Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666

 

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

 

 

RELAXATION OF EXIT CONTROL MEASURES

1. Exit control measures for Singaporean males will be relaxed with effect from 1st May 2001. This is in line with the recommendations of the Third Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready NSmen to Total Defence (RECORD III) to facilitate regionalisation and make it more convenient for NSmen and their families to travel overseas for work and leisure.

 

            1. Extension of Passport Validity

              2. 2. The passport validity of Singaporean males will be extended as follows:

              a. Those between 11 and 16˝ years old – Passport validity will be extended to two years or till they reach 16˝ years old, whichever is earlier.

              b. Those 16˝ years old and above, and have yet to enlist for full-time National Service (NS) – Passport validity will be extended to one year.

              c. Full-time National Servicemen – Full passport validity of ten years.

              3. Longer passport validity will reduce the need for frequent renewals. The revised validity period will be granted upon application or renewal of passports.

               

            2. Exit Permit Requirements

              3. 4. Singaporean males who are 16˝ years old and above, and have yet to enlist for full-time NS, will only be required to apply for exit permits if they travel overseas for more than 3 months. This makes it more convenient for them to travel overseas for holidays. However, they still have to fulfil their NS obligation and duties when required.

              5. Full-time National Servicemen will be able to obtain exit permits at their units for short overseas trips of 30 days or less, instead of having to go to the Exit Permit Office.

              6. Standardised multiple-trip exit permits will be introduced to replace the various types of exit permits. Holders of multiple-trip exit permits who return to Singapore for 30 days or less can utilise the same valid exit permit to travel overseas again.

              Waiver of Monetary Bond

              7. The monetary bond requirements for Singaporean males (11 years old and above, and have yet to enlist for full-time NS) who accompany their parents on overseas employment will be waived. Instead, they will be bonded by deed with two sureties. This aims to facilitate regionalisation and strengthen family cohesion. A monetary bond will still be required for those who go overseas for other reasons (e.g. studies), to ensure they return to fulfil their NS obligation.

              8. Parents who had earlier furnished a monetary bond and meet the new criteria for bond by deed will be given the option to convert to a bond by deed. SIR (Singapore Immigration and Registration) and CMPB (Central Manpower Base) will be writing to parents over the next 3 months to offer the conversion option. Eligible parents can come forward to SIR or CMPB to convert their monetary bond to a bond by deed.

               

            3. Summary of Exit Control Measures

              4. 9. A summary of the current and revised exit control measures is at Annex A.

               

            4. Clarifications

              5. 10. For clarifications on the various exit control measures and application details, please contact:

              a. For males between 11 and 16˝ years old:

              Director, SIR

              10 Kallang Road

              Singapore 208718

              Tel: 3916100 (for general enquiries on passport extension)

              3916276 or 3916171 (for enquiries on bond requirements)

              Fax: 2980837, 2980843

              Internet: www.sir.gov.sg

              E-mail address: SIR_FEEDBACK@sir.gov.sg

              b. For males 16˝ years old and above, who have yet to enlist for full-time NS:

              Commander, CMPB

              3 Depot Road

              Singapore 109680

              Tel: 3733139

              Fax: 3733173

              Internet: www.miw.com.sg

              E-mail address: dotpointer@miw.com.sg

              c. Full-time National Servicemen and personnel

              in the SAF, Police and SCDF:

              Please refer to Annex B.

              11. The contact details and operation hours of SIR and the Exit Permit Offices are at Annex B.

               

               

               

              ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

              & MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

              26 APRIL 2001

              For clarifications on this press release, please contact:

               

              Ms Dawn Low

              Public Affairs Department

              MINDEF

              Tel: 7683049

              Handphone: (9)616-7246

              Mdm Lee Hiang Foon

              Head Exit Permit Office

              Police National Service Department

              Tel: 4374413 / 4

              CPT Abdul Razak

              Head Public Communication Development Branch

              Public Affairs Department

              Singapore Civil Defence Force

              Tel: 3918763

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

               

              Visit us at http://www.mindef.gov.sg

            5. ANNEX A

            6. SUMMARY OF EXIT CONTROL MEASURES

 

A summary of the current and revised exit control measures is given below:

 

Current

Revised

Passport Validity

Between 11 and 16˝ years old

 

 

  • 9 months or till age 16˝, whichever is earlier.

 

 

 

  • 2 years or till age of 16˝, whichever is earlier.

16˝ years old and above, who have yet to enlist for full-time NS
  • Length of overseas trip + 6 months.
  • Up to total of 9 months.
  • 1 year.

    • Full-time National Servicemen
    • Length of overseas trip + 6 months.
    • Up to total of 9 months.
  • Full 10 years.

    • Exit Permit (EP)

    16˝ years old and above, who have yet to enlist for full-time NS

     

     

    • EP required whenever they travel overseas, and valid for length of trip.

     

     

     

    • EP required only for overseas travel of more than 3 months.

    Full-time National Servicemen
    • Travel to Exit Permit Office to obtain EP for each overseas trip.
  • Obtain EP at their units for short overseas trips of 30 days or less.

    • Types of EP
    • Several types, ranging from single to multiple-trip EPs.
  • Standardised multiple-trip EP.

    • Bond Requirements

    11 years old and above, who have yet to enlist for full-time NS

     

     

    • Monetary bond* has to be furnished to go overseas for extended periods, i.e. beyond the standard passport or EP validity.

