Immigration Act
(Chapter 133, Section 55(1))
Immigration Regulations
Rg 1
G.N. No. S 252/1972

REVISED EDITION 1998
(15th June 1998)
[25th August 1972]
Citation
1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Immigration Regulations.
Definitions
2.  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —
“alien” means any person who is not a citizen of Singapore;
“Controller” includes —
(a)an immigration officer or other person authorised by the Controller to act generally on his behalf under these Regulations; and
(b)where the Controller authorises an immigration officer or other person to act on his behalf for the purpose of one or more but not all of these Regulations, for the purposes of such regulation, the immigration officer or other person so authorised;
“Form” means a form set out in the First Schedule, and a form referred to by a number means the form so numbered in that Schedule;
“unberthed passenger” means a ship’s passenger for whom no accommodation in any cabin, stateroom or saloon is reserved.
Application for and issue of certificate of status
3.—(1)  A citizen of Singapore who is outside Singapore may, in order to facilitate his entry into Singapore, apply to the Controller for the issue to him of a certificate of status and, where applicable, for the inclusion in the certificate of the name of any child accompanying him who is a citizen of Singapore.
(2)  An application under this regulations may be made on behalf of a citizen of Singapore by a person resident in Singapore.
(3)  Every application under this regulations shall be in such form as the Controller may require and shall be accompanied by —
(a)2 recent photographs of the person to whom the certificate is to be issued; and
(b)where the name of any child accompanying him is to be included in the certificate, 2 recent photographs of the child.
(4)  The Controller may, upon being satisfied that the person applying or the person on whose behalf application is made is a citizen of Singapore and upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue a certificate in Form 2 and, if satisfied that any child accompanying that person and included in the application is a citizen of Singapore, may include the name of the child in the certificate.
(5)  A citizen of Singapore who is resident in Singapore may apply (in such form as the Controller may require) for the issue to him of a certificate, and the Controller may, upon being satisfied that the applicant is a citizen of Singapore, make an endorsement to that effect on the passport or other travel document of the applicant and such endorsement shall be deemed to be a certificate issued under these Regulations.
(6)  A certificate issued or endorsement made under paragraph (4) or (5), respectively, shall have validity only so long as the holder of the certificate or passport or other travel document so endorsed continues to be a citizen of Singapore.
(7)  The burden of proof that any person is a citizen of Singapore shall lie upon that person.
(8)  The Controller may accept the status of a person as stated in his passport or other travel document as prima facie evidence of that person’s status.
(9)  Where the Controller is satisfied that the holder of a passport or other travel document endorsed under paragraph (5) has obtained such endorsement by misrepresentation or fraud or is not a citizen of Singapore, he may cancel the endorsement, and the holder shall, on being so required by the Controller, forthwith deliver to him the passport or other travel document for cancellation of that endorsement.
Application for entry permit
4.—(1)  A person who requires an entry permit to enter Singapore may apply to the Controller for the issue to him of a entry permit and, where applicable, for the inclusion in the entry permit of the names of his wife and of any child accompanying him.
[S 657/2008 wef 02/01/2009]
(2)  An application for an entry permit may be made by a husband on behalf of his wife or by a parent on behalf of a child.
(3)  Every application for an entry permit shall be made in such form as the Controller may require and shall be accompanied by —
(a)2 recent photographs of the applicant; and
(b)where the names of his wife and of any child accompanying him are to be included in the entry permit, 2 recent photographs of his wife and 2 recent photographs of the child.
[S 657/2008 wef 02/01/2009]
(3A)  Every application for an entry permit shall be supported by a declaration made by the sponsor of the applicant as to —
(a)the truth of the statements contained in the application; and
(b)the good character of the applicant.
(3B)  No person shall act as a sponsor for an applicant for an entry permit unless the person is resident in Singapore.
(4)  Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), any person who at the time of his arrival in Singapore satisfies the Controller that he —
(a)is in possession of a valid passport and, if an alien, of a valid entry visa, when such visa is required;
(b)is within any of the categories of persons set out in the Schedule to the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order (O 2);
(c)is not travelling by sea as an unberthed passenger;
(d)intends to enter Singapore otherwise than for the purpose of remaining temporarily therein; and
(e)is not a prohibited immigrant,
may on his arrival, subject to section 24, 25 or 26 of the Act, apply for the issue to him of any entry permit and for the inclusion in the permit of the names of his wife and of any child accompanying him.
(5)  Where in the case of any person applying for an entry permit under paragraph (4), a senior immigration officer is of the opinion that further inquiries are necessary, he may issue to that person a special pass in accordance with regulation 15.
(6)  Every entry permit shall be in the Form 5 except that the Controller may, in the case of an entry permit granted to a person making application therefor under paragraph (4), make an appropriate endorsement on the passport or other travel document held by the person, and the endorsement shall be deemed to be an entry permit for the purposes of these Regulations.
(7)  Except in the case of a person described in paragraph (4) or a person seeking to remain in Singapore after the expiry of a pass issued to him, an application for an entry permit shall be made before the arrival in Singapore of the person making such application.
(8)  No entry permit shall be issued to any such person described in paragraph (7) except prior to his arrival in Singapore.
