Go Travelling: Can Take Duffle Kit Bag's Personal Items?

iamaccounting SG

Hi all

I am a PR overseas and I just finished my 2 years NS, so I am planning to go back. I want to bring all my personal equipment (LBV, helmet) with me as it has some setimental value. Has anyone ever gone through this process and could please share his experience?

Thanks!

tarutaru SG

I don't see why not? I brought my boots overseas before....good for cold winter

iamaccounting SG

Thanks for your reply tarutaru. Im more concerned about the helmet and LBV as it may be considered as controlled military items. I have already contacted customs and SAF but any other advice/personal experience would be greatly appreciated :)

ditzy SG

If you are a Singapore PR who served your 2 years, you still have the reservist cycles to complete. So unless you intend to leave Singapore for good, you have to bring your kit back in for ICTs. Otherwise, you can try to bring it out of Singapore, and either the customs on this side stops your baggage going thru, or on the other side, then that's really your problem trying to bring one country's controlled items to another.

iamaccounting SG

Im a singaporean citizen with a PR overseas. Im going back to further my studies so it would be quite some time before I do my ICT.

Well I would like to know for certain if there are any issues rather than "try". Thanks anyway!

ditzy SG

You can be somewhat certain when someone who has confirmed done it before replies you loh.

Who knows right?

iamaccounting SG

Oh so are you saying ditzy that you have done it before?

TehJarVu SG

no no no
he is saying u want to listen to him or not up to you
you want to wait for someone who's done it before replies you up to you

ditzy SG

Why the fug would I want to take govt property out my own country?

I'm no PR overseas.

My generation not using LBV.

And hor, coming April, I MR, so technically, I don't have to touch my gear anymore.....forever.

jlowbog SG

MINDEF Reserve (MR)

MINDEF Reserve consists of NSmen who have completed their NS training cycle but have yet to reach the statutory age. They are no longer called back for In-Camp Training (ICT) but are still liable for NS.

What happens after I completed my NS Training Cycle?
The minimum requirement for completion of NS Training Cycle is 7 HK and 10 ORNS years (8 HK and 13 ORNS years for Key Appointment Holders). However, you may be asked to continue your service as a Reservist On Voluntary Extended Reserve Service (ROVERS) to ensure fulfillment of operational requirements. Some ROVERS may even continue to serve beyond the statutory age of 50 and 40 for Officers and WOSE respectively as VOLUNTEERS in higher operational appointments.

Once you have completed your NS training cycle and/or standdown as ROVERS/VOUNTEER, you will be posted to the MINDEF Reserve (MR) List at the end of the work year. However, you may still be activated during operational exigencies and remain liable for NS up to the respective statutory ages.

Note that you are to disregard your previous unit’s mobilisation codewords as you are no longer required to report for mobilisation activation for your previous units. A new codeword will be assigned to you accordingly should you be mobilised while you are in MR. If you are travelling overseas for 6 months or more, you are still required to apply for Exit Permit.

1. What is meant by no longer liable for National Service?
Under the Enlistment Act, Chapter 93, NSmen will not be liable for NS call-ups when they reach the statutory age limit of 40 for Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees (WOSEs) and 50 for Officers. In other words, personnel reaching the stated statutory age limit will no longer be liable to be called up for any NS activities such as ICT, IPPT, mobilisation etc.

2. What should I do to my SAF personal equipment now that I have completed my NS liability?
You may dispose the items in the normal ways as long as the items do not end up in an unauthorised usage.

eac SG

Going Overseas

Why must MINDEF impose exit controls on NS-liable males?

Exit controls are necessary to ensure that NS-liable males who have gone overseas to study or reside at a young age return to fulfil their NS responsibilities.

Will young males aged 13 to 16.5 who fail to apply for an exit permit be sentenced to imprisonment?

The penalty for exit permit offences of young males aged 13 to 16.5 will be a fine of up to $2,000, with no custodial sentences. They will however be subjected to harsher penalties should they continue to breach of the Enlistment Act after age 16.5.

Males above 16.5 years who travel and remain overseas without applying for an exit permit would have committed an offence under the Enlistment Act. They will be liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.

Pre-Enlistees

Who requires an exit permit?

If you are between 13 and 16.5 year old:

You need to apply for an exit permit if you are travelling overseas for 3 months or more. If you are travelling overseas for 2 years or more, your parents will also need to furnish a bond, in the form of a Banker's Guarantee of S$75,000 or 50% of the combined annual gross income of both parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

If you are above 16.5 and have not enlisted for NS:

You need to apply for an exit permit if you are travelling overseas for 3 months or more. Your parents/guardians will need to furnish a bond in the form of a Banker's Guarantee of S$75,000 or 50% of the combined annual gross income of both parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

SAF Regular

I am a regular serviceman. How do I apply for an exit permit?

Regular servicemen who have not completed their Minimum Term of Engagement (MTE) are required to apply for an exit permit if he is travelling overseas for more than 3 months on their private capacities (eg. No-pay study leave, etc). Those who have completed their MTE are only required to apply for an exit permit for overseas trips of 6 months or longer. No exit permit is required for all official trips assigned by the unit

You can only apply for the exit permit at the service counter at CMPB or fax to 65-63733173, with documentary proof of your overseas status (eg. School letter, etc) and approval from your unit on your leave of absence (eg. Directive).