    [* Banker’s guarantee of $75,000 or 50% of parents’ combined gross annual income, whichever higher.]

     

     

     

    • Bond by deed for those who accompany their parents on overseas employment.
    • Monetary bond has to be furnished for those who go overseas for other reasons.

    ANNEX B

     

                1. CONTACT DETAILS AND OPERATION HOURS

     

              1. Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR)

                2. 10 Kallang Road

                Singapore 208718

                Tel: 3916100

                Fax: 2980837

                E-mail address: SIR_FEEDBACK@sir.gov.sg

                Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm

                Saturday 8.00 am – 1.00 pm

              2. Exit Permit Offices

    Pre-enlistees and SAF Personnel

    1) Central Manpower Base (CMPB)

    3 Depot Road

    Singapore 109680

    Tel: 2700134

    Fax: 3733173

    E-mail: dotpointer@miw.com.sg

    Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 9.00 pm

    Saturday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm

    2) Tampines SAFRA

    1/A Tampines St 92

    Singapore 528882

    Tel: 7865081

    Fax: 7855765

    E-mail: dotpointer@miw.com.sg

    Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 9.00 pm

    Saturday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm

    3) Applications for exit permit may also be made via:

     

    Police Personnel

    4) Police National Service Department

    Pearl’s Park Police Building

    5 Pearl’s Hill Road

    Block B #01-04

    Singapore 168996

    Tel: 4374413 / 4

    Fax: 5363570

    E-mail: permit@spinet.gov.sg

    Monday – Friday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm

    Saturday 8.30 am – 3.00 pm

    5) Applications for exit permit may also be made via:

     

    SCDF Personnel

    6) National Service Personnel Department

    HQ Singapore Civil Defence Force

    1500 Bendemeer Road

    Singapore 339946

    Tel: 3918738

    Fax: 2833486

    E-mail: SCDF_NS@scdf.gov.sg

    Monday – Friday 8.30 am – 5.00 pm

    Saturday 8.30 am – 1.00 pm

    7) Applications for exit permit may also be made via:

     

     

     

     

    # # #

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

     

    RELAXATION OF EXIT CONTROL MEASURES:

     

    Exit Control Measures

     

    1. What are the benefits arising from the relaxation of exit control measures?

      2. A: The relaxation of exit control measures will help to facilitate regionalisation and make it more convenient for NSmen and their families to travel overseas for work and leisure. Passport validity for young Singaporean males will be extended, hence reducing the need for frequent renewals. Exit permit and bond requirements will also be relaxed, to enhance efficiency and convenience.

       

    2. Why are exit control measures necessary?

      3. A: Exit control measures play an important role in ensuring that Singaporean males who go overseas return to fulfil their National Service (NS) obligation. The measures also facilitate the management of NS resources. MINDEF/MHA is mindful that exit control measures should not unduly inconvenience Singaporean males or hamper Singapore’s regionalisation drive. There has to be a balance between enhancing convenience and having effective exit control measures.

       

      Passport Validity

       

    3. Why are Singaporean males who have yet to enlist for National Service not given passports of a longer validity?

      4. A: Restricted passport validity helps to ensure that Singaporean males who travel overseas return to fulfil their NS obligation. It also serves to remind them of their NS responsibilities. Those who wish to obtain longer passport validity can do so after furnishing a bond.

      For Singaporean males between 11 and 16˝ years old, the 2-year passport validity would be sufficient for social visits over a number of school holiday periods, without the need for frequent passport extensions. Those 16˝ years old and above are given 1-year passport validity as they would soon be due for NS enlistment. Passports valid for 1 year would still be sufficient for social visits during the school holidays.

       

    4. How do I extend my passport?

      5. A: The new passport validity will be given for passport extensions made from 1 May 2001 onwards. Passports may be extended at SIR or Exit Permit Offices (i.e. CMPB or SAFRA Tampines). However, there is no need to immediately rush to extend your passports as the existing passports can still be used as long as they have not expired.

      Exit Permit Requirements

       

    5. Why are full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) still required to apply for exit permits for every overseas trip?

      6. A: NSFs require their units’ consent before travelling overseas. Exit permits facilitate the management of NSF resources, and enable units to mobilise their NSFs effectively if the need arises. The exit permit application process will be made more convenient for NSFs. With effect from 1 May 2001, NSFs will be able to obtain exit permits at their units for short overseas trips of 30 days or less, instead of having to travel to the Exit Permit Office.

       

      Waiver of Monetary Bond

       

    6. Why is the waiver of monetary bond given only to Singaporean males who accompany their parents on overseas employment?

      7. A: The waiver of monetary bond for Singaporean males who accompany their parents on overseas employment aims to facilitate regionalisation and preserve family cohesion. The waiver makes it easier for parents working overseas to bring their children along, and parents will not be discouraged from accepting overseas employment as a result of having to furnish a monetary bond. However, a monetary bond will still be required for those who go overseas for other reasons (e.g. studies), to ensure they return to fulfil their NS obligation.

       

    7. Can parents who had earlier furnished a monetary bond convert to a bond by deed if they meet the new guidelines?

    A: Parents who had earlier furnished a monetary bond and meet the new criteria for bond by deed will be given the option to convert to a bond by deed. SIR and CMPB will be writing to parents over the next 3 months to offer the conversion option. Eligible parents can come forward to SIR or CMPB to convert their monetary bond to a bond by deed. Only those who meet the new guidelines will be able to convert to a bond by deed.

     

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