Will I get deported if I apply for citizenship

The short answer

No, applying for citizenship does not get you deported. Applying is a normal, legitimate step, and it does not endanger your existing status simply by being made. If you are a permanent resident and your application is unsuccessful, you generally remain a PR.

So there is no need to fear that applying will threaten your ability to stay. Deportation relates to entirely different matters, not to the ordinary act of applying for citizenship. The sections below explain why applying is safe.

Applying is a normal, legitimate step

The key reassurance is that applying for citizenship is exactly what the process is there for. It is a legitimate step that people take, and doing so does not mark you out or put you at risk. The authorities expect and process such applications routinely.

So you should not feel that applying is a risky or suspicious act. It is a normal part of the immigration journey, and making an application does not, in itself, jeopardise your position.

Your existing status is not endangered by applying

Making a citizenship application does not take away your current status. If you are a permanent resident, you remain a PR while your application is considered, with the same rights and obligations as before. Applying does not change that.

So your ability to stay is not put at risk simply by applying. You continue as you were during the process, which is why applying carries no inherent threat to your status.

A rejection does not mean deportation

Importantly, if your citizenship application is unsuccessful, you generally keep your existing status, such as PR. A rejection means the citizenship application was not approved; it does not mean you are deported or lose your right to remain.

So the worst realistic outcome of an unsuccessful application is that you remain as you were before, not that you are removed from Singapore. This is a crucial reassurance for anyone anxious about applying.

What deportation actually relates to

Deportation relates to entirely different matters, such as serious breaches of immigration law, losing the status that gives you the right to remain, or other grounds defined by law. It is not a consequence of applying for citizenship.

So the fear that applying could lead to deportation confuses two unrelated things. The ordinary act of applying for citizenship is simply not among the circumstances that lead to removal.

Where the worry comes from

The worry often comes from anxiety about drawing attention to yourself, or from confusing citizenship applications with situations where status is genuinely at risk. Understanding that these are different helps dispel the fear.

So it is understandable to feel nervous, but the concern is misplaced. Applying for citizenship is not a trigger for removal, and recognising that should ease the anxiety around making an application.

Honesty in your application still matters

While applying is safe, it remains important to be honest and accurate in your application, as in any dealing with the authorities. This is not because applying is risky, but because honesty is simply the right and expected approach.

So apply genuinely and truthfully. Doing so is part of a proper application and has nothing to do with any fear of deportation; it is just good practice that also protects the integrity of your status.

At a glance

Applying for citizenship does not lead to deportation. Confirm the position with ICA.

You can apply with confidence

With these in mind, you can apply for citizenship with confidence rather than fear.

Applying reflects commitment, not risk

Far from being a risky move, applying for citizenship reflects a genuine commitment to Singapore and a wish to belong fully. It is a positive step by someone who has built a life there, not something that marks you out for scrutiny of your right to remain.

So see applying for what it is: a sincere expression of your ties to the country. Approaching it that way, rather than through fear, aligns with how the process is genuinely meant to be understood.

If you have a genuine status concern

If, separately from applying, you have a genuine concern about your status, for example if your PR or its maintenance is at risk for other reasons, that is a different matter to address on its own. It is not caused by applying for citizenship.

So keep the two things separate. If you have a real status issue, seek to understand and address it through the proper channels, but do not let it be confused with the safe, ordinary act of applying for citizenship.

Many people apply routinely

It helps to remember that many people apply for citizenship as a routine, expected part of their journey, and do so without any threat to their status. You would be doing exactly what countless others do, through the proper process.

So you are not taking an unusual or risky step. Applying is common and ordinary, which is another reason the fear of deportation is misplaced, and why you can proceed with confidence.

Do not let misplaced fear stop you

If citizenship is genuinely your goal, do not let a misplaced fear of deportation hold you back. The fear is unfounded, and allowing it to prevent you from applying would mean missing out on a step that is both safe and legitimate.

So weigh your decision on the real considerations, such as your eligibility and readiness, not on an imagined risk of removal. Applying is safe, so let genuine factors, not unfounded anxiety, guide your choice.

Beware anyone exploiting the fear

Be cautious of anyone who plays on a fear of deportation, for example to pressure you into paying for unnecessary help or to discourage you from applying through the proper channels. Such fear-based tactics are a warning sign.

So do not let anyone exploit the worry for their own ends. The genuine position, that applying is safe, comes from ICA and the proper process, not from those who profit by stoking anxiety.

Common misconceptions

Clearing these up shows that applying for citizenship is safe and carries no risk of deportation.

Confirm with ICA

For the authoritative position on your status and any genuine concern, ICA is the source. If you are anxious about applying, confirming with ICA that applying does not endanger your status can provide reassurance directly from the authority.

Using ICA for the official position, and this guide to dispel the worry, means you can approach a citizenship application without the misplaced fear of deportation.

The bottom line

To sum up: applying for citizenship does not get you deported. It is a normal, legitimate step that does not endanger your existing status, and if your application is unsuccessful, you generally remain a permanent resident. Deportation relates to entirely different matters, not to applying.

So you can apply with confidence rather than fear. Do not let a misplaced worry hold you back or let anyone exploit it, be honest and accurate in your application as always, keep any genuine status concern separate from the act of applying, and confirm anything that worries you with ICA.

Frequently asked questions

Explore this topic