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

REVISED EDITION 2009
(1st June 2009)
[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;
“group Singapore visa” means a Singapore visa granted to and in respect of 3 or more non-citizens for those non-citizens to travel to and enter Singapore as a group within a specified period;
“holder”, in relation to a Singapore visa, means the non-citizen to whom it was granted or a person included in it;
“unberthed passenger” means a ship’s passenger for whom no accommodation in any cabin, stateroom or saloon is reserved.
Application for Singapore visa
3.—(1)  Every application for a Singapore visa shall —
(a)be made in such form as the Controller may approve (to be completed in accordance with any directions on it) by or on behalf of the person who will be the holder of the Singapore visa if the application is granted (referred to in this regulation and regulation 3D as the applicant);
(b)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; and
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(c)be accompanied by —
(i)one photograph of the applicant, which shall be taken not more than 3 months before the date of the application and shall comply with the specifications set out in the Second Schedule;
(ii)such other personal identifiers as the Controller may require;
(iii)photostat copies of the applicant’s foreign passport or foreign travel document, which must be valid for not less than 6 months after the applicant’s expected date of arrival in Singapore;
(iv)where required by directions in the application form, a letter of introduction from a public authority or public officer, or an employer or a business associate or a prospective employer or business associate of the applicant, where applicable, resident or conducting business in Singapore; and
(v)such other documents and information as the Controller may require in any particular case.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(d)[Deleted by S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(2)  In addition to the requirements specified in paragraph (1), the Controller may require an applicant for a Singapore visa to provide his finger impression and submit to all steps as may reasonably be required for the taking of a finger impression.
(3)  Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the Controller from requiring an applicant for a Singapore visa to furnish such other particulars, information and documents as the Controller may specify in any particular case.
Grant of Singapore visa
3A.—(1)  Before granting a Singapore visa for or in respect of any non-citizen, the Controller must be satisfied of the identity of the non-citizen.
(2)  Every Singapore visa shall be granted by the Controller for and on behalf of the Government and may be granted —
(a)to a non-citizen for that non-citizen to travel to and enter Singapore within a specified period; or
(b)to and in respect of 3 or more specified non-citizens for those non-citizens to travel to and enter Singapore as a group within a specified period (referred to in these Regulations as a group Singapore visa).
(3)  Subject to paragraph (4), evidence of a Singapore visa that has been granted to a non-citizen may be given by —
(a)a label that is affixed to the non-citizen’s passport by the Controller;
(b)an imprint or endorsement that is stamped in the non-citizen’s passport by the Controller;
(c)a document that is given to the non-citizen by the Controller; or
(d)a document that is issued in an electronic form to the non-citizen by the Controller through the electronic application service referred to in regulation 3(1)(b).
(4)  Where —
(a)the name of a child or person is included in the passport or other document of identity of a parent of the child or of a spouse or other relative of the person, as the case may be; and
(b)the child or person accompanies that parent, spouse or relative (as the case may be) to Singapore,
the child or person shall be taken to be included in any Singapore visa granted to the parent, spouse or relative (as the case may be) if, and only if —
(i)the child’s or person’s name is included in any imprint or endorsement on the passport or other document of identity of that parent, spouse or relative;
(ii)a separate label is affixed to that passport or document of identity evidencing the grant of a Singapore visa in respect of the child or person;
(iii)a separate document evidencing the grant of a Singapore visa in respect of the child or person is given to that parent, spouse or relative by the Controller; or
(iv)a document is issued in an electronic form to the parent, spouse or relative by the Controller through the electronic application service referred to in regulation 3(1)(b) evidencing the grant of a Singapore visa in respect of the child or person.
(5)  If a group Singapore visa is granted to and in respect of 3 or more non-citizens for those non-citizens to travel to and enter Singapore as a group within a specified period —
(a)these Regulations shall apply as if each of them were the holder of the Singapore visa, subject to sub-paragraph (b); and
(b)if any such non-citizen fails to travel to and enter Singapore at the same time together with the group within the specified period, the Singapore visa deemed under sub-paragraph (a) to have been granted to that non-citizen shall cease to be valid when the rest of the group enters Singapore.
