Permanent Residents (PRs) & New Singapore Citizens

PA has a series of initiatives and programmes to engage and help PRs and new citizens to settle in their new surrounding more easily so that they can be integrated into the society. These programmes also serve to provide more interaction opportunity between them and the local community.   Integration & Naturalisation Champion (INC) Integration and Naturalisation Champions (INCs) are grassroots leaders who initiate and spearhead integration and naturalisation programmes in their local community. They visit and invite new immigrants to join grassroots activities and help them settle in the community. Through such efforts, the INCs help newcomers better understand and appreciate the Singaporean way of life so as to live in harmony with local residents, encourage them to play an active part in their community so that they can expand their social network and develop a greater sense of belonging to the place over time. To enable these new immigrants better understand Singapore 's multi-cultural society, the INCs invite them to join in grassroots activities such as Welcome Tea Party and festive celebrations. The INC scheme was started in 2007. There are now 700 INCs who are taking on this challenging task.   National Education Experience Programme for Prospective New Citizens This half-day learning journey is conducted for prospective new citizens to instil in them the national values and to expedite their integration with the local community. The programme includes a visit to a community club and a special tour to the Parliament House.   Citizenship Ceremony for New Citizens Naturalised citizens receive their citizenship certificates at the Citizenship Ceremony. To foster a closer interaction between grassroots leaders and these new Singapore Citizens, PA conducts Citizenship Ceremony at the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) level regularly. Prior to the ceremony, grassroots leaders visit and introduce themselves to the new citizens residing within their constituency. After the ceremony, grassroots leaders continue to engage new citizens through encouraging them to participate in grassroots activities and community service.

The first citizenship ceremony at the GRC level, held on 12 April 2007 at Changi Simei CC, welcomed 91 new Singapore citizens and 90 accompanying family members into our community

Integration Programmes

The grassroots organisations help new immigrants to understand Singapore history and development, cultures and traditions through the following integration programmes. These programmes include: •  Singapore Harmony Tour Programme •  Visits to the National Museum of Singapore •  Singapore Discovery Centre •  SAF Basic Military Training Centre •  Army Museum .

Singapore Harmony Tour

This is a one-day tour programme which is open to all who wish to know more about Singapore’s multi-cultural and religious society. The tour covers selected places of rich cultural, ethnic, historical and religious significance.

Visit to National Museum of Singapore

New immigrants get to know more about Singapore history and development at the National Museum of Singapore, the nation's biggest and oldest museum. The visit includes a half-day guided tour and it is conducted in English and Mandarin. Ticket is valid for whole day and visitors can tour around the museum at their own pace after the guided tour.

Visit to the Singapore Discovery Centre

Presents Singapore’s history through MTV- style multimedia clips. The Singapore Discovery Centre offers new immigrants a ‘hands-on’ experience to learn about Singapore history, development and future through interactive multi-media.

Visit to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC)

Tour around the room which they sleep, taste the food which they eat and hear their experiences. Anything new immigrants wish to see and want to know about Singapore National Service, they can get them all from this half-day visit to the training centre for the recruits. Visit includes hands-on at the firing simulator, question-and answer session and video shows. An eye opener for the whole family and refreshing experience for the teenaged boys! Due to the nature of visit, participants must be 15 years old and above.

Visit to Army Museum

Through this visit, new immigrants will understand the importance of military defence in Singapore as they go through the Army Museum of Singapore which aims to preserves the heritage the Singapore Army, as well as honour the contributions and celebrate the experiences of our soldiers. It also pays tribute to all who have contributed - National Service men, National Service Forces, regulars, veterans, males, females, and family members for their support. New immigrants can obtain information pertaining to the neighbourhood, such as the addresses and contact numbers of schools, HDB branch office, town council, grassroots activities and programmes, at their nearby community clubs. Grab a copy of the constituency newsletter to find out more. To find out more about these programmes, please contact the Community Integration Section via email to: community_Integration@pa.gov.sg.