THE STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

IMMIGRATION ACT 1959

2020 REVISED EDITION

This revised edition incorporates all amendments up to and

including 1 December 2021 and comes into operation on 31 December 2021.

Prepared and Published by

THE LAW REVISION COMMISSION
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF
THE REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS ACT 1983

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 2020 Ed.

Immigration Act 1959

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
3. Appointment and powers of Controller and immigration officers
4. Power of Minister to issue directions

PART 2
ENTRY INTO AND DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE
5. Entry into and departure from Singapore
5A. Person entering or leaving Singapore to produce passport, etc.
5B. Facilities at authorised areas
6. Control of entry into and departure from Singapore
6A. Non-citizens born in Singapore
7. Right of entry
8. Prohibited immigrants
9. Power to prohibit or limit entry into Singapore

PART 2A
SINGAPORE VISAS FOR NON-CITIZENS
9A. Singapore visas
9B. Visas essential for travel
9C. Effect of Singapore visa

PART 3
ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY PERMITS
10. Entry permits
11. Re-entry permits
11A. Persons ceasing to be citizens of Singapore

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 2
Section
12. Endorsement of names of wife and children on permits, passes
and certificates
13. Power to make inquiries
14. Cancellation and declarations regarding permits and certificates
15. Unlawful entry or presence in Singapore

PART 4
PROCEDURE ON ARRIVAL IN AND
DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE
16. Immigration signal
17. Vessel to stop, proceed to immigration or departure anchorage or
other place when ordered
18. Aircraft arriving in or departing from Singapore
18A. Train arriving in or leaving Singapore
18B. Vehicles arriving in or leaving Singapore
19. Persons not to board or leave vessel until examination completed
20. Prohibition on disembarking from or boarding ships without
permission of immigration officer
21. Prohibition of removal of articles before examination
22. Provision of passenger and crew information by master, etc., of
vessel arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
22A. Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by
master, etc., of vessel due to arrive in Singapore
23. Provision of passenger and crew information by captain, etc., of
aircraft arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
23AA. Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by
captain, etc., of aircraft due to arrive in Singapore
23A. Provision of passenger and crew information by master, etc., of
train arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
23B. Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by
master, etc., of train due to arrive in Singapore
24. Examination of persons arriving by sea
25. Examination of persons arriving at authorised airport
25A. Examination of persons arriving by train
26. Examination of persons entering Singapore by land or at place
other than authorised landing place or airport
27. Power to send person to depot for further examination
28. Interrogation of travellers
29. Medical examination

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3 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Section
30. Immigration officer may give instructions to prevent evasion of
examination

PART 5
REMOVAL FROM SINGAPORE
31. Removal of prohibited immigrants from Singapore
31A. Power of Controller to remove prohibited immigrants
32. Removal of illegal immigrants
33. Removal of persons unlawfully remaining in Singapore
34. Detention of persons ordered to be removed
35. Power to arrest person liable to removal
36. Unlawful return after removal

PART 5A
OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION OR PASSENGER INFORMATION
36A. Interpretation of this Part
36B. Authorising access to or disclosure of identifying information
and passenger information
36C. Accessing or disclosing identifying information or passenger
information

PART 6
MISCELLANEOUS
37. Performance of duties of immigration officers
38. Authority of immigration officer to arrest and prosecute
38A. Immigration officer to be armed
39. Power to summon witnesses, etc.
39A. Exclusion of judicial review
39B. Minister may designate others to hear appeals
40. Duty of police officers to execute orders
41. Restriction on discharge of member of crew
42. Signing on or bringing as member of crew any person with intent
to land contrary to this Act
43. Security to prevent unlawful landing
44. Reports as to persons failing to continue their journey
45. Repatriation
46. Masters, owners, etc., liable for expenses

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 4
Section
47. Obligation to afford free passage
47A. Seizure of moneys for purposes of repatriation, etc.
48. Power to detain vessel
49. Power to seize, detain and forfeit vessels below 200 tons or
vehicles
50. Power of interrogation
51. Power of search and arrest for offence under Act
51AA. Power of search and arrest for offences committed within
authorised area, etc.
51A. Provision of information by Housing and Development Board
52. Person registered under Enlistment Act 1970
53. [Repealed]
54. Counterfoils, etc., to be prima facie evidence
55. Regulations
56. Power to exempt from provisions of this Act
57. Offences
57A. Prohibition of immigration offender entering or remaining at
work place
57B. Assisting, encouraging or inducing giving of shelter to
immigration offenders
57C. Marriage of convenience
57D. Wearing and possession of uniforms, etc., by others
58. General penalty
59. Composition of offences
60. Jurisdiction of Courts
61. Disposal of fees, rates, fines and forfeitures
61A. Amendment of Schedule
62. Saving
The Schedule — Personal identifiers

An Act relating to immigration into, and departure from, Singapore.

[16 September 1963]

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5 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

PART 1
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1. This Act is the Immigration Act 1959.

Interpretation
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —
“advance passenger information” means information relating to
any passenger required to be furnished to the Controller prior
to the arrival in Singapore of the vessel, aircraft or train (as
the case may be) on which the passenger will be travelling to
Singapore;
“arrive” means —
(a) in relation to an aircraft, the aircraft coming to a stop
after landing;
(b) in relation to a vessel or ship, the securing of the
vessel or ship for any purposes, including for the
embarkation or disembarkation of its passengers or
the loading or unloading of its cargo or stores or both;
or
(c) in relation to a train, the train coming to a stop at a
train checkpoint;
“authorised airport”, “authorised landing place”, “authorised
train checkpoint”, “authorised point of entry”, “authorised
departing place” and “authorised point of departure” mean,
respectively, an airport, a landing place, a train checkpoint, a
point of entry, a departing place or a point of departure
declared as such under section 5;
“authorised area” means an authorised airport, authorised
landing place, authorised train checkpoint, authorised point
of entry, authorised place of embarkation, authorised
departing place, authorised point of departure or
immigration control post declared as such under section 5;

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 6
“certificate” means a certificate of status issued under the
provisions of any regulations made under section 55;
“Controller” means the Controller of Immigration appointed
under section 3;
“Controller of Work Passes” means the Controller of Work
Passes appointed under section 3 of the Employment of
Foreign Manpower Act 1990;
“crew” includes every seaman on a vessel, and every person
employed in the operation of an aircraft or a train or in any
service rendered to the crew or passengers of an aircraft in
flight or a train in motion;
“Director of Marine” means the Director of Marine appointed
under section 4(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and
includes the Deputy Director of Marine appointed under that
subsection and such other officers appointed under
section 4(3) of that Act as the Director of Marine may
authorise to carry out any of his or her duties under this Act;
“document” includes —
(a) any endorsement;
(b) any paper or other material where there is writing;
(c) any paper or other material on which there are marks,
figures, symbols or perforations that are —
(i) capable of being given a meaning by persons
qualified to interpret them; or
(ii) capable of being responded to by a computer, a
machine or an electronic device;
(d) any article or material from which information is
capable of being reproduced with or without the aid
of any other article or device; or
(e) any electronic record;
“electronic record” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the
Electronic Transactions Act 2010;

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7 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

“employ” means to engage or use the service of any person,

whether under a contract of service or otherwise, with or
without remuneration;
“entry” means —
(a) in the case of a person arriving by sea, disembarking
in Singapore from the vessel in which he or she
arrives;
(b) in the case of a person arriving by air at an authorised
airport, leaving the precincts of such airport;
(c) in the case of a person entering by land and
proceeding to an immigration control post under
section 26 or an authorised train checkpoint under
section 25A, leaving the precincts of such post or
checkpoint for any purpose other than that of
departing from Singapore by an approved route;
(ca) in the case of a child born in Singapore on or after
15 January 2005 who is not a citizen of Singapore, his
or her birth in Singapore; and
(d) in any other case, any entry into Singapore by land,
sea or air,
but shall not include in any case an entry made for the
purpose of complying with this Act or an entry, expressly or
impliedly, sanctioned by an immigration officer for the
purpose of any enquiry or detention under the provisions of
this Act;
“entry permit” means a permit to enter or remain in Singapore
issued under section 10;
“harbour” means to give food or shelter, and includes the act of
assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension;
“immigration control post” means a post established as such by
the Controller at a place declared to be an immigration
control post under section 5;

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 8
“immigration depot” means any place designated by the
Controller for the examination, inspection or detention of
persons under this Act or any other written law;
[Act 13 of 2024 wef 09/04/2024]