Validity of Singapore visa
3B.—(1)  A Singapore visa may be granted subject to any of the following general conditions as to validity where specified therein:
(a)the Singapore visa shall be valid to enable the holder thereof to travel to and enter Singapore on a single occasion within a specified period;
(b)the Singapore visa shall be valid to enable the holder thereof to travel to and enter Singapore on a restricted number of occasions within a specified period; or
(c)the Singapore visa shall be valid to enable the holder thereof to travel to and enter Singapore on an unrestricted number of occasions within a specified period.
(2)  A Singapore visa shall cease to be valid —
(a)at the end of the day specified in the Singapore visa;
(b)where the Singapore visa is valid for travel to and entry into Singapore on a single occasion during a specified period, on the completion of that journey;
(c)where the holder of the Singapore visa is granted any pass under these Regulations, when that pass is cancelled in accordance with these Regulations; or
(d)where the Singapore visa is cancelled in accordance with these Regulations.
(3)  A Singapore visa to travel to and enter Singapore during or within a period is not permission for the holder to travel to Singapore, or to enter Singapore, outside that period.
Amendments to Singapore visa
3C.  The Controller may, at any time, make such alterations, additions or deletions as may be necessary to render accurate the particulars recorded in any Singapore visa regarding the identity or status of the holder of that Singapore visa.
Refusal of Singapore visa
3D.  The Controller may, by notice in writing or otherwise, refuse a Singapore visa to any applicant therefor.
Cancellation of Singapore visa
3E.  The Controller may, by notice in writing or otherwise, cancel any Singapore visa granted to or in respect of any person.
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 an entry permit.
[S 363/2010 wef 05/07/2010]
(2)  A person may apply on behalf of his spouse or child for an entry permit to be issued to the spouse or child.
(3)  Every application for an entry permit shall be made —
(a)through the electronic service provided by the Controller for the making of such applications; or
(b)in such form as the Controller may require.
[S 363/2010 wef 05/07/2010]
(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.
(3C)  Every application for an entry permit shall be accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant.
[S 363/2010 wef 05/07/2010]
(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 an entry permit.
(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 Form 5 or 5A 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.
[S 363/2010 wef 05/07/2010]
(6A)  Where an entry permit in Form 5A is issued through the electronic service referred to in paragraph (3)(a), it shall, instead of being signed, bear the following endorsement:
“This is a system-generated document. No signature is required.”.
[S 363/2010 wef 05/07/2010]
(7)  Except in the case of a person described in paragraph (4) or of 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)  For the purposes of section 10(3) of the Act, the Controller may —
(a)impose any condition not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act; or
(b)vary any condition in any manner provided the condition so varied is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(10)  Without prejudice to paragraph (9), a condition imposed or varied by the Controller may include a condition that permits the Controller to make a determination as to whether any particular circumstances exist.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
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 —
(a)through the electronic service provided by the Controller for the making of such applications; or
(b)in such form as the Controller may require.
(2)  A person may apply on behalf of his spouse or child for a re-entry permit to be issued to the spouse or child.
(3)  The Controller may require the appearance in person before him of any applicant resident in Singapore and of his spouse or child on whose behalf an application is made under paragraph (2).
(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.
(4A)  Every application for a re-entry permit made under paragraph (2) shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the person on whose behalf the application is made is in possession of a valid passport or other travel document.
(5)  Subject to paragraphs (5A) and (6), every re-entry permit shall be in Form 7.
(5A)  Where a re-entry permit in Form 7 is issued through the electronic service referred to in paragraph (1)(a), it shall, instead of being signed, bear the following endorsement:
“This is a system-generated document. No signature is required.”.
(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.
(7)  For the purposes of section 11(3) of the Act, the Controller may —
(a)impose any condition not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act; or
(b)vary any condition in any manner provided the condition so varied is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(8)  Without prejudice to paragraph (7), a condition imposed or varied by the Controller may include a condition that permits the Controller to make a determination as to whether any particular circumstances exist.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
Replacement of re-entry permit
6A.—(1)  Any person —
(a)whose re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed; or
(b)whose passport or other travel document has been lost, stolen or destroyed or has expired, and whose re-entry permit consists of an endorsement on that passport or travel document,
may apply to the Controller to replace the re-entry permit.
