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One Singaporean, One Permanent Resident and One Work Permit Holder Charged for Harbouring and Employing Immigration Offenders

            On 11 February 2026, ICA brought charges against three individuals for harbouring and employing immigration offenders. In the first case, a 39-year-old female Singapore Permanent Resident, Fang Chaoqun (“Fang”), and a 29-year-old Singaporean man, Jay Chan Jia Yuan (“Chan”), were charged for harbouring and employing a 32-year-old Malaysian woman respectively. In the second case, a 43-year-old Chinese male work permit holder, Zhang Quanyin (“Zhang”), was charged for harbouring a 37-year-old Chinese man.

Case of Fang and Chan

2.        Fang was charged for harbouring a 32-year-old Malaysian woman, Chai Yee Ling (“Chai”), with reckless disregard as to whether Chai’s stay in Singapore was valid. Chan was charged for illegally employing Chai. 

3.        Investigations by ICA found that Fang was the co-owner of a unit at Yishun Avenue 4, where Chai was residing. Fang had allegedly allowed Chai to stay at the said unit from 22 February 2024 to 24 October 2025. Chan had allegedly employed Chai at various food and beverage establishments owned by him in Singapore, from 8 June 2022 to 24 October 2025, despite her illegal immigration status. 

Case of Zhang

4.        Zhang was charged for harbouring a 37-year-old Chinese man, Cui Weiqiang (“Cui”), with reckless disregard as to whether Cui’s stay in Singapore was valid.

5.        Investigations by ICA found that Zhang had allegedly allowed Cui to stay at a unit in Tampines Avenue 7 from December 2023 to 13 August 2025. 

6.        ICA takes a firm stance against any person who harbours immigration offenders. Those who wish to rent out their premises must exercise due diligence in checking the immigration status of their prospective foreign tenants to ensure that their stay in Singapore is legal. They are required to conduct three mandatory checks:

(a) Check the tenant’s 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 (i.e. the Ministry of Manpower for work passes and the ICA for immigration passes – Student’s Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass).

7.        A person found guilty of recklessly or knowingly harbouring overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000. A person found guilty of negligently harbouring overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to a fine of up to S$6,000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or to both. 

8.        A person found guilty of employing overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000.

 

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
11 FEBRUARY 2026