Hi Johnny3:Johnny3 wrote:
Here is my story, hope it helps:
3 kids with me here in the US, eldest son born in Singapore, left Singapore when he was 11 months old. So he never benefitted from any Singapore education or anything else, except using his SIngapore passport. His passport expired before he is 11, of course not knowing any details, since these poilicies are not well known, I like a dum dum, extended his passport. Got 2 year extension of which he never used his passport anyway. So in 2006, we all became US Citizens. I applied for him to renounce his Singapore citizenship, denied by Mindef as they say he benefitted from being a Singapore Citizen. Hence the saga starts.
After a few e-mails and letters, found out that the passport extension was the key. Consulted some school mate lawyers, wrote back to Mindef that the "fault of ther father should not bind the future of the son". Still no cigar. I wrote and wrote and this even included the Minister of Defence.
Wife and I divorced in 2006 and she renounced her Singapore Citizenship. Sent in more paperwork and asked for appeal again for deferment to renouce his citizenship. Again denied. Then talked to few families in California undergoing similar problems. Was told that precedents have been set that if both parents give up their Singapore Citizenship, thus showing that they are severing ties with Singapore, then MINDEF will grant deferment to renounce. CAVEAT IS son must be below 18 years old when this happens.
Did not want to give up my Singapore Citizenship, since no one would take it away. Talked to ICA and they told me many Singaporeans living overseas have dual citizenships. Officially you should not, but the govt does not want to lose talented Singaporeans. Anyway asked Mindef point blank if this was the case, they of course simply said that my appeal was denied.
Finally after 2 years of tussling with MINDEF, I walked a difficult path to give up my Singapore Citizenship for the sake of my son. FINALLY, sent in my de-registration of being a Singapore Citizen to MINDEF and then they finally agreed to let him go. Letter provided to say that they attached an updated exit permit for him for 2 years. When he turns 16.5 years, they will send up paperwork for him to register for NS, at that time they will then give him an exit permit until he is 21 and then he must renounce his citizenship. Hope this helps out to those reading this board.
Do you have more details about this 18 years old thing? I am kind of in the same situation. It sounds like we could attempt to apply deferment if we become US citizen before the kid turns 18. How about the tricky period between 16.5 and 18? If I understand correctly, a bond has to be furnished once the kid reaches 16.5 years old. What if we become US citizen only after the kid turns 16.5? Is the bond forfeited?
Also, are there any parents living in the US actually sending their kids to do NS? How do you juggle the timing to fit the school calendar here? Ideally, the kids start serving the NS right after high school here in June/July and finish it just before Sept so that the kids enter college just in time and the disruption is simply 2 years.
Also, are there any parents living in the US as permanent residences (green card) only (not yet US citizens) sending their kids to do NS? How do you maintain the kid's permanent residence here?
I would like to get in touch with some parents here who have gone through this process. If you are kind enough to share your experience, please PM me.
Thanks in advance.