Thoughts on whether to give birth to son outside of Singapore?

[preggers15]

Hi everyone,

I've read through multiple different threads on here and have found all the information to be very detailed and helpful for people with sons currently trying to migrate or defer, but I'm hoping to get some advice should you have had the opportunity to turn back time?

I'm a Singaporean Citizen, while my husband is an American Citizen and recently got Singapore PR.
I am currently pregnant with a boy, and wondering what will be the best option for him to have opportunities for the best of both worlds – as typical parents who want the best for their child, I'd like to have opportunities open to him in both countries.

Husband and I have discussed, and while we don't like it, we know that it will be difficult to avoid NS given that it's likely that we will deliver in Singapore which will mean he will automatically get Singapore Citizenship. We have come to terms with this.

However, my concern is that even after he serves NS at the age of 21, he will be forced to select Singapore or US citizenship.(Who really knows what they want at the age of 21?) This would mean that he would potentially never be able to have the opportunities to live/work in the country that he choses to give up citizenship on right? Given that both Singapore and the US do state in the renunciation that once renounced it's not reversible and that you could potentially be at a disadvantage should you wish to get another visa/PR to live/work in either country?

Or am I wrong, and it could still be possible to get SPR/EP/LTVP/H1B/Green Card etc. even after giving up citizenship in either country? Alternatively, would it be better to just be a citizen of 1 country and a PR/Greencard holder of the other instead of taking up citizenship in both countries as a child?

I know that any answers will likely be hypothetical and who knows what the future holds in 20 years, but would be appreciative of any advice from more experienced parents!

A torn first-time mom

[PNGMK]

This is an incredibly difficult question given the current chaos in the US immigration system.

I would say you need to pursue the citizenship he needs by Jus Soli if you plan at all to move back to the USA. Singapore citizenship can be acquired by application within a few months of birth.

Maintain both citizenships, do the NS thing and it will become apparent about then where he needs to go.

Naturalisation is no longer guaranteed for children of US parents born abroad IMO.

[PNGMK]

Just keep in mind this;

1. giving birth in Singapore means the gahmen knows you have a SC son (and the NS obligations) but they will not know what other passports he holds unless you tell them.

2. giving birth overseas and then applying for SC naturalisation will expose the fact that your son has another citizenship.

In retrospect - I should have had my son in Singapore and never disclosed he had Aussie citizenship.

[preggers15]

Hi PNGMK,

Thank you for the response, I really appreciate your insights!

Yea, if we were to go through the hassle & costs of giving birth overseas, likelihood would be we wouldn't apply for SC at all but perhaps an LTVP if that's at all possible – though it could raise questions with the govt on why we don't want Citizenship for him.

I thought that having options was a blessing, but this is turning out to be a more stressful decision than I'd imagine I guess we'll do our best to make an informed choice based on all the information we currently have and cross that bridge in 20 years.

[PNGMK]

You could use a students pass for some time as well

[malcontent]

It’s a really tough call, because it’s impossible to know where you or your kids will be living by the time NS requirements come along.

That said, there are private, Singapore linked hospitals like Gleneagles right across the border in Malaysia. Not sure if it would be more expensive. I’m now imagining a mad dash to the border after your water breaks… what if you hit a massive jam and forced to deliver in the back seat! That would be a great story to tell for the rest of your life (and your child’s too)!

In all seriousness, if you do give birth in Singapore, stick with Singapore citizenship only, so he isn’t forced to choose. Technically, under current law, he will be also be a U.S. citizen by birth, but you do not have to claim it or make it official with a CRBA — he can claim it at anytime over his lifetime. Yes, the law could change, but laws like this can’t simply be changed with an executive order. I would bet against this changing.

The time when this could become an issue is when your kid(s) start college. This was the case for our kids. We just moved to the U.S. a few months ago for this very reason, after decades in Singapore. Despite being born and raised in Singapore, both of our kids only have U.S. citizenship, and going to college in the U.S. is an experience of a lifetime.

While we’re not in any hurry, our son is set to complete his university degree by the age of 20. It’s not just NS that slows things down, but JC as well - our daughter did JC and will graduate at age 22. Our son has almost caught up to her, which is kinda crazy.