(9)  At the time of the issue of an entry permit, the Controller may impose any condition not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.
Security in respect of entry permit
5.—(1)  The Controller may require in respect of the issue of an entry permit such security, whether by deposit or otherwise, as he may think necessary for all costs, charges and expenses which may be incurred in the maintenance and repatriation or removal from Singapore of the applicant in the event of his being required to be repatriated or removed from Singapore at any time within 2 years from the date of his entry into Singapore.
(2)  Where any person in respect of whom security has been furnished under paragraph (1) is repatriated or removed from Singapore at any time within 2 years from the date of his entry into Singapore, the total amount of all costs, charges and expenses incurred in the repatriation or removal of that person and his dependants, if any, shall be certified in writing by the Controller, whose certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof, and such amount, or so much thereof as the security will cover, shall be recovered out of such security.
(3)  Subject to paragraph (2), such security, or the balance thereof, if any, as the case may be, shall be returned to the person who furnished the security at the expiration of the period for which the security was furnished, or of such shorter period as the Controller may think fit.
Application for re-entry permit
6.—(1)  Every application for a re-entry permit shall be made in such form as the Controller may require.
(2)  An applicant who is resident in Singapore may, in his application, apply for the inclusion, in the re-entry permit to be issued to him, of the names of his wife and of any child, who are then resident in Singapore and who it is intended shall accompany him on his re-entry into Singapore.
(3)  The Controller may require the appearance in person before him of any applicant resident in Singapore and of his wife and any child in respect of whom an application is made under paragraph (2).
[S 657/2008 wef 02/01/2009]
(4)  Every application for a re-entry permit made under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the person making the application is in possession of a valid passport or other travel document.
(5)  Every re-entry permit shall be in Form 7.
[S 657/2008 wef 02/01/2009]
(6)  The Controller may make an appropriate endorsement on the passport or other travel document held by an applicant for a re-entry permit, and such endorsement shall be deemed to be a re-entry permit for the purposes of these Regulations.
Validity of entry and re-entry permits
7.—(1)  An entry permit shall be valid for a single entry into Singapore and shall cease to be valid if the holder of the permit, being out of Singapore on the date of issue thereof, has not entered Singapore within 6 months after that date.
(2)  The Controller may extend the period under paragraph (1) by a further period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 6 months.
(3)  A re-entry permit shall be valid for such period not exceeding 12 months from the date of issue thereof as may be specified in the permit and if so endorsed thereon by the Controller, for any number of re-entries during the period of its validity, and, if not so endorsed, for one re-entry only.
(4)  Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the Controller may issue a re-entry permit for any period exceeding one year or extend the validity of any re-entry permit for such period or periods as he may think fit.
Passes
8.—(1)  The following classes of passes may be issued under these Regulations for the purpose of entitling a person to enter and remain temporarily within Singapore:
(a)an employment pass;
(b)a dependant’s pass;
(c)a visit pass;
(d)a transit pass;
(e)a student’s pass;
(f)a special pass;
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(g)a landing pass;
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(h)a work permit pass; and
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
(i)a personalised employment pass.
(2)  Subject to these Regulations, the issue of any pass shall be at the discretion of the Controller.
(2A)  Where any person was, 10 days before entering Singapore, in any country affected by any disease listed in the First or Second Schedule to the Infectious Diseases Act (Cap. 137), the Controller may, if he considers it necessary, as a condition for the grant of any pass to the person under these Regulations, require the person to undergo quarantine and medical surveillance in such manner and place and in accordance with such other requirements as the Controller may determine.
(3)  Any pass may be issued subject to such special conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act, as the Controller may think fit to impose.
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(4)  Every pass issued to any person under these Regulations (whether issued before, on or after 14th April 2003) shall be subject to the condition that during the validity of the pass the holder shall, if so required by the Controller, undergo quarantine and medical surveillance in such manner and place and in accordance with such other requirements as the Controller may determine if the holder was, 10 days before his entering Singapore under that pass, in any country affected by any disease listed in the First or Second Schedule to the Infectious Diseases Act .
Employment pass
9.—(1)  An employment pass may be issued by the Controller to any person other than a prohibited immigrant who is not a work permit pass holder and who satisfies the Controller that he wishes to enter Singapore (otherwise than as a visitor, tourist, transit passenger or student) in order to engage in any business, profession or occupation that is approved by the Controller, or to take up employment with such company or firm as may be approved for the purpose of this regulation by the Controller.
(2)  Subject to the conditions stated in the pass and to these Regulations, an employment pass shall authorise the holder thereof to enter Singapore on or before the date stated in the pass and to remain therein for such period as may be specified therein but not exceeding 5 years from the date of the entry.
(2A)  Subject to these Regulations, the Controller may by endorsement on such pass from time to time make it valid for any number of entries during the period of its validity or extend the period of its validity or alter, add to, or delete any conditions stated therein.
(3)  Every employment pass issued to any person under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that during the validity of the pass the holder shall not, without the consent in writing of the Controller, engage in any form of paid employment, or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore, other than the particular employment, business, profession or occupation specified in that pass.
