No exit permit

[JustAMum]

Hello everyone,

My family left Singapore in the beginning of 2006 because of my husband's job relocation. We are all Singaporean. My son was nearly 9 years old when we left Singapore and we have not gone back since. When we left Singpore, we did not worry about our son's NS exit permit as we thought we only needed to take care of it when he turns 16.

I only found out recently from the internet that changes have been made to the exit control since we left. My son is now 15, a 10th grader in a high school in America. He does not have the pink I/C and we renewed his Singapore passport when he was 10.

My son is excited about doing NS when he turns 18 and we certainly support it. We would like him to finish his high school education in the States but we do not have the means to post the bond when he is 16 and a half. What problems will we face and what should we do?

[Mad Scientist]

You need to apply his EP first which will be a bugbear for you as he was supposedly be having one at the age of 13 not 15 which is long overdue
For the bond if you managed to convince CMPB to issue EP at this stage(doubtful) you can have two sureties instead of the bond. One would a living relative in SG and the other will be yourself

[JustAMum]

Hi MS,

Thank you for your reply. I guess I have to call up CMPB asap to face the music.

By the way, what is a surety? What does it do?

[Mad Scientist]

When you child turn 13, he needs to apply for EP if he wishes to stay out of Singapore over a period of less than 1 year and 364 days
Anything beyond that parents need to pose a bond of $75K or the higher amount of the two parents i.e if you or hubby earns more than 100K then your bond will be $100K not 75K
if you are not able to pose this bond, you can sign on the dotted letter to elect a living relative living in SG and yourself guaranteeing that your child will return to serve NS when he turns 18.

I have numerous posts on these issues to take lesson from. read up and absorb. You will plenty to chew in these coming months.
However , do not despair, many I have advise and do the correct steps have made through these mind boggling minefield unscath.
If you are still unsure, yell and I will try to guide you

Food for thought

In line with these three principles, MINDEF has consistently taken a tough stand against those who default on their National Service obligations. We have introduced various measures over the years to prevent such persons from evading National Service. For example, the Constitution was amended in 1979 so that those who refused to serve could not escape their National Service obligation by simply renouncing their citizenship. Only those who have emigrated at a young age and have not enjoyed substantial socio-economic benefits are allowed to renounce their citizenship without serving National Service.

Since 1970, we have required pre-enlistees who are going overseas for an extended period to post a bond as a promise that they will return to fulfil their National Service obligation. The bond quantum was $20,000 in 1970 and it has been increased over the years. Since 1992, the bond quantum has been set at $75,000 or half the combined annual income of the parents, whichever is higher. The bond is however not a substitute for National Service. If a pre-enlistee fails to return to serve his National Service, not only has he broken his bond but, more importantly, he has broken his promise and broken the law by not returning to fulfil his National Service obligation. The bond quantum that is forfeited is the penalty he has to pay for breaking the bond. It is not redemption and not a substitute for National Service. He still has to face the law for failing to comply with his National Service obligations under the Enlistment Act; and he still remains liable for National Service.

There is strong support for National Service among Singaporeans. Every year only a small number, about 0.5% of those liable for NS each year, or on average 100 unresolved cases of NS defaulters a year over the past five years, fail to register or enlist for National Service, or fail to return after their exit permits expired. The vast majority of these defaulters are overseas.

An average of 12 NS defaulters a year were charged in Court for failing to comply with the Enlistment Act. The offences carry a sentence of up to three years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The sentence is decided by the Court based on the circumstances of each case. Besides answering to the Court, NS defaulters who are still Singaporeans and below the age of 40 will have to serve National Service.

[JustAMum]

Hi MS,

Thanks again for the helpful information. I called up the CMPB hotline and was told to write an email to CMPB at [email protected] to explain my situation since we are not able to apply for his exit permit online without his I/C.

I will be sending an email to CMPB to see what they advise.

[Kontakoot]

Hi MS,

Thanks again for the helpful information. I called up the CMPB hotline and was told to write an email to CMPB at [email protected] to explain my situation since we are not able to apply for his exit permit online without his I/C.

I will be sending an email to CMPB to see what they advise.

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Hi Mum,
Please let us know what's the status cause we might have a similar situation.