“immigration officer” means any person appointed under

section 3;
“immigration signal” means such signal as may be prescribed
for vessels which arrive in Singapore;
“leave” means —
(a) in the case of a person leaving Singapore by sea,
embarking in Singapore on a vessel which is about to
leave Singapore and remaining on board such vessel
at the time of its departure for any place outside
Singapore;
(b) in the case of a person leaving Singapore by air,
boarding an aircraft in Singapore which is about to
depart from Singapore;
(c) in the case of a person leaving Singapore by land,
boarding and remaining in a train or other vehicle
which is about to leave Singapore; and
(d) in the case of a vessel, an aircraft or a train leaving
Singapore by sea, air or land (as the case may be),
departing from any authorised departing place in
Singapore by sea, or from any airport or train
checkpoint in Singapore, for any place outside
Singapore;
“master” —
(a) in relation to a vessel, means any person (except a
pilot or harbour master) having for the time being
control or charge thereof;
(b) in relation to an aircraft, means the captain thereof;
and

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9 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(c) in relation to a train, means the driver of the train or

any person having for the time being control or
charge thereof;
“non-citizen” means any person who is not a citizen of
Singapore;
“occupier”, in relation to any premises or place, includes —
(a) the person having the charge, management or control
of either the whole or part of the premises or place,
either on the person’s own account or as an agent; and
(b) a contractor who is carrying out building operations
or construction works at the premises or place on
behalf of some other person;
“pass” means a pass issued under the regulations entitling the
holder thereof to remain, or enter and remain, temporarily in
Singapore;
“passenger” means any person carried in a vessel, an aircraft or a
train, other than the members of the crew;
“permit” includes an entry permit and a re-entry permit;
“personal identifier” means any of the identifiers specified in
the Schedule (including any in digital form);
“prohibited immigrant” means any person who is a prohibited
immigrant as defined in section 8;
“re-entry permit” means a permit to re-enter Singapore issued
under section 11;
“regulations” means regulations made under this Act;
“seaman” includes the master and any person carried in a vessel
as a bona fide member of the staff employed in the operation
or service of the vessel and, if the vessel has articles, entered
on the articles;
“Singapore visa” means a Singapore visa granted under Part 2A;
“stowaway” means a person who is secreted in a vessel, an
aircraft or a train without the consent of the master or other

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person in charge of the vessel, aircraft or train and includes
such a person who is arriving in or departing from Singapore
on board any vessel, aircraft or train without the consent of
the master or other person in charge of the vessel, aircraft or
train;
“through passenger” means any passenger who arrives in
Singapore by a vessel, an aircraft or a train and who is
continuing his or her journey in the same vessel, aircraft or
train to a place outside Singapore;
“transportation company” means any government, municipality,
body corporate, or organisation, firm or person carrying or
providing for the transit of passengers, whether by vessel,
aircraft, railway, highway or otherwise, and includes any 2 or
more such transporting companies co‑operating in the
business of carrying passengers;
“vehicle” means any vehicle whether mechanically propelled or
otherwise;
“vessel” includes any ship or boat or other description of
floating craft used in navigation, and includes any tackle,
equipment, book, document, goods, cargo or things carried
therein or thereon.
[18/2012]

Appointment and powers of Controller and immigration

officers
3.—(1) The Minister may appoint a Controller of Immigration and
such number of immigration officers as the Minister may consider
necessary for the proper carrying out of the provisions of this Act.
(2) The powers and discretions vested in the Controller under this
Act, and the duties required to be discharged by the Controller may,
subject to section 4 and to such limitations as the Controller may
impose, be exercised and discharged by immigration officers duly
authorised by the Controller to act on the Controller’s behalf.

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11 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Power of Minister to issue directions

4.—(1) The Minister may from time to time give the Controller
directions of a general character, and not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, as to the exercise of the powers and discretions
conferred on the Controller by, and the duties required to be
discharged by the Controller under, this Act or any regulations or
orders made under this Act, in relation to all matters which appear to
the Minister to affect the immigration policy of Singapore.
(2) The Controller must give effect to all directions given under
subsection (1).

PART 2
ENTRY INTO AND DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE
Entry into and departure from Singapore
5.—(1) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe
approved routes and declare such immigration control posts, landing
places, airports, train checkpoints or points of entry, as the Minister
may consider to be necessary for the purposes of this Act, to be
immigration control posts, authorised landing places, authorised
airports, authorised train checkpoints or authorised points of entry, as
the case may be.
(1A) In declaring under subsection (1) any place to be an
immigration control post, a landing place or an authorised point of
entry, the Minister may specify that it or any part of the place is to be
an immigration control post, a landing place or an authorised place of
entry generally only for a fixed period or for fixed periods of time in
any day, or only for the separate and exclusive immigration clearance
of a particular person or class of persons.
[18/2012]

(2) A person must not, unless compelled by accident or other

reasonable cause, enter or attempt to enter Singapore except at an
authorised landing place, airport, train checkpoint or point of entry.
(3) The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe
approved routes and declare such immigration control posts, places of
embarkation, authorised airports, authorised train checkpoints,

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 12
authorised departing places or authorised points of departure, as the
case may be.
(3A) In declaring under subsection (3) any place to be an authorised
departing place or an authorised point of departure, the Minister may
specify that it or any part of the place is to be an authorised departing
place or an authorised point of departure generally only for a fixed
period or for fixed periods of time in any day, or only for the separate
and exclusive immigration clearance of a particular person or class of
persons.
[18/2012]

(4) A person must not, unless compelled by accident or other

reasonable cause, leave or attempt to leave Singapore except at an
authorised place of embarkation, airport, train checkpoint, departing
place or point of departure.
(5) Any person who contravenes subsection (2) or (4) shall be
guilty of an offence.
(6) Without affecting subsection (1A) or (3A), where upon the
application of any person (called in this section the applicant), any
place or any part of that place is declared under subsection (1) or (3)
(as the case may be) to be an immigration control post, a landing
place, an authorised point of entry or an authorised departing place or
authorised point of departure for the separate and exclusive
immigration clearance of the applicant, or a particular person or
class of persons associated with the applicant, the Controller may,
with the approval of the Minister, require the applicant to pay to the
Controller a rate, at such intervals and at such amount or rate as may
be prescribed, for or in connection with immigration clearance
performed by immigration officers at that place or part thereof.
[18/2012]

(7) The number of immigration officers to be deployed at any

immigration control post, landing place, authorised point of entry,
authorised departing place or authorised point of departure mentioned
in subsection (6) is to be determined at the Controller’s discretion.
[18/2012]

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13 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(8) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires —

“immigration clearance”, in relation to any person, includes
refusing the person entry into Singapore or exit from
Singapore;
“separate and exclusive immigration clearance” includes
immigration clearance carried out only during a particular
period or periods in a day for a particular person or class of
persons.
[18/2012]

Person entering or leaving Singapore to produce passport, etc.

5A.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), every person, whether a citizen
of Singapore or a non‑citizen, who is arriving in Singapore (by air, sea
or land) from a place outside Singapore, or is leaving Singapore (by
air, sea or land) to a place outside Singapore, must present to an
immigration officer at the authorised airport, authorised landing
place, authorised train checkpoint, authorised point of entry,
authorised departing place or authorised point of departure, as the
case may be —
(a) if the person is a citizen of Singapore (whether or not the
person is also the national of a country other than
Singapore) — the person’s Singapore passport that is
valid, and any other prescribed evidence of the person’s
identity and Singapore citizenship; or
(b) if the person is a non-citizen —
(i) the person’s foreign passport or other foreign travel
document that is valid, and such other evidence of
the person’s identity as the immigration officer may
require; and
(ii) where a Singapore visa is required by section 9B,
evidence of a Singapore visa that is in effect and is
held by the person.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 14
(2) The immigration officer may waive —
(a) the requirements of a passport or travel document if the
person is a citizen of Singapore and in prescribed
circumstances; or
(b) the requirements of a passport, travel document or
Singapore visa in the case of any person entering
Singapore from a place outside Singapore and holding a
valid entry permit, re-entry permit or certificate of status
issued in accordance with this Act.
(3) Any person who enters or leaves Singapore in contravention of
subsection (1) 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.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to such categories of persons as
the Minister may prescribe.

