Minister Shanmugam outlines support and challenges faced by stateless individuals in Singapore
As of December 31, 2023, there were seven stateless children under the age of 12 in Singapore, with another 13 between the ages of 12 and 18. These children, along with other stateless individuals, make up 2.3% of the total stateless population in the country. The statelessness of these children often arises from being born in Singapore to foreign parents who did not secure citizenship for their children in their home countries.
Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam addressed this issue in a parliamentary reply on October 15, following questions raised by Nominated MP Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim regarding stateless children and the support available to them.
No Automatic Citizenship for Children Born in Singapore
Singapore, like many other countries, does not grant automatic citizenship to children born within its borders. Instead, citizenship applications are assessed based on factors such as the applicant’s conduct, contributions to the country, family ties to Singaporeans, and the length of time they have resided in Singapore. The circumstances surrounding their statelessness are also considered in the evaluation process.
The minister emphasized that it is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians to ensure their children’s well-being, including obtaining citizenship for them. However, if a child has no parent or guardian capable of providing care, the government can offer statutory protection under the Children and Young Persons Act.
Support for Stateless Individuals in Singapore
Stateless individuals who are permanent residents (PRs) have access to similar services as other PRs, including subsidized healthcare, education, and housing. Stateless children under state care can also receive healthcare subsidies through the Medical Fee Exemption Card for standard medical and hospital treatments.
Moreover, stateless students may be enrolled in local schools and tertiary institutions, provided they meet the admission requirements. Social service agencies are available to assist with financial aid for eligible individuals.
However, stateless individuals who are not PRs face limitations. They cannot purchase or rent a flat from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) but may live in HDB flats as occupiers if they are part of a Singaporean or PR family that is eligible to buy or rent. In cases of genuine housing difficulties, HDB, in collaboration with other agencies, will assess how best to provide assistance