(2)  Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a person may apply on behalf of his spouse or child to replace a re-entry permit issued to the spouse or child, if —
(a)the re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed; or
(b)the passport or other travel document held by the spouse or child has been lost, stolen or destroyed or has expired, and the re-entry permit consists of an endorsement on that passport or travel document.
(3)  An application to replace a re-entry permit shall be made —
(a)if required by the Controller, in such manner as the Controller may determine; or
(b)subject to sub-paragraph (a) —
(i)through the electronic service provided by the Controller for the making of such applications; or
(ii)in such form as the Controller may require.
(4)  An application to replace a re-entry permit that is made in accordance with paragraph (3)(a) or (b)(ii) shall, unless the Controller otherwise directs —
(a)be supported by a statutory declaration as to the facts alleged by the applicant; and
(b)be accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant, one of which shall be endorsed with the applicant’s signature.
(5)  Upon payment of the prescribed fee, the Controller may replace a person’s re-entry permit if —
(a)the Controller is satisfied that the person’s re-entry permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed; or
(b)in a case where the person’s re-entry permit consists of an endorsement on the person’s passport or other travel document, the Controller is satisfied that the passport or travel document has been lost, stolen or destroyed or has expired.
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 its date of issue, and for such number of re-entries during its period of validity, as may be specified in the permit.
(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)a dependant’s pass;
(b)a visit pass;
(c)a transit pass;
(d)a student’s pass;
(e)a special pass; and
(f)a landing 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 in such form and manner as the Controller may determine and shall be subject to such special conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act, as the Controller may think fit to impose.
(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 (Cap. 137).
(5)  Subject to paragraph (6), every dependant’s pass, visit pass or student’s pass issued by the Controller under these Regulations shall be subject to, and the holder of the pass shall comply with, the following conditions:
(a)the holder of the pass shall, if so requested by the Controller or any police officer, produce for inspection the pass within such time and at such place as may be specified by the Controller or the police officer;
(b)the holder of the pass shall notify the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, any change in his place of residence within 14 days after the change;
(c)if the pass is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, the holder of the pass shall report, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, the loss, theft, damage or destruction to the Controller within 7 days after becoming aware of that fact or occurrence;
(d)the holder who reports the loss or theft of his pass to the Controller under sub-paragraph (c) shall, if he recovers possession of his stolen or lost pass —
(i)notify the Controller; and
(ii)if a replacement pass has been issued to the holder under regulation 9, surrender the pass so recovered to the Controller,
within 7 days after the recovery of possession;
(e)subject to sub-paragraph (f), the holder of the pass shall surrender the pass to the Controller immediately after its cancellation or expiry;
(f)the holder of the pass shall surrender the pass to the Controller before leaving Singapore if, at that time of his leaving Singapore, he does not intend to return to Singapore on or before the expiry of the pass.
(6)  Paragraph (5) shall not apply in respect of a pass which is issued in the form of an endorsement on the passport or other travel document of the person to whom the pass is issued.
(7)  The holder of a dependant’s pass or visit pass shall be deemed to have complied with paragraph (5)(b) if his sponsor notifies the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, of the change in the holder’s place of residence within 14 days after the change.
(8)  The holder of a student’s pass shall be deemed to have complied with paragraph (5)(b) if —
(a)his sponsor; or
(b)the recognised university or educational institution referred to in regulation 14(1) in respect of which the student’s pass has been issued to him under that regulation and in which he is a student,
notifies the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, of the change in the holder’s place of residence within 14 days after the change.
Replacement of pass
9.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (4), any person whose dependant’s pass, visit pass or student’s pass has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed may apply to the Controller for a replacement of the pass.
(2)  An application under paragraph (1) shall be made in such form and manner as the Controller may determine and shall be supported by such information or documents as the Controller may require.
