Second Generation Permanent Residents are required to go through
compulsory full-time national service as well as reservist duties
after they have completed their full-time national service and
turns operationally-ready (ORD).
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen stated in Parliament that
between 2006 to 2011, about 8,800 males who had become permanent
residents under the sponsorship of their parents were enlisted for
and served National Service (NS). On the other hand, 4,200 males
who had become permanent residents under the sponsorship of their
parents renounced their PR status prior to serving national
service.[19] Their
failure to serve NS will be taken into account to have adverse
impact when they subsequently apply to study/ work/ visit/ travel
in Singapore. These ex-PRs were sternly warned about the dire
consequences of their actions at the point of
renunciation.[20]
After completing full-time national service, they are eligible
to apply for Singapore citizenship. However, citizenship is not
guaranteed for all applicants, as there are certain criteria that
must be met such as educational qualification, income qualification
and NS work performance/ conduct appraisal in the NS Certificate of
Service upon ORD. From 2006 to 2010, about 2% of 3,000 Second
Generation Permanent Residents who completed full-time national
service and applied for Singapore citizenship were
rejected.[21]
If the person does not hold Singapore citizenship but still
holds Singapore permanent residency, he is still required to serve
the service requirement, i.e. reservist duties after he turns
operationally-ready.[22]
Singapore Permanent Residents who served national service but
did not acquire Singapore citizenship will be treated equally to
those permanent residents without service obligation; they would
not have access to the privileges granted to Singapore
citizens.