(3A)  The sponsor of an employment pass holder required to undergo quarantine and medical surveillance under regulation 8(4) shall be responsible for ensuring that the employment pass holder undergoes the quarantine and medical surveillance in the manner and place and in accordance with all other requirements determined by the Controller.
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
(4)  Every application for an employment pass shall be —
(a)made in such form as the Controller may require;
(b)accompanied by certified or photostat copies of —
(i)certifies of the applicant’s academic or professional qualifications; and
(ii)testimonials from the applicant’s previous employer relating to his experience;
(c)accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant;
(d)supported by a declaration made by a sponsor approved by the Controller as to —
(i)the truth of the statements contained in the application; and
(ii)the good character of the applicant;
(e)supported by an undertaking from the sponsor referred to in sub-paragraph (d) that the sponsor shall —
(i)be responsible for the stay, maintenance and repatriation of the applicant;
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
(ii)indemnify the Government for any charges or expenses which may be incurred by the Government in respect of the repatriation of the applicant or any dependant of the applicant; and
(iii)be responsible for the compliance by the applicant of any quarantine and medical surveillance imposed on the applicant under regulation 8(2A);
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
(f)supported by such other documents as the Controller may require.
(5)  Upon completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment of any employee, the employer and the employee shall report in writing and in person respectively to the Controller within 7 days of the completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment.
(5A)  Where an employee is to continue in the employ of the employer upon the expiry of the employee’s employment pass, both the employer and the employee shall, before the expiry of the employment pass, report in writing and in person respectively to the Controller and summit a new application in the prescribed form.
(5B)  Where an employment pass is issued to a person in order that he may take up a particular employment, and the employment in respect of which the employment pass is issued is terminated, whether by the person’s resignation or by any other cause —
(a)the employment pass shall be deemed to be cancelled from the date the employment is terminated; and
(b)the holder of the pass shall not remain in Singapore after the date the employment was terminated unless he is otherwise entitled to remain in Singapore under the provisions of the Act or of these Regulations.
(6)  An employment pass shall be in Form 9 or in the Form 9 or in the form of an endorsement made in the passport or other travel document of the employee as the Controller may determine.
Personalised employment pass
9A.—(1)  A personalised employment pass may be issued by the Controller to any person, other than a prohibited immigrant, who satisfies the Controller that he wishes to remain in Singapore (otherwise than as a visitor, tourist, transit passenger or student) in order to engage in any profession or occupation, or to take up employment with any company or firm, subject to these Regulations, the conditions of the pass and the requirements imposed by the Controller under paragraph (5).
(2)  A personalised employment pass shall authorise the holder thereof to remain in Singapore for such period as may be specified therein, subject to these Regulations, the conditions of the pass and the requirements imposed by the Controller under paragraph (5).
(3)  Subject to these Regulations, the Controller may from time to time extend the period of the validity of any personalised employment pass, or alter, add to or delete any conditions stated therein.
(4)  Every personalised employment pass issued to any person under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that during the validity of the pass the holder shall notify the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine —
(a)any change of his employer, or in his employment status, in or outside Singapore within 7 days after the change;
(b)any change in his contact details, including his home and work place addresses, within 7 days after the change;
(c)any change of the person (specified by the holder) who may be contacted by the Controller for any purpose in relation to his pass (referred to in this regulation as the contact person) within 7 days after the change;
(d)any change in the contact details, including home address, of the contact person within 7 days after becoming aware of the change; and
(e)his annual salary at the end of each calendar year within 30 days after the end of the calendar year.
(5)  The Controller may, from time to time, by notice in writing to the holder of a personalised employment pass impose such requirements as the Controller considers appropriate and the holder of the pass shall comply with such requirements.
(6)  Any person who employs the holder of a personalised employment pass shall notify the Controller, in such form as the Controller may determine, of the commencement and the cessation of such employment within 7 days of that fact.
(7)  Every application for a personalised employment pass shall be —
(a)made in such form as the Controller may require;
(b)supported by a declaration made by the applicant as to the truth of the statements contained in his application;
(c)supported by an undertaking from the applicant that he shall —
(i)be responsible for the stay, maintenance and repatriation of himself, and all his dependants regardless of the types of passes issued to the dependants; and
(ii)indemnify the Government for any charges or expenses which may be incurred by the Government in respect of the repatriation of the applicant, or any of his dependants regardless of the type of pass issued to the dependant; and
(d)supported by such other documents as the Controller may require.
(8)  A personalised employment pass shall be in the form of an endorsement made in the passport or other travel document of the applicant or in any other form as the Controller may determine.
(9)  The holder of a personalised employment pass may, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, apply to the Controller for the cancellation of his pass.
(10)  The holder of a personalised employment pass shall not remain in Singapore after the date of cancellation or expiry of his pass unless he is otherwise entitled to remain in Singapore under the provisions of the Act or any regulations made thereunder.
Work permit pass
10.—(1)  A work permit pass may be issued by the Controller to any person other than a prohibited immigrant who has been issued with a work permit under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A).
(2)  Subject to these Regulations and to any conditions stated in the pass, a work permit pass shall authorise the holder thereof to enter Singapore on or before such date and to remain therein for such period as may be specified in the pass.