(3)  The Controller may, if satisfied that the pass has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed —
(a)issue a replacement of the pass in such form and manner; and
(b)impose such further conditions in respect of the pass,
as the Controller may determine.
(4)  This regulation shall not apply in respect of a pass which is issued in the form of an endorsement on the passport or other travel document of the person to whom the pass is issued.
Personalised employment pass
9A.  [Deleted by S 347/2007]
Work permit pass
10.  [Deleted by S 347/2007]
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 the holder of a work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A), to enable the spouse or child to accompany or join the holder of the work pass 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;
(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
(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)  Subject to these Regulations and any conditions which the Controller may impose, a dependant’s pass shall authorise the holder thereof to remain, or enter and remain, temporarily in Singapore during the period —
(a)commencing on the date stated in the pass to be the date from which the pass is valid; and
(b)ending on the date stated in the pass to be the last date on which the pass is valid.
(6)  [Deleted by S 393/2008]
(7)  The period of a dependant’s pass issued under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the period for which any work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A) or visit pass had been issued to the spouse or parent of the holder of the dependant’s pass.
(8)  [Deleted by S 393/2008]
(9)  Every dependant’s pass issued under paragraphs (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 a letter of consent issued by the Controller of Work Passes under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
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;
(b)as a tourist; or
(c)for the purposes of seeking employment or being employed in Singapore.
(2)  The Controller may also issue a visit pass to any person (other than a prohibited immigrant) to enable him to remain temporarily in Singapore after the cancellation of any pass that had been issued to him.
(3)  A visit pass shall not be issued to an unberthed passenger otherwise than prior to his embarkation 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, that person may apply for a visit pass himself or through a person in Singapore acting on his behalf.
(5)  Every application for a visit pass shall —
(a)be made in such form as the Controller may require;
(b)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; and
(c)if required by the Controller or made under paragraph (4), be accompanied by 2 recent photographs of the applicant.
(5A)  In addition to the requirements specified in paragraph (5), the Controller may require an applicant for a visit pass to provide his finger impression and submit to all steps as may reasonably be required for the taking of a finger impression.
(6)  Subject to these Regulations and any conditions which the Controller may impose, a visit pass shall authorise the holder thereof to remain, or enter and remain, temporarily in Singapore during the period —
(a)commencing on the date stated in the pass to be the date from which the pass is valid; and
(b)ending on the date stated in the pass, or specified by the Controller under paragraph (6A), to be the last date on which the pass is valid.
(6A)   The Controller may —
(a)extend the validity of any visit pass to such date (being a date not later than 5 years from the date which, but for the extension, would be the last date on which the pass is valid) as the Controller may specify; and
(b)impose such further conditions for the extension as the Controller may determine.
(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 is a holder of a valid work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A).
(8)  A visit pass may be —
(a)in Form 15A or 32B or such other form as the Controller may determine; and
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(b)issued in such manner as the Controller may determine.
(8A)  If an immigration officer or a police officer suspects that a holder of a visit pass has contravened paragraph (9) or regulation 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 (5A) 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 pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act is issued to the holder of a visit pass, and the work pass is cancelled under that Act, the visit pass shall by operation of this paragraph cease to be valid on the cancellation of the work pass, and the holder of the visit 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 other provisions of these Regulations.
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.
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 the holder of a valid work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A); or
(b)he is a foreign employee exempted under paragraph 3 of the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Pass Exemptions) Notification 2007 (G.N. No. S 345/2007).
(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)  Subject to these Regulations and any conditions which the Controller may impose, a student’s pass shall authorise the holder thereof to remain, or enter and remain, temporarily in Singapore during the period —
(a)commencing on the date stated in the pass to be the date from which the pass is valid; and
(b)ending on the date stated in the pass to be the last date on which the pass is valid.
(4)  A student’s pass may be in such form and issued in such manner as the Controller may determine.
(5)  The Controller may cancel a student’s pass if —
(a)the person to whom that pass is issued —
(i)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
(ii)having entered such university or educational institution fails to remain or ceases to be retained as a student therein; or
(b)an application is made under paragraph (6) for the pass to be cancelled.
