Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Allowing Permanent Residents to Renounce PR Status before 21 Years of Age by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

MP David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will consider allowing permanent residents to renounce their PR status before the age of 21 years especially if they are not residing in Singapore.

Answer:

1. There are currently no age restrictions imposed on Permanent Residents (PRs) who intend to renounce their PR status.

2. Being a PR is a step towards citizenship and only those who intend to take up Singapore Citizenship should apply for PR.

3. Male PRs who renounce their PR status before fulfilling their National Service obligations will face serious adverse consequences when they subsequently apply to study, work, or live in Singapore. Any subsequent PR or citizenship applications will be affected. In addition, any renewal of Re-Entry Permits (REPs) by PR's parents and immediate family members may be affected.