(2A)  The Controller may by endorsement on such pass extend the period of its validity in accordance with the validity of the holder’s work permit, or alter, add to, or delete any conditions stated therein.
(3)  Where a work permit issued to the holder of a work permit pass is cancelled by the Controller of Work Permits under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A), the work permit pass shall be deemed to have been cancelled and the holder of the pass shall not remain in Singapore thereafter unless he is otherwise entitled or authorised to remain in Singapore under the provisions of the Act or of these Regulations.
(4)  Every work permit pass issued under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that during the validity of the pass the holder shall not, without the consent in writing of the controller, engage in any form of paid employment, or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore, other than that specified in the pass.
(5)  Every application for a work permit pass shall be in such form as the Controller may require and shall be accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant.
(6)  Upon completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment of any employee, the employer and the employee shall report in writing and in person respectively to the Controller within 7 days of the completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment.
(7)  A work permit pass shall be in Form 11 or in the form of an endorsement made on the passport or other travel document of the employee as the Controller may determine.
Dependant’s pass
11.—(1)  A dependant’s pass may be issued to any person (not being a prohibited immigrant) who is the spouse or dependent child of —
(a)the holder of an employment pass;
(aa)the holder of a personalised employment pass;
(b)the holder of a work permit pass; or
(c)the holder of a visit pass who holds a work permit issued under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A),
to enable the spouse or child to accompany or join the holder and to remain with him in Singapore.
(2)  The Controller may also issue a dependant’s pass to a person under the age of 21 years for the purposes of adoption under the Adoption of Children Act (Cap. 4).
(3)  Every application for a dependant’s pass for the purpose of paragraph (2) shall be in such form as the Controller may require.
(4)  Every application for a dependant’s pass under paragraph (1) shall be —
(a)made in such form as the Controller may require;
(b)accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant or applicants;
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
(c)supported by a declaration made by the spouse or parent of the applicant as to the truth of the statements contained in the application; and
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
(d)supported by an undertaking made by the spouse or parent of the applicant to be responsible for ensuring the compliance by the applicant of any quarantine and medical surveillance imposed on the applicant under regulation 8(2A).
(5)  A dependant’s pass shall be in Form 13 except that the Controller may make an appropriate endorsement on the passport or other travel document held by a person and the endorsement shall be deemed to be a dependant’s pass for the purposes of these Regulations.
(6)  Subject to the conditions stated in the pass and to these Regulations, a dependant’s pass shall authorise the holder thereof to enter Singapore on or before the date stated in the pass and to remain therein for such period as may be so stated.
(7)  The period of a dependant’s pass issued under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the period for which any employment pass, work permit pass or visit pass has been issued to the spouse or parent of the holder of the dependant’s pass.
[S 346/2004 wef 01/07/2004]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(8)  Subject to these Regulations, the Controller may by endorsement on the pass from time to time make it valid for any number of entries or extend the period of its validity or alter, add to, or delete any of the conditions stated therein.
(9)  Every dependant’s pass issued under paragraph (1) and (2) shall be subject to the condition that the holder shall not engage in any form of paid employment or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore without the consent in writing of the Controller
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
Visit pass
12.—(1)  A visit pass may be issued by the Controller to any person other than a prohibited immigrant who satisfies the Controller that he wishes to enter Singapore —
(a)on a social, business or professional visit; or
(b)as a tourist.
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(2)  The Controller may require any person applying for a visit pass to make application therefor in such form as the Controller may require and to furnish to the Controller 2 recent photographs of himself.
(2A)  The Controller may, in addition to the requirements specified in paragraph (2), require any person applying for a visit pass to submit to all such steps as may be reasonably required for the taking of a finger impression.
(3)  A visit pass shall not be issued otherwise than prior to a person’s embarkation to an unberthed passenger unless he is —
(a)ordinarily resident in the Rhio Archipelago, Sumatra, the States of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak or Brunei Darussalam;
(b)travelling to Singapore on a direct journey from a port or place in any of those territories; and
(c)in possession of a valid passport or other travel document which permits his return to his place of embarkation.
(4)  Where under paragraph (3) a person is required to obtain a visit pass prior to his embarkation, application therefor may be made by that person or by a person in Singapore on his behalf .
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(5)  Every application for a visit pass made under paragraph (4) shall be in such form as the Controller may require and shall be accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant.
(6)  A visit pass shall authorise the holder thereof to enter Singapore within the period and subject to the conditions stated in the pass and to remain in Singapore for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as may be stated in the pass except that the Controller may extend the validity of any visit pass for such further period or periods as he may think fit, and in special circumstances, the period of such extension may exceed one year.
(7)  Every visit pass issued to any person as a tourist or for the purpose of a social visit shall be subject to the condition that the holder shall not engage in any form of paid employment or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of that pass unless he has the consent in writing of the Controller or is the holder of a valid work permit issued under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A).
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(8)  A visit pass may be —
(a)in Form 15;
(b)in the case of a person who is to be issued with a disembarkation and embarkation card under regulation 19 as well, in Form 15A, 15B or 32B; or
[S 194/99 wef 20/04/1999]
(c)in the form of an endorsement made in the passport or any other travel document of the visitor,
as the controller may determine.