(6)  An application for a student’s pass to be cancelled —
(a)may be made —
(i)by the holder of the pass or, if authorised by him or he is uncontactable, by his sponsor; or
(ii)by such other person as the Controller may determine; and
(b)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.
(7)  No person shall make a false statement in connection with an application under paragraph (6) for a student’s pass to be cancelled.
(8)  A notification that a student’s pass has been cancelled may be in such form and issued in such manner as the Controller may determine.
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)  [Deleted by S 393/2008]
(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, 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)  [Deleted by S 393/2008]
(4)  Every landing pass issued under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the condition that the holder shall not, without a valid work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A), 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.
(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.  The Controller shall cancel a pass issued under regulation 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16 if the Controller is satisfied that —
(a)the holder of the pass is a prohibited immigrant; or
(b)the presence of the holder of the pass in Singapore —
(i)is undesirable; or
(ii)would be prejudicial to public security in Singapore.
Power to cancel pass of family and dependants
18.—(1)  If the Controller is satisfied that the holder of a pass issued under regulation 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.
(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 11 or 14, the Controller may issue that person with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 28.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(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 or 28, or with an embarkation card in such form as the Controller may determine.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(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 pass by the Controller of Work Passes under section 7(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A), the Controller may issue the holder with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 32B.
(1C)  Where a person is issued a work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, the Controller may issue that person with a disembarkation and embarkation card in Form 28.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
(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 —
(i)the pass issued to him under regulation 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16; or
(ii)the work pass issued to him under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A),
immediately surrender his disembarkation and embarkation card to the Controller.
(4)  A report of change of residence under this regulation shall be in such form and manner as the Controller may require.
(4A)  The holder of a disembarkation and embarkation card who is issued with a dependant’s pass or visit pass shall be deemed to have complied with paragraph (3)(b) if his sponsor notifies the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may determine, of the change in the holder’s place of residence within 14 days after the change.
(4B)  The holder of a disembarkation and embarkation card who is issued with a student’s pass shall be deemed to have complied with paragraph (3)(b) if —
(a)his sponsor; or
(b)the recognised university or educational institution referred to in regulation 14(1) in respect of which the student’s pass has been issued to him under that regulation and in which he is a student,
reports to the Controller, in such form and manner as the Controller may require, of the change in the holder’s place of residence within 14 days after the change.
(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 immediately 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 made in respect of the pass by the Controller regarding the making of reports as to himself and his whereabouts during his stay in Singapore.
Taking of security
21.—(1)  The Controller may, as a condition of the issue of any pass or Singapore visa under these Regulations, require such security as he may think necessary to be furnished by or on behalf of the holder of the pass or Singapore visa, for compliance with the Act and any regulations made thereunder and with any condition imposed or direction made in respect of the pass or Singapore visa.
(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 regulation, the holder of the pass or Singapore visa and his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor, as the case may be, shall comply with the conditions specified in the security bond.
Cancellation of pass or Singapore visa and forfeiture of security
22.—(1)  If the Controller is satisfied that —
(a)the holder of any pass or Singapore visa, as the case may be, issued under these Regulations has contravened or failed to comply with —
(i)any provision of the Act or these Regulations;
(ii)any condition imposed or direction made in respect of the pass or Singapore visa; or
(iii)any requirement imposed or determined by the Controller under these Regulations in relation to the pass or the purposes for which the pass was issued; or
(b)the holder of any pass or Singapore visa or his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor has contravened or failed to comply with any condition specified in any security bond furnished under regulation 21,
he may —
(i)immediately cancel the pass or Singapore visa; and
(ii)in any case where security has been furnished under regulation 21, and whether or not the pass or Singapore visa is cancelled, direct the forfeiture of the security or any part thereof.
(2)  The cancellation of a pass or Singapore visa or forfeiture of any security under this regulation shall be without prejudice to the taking of proceedings against any person for any offence under the Act or these Regulations.
