Disclosed herein is a method of operation of a wireless device to provide service gap control in a wireless communication system, comprising: receiving a service gap parameter from a network entity in a mobility management sublayer non-access stratum message, the service gap parameter being indicative of a value for a service gap timer for the wireless device; and enforcing the service gap parameter at the wireless device in a non-access stratum layer. Also disclosed herein is a method of operation of a core network entity in a core network of a wireless communication system to provide service gap control, comprising: obtaining a service gap parameter for a wireless device, the service gap parameter being indicative of a value for a service gap timer for the wireless device; and sending the service gap parameter to the wireless device via a mobility management sublayer non-access stratum message.