(8A)  If an immigration officer or a police officer suspects that a holder of a visit pass in Form 32B has contravened or failed to comply with regulation 12(9) or (10)(b)or 19(3)(c), he may take the finger impressions of the holder for the purpose of identification.
(8B)  The Controller may, upon the request of the Commissioner of Police or any police officer authorised in writing by him, disseminate any record of finger impressions obtained under paragraph (2A) or (8A) to the Commissioner or the police officer for the purposes of investigations into the commission of any offence under any written law.
(9)  Where a work permit issued to the holder of a visit pass is cancelled by the Controller of Work Permits under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A), the visit pass shall be deemed to have been cancelled and the holder of such pass shall not remain in Singapore thereafter unless he is otherwise entitled or authorised to remain in Singapore under the provisions of the Act or of these Regulations.
(10)  Upon completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment of any employee —
(a)the employer shall give notice in writing; and
(b)the employee shall report in person,
to the Controller within 7 days of such completion or termination of employment or resignation from employment.
Transit pass
13.—(1)  A transit pass may be issued by the Controller to any person on arrival in Singapore who satisfies him that he desires to enter Singapore for the purpose of passing through Singapore to a destination outside Singapore and that he is in possession of or is in a position to obtain such valid documents as will permit him to enter the country of his destination and is otherwise qualified under the law in force in that country to enter the country.
(2)  A transit pass shall entitle the holder thereof to enter Singapore and remain therein for such period not exceeding one month as may be stated in the pass except that the Controller may from time to time extend the period of the pass.
(3)  A transit pass shall be in the form of an endorsement on the passport or other travel document held by the person to whom it is issued.
Student’s pass
14.—(1)  A student’s pass may be issued by the Controller to any person other than a prohibited immigrant who satisfies the Controller that he —
(a)has been accepted as a student by a recognised university or by an educational institution approved for the purpose by the Minister; or
(b)is in possession of a certificate issued by the Minister for Education to the effect that it is desirable that he should be accepted as a student at a specified educational institution in Singapore and that he has been so accepted.
(1A)  Every student’s pass issued under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that the holder shall not engage in any form of paid employment or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of that pass unless —
(a)he is on vacation, is 14 years of age or above and is a full-time matriculated or registered student of any recognised university or education institution set out in Part I of the Second Schedule;
(b)he is not required to work for more than 16 hours a week and is a full-time matriculated or registered student of any recognised university or education institution set out in Part II of the Second Schedule; or
(c)he has the consent in writing of the Controller.
[S 18/2006 wef 16/01/2006]
(2)  Every application for a student’s pass shall be in such form as the Controller may require.
(2A)  Every application for a student’s pass shall be made in such manner as the Controller may approve, which may include the use of such electronic application service on what is commonly known as the Internet as the Controller may provide for this purpose.
(3)  A student’s pass shall be in Form 17 and 17A and shall permit the holder thereof to enter Singapore and remain therein for such period and subject to such conditions as may be stated in the pass.
(4)  The Controller may make an appropriate endorsement on the passport or travel document held by the applicant and the endorsement shall be deemed to be a student’s pass for the purposes of these Regulations.
(5)  The Controller may cancel a student’s pass if the person to whom that pass is issued —
(a)fails within a reasonable time to enter a recognised university or an educational institution approved for the purpose by the Minister or designated in any certificate issued under paragraph (1)(b), as the case may be; or
(b)having entered such university or educational institution fails to remain or ceases to be retained as a student therein.
Special pass
15.—(1)  A special pass, other than a special pass issued under section 6A of the Act, may be issued by the Controller to any person if the Controller considers the issue of such a pass desirable —
(a)in order to afford an opportunity of making enquiry for the purpose of determining whether that person is entitled to an entry permit or is otherwise entitled to enter Singapore under the provisions of the Act or of these Regulations or whether that person is a prohibited immigrant;
(b)in order to afford that person a reasonable opportunity of prosecuting an appeal under the provisions of the Act against any decision of the Controller; or
(c)for any other special reason.
(2)  A special pass shall entitle the holder thereof to enter Singapore or remain therein for such period, not exceeding one month, as may be stated in the pass except that the Controller may from time to time extend the period of the pass, and in special circumstances, the period of such extension may exceed one month.
(3)  A special pass may be in Form 18 or in the form of an endorsement on a passport or other travel document of the applicant as the Controller may determine.
(4)  A special pass may at any time be cancelled by the Controller except that the Controller shall not cancel a pass issued under paragraph (1)(b) otherwise than for breach of any condition imposed in respect thereof until the appeal, in respect of which the pass has been issued, has been determined.
(5)  Where a special pass is to be issued in Form 18, the applicant shall, if so required, furnish to the Controller 2 recent photographs of himself.
Landing pass
16.—(1)  A landing pass may be issued by the Controller to any through passenger travelling in, or any member of the crew of, any vessel, aircraft or train on arrival in any port, authorised airport or authorised train checkpoint, as the case may be, in Singapore.