NSman

I am an NSman. I would like to extend my International passport. Do I need to apply for an Exit Permit first?

As an NSman, you may extend your passport without having to apply for an exit permit.

I am an NSman and going overseas for business/work/study. Do I need to apply for exit permit?

You are required to apply for an exit permit if the duration of your overseas trip is 6 months or more.

If your trip is less than 1 year and you have been scheduled for NS training during the period of overseas trips, you are required to obtain approval from your NS unit before applying for an exit permit.

You are also required to obtain approval from your NS unit if the trip is 1 year or longer and your NS training is scheduled within 6 months from the date of application for the exit permit. Otherwise, you may apply for your exit permit directly via internet

*You will need to apply for deferment if you have been called up for National Service training.
*If your deferment is not approved, you are required to report for the scheduled National Service training.

You do not need to apply for an exit permit if your overseas trip is less than 6 months. However, if you have not completed your ORNS Training Cycle and have yet to be posted to MINDEF Reserve (MR) / SPF or SCDF Reserve, you will need to inform the MINDEF Notification Centre (MNC) if your trip exceeds 24 hours via Overseas Notification.

I am an NSman. How do I apply for disruption for NS if I am staying overseas for a prolonged period?

You can apply for exit permit online. You must obtain your NS unit's/ NSSC's recommendation* prior to your application, if necessary. Disruption will be granted upon approval of application for exit permit.

* Advance notice of 6-12 months is given for ICT. If your National Service training is less than 6 months from the date of application, you are required to seek your NS unit's/NSSC's recommendation for your exit permit/disruption. When the NS unit/NSSC does not agree to the deferment of your ICT, you are required to complete your National Service training before your exit permit/ disruption is approved.

I have applied for an exit permit for going overseas for more than 1 year and it has been approved. Do I still need to apply for disruption from National Service?

Once your exit permit application has been approved, your disruption form national service will be processed simultaneously. Hence it is not necessary to apply to your respective Personnel Management Centre/NSSC/ NS units for disruption for National Service.

* A NSman who is granted disruption may not be posted back to his previous unit upon expiry of his disruption.
* A NSman who is granted disruption will complete his training cycle later than his cohort.
* A NSman who is an appointment holder will not receive his National Service Command Allowance or Key Appointment Holder Allowance during the period of disruption.

I am going overseas to look for a job. I do not have a documentary proof now. What should I do?

You may leave without an exit permit by informing NS Call Centre* of your overseas trip at 1800-3676767 first. However, you are required to apply for an exit permit through Internet, within 6 months from date of departure.

No documentary proof is required for application of exit permit by NSmen. Random verification of proof is only for selected applications.

* If you have not completed your ORNS Training Cycle and have yet to be posted to MINDEF Reserve (MR) / SPF or SCDF Reserve, you will need to inform the MINDEF Notification Centre (MNC) if your trip exceed 24 hours via Overseas Notification.

When do I need to reapply for a new exit permit?

You will need to apply for a new exit permit via the Internet at www.ns.sg if:

i) Your exit permit is expiring and you are not able to come back upon expiry of your current exit permit.
ii) There is a change of your departure date
iii) There is a change of the country of visit, purpose of visit, place of employment and course and place of study.

I have changed my course of Study/ University. My Exit Permit is still valid. Do I need to re-apply for a new Exit Permit again?

If you have changed your course or University, you are required to re-apply for a new Exit Permit through internet.

What is the maximum duration of Exit Permit that I can apply for?

An exit permit is normally granted on a yearly basis for overseas employment, permanent residence or training. An exit permit of a maximum of 3 years may be granted for overseas employment or training. If you are studying overseas, an exit permit can be granted for the full duration of your course

eac SG

Q1. Why must MINDEF impose exit controls on NS-liable males?

Exit controls are necessary to ensure that NS-liable males who have gone overseas to study or reside at a young age return to fulfil their NS responsibilities.

Q2. Why can't MINDEF exempt young males aged 13 to 16½ from exit controls?

Exit control measures have to be applied at a reasonably younger age so that they could be effective to prevent those who leave at a younger age defaulting on their NS responsibilities

Q3. Why has MINDEF decided to shift the starting age for exit controls from age 11 to 13?

Currently, the starting age of exit controls is pegged at age 11, the age where Singaporeans used to be issued with NRICs. With Singaporeans now being issued NRICs at age 15, there is no longer a special reason to retain age 11 as the starting age for exit controls. MINDEF has therefore decided to set it at age 13, which is when students would have just started their secondary school education.

Q4. Why is MINDEF removing passport controls?

With the introduction of the non-extendable Singapore Biometric passport, a continuation of passport controls for young males would mean that they will have to pay for a new biometric passport upon expiry each time. This will result in greater inconvenience and higher cost for young males and their families. MINDEF has therefore decided to remove passport controls.

