The Honorary Citizen Award is the highest national honour conferred by the Government of Singapore to foreigners since 2003, to recognise and acknowledge the contributions of foreigners who have contributed extensively and significantly to Singapore and its people.
Description The Honorary Citizen Award was first introduced in 2003, it is the highest national honour for foreigners. The title Honorary Citizen is conferred for life.
Other existing national awards for foreigners includes the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) award and the Public Service Medal (Friends of Singapore) award.
The award does not equate to citizenship. Therefore, atypical rights and duties of Singapore citizens, such as voting rights and the requirement to fulfil National Service (NS), do not apply to Honorary Citizens. Additionally, grants and subsidies which Singaporeans are entitled to are not made available to the recipients.
The privileges for the award recipients include the right to live and work in Singapore for themselves as well as their immediate dependent family members and to purchase property if they decide to stay in Singapore.
Administered by Ministry of Manpower, a selection committee panel made up of high-level government officials would receive nominations of foreigners who have rendered extensive and valuable services to Singapore and its people, or who have made a significant impact in the areas of business, science and technology, information communications, education, health, arts and culture, sports, tourism, community services or security. The final selections are then endorsed by the Cabinet of Singapore. Recipients are conferred the Award in the following year of their nomination. The Awards are presented at a formal ceremony by the President of Singapore at the Istana.
, there are 22 recipients being conferred with the title.
Honourees +List of recipientsYear of confermentRecipient NationalityRecognitionAdditional Ref.2003Sydney Brennercontributions in establishing Singapore as a biomedical hubPasquale Pistoriocontributions in establishing Singapore as a microelectronics hub2004Sir Richard Sykescontributions to the development of Singapore as an international biomedical sciences hubLodewijk Christiaan van Wachemcontributions in positioning Singapore as a compelling global hub for business and investment2005Tsutomu Kanaicontributions to the development of SingaporeRobert A. Browncontributions to the Singapore Government2006Lee Raymondcontributions to the development of Singapore economyHeinrich von Pierer2008Ratan Tatacontribution to the growth of high-tech sectors in SingaporeTan Sri Frank Tsaopivotal role in shaping the growth of the maritime industry and in promoting maritime education and research2010Jeroen van der Veercontributions to Singapore economy through Shell2011Professor Edward Holmesleadership in building up translational and clinical research infrastructure in Singapore2012Ronald Oxburgh, Baron Oxburghcontributions to Singapore's higher education, science and technology landscape as well as energy policy since 19972014Hiromasa Yonekuracontributions to the growth of the chemicals industry2015Sir George Raddacontributions to biomedical sciences industryJoan Bray Rosecontributions towards establishing NEWater as a supplementary water source2016Tadataka Yamadacontributions to biomedical sciences industry2017Ulrich Werner Sutercontributions to developing Singapore into a vibrant and well-known research and development hub2018Sir Andrew Philip Wittycontributions to Singapore's economic development, and the growth of biomedical sciences industry2019Sir John O'Reillycontributions to engineering research and developmentVictor Dzaucontributions to postgraduate medical education2023William Chincontributions to science, medicine and drug discovery/development2025Tarun Dascontributions to strengthening the economic partnership between India and Singapore
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