Although the country gained independence in 1965 and Singaporeans no longer hold Malaysian nor British nationality, they continue to hold favoured status in the United Kingdom; as Commonwealth citizens, Singapore citizens are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.
[citation needed] Modern Singapore was founded in 1819[1] and soon after merged with Penang and Malacca to form the Straits Settlements in 1826.
[4] Although Britain held jurisdiction in all of British Malaya, domestic law treated the Malay states as foreign territory.
When travelling outside of the Empire, British subjects who were locally naturalised in a colony were still entitled to imperial protection.
[14] There are treaties signed by the United Kingdom during this period specifically mention this unusual nationality status.
[19] Foreigners over the age of 21 may become Singapore citizens by naturalisation after residing in the country for at least 10 of the 12 years preceding an application for citizenship.
Applicants must fulfill a basic language knowledge requirement (in English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, or Tamil), intend to reside in Singapore permanently, renounce any previous nationalities, and swear an oath of allegiance to the state.
Foreign women who marry Singaporean men are eligible for a reduced residence requirement of two years; there are no facilitated paths to citizenship for male spouses of citizens.
It may also exceptionally reduce residence requirements to 12 months, though this is targeted for foreign investors and skilled migrants who can make considerable economic contributions.
Renunciation may be denied if an applicant actively exercises Singapore citizenship rights or has outstanding military service obligations.
It is also lost after continuous residence overseas for more than 10 years if that citizen has not entered Singapore during that time or is not employed in public service.
[23] Naturalised citizens may also be stripped of citizenship for: fraudulently acquiring it, committing an act of disloyalty against the state, aiding an enemy nation with which Singapore is at war, serving in any capacity for a foreign government, being sentenced to incarceration for longer than 12 months in any jurisdiction or fined US$5,000 for any offence within five years of acquiring citizenship.