[S 213/2011 wef 01/06/2009]
(3)  Notice of the cancellation of any pass or Singapore visa or of the forfeiture of any security or any part thereof shall be given to the holder of the pass or Singapore visa and to his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor.
(4)  It shall be sufficient if the notice under paragraph (3) is sent by registered post to the last known address of the holder of the pass or Singapore visa and of his employer, agent, guarantor or sponsor.
Personal identifier may be taken
22A.  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 these Regulations; or
(c)any prohibited immigrant,
with the use of any mechanical, electrical or other form of device or system.
Storage of personal identifiers
22B.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), all personal identifiers collected under any of the provisions of the Act and these Regulations, together with all identifying information related thereto, may be stored in such form as the Controller considers appropriate.
(2)  The storage of all personal identifiers collected under any of the provisions of the Act and these Regulations, together with all identifying information related thereto, must enable the matching of a digitised version of the photograph provided by an applicant for a Singapore visa, pass or permit with —
(a)any previous application for a Singapore visa, pass or permit from the applicant; and
(b)any other digitised photographs of the applicant held by the Controller,
in order to confirm the validity of evidence of the applicant, or a person to whom a Singapore visa has been granted, or a pass or permit has been issued.
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 made in respect of the landing pass.
(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 made in respect of his landing pass.
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 immediately issue a receipt therefor to the holder.
Issue of duplicate re-entry permit
26.  [Deleted by S 657/2008]
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.
Recovery of expenses incurred in respect of prohibited immigrants
28.  [Deleted by S 31/2005]
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 and passengers of vessel
31.—(1)  For the purposes of sections 22(1)(a) and 22A(1)(a) of the Act, the particulars of the crew who are or will be on board the vessel at the time of its arrival or at the time of its departure, as the case may be, shall —
(a)be the particulars of each member of the crew in relation to the vessel on which the member is or will be on as specified in Part I of the Third Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the master, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars —
(i)in the case of section 22(1)(a) of the Act, upon the arrival at the authorised landing place or before the departure from the authorised departing place, as the case may be, of the vessel; and
(ii)in the case of section 22A(1)(a) of the Act, at any time before the arrival of the vessel in Singapore.
(2)  For the purposes of sections 22(2)(a) and 22A(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, the particulars of the passengers who are or will be on board the vessel at the time of its arrival or at the time of its departure, as the case may be, shall —
(a)be the particulars of each passenger in relation to the vessel on which the passenger is or will be on as specified in Part II of the Third Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the master, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars —
(i)in the case of section 22(2)(a) of the Act, upon the arrival at the authorised landing place or before the departure from the authorised departing place, as the case may be, of the vessel; and
(ii)in the case of section 22A(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, at any time before the arrival of the vessel in Singapore.
(3)  For the purposes of section 22(2)(b) of the Act, the particulars of the passengers disembarking in Singapore from a vessel or embarking from Singapore onto a vessel, as the case may be, shall —
(a)be the particulars of each passenger in relation to the vessel as specified in Part III of the Third Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the master, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars —
(i)in the case of passengers disembarking in Singapore, upon the arrival of the vessel at the authorised landing place; and
(ii)in the case of passengers embarking from Singapore, before the departure of the vessel from the authorised departing place.
(4)  The evidence of identity of each member of the crew required to be furnished under section 22(1)(c) of the Act shall be in —
(a)Form 23; or
(b)the seaman’s book of that member.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
Particulars of crew and passengers of aircraft
32.—(1)  For the purposes of section 23(1)(a) and (b) of the Act, the particulars of each passenger who is or will be on board an aircraft at the time of its arrival at any airport in Singapore or departure from any airport in Singapore, as the case may be, shall be furnished —
(a)in accordance with Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation concluded at Chicago on 7th December 1944; and
(b)upon the arrival at or before the departure from the airport, as the case may be, of the aircraft.
(2)  For the purposes of section 23(1)(c) of the Act, the particulars of each member of the crew who is or will be on board an aircraft at the time of its arrival at any airport in Singapore or departure from any airport in Singapore, as the case may be, shall be furnished —
(a)in accordance with Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation concluded at Chicago on 7th December 1944; and
(b)upon the arrival at or before the departure from the airport, as the case may be, of the aircraft.