Q5. Will young males holding non-biometric Singapore passport be given full validity?

Those holding non-biometric Singapore Passports will also have their passports extended for the full duration of 5 or 10 years. This is however subject to the remaining lifespan of the passport.

Q6. Why does MINDEF require young males to apply for an exit permit?

With the removal of passport controls, it is necessary for MINDEF to extend exit permit requirements (which currently affect only NS-liable males aged 16½ and above) to males aged 13 and above in order to ensure that young males who go overseas return to serve NS. However, to avoid inconveniencing those who make short overseas trips during vacations, exit permits will only be required for overseas trips of 3 months or more.

Q7. Will young males who require exit permits be required to furnish a bond?

Young males aged 13 to 16½ will only be required to furnish a bond if they require an exit permit of 2 years or more. This arrangement is similar to the current practice where only young males who require a passport validity of more than 2 years are required to furnish a bond.

Males aged 16½ to enlistment are approaching the age of enlistment. They are therefore subject to more stringent exit controls to deter potential NS defaulters. The current practice of requiring such males to furnish a bond if they require an exit permit of 3 months or more will continue.

Q8. Will young males aged 13 to 16½ who fail to apply for an exit permit be sentenced to imprisonment?

The penalty regime for exit permit offences of young males aged 13 to 16½ will be a fine of up to $2,000, with no custodial sentences. They will however be subject to harsher penalties should they continue to be in breach of the Enlistment Act after that age 16½.

Males above 16½ years who travel and remain overseas without applying for an exit permit will be prosecuted under the Enlistment Act. They will be liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.

Q9. How will MINDEF deal with young males who do not understand their obligations under the Enlistment Act or those who have parents/guardians who deliberately encourage them to be in breach of the Enlistment Act?

MINDEF recognises that some young males may not be sufficiently mature to understand their obligations under the Enlistment Act. Their parents or guardians may also have been instrumental in decisions, which are in contravention of the Enlistment Act. Parents and guardians would therefore also be liable for the exit permit offences of their children or wards of ages 13 to 16½, so that the penalty can be imposed on their parents or guardians when the circumstances warrant it. The penalty regime for the offence will also be a fine of up to $2,000. MINDEF will consider the circumstances of the case carefully before deciding whether to issue warnings, composition fines or to charge the parent or guardian in court.

Q10. When will the revised exit controls take effect?

The revised exit control measures will be introduced together with the launch of the Singapore Biometric Passport in the later half of the year.

Q11. With the removal of passport controls, what would be the arrangement for young males who have furnished bonds for extended passport validity under the Immigration Bonding Scheme?

As males below the age of 13 will no longer come under the ambit of passport or exit control, those who had furnished a bond to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority under the Immigration Bonding Scheme will have their bonds released.

Males aged 13 to 16½ currently bonded in order to be issued with passports of extended validity will be required to apply for an exit permit for overseas trips of 3 months or more. Those who require an exit permit of 2 years or more will continue to be bonded. Those who require an exit permit of less than 2 years or who do not require an exit permit will have their bonds released.

Q12. If MINDEF continues with passport controls, how many pre-enlistees would be inconvenienced by having to apply for a new biometric passport every year?

According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, there are approximately 120,000 pre-registrants (males aged 11 to 16½) and 100,000 registrants (males aged 16½ to enlistment) passport holders. With the passport validity of pre-registrants and registrants capped at 2 years and 1 year respectively, we would expect a pre-registrant to have to apply for a new passport once in 2 years and a registrant once a year. On average, 100,000 have their passports extended annually.

eac SG

Under the Enlistment Act (Chapter 93), all Singapore citizens and Permanent Residence aged 13 years and above are required to comply with the exit control regulation. Any person who remains outside Singapore without a valid EP shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding SGD $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Application for renewal of the EP can be made through www.ns.sg up to 2 months before the expiry date. No documentary proof is required except for randomly selected applications that are prompted through the system.

Under the provisions of the Enlistment (EP) Regulations 1975:

1) EP must be utilised within 3 months from its effective date. Otherwise, you are required to cancel the EP within 7 days of the expiry of the said period of 3 months.

2) Where an EP has been granted for a course of study, you shall not change your course or place of study without prior approval.

You must comply with the provisions of the Regulations. Failure to do so is an offence and you shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding SGD $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Disrupt from Operationally Ready NSmen Training (Going Overseas)

NSmen are required to report for Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS)-reservist training, as scheduled by their National Service Unit. However, under certain circumstances, deferment or disruption from National Service may be granted.

Disruption here refers to 1 year or longer due to overseas commitments.

NSmen can apply for disruption for overseas commitments through their Personnel Management Centres/NSSC/NS Units with the relevant documentary proof. Upon approval, an exit permit will be issued by the Exit Permit Office.

Alternatively, they can also apply for an exit permit at the Exit Permit Office with the relevant documentary proof. Upon approval of the exit permit, their Personnel Management Centres/NSSC/NS units will disrupt them.

Should an NSman been served with a call-up notice, SAF/SPF/SCDF 100, his applications will be first forwarded to the unit for recommendation before an exit permit is issued.