(2)  A landing pass shall authorise the holder thereof to enter Singapore and to remain in Singapore for such period as may be stated in the pass except that the Controller may extend the validity of any landing pass for any further period or periods as he may think fit.
(2A)  Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Controller may, by endorsement on a landing pass, make the pass valid for any number of entries into Singapore during the period of its validity and subject to such conditions as may be imposed.
(3)  A landing pass may be in Form 19 or in the form of an endorsement on Form 19A or on a passport or other travel document of the applicant as the Controller may determine.
(4)  Every landing pass issued under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that the holder shall not, without the written consent of the Controller, engage in any form of paid employment or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore (other than as a crew member of the vessel stipulated in the landing pass) during the validity of the landing pass.
[S 226/2002 wef 17/05/2002]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(5)  A landing pass issued to a member of the crew of any vessel, aircraft or train under paragraph (1) shall, unless otherwise directed or authorised by the Controller, be subject to the condition that the member of the crew shall re-embark the vessel, aircraft or train and leave Singapore when the vessel, aircraft or train leaves Singapore.
Power to cancel pass of holder
17.  If the Controller is satisfied that the holder of pass issued under regulation 9, 9A, 10, 11,12,13,14 or 16 is prohibited immigrant, or has failed to comply with the conditions specified in the pass or in these Regulations or the requirements imposed or determined by the Controller under these Regulations in relation to the pass or the purposes for which the pass was issued, or that his presence in Singapore is undesirable or would be prejudicial to public security in Singapore, he shall cancel the pass.
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
Power to cancel pass of family and dependants
18.—(1)  If the Controller is satisfied that the holder of a pass issued under regulation 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16 is a prohibited immigrant whose pass has been cancelled under any of these Regulations, all the members of his family and his dependants shall, by virtue of section 8(3)(n) of the Act, be considered to be prohibited immigrants and the passes issued to them under any of those regulations shall be cancelled.
[S 201/2003 wef 14/04/2003]
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(2)  Where a pass issued under these Regulations to any person not being a prohibited immigrant has been cancelled, the Controller may also cancel any pass that has been issued under these Regulations to the members of the family and dependants of that person.
Disembarkation and embarkation card for pass holders
19.—(1)  Where a person is issued a pass under regulation 9, 9A, 10, 11 or 14, the Controller may issue that person with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 28, 29, 31, 32 or 32A.
[S 412/2006 wef 15/07/2006]
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(1A)  Where a person is issued a pass under regulation 12, the Controller may issue that person with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 15A, 15B, 28, 29, 31, 32 or 32A.
[S 412/2006 wef 15/07/2006]
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(1B)  Where the holder of a visit pass issued under regulation 12 is permitted to remain in Singapore for a continuous period of 90 days or more and has been issued with a work permit by the Controller of Work Permits under section 7(2) of the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (Cap. 91A), the Controller may issue the holder with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 32B.
[S 194/99 wef 20/04/1999]
[S 412/2006 wef 15/07/2006]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
(2)  Any holder of a pass to whom this regulation applies shall, if so required by the Controller, furnish 2 recent photographs of himself.
(3)  The holder of a disembarkation and embarkation card shall —
(a)when required to do so by any authorised officer, produce his disembarkation and embarkation card for inspection, or produce it within such time to such person and at such place as the authorised officer may think fit;
(b)report any change in his place of residence in Singapore within 14 days of the change; and
(c)upon cancellation or expiry of the pass issued to him under regulation 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16, forthwith surrender his disembarkation and embarkation card to the Controller.
[S 194/99 wef 20/04/1999]
[S 728/2006 wef 01/01/2007]
(4)  A report of change of residence under this regulation shall be in such form as the Controller may require.
[S 68/2009 wef 23/02/2009]
(5)  Where a disembarkation and embarkation card issued to any person is lost, destroyed or so defaced that any particulars thereon is no longer legible, the person shall within 7 days report the fact to the Controller and apply for a replacement.
(6)  A replacement disembarkation and embarkation card may be issued on such conditions as the Controller may think fit.
(6A)  Where a disembarkation and embarkation card has been lost and a replacement disembarkation and embarkation card has been issued under paragraph (6), the holder, if he recovers possession of the lost card, shall forthwith deliver the card to the Controller.
(7)  For the purposes of this regulation, “authorised officer” means any immigration officer or police officer and any other officer or class or description of officers authorised in writing in that behalf by the Controller.
Holders of passes to report
20.  Every holder of a pass issued under these Regulations may be required by the Controller as a condition of the issue thereof —
(a)to report to an immigration officer immediately prior to leaving Singapore; or
(b)to comply with any directions endorsed upon the pass by the Controller regarding the making of reports as to himself and his whereabouts during his stay in Singapore.
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
Taking of security
21.—(1)  The Controller may, as a condition of the issue of any pass under these Regulations, require such security as he may think necessary to be furnished by or on behalf of the holder of the pass , for compliance with the Act and any regulations made thereunder and with any condition imposed in respect of or any direction endorsed upon the pass .
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(2)  The security shall be given in such manner and form as the Controller may determine and may be by bond, guarantee, cash deposit or any other method, or by 2 or more different methods.
(3)  Where a security bond is furnished under this regulations, the holder of the pass and his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor, as the case may be, shall comply with the conditions specified in the security bond.
