Becoming a citizen in other countries
Straits Times, 25 November 2009
IN MOST countries, citizenship is obtained through either birth, marriage, or a procedure called naturalisation. To be naturalised, one needs to have lived in the country for a certain amount of time as a permanent resident.
Some countries, like the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia, require prospective citizens to take a test.
Those in Britain have to take a computer-based test of 24 questions in 45 minutes. Questions are based on material in an official handbook covering British history, society, politics, law, everyday needs like housing, health, education, money, leisure, employment, and where to go for help.
In the US, a permanent resident or ‘green card holder’ of at least five years can apply to take the naturalisation test, which consists of an interview and an English language and civics test.
Other countries have particular requirements. To become a Swiss citizen, one needs to have resided in Switzerland for at least 12 years. Time spent there between the ages of 10 and 20 counts double.
A Swiss citizen is a citizen at three levels: his community, his state and the Confederation. The community that a new citizen lives in may impose other requirements, such as fluency in either German, French, Italian or Romansh.
Thailand sets an immigration quota of 100 persons a year from each country. Aside from residency, tax and other requirements, applicants must be able to speak and understand the Thai language, sing the National Anthem and pass an interview in Thai with officials. – ST
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fair and square on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 11:17 am
SO WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE SWISS STANDARD,RIGHT?
THAT WAS THE STANDARD OUR GAHMEN ASPIRE TO ACHIEVE…AT LEAST I
HEARD IT BEFORE ON NONE OTHER THAN MSM.
SO LET’S FOLLOW SWISS STANDARD…12 YEARS,MY FRIEND!
TO BORROW WHAT SOME SAY,”PUT YOUR ACTIONS WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS”!
newton on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 1:24 pm
Isn’t this “grabbing” news from ST?
LHL's Dead Wife on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 2:35 pm
@Newton,
hahaha nice try…better luck next time!
cy on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 3:59 pm
i am against citizenship test
passing a test doesn’t mean you are commited, similarly failing a test doesn’t mean you aren’t commited (e.g. poor memory)
however, i agree we should set minimum citizenship requirement for ppl who have lived here continuously for a certain number of years.
angryman on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 5:17 pm
I want to know how other 1st World countries are treating PRs who have committed serious violent crimes in the host countries. Are any of these countries
1. allowing PRs to remain in the host country and not revoking the PR status?
2. releasing PRs from jail early on some “Work Release Programme” so that they may compete with locals for a job?
Singapore is doing both. We are so pathetic that we even accept convicts and ex-convicts as PRs.
Gosh on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 6:40 pm
Looks to me like a half assed attempt at dissuading prospective emigrants. Good Luck with that Stinky Times…
Bemused on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:45 am
What a silly article? what is your point? do you seriously think the Singapore is on par with United States, Canada, Britain and Australia?
Singapore’s so called transparent system has an immigration policy which is a black hole. PR applications & even visa extensions are rejected for no reason. Foreigners simply have to ‘take it or leave it’. If the ‘take it’ and stay then the local complain of grabbing jobs, it they leave locals complain that foreigners use Singapore as a stepping stone.
Bemused on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:48 am
In the past ‘temasek review’ was listed quite often under ‘Google News’. Of late you seem to only have xenophobic articles and have been falling of the Google radar.
Pedra Branca on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 10:03 am
Bemused on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:48 am
You are right about the black hole in our Immigration laws which Zhang Yuan Yuan most cleverly sneaked in – just only to get a blue i/c which she mocked in a jest and at pleasure of our humiliation. But that did not apparently offend ( publicly at least) our Imperial nor his sanctified court of no law
But you are wrong of accusations on “xenophobic” thoughts of TR however your twisted mind carries you.
Bloggers comments in cyberspace do, seem to me to, prefer you and the likes of you a bit “further” than “nearer” your passport might allow you to crawl in like a worm – that is further then the Pedra Branca’s sovereign territorial bounds if you appreciates the elegance of my thoughts.
We are too congested. So whilst you are bemused, I am amused!