at the Malaysia High Commission.
Closing Words
Generally, I would say this is an introductory section for new citizens to get a better understanding of Singapore government structures, culture, and history. Personally, I enjoy this section very much and I learnt new things! Although I have been in Singapore for more than 20 years, there are still many things I am not aware of. 😛
Overall, this is a very informative section, straight forward and nothing hassle. I hope you will enjoy it too. Lastly, thank you for stopping by my website and stay tuned for my next blog post on “Malaysia Citizenship Renunciation“.
PS: Stay tuned for my future posts on other steps in the Singapore citizenship application process. Subscribe to my mailing list so that I can notify you of my new blog posts.
Hi Xiong, after completing all the 3 components in Singapore citizenship journey, how long had you waited to get another notice of approval from ICA? Thanks
Hi CK, I can’t recall how long it took to receive the notice from ICA. Should be within a week. Basically, the next notice is to inform you that you are good to proceed with the citizenship renunciation and your appointment for citizenship registration. You may check out my post on that at
https://xiongdiary.com/malaysia-citizenship-renunciation/
https://xiongdiary.com/singapore-citizenship-registration-and-take-the-oath-of-renunciation/
Hi..I received the email to get the approval letter from the Ica ..after I get the letter..what should I do ? And can I back Malaysia by using my Malaysia passport at the moment .thank you ..I very helpless.. pls give some advice ..thank you
Hi Jane,
Congratulation to you! 😊
You may refer the Singapore Citizenship Roadmap (https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/files/esc_roadmap.pdf) from ICA to understand what you need to do next. I believe the roadmap is also included in your approval letter.
Alternatively, you may check out all my blog posts on my Singapore Citizenship Journey. https://xiongdiary.com/my-singapore-citizenship-journey/
As for your question on going back to Malaysia, you may continue using your Malaysia passport, as long as you have not renounced your Malaysia citizenship.
how long did it take to for you to get the email , thanks
Hi Dan,
I cannot remember how long it was, but I think it is about a week.
It’s a must to bring the kids together for the Oath taking?
Hi Irene,
You are required to be present with your child to complete your child’s registration for Singapore Citizenship. However, your child is not required for the oath taking.
Hi , I’m quite unsure which step to do first.
Step 1 or Step 2 ?
Because its barely less a month the date of my Oath taking appointment.
Please advise.
Thank you .
Ganesh
Hi Ganesh,
Do the step 1 first. You must first renounce your foreign citizenship before reporting to ICA to register for your Singapore Citizenship.
First thing first, send an email to MHC (consular@mhc.org.sg) to book an appointment. Please attached your final approval letter in the email. If the appointment date you gotten is later than your appointment with ICA, then you can reschedule your appointment with ICA. You can do it either via ICA e-service portal or send an email to ICA_Citizenship_Unit@ica.gov.sg.
Hi Kwah, really Gan En your sharing here to tell me that i need to make appointment at MHC. i just completed the Singapore Citizenship journey on 22 Feb and i thought i just sit and wait the approval letter sent from ICA . When i saw your blog then realised i need to get the approval letter asap. To download the approval letter from ICA (ICA will update the status in next day, very fast), it requested to upload photo. the requirement of the photo is really bother me for whole day to upload successfully. Finally i found a website which is free to edit the photo, https://www.ies.org.sg/ccms.r?pageid=10273&TenID=IES . if anyone cannot find then can try it.
Hi NG,
Thanks for stopping by my website. I’m glad my blog can help you. 😊
Thanks for sharing the useful photo editing website. Sharing is caring! 👍
Hi
Have you heard if anyone fail e-CSS (required to provide some reflections)?
Will that affect processing to the next step?
Hi Ling,
I think it is unlikely anyone would fail the Singapore Citizenship journey. The objective is to help the new citizen to know Singapore better. Of course, they would like to listen to your thought for being a Singaporean. Just relax and share your thought of why you want to be a Singaporean and how you can contribute.
Hi Mr Kwah,
I have completed mySC Journey and received email from ICA to download the outcome letter. However upon login to myICA there is step 1 to upload photo before I can go step 2 to download letter. Is this a mandatory step before downloading the outcome letter from myICA?
Hi Lee Peng,
Yes, I did upload photo to MyICA portal, but I could not remember at which step. As you cannot proceed further to the next step, I think that should be mandatory.
I am worried that the reflections that I sent in are quite similar to that of my parents for the CSS since we collectively discussed and wrote down the points. I am worried that it would affect the plagiarism part and would contribute negatively to the citizenship journey. Although my dad says plagiarism won’t be considered among family members not quite sure about that.
Hi Pooja,
In my opinion, the objective of Singapore Citizenship Journey is to help the new citizen to know more about Singapore. Of course, government will love to listen to our thoughts as well. And, we might have the similar thoughts. There are no hard and fast rules on what to be written in your reflection.
Hello, thanks for the detailed information.
I recently saw on my ICA portal that my citizenship application was approved. But I didn’t receive any email to update me about it. It was just by random. Also I’ve not seen any place to download a form or anything. Is this normal? Or will it take some time? Thanks for your thoughts:)
H Rachel,
There should be a button for you to download the approval letter. You may want to check with ICA.
Is the tour and community sharing all in english? Do they have màndrin session?
Hi Wei,
I am not sure about that. You may check with https://www.sgjourney.gov.sg/contact-us/
Hi, after you complete your sg journey online do you immediately received the final approval letter in MyICA portal?
Or need to wait until they email first?
Hi Ed,
I cannot recall how long it takes but I was notified by an email from ICA.
What happens if I missed the Community Sharing Session? Am I able to reschedule?
Hi Kwah,
Thank you for making this blog. I would like to know how long did
the whole registration process took? (Inclusive of taking the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty on becoming a Singapore Citizen) Apply for half day leave 😀 and appointment time at 1015hrs (wondering if this is sufficient).
Can you remember how long did you collect passport after making online application?
Thanks