compulsory military service for PR?

[emilyw]

Hi, I have a young boy and am thinking of relocating to singapore. if things work out and I like the place, that is if..., and I apply to become a permanent resident, does that mean compulsory military service?

also, can expats children attend the public schools?

thanks.

[Miss Swan]

"Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) are liable to register for National Service (NS) upon reaching 16 1/2 years old. They are required to serve 2 years of full-time NS at 18 years old, followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service per year till the age of 50 years (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks)."
- Guess this should answer your question

Yes I've seen expat children attend public schools, albeit a very very small proportion.

[ecureilx]

From what I know and seen, if you become PR, as a professional, obviously you are above the registration age, and will be exempt. However, if your kids get PR, before 16, they must attend NS.

If your kids dont apply for PR, and you wait until they cross 21, and then apply for PR, they can still be called for NS, maybe in a less rigourous area, like Civil Defence or Police.

And keeping your kids on Dependant pass while you are PR/Citizen can raise a few eyebrows in the ICA, and when you go for renewal, they will pointedly ask in terms like "so you are here to earn and don't plan to contribute ??" and have seen PR renewals rejected for some people who kept the family on dependant status .. times may have changed .. Singapore needs people to settle and contribute, not earn and slash and dash