(3)  For the purposes of section 23AA(1)(a) of the Act, the particulars of the crew who are or will be on board an aircraft at the time of its arrival at any airport in Singapore shall —
(a)be the particulars of each member of the crew in relation to the aircraft on which the member is or will be on as specified in Part I of the Fourth Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the captain, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars, before the aircraft departs from its last airport outside Singapore.
(4)  For the purposes of section 23AA(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, the particulars of the passengers who are or will be on board any aircraft due to arrive at any airport in Singapore shall —
(a)be the particulars of each passenger in relation to the aircraft on which the passenger is or will be on as specified in Part II of the Fourth Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the captain, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars, before the aircraft departs from its last airport outside Singapore.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
Particulars of crew and passengers of train
33.—(1)  For the purposes of sections 23A(1)(a) and 23B(1)(a) of the Act, the particulars of the crew who are or will be on board any train at the time of its arrival at any train checkpoint in Singapore from a place outside Singapore or at the time of its departure from any train checkpoint in Singapore to a place outside Singapore, as the case may be, shall —
(a)be the particulars of each member of the crew in relation to the train on which the member is or will be on as specified in Part I of the Fifth Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the master, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars —
(i)in the case of section 23A(1)(a) of the Act, upon the arrival at the train checkpoint or before the departure from the train checkpoint, as the case may be, of the train; and
(ii)in the case of section 23B(1)(a) of the Act, at any time before the arrival of the train in Singapore.
(2)  For the purposes of sections 23A(2)(a) and (b) and 23B(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, the particulars of the passengers who are or will be on board the train at the time of its arrival at any train checkpoint in Singapore from a place outside Singapore or at the time of its departure from any train checkpoint in Singapore to a place outside Singapore, as the case may be, shall —
(a)be the particulars of each passenger in relation to the train on which the passenger is or will be on as specified in Part II of the Fifth Schedule, in the format specified therein or any other format; and
(b)be furnished, together with the name of the master, owner or charterer furnishing the above particulars —
(i)in the case of section 23A(2)(a) and (b) of the Act, upon the arrival at the train checkpoint or before the departure from the train checkpoint, as the case may be, of the train; and
(ii)in the case of section 23B(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, at any time before the arrival of the train in Singapore.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
Particulars under sections 6(2) and 26(1) of Act
33A.  The particulars required to be furnished under sections 6(2) and 26(1), respectively, of the Act shall be in Form 15A, 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E, 27F, 27G, 27H, 27I, 27J, 27K, 27L, 28 or 32B, as the case may be.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
[S 560/2014 wef 01/09/2014]
Security bond
33.  [Deleted by S 73/2007]
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.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), all fees specified in the Sixth Schedule shall be payable in advance in respect of the matters specified therein.
(2)  Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Controller may allow the payment of any fee referred to in the Sixth Schedule to be deferred to a later date.
(3)  For the purpose of determining the fee payable in respect of an application for a Singapore visa, where by virtue of regulation 3A(4), a child or person may be taken to be included in any Singapore visa granted to the child’s or person’s parent, spouse or relative, the child or person and the parent, spouse or relative (as the case may be) shall be treated as if each of them had made a separate application for a Singapore visa.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
Remission of fees
37.  The Controller may, in his discretion, refund, remit or waive, wholly or in part, any fee payable under regulation 36.
[S 626/2012 wef 19/12/2012]
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 360° 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 immediately report in person to the Controller and shall, if he desires to remain in Singapore, immediately 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 a 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 a valid work pass issued under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap. 91A), engage in any form of paid employment in Singapore.
Penalty
40.—(1)  Any person who without reasonable cause contravenes regulation 12(9), 14(7), 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.
(2)  Any person who without reasonable cause contravenes or fails to comply with any condition imposed or direction made in respect of 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.
Singapore Statutes Online
© 2024 Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore,
Last updated 17 Dec 2024
Singapore Statutes Online is provided by the Legislation Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore.