Unexpected Loss of Singapore Citizenship: A Real‑Life Tale
In a saga that could have script‑writer envy, a 23‑year‑old Singaporean call‑up has lost his citizenship because he couldn’t get his oath done on time. His case strikes a chord: military duty, bureaucratic red tape, and the heart‑wracking fight to stay in his homes.
Who’s this young guy?
- Name: Mr. Xu (last name unchanged for privacy)
- Birth: Born on a Thailand beach (his mother was on a family trip when she gave birth)
- Family: Singaporean father, Thai mother. He grew up afghan‑style between the two cultures.
- Education: Attended school in Singapore, landed a solid university degree, and thought “what’s next?”
- Duty: Called up for National Service in the summer of 2016 (when he turned 21).
The Checklist That Made Him Lose His Passport
Singapore rules say that anyone who gets citizenship via a parent or an application must take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (ORAL) within a year after reaching 21. The steps are:
- Visit the embassy of the country you want to drop (here: Thailand) to drop your foreign citizenship.
- Collect the official Renunciation Letter—this can take weeks in paperwork.
- Go to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) with the original letter plus a photocopy.
- Sign the ORAL in front of an ICA officer.
Mr. Xu hit a snag because he forgot, or maybe did not manage to get, the Thai documents. He had to fly back to Thailand to grab them, but by the time he returned to Singapore he had missed the one‑year deadline and …
The Military Hurdle
While the National Service (NS) was blasting him hard into field training, he was asking for leave to travel back to Thailand, but every application was denied. He couldn’t leave the trenches to get the paperwork done.
According to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), he never actually applied for leave during his service—until only two months ago! So, the SAF missed the chance to help him get the necessary docs, and the ground rule says he’d have to do this while on duty.
Mindef’s Take
- He didn’t submit leave paperwork until close to the deadline.
- Had he done so earlier, the Singapore Armed Forces could have stepped in.
ICA’s Position
The ICA repeated its once‑held procedure: once a person’s citizenship is revoked, it typically cannot be regained. They stressed that citizenship is a serious matter, not a casual request. A spokesman said they’re still reviewing Mr. Xu’s application, but nothing was confirmed.
Key Points from ICA
- Under‑age citizens or those who gained citizenship from a parent must complete ORAL by 21.
- They sent a letter when he turned 21, and a reminder six months before his 22nd birthday.
- They stopped his case once the deadline (Sep 5 of last year) passed.
What’s Next for Mr. Xu?
After the revocation, he’s left with a single, ticking‑clock:
- He needs a Special Pass, which must be renewed every three months.
- If he can’t secure it, he’s forced to leave the island.
In a do‑ozy interview, he said, “All my family’s in Singapore. I don’t want to be the one who leaves.” He’s hoping to file again and maybe get the system to swallow this oversight and give him a second chance.
Future Outlook
- Plan: Reapply for citizenship.
- Goal: Stay and continue contributing to society.
- Mood: Feeling a mix of determination, frustration, and a pinch of hope.
So there it is—a story that blends bureaucratic hurdles, military duties, and the jazz of an unexpected citizenship loss. If you’ve got a similar scare in the paperwork jungle, you know the beat: call it a “lost passport” and hope the government pans out.