PRC new citizens use both Singapore and PRC passports to travel between Singapore and China

The recent case of a Malaysian hawker finding himself being ‘converted’ to a Singaporean citizen without his knowledge has shocked the entire nation, casting doubts on the capability of the Immigration and Control Authority (ICA)

However, the problem is likely to be only on the tip of the iceberg as PRC new citizens have been using both Singapore and PRC passports to travel between Singapore and China for a number of years already to the blissful ignorance of the authorities.

One PRC new citizen started a thread on the Lion City Forum asking fellow netizens if they use PRC or Singapore passport when returning home to China and the responses are shocking.

One PRC new citizen wrote:

“I hold two passports last year. I use Singapore passport to leave Singapore and PRC passport to enter China.”

(“我去年持有2个护照，我拿新加坡护照出关，拿中国护照入中国。从中国出来的时候也一样。”)

Another netizen added:

“When leaving Singapore, use Singapore passport. Use PRC passport when entering China, but bring along the old passport as well. Re-use Singapore passport when returning to Singapore again.”

“出新加坡，用新加坡护照。入中国，用中国护照. 出中国，用中国护照，但是，把旧的护照也带上，给他看旧护照上的签证章。入新加坡，用新加坡护照。”)

Though Singapore forbid dual-nationality, new citizens below the age of 21 are allowed to hold two passports. Some PRC new citizens above the age of 21 also have a forged PRC passport for use in China as a matter of ‘convenience’ as they are only allowed to stay up to 14 days in China without a visa if they enter using Singapore passport.

Furthermore, there is a loophole in the PRC law which allows its ex-citizens to ‘reconvert’ back to PRC citizenship easily which enables PRC new citizens in Singapore to renounce their Singapore citizenship in an instant should they decide to return to China for good.