Each country must weigh up emotive issue of dual citizenship

I refer to the letter “S’pore should avoid nationalist tendencies, reap dual citizenship’s benefits” (April 8). If dual citizenship is good, then would multiple citizenship be better? It is not so simple; dual citizenship is an emotive issue.

Many countries accept dual citizenship because a large part of their population are migrants.

And during the course of their nationhood, a large part of the population felt it was the best way of making immigrants stay and participate in the socialisation process of becoming a citizen without giving up their former citizenship.

I liken it to one’s mother saying: “Why not meet this guy I’m going to introduce you to, as he’s a likeable person? I’m not asking you to give up on your current boyfriend (yet).”

Some small countries allow dual citizenship in order to attract rich immigrants with low taxes and sunny beaches, to create employment, which some Caribbean countries are doing.

Dual citizens have the advantage of being able to access the social benefits of two countries. The disadvantage: They are subjected to both countries’ laws.

The rise of international travel and dual citizenship leads to benefits shopping in education, health care, taxation and other obligations.

Dual citizens would choose to study in the country with better-quality, cheaper education — preferably free, with no strings attached — and to seek medical treatment in the country with comprehensive health-care services, preferably free or heavily subsidised.

They would work in the country with lower taxation and, preferably, no compulsory global tax liability. The most important consideration is that the country must not have compulsory military service, i.e. not Singapore or Israel.

It is only human to shop for the best offer, including the differing benefits in the areas mentioned above, on a dual citizenship.

Having the right second passport has become important for some wealthy people who want to preserve their wealth.

For example, many wealthy Americans with dual citizenship are giving up their United States passport, as they are subjected to a tax regardless of whether they are living or working in the US.

They also have problems opening offshore bank accounts, as banks do not want to fall foul of US compliance laws such as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

Whether or not to allow dual citizenship is an emotive decision every country must make at some point in its nationhood.

A small country such as Singapore, where National Service is an essential element of its survival and nation-building process, does not want to allow dual citizenship, as it would dilute the loyalty of its citizen army in times of crisis.

It may benefit others to welcome rich immigrants to their shores and create employment in their tiny island republic. In the end, each country must make that decision after weighing the costs and benefits.