Singapore Tightens Security, Denies Entry to 33,100 Foreigners in 2024
Table of Contents
- 1. Singapore Tightens Security, Denies Entry to 33,100 Foreigners in 2024
- 2. Reasons for Denial
- 3. Surge in Land Checkpoint Arrivals
- 4. Advanced Technology for Enhanced Security
- 5. Tackling Immigration Offenses
- 6. Combating ”Marriage of Convenience” Schemes
- 7. How does the ICA balance the need for border security with the desire to attract visitors to Singapore?
- 8. A Conversation on Securing singapore’s Borders: An interview with Mr. Kenneth Tan
- 9. Mr. Tan, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. The recent figures reflect a significant increase in the number of foreigners denied entry into Singapore.Can you shed some light on the factors contributing to this rise?
Certainly. The increase is primarily attributable to two key factors: heightened security measures implemented by the ICA and a significant surge in traveler traffic. We’ve witnessed a 16.5% rise in the number of travelers passing through our checkpoints last year, reaching over 230 million. this surge, particularly noticeable at our land checkpoints, has naturally led to more scrutinizing of individual cases.
The ICA attributes denials to potential overstaying, illegal work activities, or risks of criminal involvement. Could you elaborate on how the ICA assesses these risks, particularly with the significant increase in traveler volume?
- 10. With the rise of “marriage of convenience” schemes,what specific measures has the ICA undertaken to combat this growing problem?
- 11. it seems Singapore is navigating a delicate balance between maintaining a secure environment and welcoming visitors. How does the ICA approach this challenge?
- 12. What message would you like to convey to potential visitors to Singapore?
Singapore significantly strengthened its border security in 2024, denying entry to 33,100 foreigners, a 15.7% increase from the 28,600 denied entry in 2023. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) attributed the rise to heightened security measures and a surge in traveler traffic, managing over 230 million travelers at its checkpoints last year, a 16.5% increase compared to 2023.
Reasons for Denial
The ICA highlighted that individuals were denied entry primarily due to assessments indicating potential overstaying, illegal work activities, or risks of criminal involvement. These stringent measures reflect Singapore’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure surroundings for its citizens and residents.
Surge in Land Checkpoint Arrivals
The increase in traveler numbers was largely driven by a surge at Singapore’s land checkpoints, which accounted for over 75% of total travelers.This surge is notably evident at the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints, the primary connections to Peninsular Malaysia. On December 20, 2024, a record-breaking 562,000 land crossings were recorded at these checkpoints.
Advanced Technology for Enhanced Security
to combat undesirable entries, the ICA has implemented the New Clearance Concept (NCC) at Changi Airport and progressively at sea checkpoints. NCC features automated lanes and passport-free clearance, utilizing facial and iris biometrics. The collected data is analyzed by the ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre, employing data analytics to identify potential high-risk individuals before their arrival in Singapore.
“This enables ICA officers to detect travellers using fraudulent passports,and also repeat travellers impersonating and or using false identities,as we would have their biometrics in our database,” the Straits Times quoted the ICA as saying.
Tackling Immigration Offenses
Despite increased security measures, the ICA continues to address immigration offenses. Notably, there was a slight decrease in the number of immigration offenders arrested, dropping to 536 in 2024 compared to 587 in 2023. However, arrests related to illegal immigration saw a rise, growing to 61 in 2024 compared to 45 in 2023. Furthermore, the number of individuals arrested for harboring or employing immigration offenders increased to 389 in 2024, up from 327 in 2023.
In a September 2024 Parliament sitting, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling acknowledged the constant challenge of preventing undesirable visitors from entering Singapore, stating that no visa regime can be fully foolproof. She emphasized the importance of leveraging technology, including advanced passenger information, biometric data, and flight manifests, to identify potential risks.
Combating ”Marriage of Convenience” Schemes
though, a particularly significant development is the drastic increase in arrests related to marriage-of-convenience offenses. In 2024, 41 individuals were arrested, a more than fivefold increase from the eight cases reported in 2023. The ICA attributes this surge to intensified efforts to investigate and dismantle syndicates involved in these fraudulent schemes.
“Those convicted for their involvement in a marriage of convenience can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined up to SGD10,000, or both,”
As Singapore navigates increasing global interconnectedness, maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for its residents remains a top priority. These measures highlight the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its borders while fostering a thriving international community.
How does the ICA balance the need for border security with the desire to attract visitors to Singapore?
A Conversation on Securing singapore’s Borders: An interview with Mr. Kenneth Tan
Singapore has substantially strengthened its border security in 2024, denying entry to 33,100 foreigners, a 15.7% increase from the previous year. To discuss this trend and its implications, we spoke with Mr. Kenneth Tan, Director of Operations at the Immigration & checkpoints Authority (ICA).