Facilities at authorised areas

5B.—(1) The Minister may, by written notice, require the owner or
occupier of any premises within which an authorised area is or is to be
located (called in this section the relevant owner or occupier), but not
the Government —
(a) to provide and maintain in the authorised area, at the
relevant owner’s or occupier’s cost, such facilities and
resources as the Minister considers necessary for the
proper, secure and efficient functioning of the authorised
area, including providing such facilities to the immigration
officers whose duties require their presence within or at the
perimeter of the authorised area; or
(b) to permit the establishment of immigration offices within
the authorised area.
[18/2012]

(2) The Minister may give to the relevant owner or occupier such
written directions as may be necessary —
(a) to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act and
the regulations; or

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15 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(b) for the proper, secure and efficient functioning of the

authorised area.
[18/2012]

(3) The relevant owner or occupier must comply with the written
notice or direction served or given to the relevant owner or occupier
under subsection (1) or (2).
[18/2012]

(4) Any relevant owner or occupier who or which fails to comply

with subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than
$200,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not
exceeding $2,000 for every day or part of a day during which the
offence continues after conviction.
[18/2012]

(5) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under

subsection (4) and that offence is proved to have been committed
with the authority, consent or connivance of any director, manager,
secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or of any
person purporting to act in any such capacity, he or she, as well as the
body corporate, shall each be guilty of that offence and shall each be
liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
[18/2012]

(6) In this section, “owner” means any person who has an estate or
interest in the premises and whose permission to enter the premises is
needed by another before that other may enter the premises.
[18/2012]

Control of entry into and departure from Singapore

6.—(1) A person, other than a citizen of Singapore, must not enter
or attempt to enter Singapore unless —
(a) he or she is in possession of a valid entry permit or re‑entry
permit lawfully issued to him or her under section 10 or 11;
(b) his or her name is endorsed upon a valid entry permit or
re‑entry permit in accordance with section 12, and he or
she is in the company of the holder of that permit;
(c) he or she is in possession of a valid pass lawfully issued to
him or her to enter Singapore; or

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(d) he or she is exempted from this subsection by an order
made under section 56.
(2) Every person departing from Singapore, other than a citizen of
Singapore or a person exempted from this subsection by an order
made under section 56, must, if so required by an immigration officer,
complete an embarkation form and submit it for examination by that
officer at the time he or she leaves Singapore.
[18/2012]

(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be

guilty of an offence and —
(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), shall on
conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months and shall also, subject to
sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the Criminal Procedure
Code 2010, be punished with caning with not less than
3 strokes, or where by virtue of that section he or she is not
punishable with caning, he or she shall, in lieu of caning,
be punished with a fine not exceeding $6,000;
(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), shall be
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
[15/2010]

(4) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it is

presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the defendant attempted
to enter Singapore in contravention of subsection (1)(c) if the
defendant was found within the waters of the port and it is proved to
the satisfaction of the court that —
(a) he or she was unable, or refused, to produce when
requested to do so by a police officer or an immigration
officer a valid passport or other valid travel document
issued by the competent authority of any State or territory;
(b) he or she has no visible means of subsistence; or
(c) he or she had taken precautions to conceal his or her
identity or presence from any police officer or immigration
officer.

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17 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(5) In this section, “port” means any place declared to be a port

under section 3 of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Act 1996.

Non-citizens born in Singapore

6A.—(1) A child who —
(a) is born in Singapore on or after 15 January 2005; and
(b) is not a citizen of Singapore at the time of his or her birth,
is deemed to be issued with a special pass authorising him or her to
remain in Singapore.
(2) A special pass mentioned in subsection (1) is valid for 42 days
from the date of the birth of the child and may be extended for such
period as the Controller thinks fit.
(3) An application to renew a special pass referred to in
subsection (1) —
(a) must be made —
(i) in the case of a legitimate child, by the father or
mother; or
(ii) in the case of an illegitimate child, by the mother;
and
(b) must be in such form as the Controller may determine.
(4) Upon an application made under subsection (3), the Controller
may extend the special pass or issue the child with such permit or
other pass as the Controller thinks fit.
(5) The father or mother in the case of a legitimate child, or the
mother in the case of an illegitimate child, must ensure that the child
mentioned in subsection (1) does not remain in Singapore after the
expiry of the special pass or, where a permit or pass has been issued to
the child under subsection (4), the expiry of the permit or pass, as the
case may be.
(6) Any person who contravenes subsection (5) shall be guilty of an
offence.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 18
Right of entry
7.—(1) A citizen of Singapore is entitled to enter Singapore without
having obtained a permit or pass in that behalf under this Act.
(2) The burden of proof that any person is a citizen of Singapore
shall lie upon that person.

Prohibited immigrants
8.—(1) Any person, not being a citizen of Singapore, who is a
member of any of the prohibited classes as defined in subsection (3)
or who, in the opinion of the Controller, is a member of any of the
prohibited classes, is a prohibited immigrant.
(2) Subject to any exemption granted under section 56 —
(a) a prohibited immigrant who is a member of the prohibited
class defined in subsection (3)(o) must not enter
Singapore; and
(b) any other prohibited immigrant must not enter Singapore,
unless he or she is in possession of a valid pass in that
behalf issuable to a prohibited immigrant under the
regulations.
(3) The following persons are members of the prohibited classes:
(a) any person who is unable to show that he or she has the
means of supporting himself or herself and his or her
dependants (if any) or that he or she has definite
employment awaiting him or her, or who is likely to
become a pauper or a charge on the public;
(b) any person suffering from a contagious or infectious
disease which makes his or her presence in Singapore
dangerous to the community;
(ba) any person suffering from Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome or infected with the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus;
(c) any person desiring to enter Singapore who refuses to
submit to an examination after being required to do so
under section 29(1);

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19 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(d) any person who —

(i) has been convicted in any country or state of an
offence for which a sentence of imprisonment has
been passed for any term;
(ii) has not received a free pardon; and
(iii) by reason of the circumstances connected with that
conviction is deemed by the Controller to be an
undesirable immigrant;
(e) any prostitute or any person who is living on or receiving
or who, prior to entering Singapore, lived on or received
the proceeds of prostitution;
(f) any person who procures or attempts to bring into
Singapore prostitutes or women or girls for the purpose
of prostitution or other immoral purpose;
(g) vagrants or habitual beggars;
(h) any person whose entry into Singapore is, or at the time of
his or her entry was, unlawful under this Act or any other
written law for the time being in force;
(i) any person who believes in or advocates the overthrow by
force or violence of the Government or of any established
government or of constituted law or authority or who
disbelieves in or is opposed to established government, or
who advocates the assassination of public officials, or who
advocates or teaches the unlawful destruction of property;
(j) any person who is a member of or affiliated with any
organisation entertaining or teaching disbelief in or
opposition to established government or advocating or
teaching the duty, necessity or propriety of the unlawful
assaulting or killing of any officer or officers, either of
specific individuals or officers generally, of the
Government or of any established government, because
of his, her or their official character, or advocating or
teaching the unlawful destruction of property;

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 20
(k) any person who, in consequence of information received
from any source or from any government through official
or diplomatic channels, is considered by the Minister to be
an undesirable immigrant;
(l) any person who has been removed from any country or
state by the government of that country or state on
repatriation for any reason whatever and who, by reason
of the circumstances connected therewith, is considered by
the Controller to be an undesirable immigrant;
(m) any person who, being required by any written law for the
time being in force to be in possession of valid travel
documents, is not in possession of those documents or is in
possession of forged or altered travel documents or travel
documents which do not fully comply with that written
law;
(n) the family and dependants of a prohibited immigrant; and
(o) any person prohibited by an order made under section 9
from entering Singapore.
[18/2012]

(4) The burden of proof that any person seeking to enter Singapore
is not a prohibited immigrant shall lie upon that person.
(4A) Where the Controller refuses to allow any person to enter
Singapore on the ground that the person is a prohibited immigrant, the
Controller must, if so requested by the person, inform the person of
the class of prohibited immigrants of which, in the opinion of the
Controller, the person is a member.
(5) Subject to any exemption granted under section 56, if any
prohibited immigrant enters Singapore otherwise than in accordance
with a valid pass lawfully issued to him or her, he or she shall be
guilty of an offence.
(6) Any person in possession of a permit issued to him or her under
the provisions of this Act who, upon his or her arrival in Singapore, is
refused permission to enter on the ground that he or she is a prohibited
immigrant, may appeal against the refusal, within such time and in

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21 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

such manner as may be prescribed, to the Minister whose decision is

final.
(7) Despite sections 24, 25, 25A and 26, any person who appeals
against such refusal must be permitted to disembark and must be
detained in an immigration depot pending the determination of his or
her appeal, unless released on a pass issued at the discretion of the
Controller on such conditions as to furnishing security or otherwise as
the Controller may think fit.

Power to prohibit or limit entry into Singapore

9.—(1) The Minister may, by order —
(a) where the Minister thinks it expedient to do so in the
interests of public security or by reason of any economic,
industrial, social, educational or other conditions in
Singapore —
(i) prohibit, either for a stated period or permanently, the
entry or re‑entry into Singapore of any person or
class of persons;
(ii) limit the number of persons of any class who may
enter Singapore within any period specified in the
order; or
(iii) limit the period during which any person or class of
persons entering or re‑entering Singapore may
remain therein; or
(b) prohibit the entry into Singapore of passengers brought to
Singapore by any transportation company which refuses or
neglects to comply with the provisions of this Act.
(1A) No order made under subsection (1)(a), except an order made
in the interests of public security, applies to any person outside
Singapore at the time when the order is made and who is in possession
of a valid re‑entry permit lawfully issued to him or her.
(2) An order made under subsection (1) does not apply to any
citizen of Singapore or to any person seeking to enter Singapore
under and in accordance with any pass lawfully issued to that person.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 22
(3) Every order made under subsection (1)(a) which relates to a
class of persons, except an order made in the interests of public
security, must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after
publication in the Gazette and if a resolution is passed within the next
3 months after the order is so presented disapproving the order or any
part thereof, the order or such part thereof (as the case may be) ceases
to have effect but without affecting the validity of anything
previously done thereunder.
(4) Every order made under subsection (1), unless otherwise
expressed therein, comes into force on the date of the making of
the order, and must be published in the Gazette.
(5) Any person who enters or re-enters or remains in Singapore in
contravention of any order made under subsection (1) shall be guilty
of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment
for a presumptive minimum term of not less than 2 years and not more
than 4 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $6,000.
[15/2019]

(6) Where a person, who has been previously convicted of any

offence which is punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less
than 3 years, commits an offence under subsection (5) by the use of a
passport or other travel document which bears a name different from
that stated in the order made against him or her under subsection (1),
he or she shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a
term of not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years and shall also
be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to caning.

PART 2A
SINGAPORE VISAS FOR NON-CITIZENS
Singapore visas
9A.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Controller may
grant a non‑citizen permission, to be known as a Singapore visa, to
travel to and enter Singapore.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a Singapore visa to travel to
and enter Singapore may be one to travel to and enter Singapore
during a specified period.

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23 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Visas essential for travel

9B.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a non‑citizen must not travel to
Singapore without a Singapore visa that is in effect.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a non‑citizen in relation to
travel to Singapore if the travel is by a non‑citizen who holds and
produces a valid passport from a territory that is approved by the
Minister.

Effect of Singapore visa

9C.—(1) A Singapore visa that is in effect is not a pass or other
permission for, and does not confer any right on, the holder to enter
Singapore.
(2) Subject to section 5(2) and any regulations made under
section 55, the holder of a Singapore visa that is in effect must
enter Singapore at an authorised airport, authorised landing place,
authorised train checkpoint or authorised point of entry.

PART 3
ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY PERMITS
Entry permits
10.—(1) Any person seeking to enter Singapore who is not entitled
so to enter as a citizen of Singapore or by virtue of a valid pass to
enter Singapore issued to him or her or seeking to remain in
Singapore after he or she had ceased to be a citizen of Singapore or
after the expiry of such a pass may make application in that behalf in
the manner prescribed to the Controller or to such other person
whether within or outside Singapore as the Controller may, from time
to time, appoint for the purpose.
(2) Upon an application made under subsection (1) and on payment
of the prescribed fee, the Controller may issue to the applicant an
entry permit in the prescribed form and must, if the applicant is
required by the provisions of any written law relating to passports for
the time being in force in Singapore to have a visa to enter Singapore,
issue a visa to the applicant on the production by him or her of his or

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 24
her passport or other travel document and on payment of the fee
prescribed by that written law, and the visa remains valid until the
expiry or cancellation of the entry permit issued to the applicant.
(3) The Controller may —
(a) at the time of issuing an entry permit under subsection (2),
impose any condition as the Controller thinks fit; or
(b) at any time after the issue of an entry permit under
subsection (2), vary or revoke any condition to which the
entry permit is subject or impose any condition thereto.
(3A) To avoid doubt, the power of the Controller to vary, revoke or
impose any condition under subsection (3)(b) may be exercised
whether or not the Controller is entitled to cancel the entry permit
under this Act.
(4) Before varying, revoking or imposing any condition on an entry
permit under subsection (3)(b), the Controller must notify the holder
of the entry permit of the Controller’s intention to do so and must give
the holder an opportunity to be heard as to why the condition of his or
her entry permit should not be varied or revoked or the additional
condition should not be imposed.
[18/2012]

(5) Any person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Controller

under this section may, within 30 days of being notified of the
decision of the Controller, appeal by petition in writing to the
Minister whose decision is final.
(6) Any entry permit issued by the Controller before 15 January
2005 to any person who was in Singapore at the time he or she ceased
to be a citizen of Singapore and who continued to remain in
Singapore is deemed to have been validly issued and continues in
force until it is cancelled.

Re-entry permits
11.—(1) Any person lawfully resident in Singapore, not being the
holder of a valid pass or a citizen of Singapore, who seeks to leave
Singapore temporarily, or within one month of so leaving Singapore,
may make an application to the Controller in the prescribed manner

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25 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

for the issue to the person of a re‑entry permit authorising the person
to re‑enter Singapore.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), upon an application made under
subsection (1) and on payment of the prescribed fee, the Controller
may issue to the applicant a re‑entry permit in the prescribed form and
must, if the applicant is required by the provisions of any written law
relating to passports for the time being in force in Singapore to have a
visa to enter Singapore, issue a visa to the applicant on the production
by him or her of his or her passport or other travel document and on
payment of the fee prescribed by that written law and the visa remains
valid until the expiry or cancellation of the re‑entry permit issued to
the applicant.
[18/2012]

(3) The Controller may —

(a) at the time of issuing a re‑entry permit under
subsection (2), impose any condition as the Controller
thinks fit; or
(b) at any time after the issue of a re‑entry permit under
subsection (2), vary or revoke any condition to which the
re‑entry permit is subject or impose any condition thereto.
[18/2012]

(4) To avoid doubt, the power of the Controller to vary, revoke or

impose any condition under subsection (3)(b) may be exercised
whether or not the Controller is entitled to cancel the re‑entry permit
under this Act.
[18/2012]

(5) Before varying, revoking or imposing any condition on a

re‑entry permit under subsection (3)(b), the Controller must notify the
holder of the re‑entry permit of the Controller’s intention to do so and
must give the holder an opportunity to be heard as to why the
condition of the holder’s re‑entry permit should not be varied or
revoked or the additional condition should not be imposed.
[18/2012]

(6) Any person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Controller

under this section may, within 30 days after being notified of the

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 26
decision of the Controller, appeal by petition in writing to the
Minister whose decision is final.
[18/2012]

Persons ceasing to be citizens of Singapore

11A.—(1) Subject to subsection (4), any person in Singapore who,
on or after 15 January 2005, ceases to be a citizen of Singapore must
not remain in Singapore for more than 24 hours after the date on
which the person ceases to be a citizen of Singapore unless the person
has been issued with a permit or a pass authorising the person to
remain in Singapore.
(2) Any person who, on or after 15 January 2005, ceases to be a
citizen of Singapore and who wishes to remain in Singapore may
make an application to the Controller in the prescribed manner for a
permit or a pass authorising the person to remain in Singapore.
(3) Upon an application made under subsection (2) and on payment
of the prescribed fee, the Controller may issue to the applicant a
permit or a pass authorising the applicant to remain in Singapore.
(4) Any person who applies for a permit or a pass under
subsection (2) before the expiry of the time specified in
subsection (1) —
(a) may remain in Singapore pending the determination by the
Controller of the application; and
(b) subject to subsection (5), must not remain in Singapore for
more than 24 hours after being informed that the person’s
application for a permit or pass has been rejected.
(5) Subsection (4)(b) does not prevent a person from entering and
remaining in Singapore if the person is subsequently issued with a
permit or a pass by the Controller authorising the person to enter and
remain in Singapore.
(6) Any person who, without reasonable cause, contravenes
subsection (1) or (4)(b) shall be guilty of an offence and —
(a) in the case where he or she remains unlawfully in
Singapore for a period not exceeding 90 days, shall be
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000 or to

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27 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to

both; or
(b) in the case where he or she remains unlawfully in
Singapore for a period exceeding 90 days, shall on
conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 6 months and shall also, subject to
sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the Criminal Procedure
Code 2010, be punished with caning with not less than
3 strokes, or where by virtue of that section he or she is not
punishable with caning, he or she shall, in lieu of caning,
be punished with a fine not exceeding $6,000.
[15/2010]

Endorsement of names of wife and children on permits, passes

and certificates
12. Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, it is lawful for
the Controller, on application made in that behalf in the prescribed
form by the holder of, or by an applicant for, a permit, pass or
certificate, to endorse upon the permit, pass or certificate issued to
that person the name or names of the wife or child of that person.

Power to make inquiries

13. The Controller may, before the issue of a permit, pass or
certificate under this Act or before making any endorsement thereon
under section 12, make such inquiries or require the production of
such evidence as the Controller may think fit in order to satisfy
himself or herself as to the truth of any statement made in the
application for the permit, pass or certificate.

Cancellation and declarations regarding permits and

certificates
14.—(1) Where the holder of any permit seeks to enter Singapore
accompanied by any child whose name is not endorsed upon that
permit under section 12 and who is not otherwise entitled to enter
Singapore under the provisions of this Act, the Controller may cancel
the permit issued to that person.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 28
(2) Where, upon the arrival in Singapore of any person to whom a
permit or certificate has been issued, the Controller is satisfied, as a
result of inquiries made under section 24, 25, 25A or 26, or from other
information, that the permit or certificate was issued as a result of any
false representation or concealment of a material fact, the Controller
may cancel the permit or certificate.
(3) Where at any time during the period of validity of any permit or
certificate, the Controller is satisfied that the holder of the permit or
certificate is a prohibited immigrant, the Controller must cancel the
permit or certificate.
(4) Where any person has entered or remains in Singapore by virtue
of a permit or certificate, and the Controller is satisfied that —
(a) any material statement made in or in connection with the
application for the permit or certificate was false or
misleading;
(b) the person is a prohibited immigrant; or
(c) the holder of the permit or certificate has contravened any
condition stated in the permit or certificate,
the Controller may cancel the permit or certificate issued to that
person, and may declare at any time after the date of the entry or date
of the issue of the permit or certificate that the presence of that person
in Singapore is unlawful.
(5) On making any cancellation under subsection (2), (3) or (4) or
on making any declaration under subsection (4), the Controller must,
by notification which, if the person’s address is known, must be sent
to the person at that address and otherwise must be published in such
manner as the Controller thinks fit, inform the person affected thereby
of the grounds on which the cancellation or declaration has been
made.
(6) The person may appeal against the cancellation or declaration
(as the case may be) within such time and in such manner as may be
prescribed, to the Minister whose decision is final.

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29 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Unlawful entry or presence in Singapore

15.—(1) A person must not remain in Singapore after the
cancellation of any permit or certificate, or after the making of a
declaration under section 14(4) or after the expiration or notification
to him or her, in such manner as may be prescribed, of the
cancellation of any pass relating to or issued to him or her unless
he or she is otherwise entitled or authorised to remain in Singapore
under the provisions of this Act or the regulations.
(2) A person must not remain in Singapore in contravention of
section 62.
(3) Any person who contravenes, without reasonable cause, this
section shall be guilty of an offence and —
(a) in the case where he or she remains unlawfully for a period
not exceeding 90 days, shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months or to both;
(b) in the case where he or she remains unlawfully for a period
exceeding 90 days, shall on conviction be punished with
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months and shall
also, subject to sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the Criminal
Procedure Code 2010, be punished with caning with not
less than 3 strokes, or where by virtue of that section he or
she is not punishable with caning, he or she shall, in lieu of
caning, be punished with a fine not exceeding $6,000.
[15/2010]

PART 4
PROCEDURE ON ARRIVAL IN AND
DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE
Immigration signal
16.—(1) The master of every vessel which arrives in or is about to
leave Singapore must hoist the prescribed immigration signal and
must exhibit that signal until authorised by an immigration officer to
haul it down.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 30
(2) The master of a vessel who contravenes subsection (1) shall be
guilty of an offence.

Vessel to stop, proceed to immigration or departure anchorage

or other place when ordered
17.—(1) The Controller may, by notification in the Gazette, declare
any place within the limits of any port to be an immigration
anchorage, either for vessels generally or for vessels of a class
specified in the notification.
[18/2012]

(2) The master of every vessel which arrives at or is about to leave a

port where an immigration anchorage, either for vessels generally or
for vessels of a class to which that vessel belongs, has been declared
must, subject to any directions given under subsection (4),
immediately navigate the vessel to that anchorage and must remain
there until an immigration officer gives him or her permission to
leave.
(3) The master of every vessel which arrives in or is about to leave
Singapore must, if ordered to do so by a police officer or an
immigration officer, stop, anchor or tie up the vessel at such place as
may be ordered, and must remain there until a police officer or an
immigration officer gives him or her permission to leave.
[18/2012]

(4) The master of a vessel who contravenes or, without reasonable

cause, fails to comply with this section or any order made or
directions given thereunder shall be guilty of an offence.

Aircraft arriving in or departing from Singapore

18.—(1) The captain of every aircraft which arrives in or leaves
Singapore must land the aircraft at, or fly the aircraft away from, an
authorised airport.
(2) The captain of an aircraft who, without reasonable cause,
contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

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31 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Train arriving in or leaving Singapore

18A.—(1) The master of every train which arrives in or leaves
Singapore must stop the train at, or drive the train away from, an
authorised train checkpoint.
(2) The master of a train who, without reasonable cause,
contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Vehicles arriving in or leaving Singapore

18B.—(1) The driver of a vehicle who wishes to drive into
Singapore must stop the vehicle at an authorised place of
embarkation, an authorised point of entry or an immigration
control post upon arrival in Singapore.
(2) The driver of a vehicle who wishes to drive out of Singapore
must stop the vehicle at an authorised departing place, an authorised
point of departure or an immigration control post before leaving
Singapore.
(3) The driver of a vehicle who, without reasonable cause,
contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

Persons not to board or leave vessel until examination

completed
19.—(1) Except under and in accordance with any authority
granted by an immigration officer, no person other than —
(a) the pilot;
(b) any Government officer boarding the vessel on duty;
(c) the owner, charterer or agent of the vessel; or
(d) a consular officer or an accredited representative of the
country to which the vessel belongs,
is to leave or board a vessel arriving in Singapore nor may any person
(other than the crew of a vessel carrying any such person) approach
within 200 metres of the vessel, until the vessel has been examined by
an immigration officer and the immigration signal has been hauled
down, or board a vessel departing from Singapore after it has been
examined by an immigration officer just before its departure.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 32
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an
offence and every such person leaving a vessel in contravention of
subsection (1) must, if so required by an immigration officer, return
immediately to the vessel and remain thereon and the master of the
vessel is bound to re‑embark that person.

Prohibition on disembarking from or boarding ships without

permission of immigration officer
20.—(1) It is the duty of the master and the owner or charterer of
every vessel which arrives in Singapore to prevent any person other
than a person specified in section 19(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) from
disembarking from or boarding the vessel until the disembarkation or
boarding has been authorised by an immigration officer, and for that
purpose any means reasonably necessary may be used.
(2) Where any person disembarks from or boards any vessel before
being authorised by an immigration officer in that behalf, that person,
the master and the owner or charterer of the vessel shall each be guilty
of an offence under this section.
(3) It is no defence to a prosecution under this section that the
master, owner or charterer did not permit or do anything to facilitate
the disembarkation or boarding of the person.
(4) It is a good defence to a prosecution under this section that the
master, owner or charterer took every reasonable precaution to
prevent the disembarkation or boarding of the person.
(5) The master of the vessel from which any person has
disembarked before the disembarkation has been authorised by an
immigration officer is bound to re‑embark that person and any master
refusing to re‑embark that person shall be guilty of an offence.
(6) Any person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Prohibition of removal of articles before examination

21.—(1) Except with the authority of an immigration officer, no
article or thing is to be removed or taken from, or put on board, any

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33 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

vessel until the vessel has been examined by an immigration officer

under section 19.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an
offence.

Provision of passenger and crew information by master, etc., of

vessel arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
22.—(1) Subject to section 22A(4), the master, owner, agent or
charterer of every vessel arriving at any authorised landing place for
persons arriving in Singapore by sea from a place outside Singapore
or leaving or due to leave from any authorised departing place for
persons leaving Singapore by sea to a place outside Singapore
must —
(a) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars of the crew as may be prescribed, furnish
to an immigration officer a complete list of all the crew
who are or will be on board the vessel at the time of its
arrival at the authorised landing place or at the time of its
departure from the authorised departing place, as the case
may be;
(b) if so required by that immigration officer, produce to that
immigration officer for inspection and interrogation every
member of the crew, as directed, either generally or
specifically, by that immigration officer;
(c) furnish to that immigration officer such evidence of
identity of each member of the crew within such time
and in such form and manner as may be prescribed;
(d) submit to such search of the vessel as may be necessary to
establish the presence or absence of other persons on
board;
(e) produce the vessel’s papers; and
(f) before the vessel arrives at the authorised landing place or
departs from the authorised departing place (as the case
may be), report the presence on board of any stowaway or
any unauthorised person or any person proceeding to any

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 34
state or country on the person’s removal from any other
state or country by the competent authorities of that other
state or country.
[18/2012]

(2) In the case of vessels carrying passengers, the master, owner,

agent or charterer must, in addition —
(a) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars as may be prescribed, furnish a complete
list of all passengers who are or will be on board the vessel
at the time of its arrival at the authorised landing place or
departure from the authorised departing place, as the case
may be;
(b) furnish in relation to every passenger disembarking in or
embarking from Singapore such particulars in such form
and manner and within such time as may be prescribed;
and
(c) if so required by an immigration officer, produce every
passenger for inspection and interrogation as directed,
either generally or specifically, by that immigration officer.
[18/2012]

(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel who

contravenes subsection (1) or (2), and any person who hinders or
obstructs any search of a vessel under subsection (1)(d), shall each be
guilty of an offence.
(4) If any person whose presence has not been reported under
subsection (1)(f) is found on board the vessel, the master, owner,
agent and charterer of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and
shall each be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and
not more than $10,000 in respect of each such person.
(5) In any proceedings under this section, the certificate in writing
of an immigration officer who boarded or examined any particular
vessel to the effect that the vessel carried, on arrival in Singapore, a
total number of seamen corresponding in description to the
particulars on the identification cards furnished under
subsection (1)(c) is conclusive proof that the vessel did on arrival
carry that number of seamen.

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35 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by

master, etc., of vessel due to arrive in Singapore
22A.—(1) The master, owner, agent or charterer of every vessel
which is due to arrive at any authorised landing place for persons
arriving in Singapore by sea from a place outside Singapore must,
upon being given reasonable prior notice in writing by the Controller
to comply with this section —
(a) within such time prior to the arrival of the vessel at the
authorised landing place, in such form and manner and
containing such particulars of the crew as may be
prescribed, furnish to the Controller a complete list of all
the crew who are or will be on board the vessel at the time
of its arrival at the authorised landing place;
(b) within such time prior to the arrival of the vessel at the
authorised landing place and in such form and manner as
may be prescribed, furnish to the Controller a complete list
of all passengers who are or will be on board the vessel at
the time of its arrival at the authorised landing place; and
(c) furnish to the Controller in relation to every passenger
disembarking in Singapore, such particulars regarding one
or both of the following:
(i) advance passenger information;
(ii) information recorded in the passenger reservation
system for that vessel,
(c) within such time prior to the arrival of the vessel at the
authorised landing place and in such form and manner as
may be prescribed.
[18/2012]

(2) The Controller may at any time by notice in writing to the

master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel, revoke the notice given
to that person under subsection (1).
[18/2012]

(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel who

contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
[18/2012]

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 36
(4) Any master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel who is
required to comply with this section need not comply with
section 22(1)(a) and (2)(a) and (b) unless so required by an
immigration officer.
[18/2012]

Provision of passenger and crew information by captain, etc.,

of aircraft arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
23.—(1) Subject to section 23AA(4), the captain, owner, agent or
charterer of every aircraft arriving at any airport in Singapore from a
place outside Singapore or leaving or due to leave any airport in
Singapore to a place outside Singapore must —
(a) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars as may be prescribed, furnish to an
immigration officer a complete list of all passengers who
are or will be on board the aircraft at the time of its arrival
at the airport or departure from the airport, as the case may
be;
(b) furnish to that officer in relation to every passenger landing
in or departing from Singapore such particulars in such
form and manner within such time as may be prescribed;
(c) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars of the crew as may be prescribed, furnish
to that officer a complete list of all the crew of the aircraft
who are or will be on board the aircraft at the time of its
arrival at the airport or departure from the airport, as the
case may be;
(d) if so required by an immigration officer, produce every
member of the crew and every passenger of that aircraft for
inspection and interrogation as directed, either generally or
specifically, by the immigration officer;
(e) submit to such search of the aircraft as may be necessary to
establish the presence or absence of other persons on
board; and
(f) before the aircraft arrives at or departs from the airport (as
the case may be), report the presence on board of any

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37 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

stowaway or any unauthorised person or any person

proceeding to any state or country on the person’s
removal from any other state or country by the
competent authorities of that other state or country.
[18/2012]

(2) The captain, owner, agent or charterer of an aircraft who

contravenes subsection (1), and any person who hinders or obstructs
any search of an aircraft under subsection (1)(e), shall each be guilty
of an offence.
(3) If any person whose presence has not been reported under
subsection (1)(f) is found on board an aircraft, the captain, owner,
agent and charterer of the aircraft shall each be guilty of an offence
and shall each be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000
and not more than $10,000 in respect of each such person.
(4) In any proceedings under this section, the certificate in writing
of an immigration officer who boarded or examined any particular
aircraft to the effect that the aircraft carried, on arrival in Singapore, a
total number of crew corresponding in description to the particulars
on the list furnished under subsection (1)(c) is conclusive proof that
the aircraft did on arrival carry that number of crew.

Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by

captain, etc., of aircraft due to arrive in Singapore
23AA.—(1) The captain, owner, agent or charterer of every aircraft
which is due to arrive at any airport in Singapore from a place outside
Singapore must, upon being given reasonable prior notice in writing
by the Controller to comply with this section —
(a) within such time prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the
airport, in such form and manner and containing such
particulars of the crew as may be prescribed, furnish to the
Controller a complete list of all the crew of the aircraft who
are or will be on board the aircraft at the time of its arrival
at the airport;
(b) within such time prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the
airport and in such form and manner as may be prescribed,
furnish to the Controller a complete list of all passengers

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 38
who are or will be on board the aircraft at the time of its
arrival at the airport; and
(c) furnish to the Controller in relation to every passenger
landing in Singapore, such particulars regarding one or
both of the following:
(i) advance passenger information;
(ii) information recorded in the passenger reservation
system for that aircraft,
(c) within such time prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the
airport and in such form and manner as may be prescribed.
[18/2012]

(2) The Controller may at any time by notice in writing to the

captain, owner, agent or charterer of an aircraft, revoke the notice
given to that person under subsection (1).
[18/2012]

(3) The captain, owner, agent or charterer of an aircraft who

contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
[18/2012]

(4) Any captain, owner, agent or charterer of an aircraft who is

required to comply with this section need not comply with
section 23(1)(a), (b) and (c) unless so required by an immigration
officer.
[18/2012]

Provision of passenger and crew information by master, etc., of

train arriving in, leaving or due to leave Singapore
23A.—(1) Subject to section 23B(4), the master, owner, agent or
charterer of every train arriving at any train checkpoint in Singapore
from a place outside Singapore or leaving or due to leave any train
checkpoint in Singapore to a place outside Singapore must, at an
authorised train checkpoint and if required to do so by an immigration
officer —
(a) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars of the crew as may be prescribed, furnish
to that officer a complete list of all the crew who are or will
be on board the train at the time of its arrival at the train

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39 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

checkpoint or departure from the train checkpoint, as the

case may be;
(b) if so required by that immigration officer, produce to that
immigration officer for inspection and interrogation every
member of the crew as directed, either generally or
specifically, by that immigration officer;
(c) submit to such search of the train as may be necessary to
establish the presence or absence of other persons on
board; and
(d) upon the arrival of the train at or before the departure of the
train from the train checkpoint (as the case may be), report
the presence on board of any stowaway or any
unauthorised person or any person proceeding to any
state or country on the person’s removal from any other
state or country by the competent authorities of that other
state or country.
[18/2012]

(2) In the case of a train carrying passengers, the master must, in

addition —
(a) within such time, in such form and manner and containing
such particulars as may be prescribed, furnish a complete
list of all passengers who are or will be on board the train at
the time of its arrival at the train checkpoint or departure
from the train checkpoint, as the case may be;
(b) furnish in relation to every passenger disembarking in or
embarking from Singapore such particulars in such form
and manner within such time as may be prescribed; and
(c) if so required by an immigration officer, produce every
passenger for inspection and interrogation as directed,
either generally or specifically, by that immigration officer.
[18/2012]

(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a train who contravenes

subsection (1) or (2), and any person who hinders or obstructs any
search of a train under subsection (1)(c), shall each be guilty of an
offence.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 40
(4) If any person whose presence has not been reported under
subsection (1)(d) is found on board the train, the master, owner, agent
and charterer of the train shall each be guilty of an offence and shall
each be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not
more than $10,000 in respect of each such person.
(5) In any proceedings under this section, the certificate in writing
of an immigration officer who boarded or examined any particular
train to the effect that the train carried, on arrival in Singapore, a total
number of crew corresponding in description to the particulars on the
list furnished under subsection (1)(a) is conclusive proof that the train
did on arrival carry that number of crew.

Provision of passenger and crew information in advance by

master, etc., of train due to arrive in Singapore
23B.—(1) The master, owner, agent or charterer of every train
which is due to arrive at any train checkpoint in Singapore from a
place outside Singapore must, upon being given reasonable prior
notice in writing by the Controller to comply with this section —
(a) within such time prior to the arrival of the train at the train
checkpoint, in such form and manner and containing such
particulars of the crew as may be prescribed, furnish to the
Controller a complete list of all the crew who are or will be
on board the train at the time of its arrival at the train
checkpoint;
(b) within such time prior to the arrival of the train at the train
checkpoint and in such form and manner as may be
prescribed, furnish to the Controller a complete list of all
passengers who are or will be on board the train at the time
of its arrival at the train checkpoint; and
(c) furnish to the Controller in relation to every passenger
disembarking in Singapore, such particulars regarding one
or both of the following:
(i) advance passenger information;
(ii) information recorded in the passenger reservation
system for that train,

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41 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(c) within such time prior to the arrival of the train at the train
checkpoint and in such form and manner as may be
prescribed.
[18/2012]

(2) The Controller may at any time by notice in writing to the

master, owner, agent or charterer of a train, revoke the notice given to
that person under subsection (1).
[18/2012]

(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a train who contravenes

subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
[18/2012]

(4) Any master, owner, agent or charterer of a train who is required

to comply with this section need not comply with section 23A(1)(a)
and (2)(a) and (b) unless so required by an immigration officer.
[18/2012]

Examination of persons arriving by sea

24.—(1) Every person arriving by sea in Singapore, whether or not
he or she enters Singapore, must appear before an immigration officer
at such time and place as that officer may direct.
[18/2012]

(2) The immigration officer, after such examination as he or she

may consider necessary, must inform any person whom the
immigration officer considers to be prohibited from entering
Singapore under the provisions of this Act or any regulations or
orders made under this Act of his or her finding, and the person, if still
aboard the vessel, must not disembark in Singapore or, if the person
has disembarked for the purposes of the examination, must return
immediately to the vessel and remain on the vessel.
(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of the vessel must
likewise immediately be informed in writing by the immigration
officer of his or her finding and the master, owner, agent or charterer
must not permit the person to disembark in Singapore, or, if the
person has disembarked, whether for the purpose of examination or
otherwise, is bound to re‑embark the person and remove the person
from Singapore by the same or such other vessel, to the person’s place

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 42
of embarkation, the country of the person’s birth or citizenship or
such other destination, as that immigration officer may direct.
[18/2012]

(4) Any person who —

(a) refuses or neglects to appear before an immigration officer
as required by subsection (1) or who leaves the place of
examination without or otherwise than in accordance with
the authorisation of that officer;
(b) after being informed by an immigration officer that the
person is prohibited from entering Singapore, either
disembarks in Singapore or refuses or neglects to return
immediately to his or her vessel, as the case may be; or
(c) being the master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel,
permits any person to disembark in Singapore or refuses to
re‑embark any person, or refuses or neglects to remove the
person from Singapore in accordance with subsection (3),
after being informed by an immigration officer that the
person is prohibited from entering Singapore or that the
person has refused or neglected to appear before an
immigration officer as required by subsection (1) or that
the person had left the place of examination without or
otherwise than in accordance with the authorisation of that
officer,
shall each be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or to both.
[18/2012]

(5) Where any person either disembarks in Singapore or refuses or

neglects to return to his or her vessel in contravention of this section
or to board such other vessel as may be directed by an immigration
officer, the immigration officer or any police officer may require that
person to return to the person’s vessel or board such other vessel and
may take such steps, including the use of force, as may be reasonably
necessary to compel that person to return or board (as the case may
be) and the master, owner, agent or charterer of the relevant vessel is

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43 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

bound to re‑embark or embark (as the case may be) that person and to
remove that person from Singapore.
[18/2012]

(6) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a vessel may use such
force as may be reasonably necessary to enable him, her or it to
comply with subsections (3) and (5).

Examination of persons arriving at authorised airport

25.—(1) Every person arriving by air at any authorised airport in
Singapore, whether or not the person enters Singapore, must appear
before an immigration officer at such time and place as that officer
may direct.
[18/2012]

(2) The immigration officer, after such examination as he or she

may consider necessary, must inform any person whom the
immigration officer considers to be prohibited from entering
Singapore under the provisions of this Act or any regulations or
orders made under this Act of his or her finding, and the person must
not leave the precincts of the airport except for a place approved by
that officer, and must leave and depart from Singapore by the first
available means in accordance with the instructions of that officer.
(3) The captain, owner, agent or charterer of the aircraft in which
the person arrived must, if so required by the immigration officer,
remove the person from Singapore by the same or such other aircraft,
to the person’s place of embarkation, the country of the person’s birth
or citizenship or such other destination, as that immigration officer
may direct.
[18/2012]

(4) Any person who —

(a) refuses or neglects to appear before an immigration officer
as required by subsection (1) or who leaves the place of
examination without or otherwise than in accordance with
the authorisation of that officer;
(b) after being informed by an immigration officer that he or
she is prohibited from entering Singapore, leaves the
precincts of an airport without the permission of that

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 44
officer, or refuses or neglects to proceed to or remain at a
place approved by that officer;
(c) refuses or fails to leave Singapore in accordance with the
instructions of an immigration officer given under
subsection (2); or
(d) being the captain, owner, agent or charterer of the aircraft
in which any person arrived in Singapore, refuses or
neglects to remove the person from Singapore in
accordance with subsection (3) after being informed by
an immigration officer that the person is prohibited from
entering Singapore or that the person has refused or
neglected to appear before an immigration officer as
required by subsection (1) or that the person has left the
place of examination without, or otherwise than in
accordance with, the authorisation of that officer,
shall each be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or to both.
[18/2012]

(5) Where any person leaves the precincts of an airport in

contravention of this section or refuses to leave and depart from
Singapore in accordance with the instructions of an immigration
officer given under subsection (2), the immigration officer or any
police officer may take such steps, including the use of force, as may
be reasonably necessary to compel that person to return to the
precincts of the airport or to comply with those instructions, as the
case may be.
[18/2012]

Examination of persons arriving by train

25A.—(1) Every person arriving by train at any authorised train
checkpoint in Singapore, whether or not the person enters Singapore,
must appear before an immigration officer at such time and place as
that officer may direct.
[18/2012]

(2) The immigration officer, after such examination as he or she

may consider necessary, must inform any person whom the

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45 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

immigration officer considers to be prohibited from entering

Singapore under the provisions of this Act or any regulations or
orders made under this Act of his or her finding, and the person must
not leave the precincts of the checkpoint except for a place approved
by that officer, and must leave and depart from Singapore by the first
available means in accordance with the instructions of that officer.
(3) The master, owner, agent or charterer of the train in which the
person arrived must, if so required by the immigration officer, remove
the person from Singapore by the same or such other train, to the
person’s place of embarkation, the country of the person’s birth or
citizenship or such other destination, as that immigration officer may
direct.
[18/2012]

