Didn't Do NS - Changed Name, Any Help?

[halfpast5]

I've read a fair few threads and information online and it would appear I can never set foot in SG, because I missed NS and didn't follow the correct protocol.

Here's my situation:
I came over to the UK with my mum when I was 15, she remarried and I adopted my step dad's last name. I turned British soon after and current only a Brit passport and also a Singapore passport (out of date for over 10 years now).

We didn't respond to the SG regarding NS or bond for my return as I wasn't sure where I'd end up. So nothing was followed up.

Even with my changed of name, nothing on my British passport indicates my previous nationality apart from Gleneagles (UK paperwork insisted a 'place of birth' and Gleneagles Hospital turned into just Gleneagles on my passport).

Will I still not be allowed to return SG as a tourist for a fortnight on my British passport? Or is there a big database that links me to my birth in SG and thus skipped NS and all that jazz?

[sundaymorningstaple]

All major government databases are now linked. So, while is possible you will skate on your British Passport, It's always possible that an Immigration officer would pick up "gleneagles" and look at your race and DoB and plug your DOB & Race into the computer just to see what falls in regards guys born on that date of that race who have not completed NS or are Deceased. I would imagine the numbers would be rather small and considering that they also are using photo recognition software at immigration as well, there would be a good chance that your face may well do a match with the photo on your old Singapore Passport.

But, in in the words of Dirty Harry, "Do you feel lucky......" Bring is on.

They have the technology. Whether or not they would catch or think about checking is another story. Depends on how bored they are I guess.

[nutnut]

I agree with SMS, I'd say your chances are probably pretty good, but, do you want to risk it? if you get caught then you may end up staying in Changi for a few years.

[beppi]

Gleneagles is a place in Scotland. According to your UK passport, you were born there, not in Singapore. Thus if there's nothing else pointing to a Singapore origin, and you never informed the Singapore authorities about your second nationality and/or name change, chances are good they won't catch you.
But of course you are a criminal under Singapore law and would end in very deep shit if caught, so the gamble is up to you to take (or avoid Singapore forever, even in transit).

[sundaymorningstaple]

Agreed, but we're talking about Singapore Immigration officers, not UK ones. Therefore, better chance, considering he's Asian. Not sure I'd want to take the gamble considering the push the past couple of years catching NS defaulters and shaming them in public like the piano man was. Although, he got off easy with just a fine.

[Saint]

And if you do come over, try not to speak to the immigration officer as that will definitely give you away!

[nutnut]

Maybe insert a plum in your mouth before hand, in case you have to

[nakatago]

'ould 'at 'e a'righ', guv'nah?

[Mi Amigo]

Gleneagles is a place in Scotland. According to your UK passport, you were born there, not in Singapore. Thus if there's nothing else pointing to a Singapore origin, and you never informed the Singapore authorities about your second nationality and/or name change, chances are good they won't catch you.
But of course you are a criminal under Singapore law and would end in very deep shit if caught, so the gamble is up to you to take (or avoid Singapore forever, even in transit).

It could also be argued that the OP (or his parents) gave false or misleading information when applying for the UK passport, by implying that he was born in the UK when in fact he wasn't.

[halfpast5]

Gleneagles is a place in Scotland. According to your UK passport, you were born there, not in Singapore. Thus if there's nothing else pointing to a Singapore origin, and you never informed the Singapore authorities about your second nationality and/or name change, chances are good they won't catch you.
But of course you are a criminal under Singapore law and would end in very deep shit if caught, so the gamble is up to you to take (or avoid Singapore forever, even in transit).

It could also be argued that the OP (or his parents) gave false or misleading information when applying for the UK passport, by implying that he was born in the UK when in fact he wasn't.

Not quite.
Everything on my application points to Singapore. On their paper, they force us to write a 'Town' when Singapore is a City State, so it's Singapore, Singapore. They didn't get it, so said write in place you were born, so Gleneagles Hospital was written but they chopped that off.

My mum's passport literally says 'Place of Birth' Joo Chiat Road.

Anyway, been weighing on the idea and decided that it's not worth the risk. I'll scrap the idea of going back as I currently have a decent job, a house and a partner, why risk everything just for 2 weeks of 'reminiscing'?

Stick with flying to Malaysia as I did 3 years ago, food is similar, family can come over JB and not having to worry everytime I see 'Blue'.

By the way, I pick up accent like a sponge and if I do go through immigration, my SG accent is truly buried by a Northern/Yorkshire accent. Can bring it out like a party trick no and again tho...

Thanks for all the replies and as my teenage friends use to taunt: Ham Chee Kia, I shall be that for the sake of messing up my stable present for a past that don't want my future.

[offshoreoildude]

I'd encourage you to try it. We'd be interested in knowing the results.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The only problem is, if he is caught, our readers may well have to be like you & I, very long-stayers, in order to be around when he is released and allowed to get near a computer to let us know.

[v4jr4]

The only problem is, if he is caught, our readers may well have to be like you & I, very long-stayers, in order to be around when he is released and allowed to get near a computer to let us know.

With possibility of caning? *ouch*

[nutnut]

Wise move young man! Malaysia is fairly nice anyway, just hope your plane doesn't get diverted to SG!

[halfpast5]

With possibility of caning? *ouch*

Seriously? Caning for scenarios like mine? That just takes the biscuit.

I understand if I were a rapist or a drug mule but to have a possibility of caning because I was taken out of SG after whatever benefit I got from 'Singapores Socio-Economics'/culture, which incidently enforced my need to complete my studies and get all the paperwork to 'become successful' only to return to that?

SG's really shot themself in the foot when people similar to my situation, would one day like to go back and contribute to society to be turned away because of NS.

Really annoyed, with myself and the system. Perhaps putting Singapore into a box and remember it as a place I grew up rather than Home.

Anyway, I rarely travel East, but if I do, it's always Cathay to HK then transfer to wherever, so very unlikely to be diverted to SG - nothing for me to worry about nutnut.