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
Cancellation of pass and forfeiture of security
22.—(1)  If the Controller is satisfied that —
(a)the holder of any pass issued under these Regulations has contravened or failed to comply with any provision of the Act or these Regulations or with any condition imposed in respect of or direction endorsed on the pass ; or
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
(b)the holder of any pass or his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor has contravened or failed to comply with any condition specified in any security bond furnished under regulations 21,
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
he may —
(i)forthwith cancel the pass ; and
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
(ii)in any case where security has been furnished under regulation 21, and whether or not the pass is cancelled, direct the forfeiture of the security or any part thereof.
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
(2)  The cancellation of a pass or forfeiture of any security under this regulation shall be without prejudice to the taking of proceedings against any person for any office under the Act or these Regulations.
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
(3)  Notice of the cancellation of any pass or of the forfeiture of any security or any part thereof shall be given to the holder of the pass and to his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor.
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
(4)  It shall be sufficient if the notice under paragraph (3) is sent by the registered post to the last known address of the holder of the pass and of his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor.
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
Personal identifier may be taken
22A.—(1)  An immigration officer or a police officer may take the personal identifier of —
(a)any person who applies for or has been issued with a pass or permit;
(b)any person suspected or has been convicted of an offence under section 5, 6(1), 15 or 36 of the Act or the regulations; or
(c)any prohibited immigrant,
with the use of any mechanical, electrical or other form of device or system.
(2)  The Controller may —
(a)upon the request in writing of —
(i)the Commissioner of Police or a police officer authorised in writing by the Commissioner; or
(ii)a head of department of any law enforcement agency or an officer of such agency authorised in writing by the head of department; and
(b)for such purpose, as stated in the request, which the Controller thinks appropriate,
authorise the dissemination of any record of the personal identifiers obtained under paragraph (1) to the person making the request.
[S 31/2005 wef 15/01/2005]
Security in respect of crew
23.—(1)  The Controller may, as a condition of, or for the issue of, a landing pass to a member of the crew of any vessel, aircraft or train, require the master, owner, charterer or agent of the vessel, aircraft or train to furnish such security as the Controller may determine for the compliance of the member of the crew with the provisions of the Act and the regulations, the conditions of the landing pass and the directions endorsed upon the landing pass.
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(2)  The security shall be given in such manner and form as the Controller may determine and may be by bond, guarantee, cash deposit or any other method, or by 2 or more different methods.
(3)  The Controller may forfeit the security or any part thereof if he is satisfied that the member of the crew has contravened any provision of the Act or the regulations, any condition of his landing pass or any direction endorsed upon his landing pass.
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
[S 523/2006 wef 01/09/2006]
General security in respect of non-resident employee
24.  Where any employer enters into a contract for the employment within Singapore of a person resident outside Singapore, the Controller may require the employer, as a condition precedent to the issue to any such person of an entry permit, to furnish a general security in respect of all such charges and expenses which may be incurred by the Government in respect of the maintenance, repatriation or removal from Singapore of that person or his dependants in the event of his repatriation or removal from Singapore at any time within 2 years of the date of his entry into Singapore.
Controller may retain passport or other travel document under certain circumstances
25.  For the purpose of an examination under section 24, 25 or 26 of the Act, or where a special pass is issued under regulation 15(1), the Controller may, where he considers it necessary to do so, take possession of the passport or other travel document of the person regarding whom the examination is being conducted or to whom the special pass is issued, and shall in every such case forthwith issue a receipt therefor to the holder.
Issue of duplicate re-entry permit
26.—(1)  Any person whose re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed may apply to the Controller for the issue of a duplicate of the permit.
(2)  Every application made under paragraph (1) shall be supported by a statutory declaration as to the facts alleged by the applicant and shall be accompanied, unless the Controller otherwise directs, by 2 recent photographs of the applicant, one of which shall be endorsed with the applicant’s signature, and the Controller may thereupon, if satisfied that the applicant’s re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed and on payment of the prescribed fee, issue a duplicate thereof.
Liability of master, etc., for payment of expenses in respect of persons detained in immigration depot
27.—(1)  Where any person is detained in an immigration depot under section 27(1) of the Act, the master, owner, charterer and agent of the vessel, aircraft or train which brought that person to Singapore shall be jointly and severally liable for all expenses incurred in the detention and maintenance of that person.
(2)  No liability under paragraph (1) shall be incurred where any person so detained is subsequently permitted to enter Singapore.
(3)  Any expenses leviable under paragraph (1) shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Government from the master, owner, charterer and agent of such vessel, aircraft or train jointly and severally.
28.  [Deleted by S 31/2005 wef 15/01/2005]
Appeal to Minister
29.—(1)  Any person wishing to appeal under —
(a)section 8(6) of the Act against refusal of permission to enter Singapore;
(b)section 14(6) of the Act against cancellation of a permit or certificate or the making of a declaration; or
(c)section 33(2) of the Act against an order of removal made by the Controller,
shall, within 7 days of receiving notice of such refusal, cancellation, declaration or order, as the case may be, appeal by petition in writing to the Minister.
