Procedure for Deferment from NS - I've checked!

[Opalfruits]

Hello, I am new to the forum and not sure if this question has already been answered. If so I apologise.

We have 2 sons aged 6 and 4 who have dual nationality and are Singaporean by descent through their father. We live in the UK. I realise now that we should not have applied for Singaporean citizenship in the first place and kept things simple.

From Kraik's very informative sticky I understand that we would inform Mindef of intention to renounce citizenship at age 11, apply for necessary exit permits from age 13, apply for deferment and renounce citizenship before 22.

My question is this. If we do all this and then my sons decide they do want to do NS at age 18, could they choose to keep Singaporean citizenship at 21? Or will ICA say that because of intention to renounce was filed, they still have to give up citizenship at 21, even if they complete NS?

I am asking as we want to keep options open for our sons and so that they can live in Singapore if they so choose. Now that they are citizens, is doing NS the only way for them to keep their options open?

I know that once Singaporean citizenship is renounced it will not be granted again and I don't want to close options for my sons when they are only 11.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Even if they do NS, upon reaching 21 they would still have to make a choice of keeping only one citizenship. Doesn't matter which, but, technically, they would have to renounce one of them.

[Opalfruits]

Thanks Sundaymorning. I know they have to renounce one citizenship at 21 but at least they will be old enough to decide then.

If I file intention to renounce at 11 yrs old am I effectively closing the door on the option of keeping Singaporean citizenship and forcing them to be British at 21 with no chance of ever getting PR or citizenship in Singapore as adults?

If they choose to renounce British citizenship then I know they can reclaim it back at least once, possibly more depending on discretion of UK immigration, if they want to. It is much less of an irreversible step. Or they can choose to apply for permanent residency in UK and stay Singaporean.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks Sundaymorning. I know they have to renounce one citizenship at 21 but at least they will be old enough to decide then.

If I file intention to renounce at 11 yrs old am I effectively closing the door on the option of keeping Singaporean citizenship and forcing them to be British at 21 with no chance of ever getting PR or citizenship in Singapore as adults?

No. Intent to renounce isn't the same as renunciation. Until they renounce they still have a choice.

If they choose to renounce British citizenship then I know they can reclaim it back at least once, possibly more depending on discretion of UK immigration, if they want to. It is much less of an irreversible step. Or they can choose to apply for permanent residency in UK and stay Singaporean.

[Mad Scientist]

Opal

Let me clarify what SMS said.
If you stick with Kraikk sticky, you cannot go wrong.
Once CMPB approves your son intention to defer NS till 21 prior renunciation at the age approx 16 1/2 you will receive a letter confirming to that effect. In that letter, it will state any changes to your son residency albeit overseas back to SG or education or change of heart has to be informed immediately before he turns 21. On his 21 DOB, you will need to inform to choose either one citizenship and nearing at that age he cannot inform CMPB that he wants to serve NS. It has to be before that. The contentious part is if there is a change of heart, he has to return immediately to serve NS. From memory grace period is 2 weeks. Then on he still has to renounce UK citizenship comes 21.
Capisce ?

[Opalfruits]

Thank you both sunday and madscientist. That has clarified things for me perfectly!

I will follow kraikk's instructions then. Assuming of course that the rules aren't changed in the meantime!

Thank you very much for your help.