Scared-Stiff wrote:I have read through some of the posts. I have the following scenarios and questions for each:
Our current status is as follows: Our son has a PR approval letter pending completion of formalities.
Scenario 1:
We complete the formalities of accepting PR for our son. We renounce PR and inform the various authorities (as explained by PHK in 'Guide to NS issues thread') before he reaches age 11 and return to our home country. The consequence of this action would be that it will have "adverse impact on any immediate or future applications to work or study in Singapore" (ICA webpage)?
This is probably not entirely true (but the only anecdotal evidence of that is actually from a 3rd party source so I have to discount it) However, if it can be seen that the family utilized PR up to a certain point and then decided to return home after milking Singapore for all it could without having to commit anything, then you can rest assured that they will probably look askance an any future applications from either the son or the parents.
This thread is quite old (2009), so I would like to confirm that my son would still not be NS liable, and thus could not be arrested in transit or on a social visit to Singapore if he leaves before age 11.
If all the protocols are followed properly, then your son would have no problems visiting Singapore in the future. However, his likelihood of ever getting and working visa, let alone PR would be severely hampered if not downright impossible.
Is there a likelihood that the present day rules may change overnight and I end up stuck with my son remaining NS liable regardless of PR renouncement?
That is always a possibility. One never knows what the future holds here as it's a small city-state that can change directions on a dime. Not likely, but not an impossibility either.
Scenario 2:
We do not complete the formalities of accepting PR. Instead we continue on his LTVP and renew his LTVP every year. Would this be possible, or would the PR application have damaged his chances of getting a LTVP for the next year? If my son never becomes a PR and remains a foreignor would the odds of him having to work here on a work permit be affected?
If he never takes up PR and remain on an LTVP for the duration, it won't affect his chances of employment here, assuming all other qualities for employment are met (academics and experience - new grads are not likely to be able to get employment right out of school due the tightening of criteria to get passes). However, he will never be given PR because of the parents having been PRs, the ruse for him to avoid NS would be obvious. Additionally, the parents may well find that their ability to get a re-entry permit may suddenly vanish as well, for deliberately trying to deny the government what should rightly be due them (one NS man). Don't forget, the son, while not schooling in a local school system, as enjoyed the comfort and safety of Singapore for all those years.
Scenario 3:
My wife and I give up our PRs right now and simply leave. My son does not complete the formalities for his PR application and leaves along with us . Would my son's freedoms in Singapore be affected? I'll need to get another job in my home country, but to make a decision affecting my son's freedoms without my son's adult approval doesn't sit well with me right now.
This is the only Scenario that makes sense and will not hamper your son's future movements. But yes, this would eliminate all the problems.
Hypothetically speaking: It would seem that the NS requirement has lessened over the years due to popular dissent. What are the odds that things would be different when my son is say, 11 years old?
This country has a decreasing population of people to do NS. NS is not going to go away unless they become a part of another country and even then I doubt it will go away. Popular dissent is only from locals not wanting to do NS. But the locals, by far, demand that PRs do NS as well.
As a footnote, My son did his NS here and is also registered for the US Selective Service as well (so he doesn't limit himself in the future if he decides to go to the US - although mandatory service (the draft) as been mothballed since 1975). He has nothing bad to say about NS and in fact, most actually find out the networking opportunities are, over the longer haul, more than worth the type spent. Also, it helps make a man out of him, something the parents aren't if they cannot understand the need/reasons for NS. Yes, I'm pro-NS but I'm also a NAM Vet and I realize the importance of all young men doing NS. I chose this way as there was less chance of my son actually having to follow the same route I had to take (war). In Singapore the training is good, safe and virtually zero change of being involved in real combat.