(2)  An appeal made under this regulation shall be lodged with the Controller who shall thereupon acknowledge in writing the receipt thereof.
Form of undertaking under section 45(3) of Act
30.  Every undertaking entered into under Section 45(3) of the Act shall be in Form 21.
Particulars of Crew
31.—(1)  The list of members of a crew required to be furnished under section 22(1)(a) or 23A(1)(a) of the Act shall be in Form 22 or in such other form as may be determined by the Asean Port Authorities Association.
(2)  The seamen’s identification card required to be furnished under section 22(1)(c) of the Act shall be —
(a)in respect of a seaman employed on a vessel of 76 tonnes or over, in Form 23; and
(b)in respect of a seaman employed on a vessel of under 76 tonnes, in Form 24.
Particulars of passengers landing in Singapore
32.—(1)  the list of passengers required to be furnished under section 22(2)(a) or 23A(2)(a) of the Act shall be in Form 25 or 26 as may be appropriate or in such other form as may be determined by the Asean Port Authorities Association.
(2)  The particulars required to be furnished under —
(a)section 6(2);
(b)section 22(2)(b);
(c)section 23(1)(b);
(d)section 23A(2)(b); and
(e)section 26(1),
of the Act in respect of a person who seeks to enter and remain in Singapore or who has entered and remained in Singapore in accordance with a pass lawfully issued under the Act shall be in Form 15A, 15B, 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 28, 29, 31, 32, 32A or 32B, as the case may be.
33.  [Deleted by S 73/2007 wef 01/03/2007]
Order of detention
34.  An order of detention made under section 34(1) of the Act shall be in Form 34 if it is to be signed by the Controller, and in Form 34A if it is to be signed by an immigration officer duly authorised under section 3(2) of the Act to act on behalf of the Controller in this regard.
Summons to witness
35.  A summons to a witness issued under section 39(1) of the Act shall be in Form 35.
Fees
36.  There shall be payable to the Controller in respect of every document mentioned in in the first column of the Third Schedule the respective fee mentioned in the second column thereof.
[S 18/2006 wef 16/01/2006]
Exemption from payment of fees
37.  The Controller may exempt any person from the payment of any of the fees set out in the Third Schedule.
[S 18/2006 wef 16/01/2006]
Immigration signals to be hoisted
38.  The immigration signal required under section 16(1) of the Act shall be —
(a)by day, the flags in the International Code of Signals corresponding to —
(i)the numerals 25 in respect of vessels not carrying passengers; and
(ii)the numerals 34 in respect of vessels carrying passengers; and
(b)by night, in every case, 2 green lights mounted vertically, 2 metres apart, visible through 360º; for a distance of 2 nautical miles.
Conditions of exemption under section 56 of Act
39.—(1)  Any person exempted by virtue of any order made under section 56 of the Act from section 6(1) of the Act who ceases to hold or enjoy the employment, appointment, status or privileges which entitle him to enter Singapore without a permit or pass shall forthwith report in person to the Controller and shall, if he desires to remain in Singapore, forthwith apply for a permit or pass.
(2)  If any person fails to apply for a permit or pass under paragraph (1) or if his application for permit or pass is refused, it shall be unlawful for that person to remain in Singapore, unless he is otherwise entitled or authorised to remain in Singapore under the provisions of the Act or any regulations made thereunder.
(3)  The spouse and dependent children of any person, exempted by virtue of any order made under section 56 of the Act from section 6(1) of the Act, shall not without the written consent of the Controller engage in any form of paid employment in Singapore.
[S 433/98 wef 21/08/1998]
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
Penalty
40.—(1)  Any person who without reasonable cause contravenes or fails to comply with regulation 3(9), 9(5) and (5A), 10(3) and (6), 12(9) and (10), 19(3)(a), (b) or (c), 20 or 39 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
[S 347/2007 wef 01/07/2007]
[S 657/2007 wef 01/12/2007]
[S 393/2008 wef 06/08/2008]
(2)  Any person who without reasonable cause contravenes or fails to comply with any condition imposed in respect of or any direction endorsed on any pass or permit shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
[G.N. Nos. S 252/92; S 259/72; S 218/73; S 335/75; S 309/77; S 126/78; S 211/80; S 59/81; S 168/81; S 30/82; S 40/82; S 148/83; S 221/83; S 79/84; S 87/84; S 225/84; S 310/84; S 169/85; S 274/85; S 337/85; S 345/85; S 223/86; S 339/86; S 57/87; S 188/87; S 218/87; S 232/87; S 255/87; S 50/88; S 57/88; S 418/88; S 40/89; S 92/89; S 287/90; S 67/91; S 62/92; S 108/92; S 26/93; S 47/93; S 86/93; S 220/93; S 229/93; S 240/93; S 349/93; S 381/93; S 489/93; S 9/94; S 15/94; S 201/94; S 225/94; S 230/94; S 71/95; S 199/95; S 496/95; S 25/96; S 96/96; S 131/96; S 167/96; S 313/96; S 535/96; S 74/97; S 107/97; S 338/97; S 383/97; S 33/98; S 50/98; S 155/98; S 206/98]
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Last updated 21 Nov 2024
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