PR and National Service Registration

[wailing_imam]

Hi,

I am a new Singapore PR (UK citizen).

I got my PR by virtue of my Singaporean wife and the fact that my son is also a Singaporean (also UK) citizen.

Today I received a notice from MINDEF asking me to register for NS.

Obviously, as the main earner in the family, doing NS at the age of 34 is not a possibility. I have a mortgage to pay and a kid's education to save up for.

So, are they going to actually ask me to do it or is this a formality?

Thanks

[saturdaynitespecial]

Anyway once you reach 40 years old, MINDEF will not be able to touch you.

All NS men are discharged at 40. If you are an officer, the age of discharge is 50 or 55.




.

[Exemption]

You can apply for an exemption based on your circumstances. Technically you're liable as you didn't apply for PR based on skills.

[pykee]

i gather that you are a 1st generation PR [like meself]. i dont think you need to do NS. your son, will have to when he hits 18 i think.

[Exemption]

Wrong. The OP is not a PR as a typical expat, based on skill set, but due to family relations. He has to do the NS unless granted an exemption which may be tough. He has to apply to mindef. Otherwise he can only give up the PR and get and Employment Pass but then this leads to insecurity with regards to his residency. Doesn't seem right to have to give up employment and let the family starve to do the NS? I'd call them up.

[ask the experts]

You have to register for NS as a PR under family ties category. In theory, Mindef can ask you to actually do NS but chances are, although you have to register, they will quietly make an exception given your circumstances. Only way to find out is to go and ask Mindef.

[armyman]

You have to register for NS.  No choice.  Whether or not they decide to call you up for actual service is another matter entirely.

If you carefully read the bottom of the accompanying notes to ICA Form 4 that you filled out when you applied for PR it clearly states the National Service obligations of all males granted permanent residency.

The only ones who are automatically exempt from NS are first generation male PRs who have been granted residency under the Professional Technical Skilled (PTS) scheme, or the Investor scheme. Those (like you) who got their PR under the Spouse/Child scheme must serve until age 40.  2nd generation male PRs, regardless of their parent's original grant scheme, must also serve.

You can apply for an exemption, but you need to prepare a good reason.  Just saying you had no idea of your obligations is not going to cut it, since its clearly stated on the application you signed.

[Blaze]

Been there, done that... You have to register but it doesn't mean you have to complete the NS. Several years back I registered and they printed me a letter on the spot stating that I'm exempted. No applications needed.

May I enquire why did you not apply PR for Professional scheme as you are the main bread winner in the family? Didn't you know about the NS?

I decided to apply for Family scheme because I had just quit and started my own business. And I was 38 at the time so I knew the Government wasn't going to spend a fortune training me only to release me before the NS is completed (when I hit 40). Unfortunately you are a few years younger so this doesn't apply.

[anon]

Wimps - don't u expats go on and on about how easy peasy NS in Singapore is and its no big deal (including the time commitment - effectively giving up 2 years of income). So what's the big deal? Just do it.

[verysimple]

Wimps - don't u expats go on and on about how easy peasy NS in Singapore is and its no big deal (including the time commitment - effectively giving up 2 years of income). So what's the big deal? Just do it.

Maybe because we are not citizens of Singapore and have already served in our home country, what about that?

[To OP]

This must be a new rule as my husband (also British citizen)has never received a letter from Mindef. He became a Singapore PR aged 32. He's now well over 40 years old.


My only concern is that you mentioned in your post that your child has both Singapore and British passports. Singapore does not allow dual citizenships. He'd have to choose which passport to give up  - bear in mind that he is not allowed to give up his Singapore citizenship until he's done his National Service. There is no way out of this. I should know as I've spoken to everyone in immigration and Mindef and from friends in similar situation.

If you decide to leave Singapore when child is 12 or so, be prepared to pay a huge amount of money (bond)  to Mindef. I know of children who has left and can't return to Singapore because of this.

[armyman]

This must be a new rule as my husband (also British citizen)has never received a letter from Mindef. He became a Singapore PR aged 32. He's now well over 40 years old.

Your husband must have obtained his PR under the skilled / technical scheme (form 4A), rather than as a spouse tied to your Singapore citizenship (form 4).  Those under the skilled scheme are not required to register for NS.

[anon]

"Maybe because we are not citizens of Singapore and have already served in our home country, what about that?"

How about because you signed on a piece of paper saying that you needed to serve in the army in Singapore?

[VerySimple]

"Maybe because we are not citizens of Singapore and have already served in our home country, what about that?"

How about because you signed on a piece of paper saying that you needed to serve in the army in Singapore?

Really? I doubt that, and what piece of paper? Unless I was very drunk, I can't recall signing a SAF enrolment form.

[NMS1]

Wimps - don't u expats go on and on about how easy peasy NS in Singapore is and its no big deal (including the time commitment - effectively giving up 2 years of income). So what's the big deal? Just do it.

There is a big difference - most Singaporeans serve their NS in their teens/early twenties prior to starting work and when they have no financial obligations. It's a very different prospect for someone with a family to support.