On 8 January 2015, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted an inland enforcement operation at Geylang.

 

2.         The ICA officers arrested a total of 18 immigration offenders, comprising 17 males and 1 female, ages between 35 and 51 years old. The immigration offenders from China and Vietnam were overstayers. Investigations against those arrested are ongoing.

 

3.         The ICA takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

 

4.         Homeowners are advised to exercise due diligence in checking the status of their prospective foreign tenants to ensure that their status in Singapore is legal. Those who wish to rent their premises to foreigners are required to conduct the three mandatory checks:

 

(a) Check his/her ORIGINAL immigration/work pass;

(b) Cross check the particulars on his/her pass against the particulars on his/her ORIGINAL passport; and

(c) Verify the validity of his/her pass by checking with the issuing authority.

 

 

 

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

8 JANUARY 2015