(4) Any person who —

(a) refuses or neglects to appear before an immigration officer
as required by subsection (1) or who leaves the place of
examination without, or otherwise than in accordance with,
the authorisation of that officer;
(b) after being informed by an immigration officer that he or
she is prohibited from entering Singapore, leaves the
precincts of an authorised train checkpoint without the
permission of that officer, or refuses or neglects to proceed
to or remain at a place approved by that officer;
(c) refuses or fails to leave Singapore in accordance with the
instruction of an immigration officer given under
subsection (2); or
(d) being the master, owner, agent or charterer of the train in
which any person arrived in Singapore, refuses or neglects
to remove the person from Singapore in accordance with
subsection (3) after being informed by an immigration
officer that the person is prohibited from entering
Singapore or that the person has refused or neglected to
appear before an immigration officer as required by
subsection (1) or that the person has left the place of
examination without, or otherwise than in accordance with,
the authorisation of that officer,

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 46
shall each be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or to both.
[18/2012]

(5) Where any person leaves the precincts of an authorised train

checkpoint in contravention of this section or refuses to leave and
depart from Singapore in accordance with the instructions of an
immigration officer given under subsection (2), the immigration
officer or any police officer may take such steps, including the use of
force, as may be reasonably necessary to compel that person to return
to the precincts of the checkpoint or to comply with those
instructions, as the case may be.
[18/2012]

Examination of persons entering Singapore by land or at place

other than authorised landing place or airport
26.—(1) Every person who enters Singapore by land must —
(a) proceed to the nearest immigration control post;
(b) appear before an immigration officer in charge of the post;
and
(c) if so required by that officer, furnish particulars about
himself or herself in such form and manner and containing
such particulars as may be prescribed.
[18/2012]

(2) Every person arriving by sea or air in Singapore at any place,

other than at an authorised landing place or airport, must immediately
proceed to and appear before the nearest immigration officer.
(3) The immigration officer before whom any person appears in
accordance with this section must, if the immigration officer
considers that the person is prohibited from entering Singapore
under the provisions of this Act or any regulations or orders made
under this Act, inform that person of his or her finding and that person
must in accordance with the instructions of that officer immediately
leave and depart from Singapore.
(4) Any person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an
offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding

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47 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

$4,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to

both.

Power to send person to depot for further examination

27.—(1) Where an immigration officer is in doubt as to the right of
any person to enter Singapore, it is lawful for that officer to direct the
person to an immigration depot and, in that case, that person must
proceed immediately to that depot and must remain there until
permitted to leave by that officer.
(2) No person shall, except on the written order of the Minister, be
so detained for any period exceeding 7 days except that the Controller
may, in his or her discretion, and pending the completion of inquiries
regarding that person, release that person from the immigration depot
on such terms and conditions as the Controller may think fit, and for
that purpose the Controller may issue to that person a pass in the
prescribed form.
(3) Any person who refuses or neglects to comply with any
directions given by an immigration officer under subsection (1), or
who leaves an immigration depot in contravention of that subsection,
shall be guilty of an offence.

Interrogation of travellers
28.—(1) Any person who arrives in Singapore or who is about to
leave Singapore must —
(a) fully and truthfully answer all questions and enquiries put
to him or her by an immigration officer or a police officer
tending, directly or indirectly, to establish his or her
identity, nationality or occupation or bearing on any of the
restrictions contained in this Act or the regulations or any
absolute or conditional liability on his or her part to any
military, naval or air force service under any state or
country; and
(b) disclose and produce to any such officer on demand all
documents in his or her possession relating to those
matters.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 48
(2) All such answers and documents shall be admissible in evidence
in any proceedings under this Act against the person making,
disclosing or producing the same.
(3) Nothing in this section is to be construed as rendering any such
answer inadmissible in any other proceedings in which they would
otherwise be admissible.
(4) Any person who —
(a) refuses to answer any question or enquiry put to him or her
under subsection (1);
(b) knowingly gives any false or misleading answer to any
such question or enquiry;
(c) refuses or fails to produce any document in his or her
possession when required to do so under subsection (1); or
(d) knowingly produces any false or misleading document,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(e) in the case of an offence under paragraph (a), (b) or (c), to a
fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 6 months or to both; or
(f) in the case of an offence under paragraph (d), to a fine not
exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or to both.

Medical examination
29.—(1) For the purpose of exercising his or her powers and
carrying out his or her functions and duties under this Act or the
regulations, an immigration officer may require any person who
desires to enter Singapore, or to whom a permit, pass or certificate has
been issued, to submit to an examination by a registered medical
practitioner.
[18/2012]

(2) The registered medical practitioner must, upon completion of an

examination of a person under subsection (1), submit a copy of the
results of the examination to the Controller.
[18/2012]

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49 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(3) Despite the provisions of any other written law or rule of law, a
registered medical practitioner must, if required by the Controller for
the purposes of exercising his or her powers and carrying out his or
her functions and duties under this Act or the regulations, furnish the
Controller with a copy of any medical record relating to a person who
has been examined pursuant to subsection (1) as the Controller may
require.
[18/2012]

(4) Any person to whom a permit, pass or certificate has been

issued who, without reasonable excuse, refuses to submit to an
examination when required by an immigration officer under
subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
(5) The Controller may cancel the permit, pass or certificate of any
person who refuses to submit to any examination when required to do
so by an immigration officer under subsection (1).
(6) On making any cancellation under subsection (5), the Controller
must, by notification which, if the person’s address is known, must be
sent to him or her at that address and otherwise must be published in
such manner as the Controller thinks fit, inform the person affected of
the grounds on which the cancellation has been made.
(7) A person whose permit, pass or certificate is cancelled under
subsection (5) may, within such time and in such manner as may be
prescribed, appeal against the cancellation to the Minister whose
decision is final.
(8) In this section, “registered medical practitioner” means a
medical practitioner registered under the Medical Registration
Act 1997 who is employed in any hospital or medical institution
and is designated by name or office by the Controller in writing for
the purposes of this section.
[18/2012]

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 50
Immigration officer may give instructions to prevent evasion of
examination
30.—(1) An immigration officer may give such instructions as may
be reasonably necessary to ensure that no passenger or member of a
crew evades examination either of his or her person or effects.
(2) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails to
comply with any instructions given under subsection (1) shall be
guilty of an offence.

PART 5
REMOVAL FROM SINGAPORE
Removal of prohibited immigrants from Singapore
31.—(1) If during the examination of any person arriving in
Singapore or after such inquiry as may be necessary that person is
found to be a prohibited immigrant, the Controller shall, subject to the
provisions of the regulations, prohibit the person from disembarking
or may detain the person at an immigration depot or other place
designated by the Controller.
(2) The person shall be liable to be removed from Singapore to his
or her place of embarkation or to the country of his or her birth or
citizenship or to any other port or place designated by the Controller.
(3) For the purposes of this Part, any reference to a person who has
arrived in Singapore includes a reference to a person who has arrived
but has not yet entered Singapore.

Power of Controller to remove prohibited immigrants

31A.—(1) The Controller may, at any time, by written order, direct
any person mentioned in subsection (2) to remove, within such period
as may be specified in the order, a prohibited immigrant who has
arrived in Singapore.
(2) An order under subsection (1) is to be made against and served
on —
(a) the master of the vessel, aircraft or train which first brought
the prohibited immigrant to Singapore; or

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51 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(b) the master of any other vessel, aircraft or train belonging to

the same owner or chartered by the same charterer of the
vessel, aircraft or train mentioned in paragraph (a).
(3) The Controller may take such action or use such force as may be
necessary to ensure that an order under this section is complied with.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), the Controller may, by written
order, direct the person against whom an order under this section is
made, not to move his or her vessel, aircraft or train unless the
prohibited immigrant named in that order is on board the vessel,
aircraft or train.
(5) Any person who contravenes any order made under
subsection (1) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than
$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to
both.

Removal of illegal immigrants

32.—(1) Any person who is convicted of an offence under
section 5, 6, 8 or 9 is liable to be removed from Singapore by
order of the Controller.
(2) A citizen of Singapore convicted of an offence under section 5
must not be ordered to be removed from Singapore under this section.

Removal of persons unlawfully remaining in Singapore

33.—(1) Where the presence of any person in Singapore is
unlawful by reason of section 15 or 62, that person is, whether or
not any proceedings are taken against him or her in respect of any
offence under that section, liable to be removed from Singapore by
order of the Controller.
(2) Any person in respect of whom an order of removal has been
made under subsection (1) may appeal to the Minister in such manner
and within such time as may be prescribed.
(3) There is no appeal under subsection (2) against an order of
removal under subsection (1) made in respect of any person whose

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 52
presence in Singapore is unlawful under section 15 or 62 by reason of
the expiry of any pass relating to or issued to him or her.
(4) An appeal under subsection (2) does not operate as a stay of
execution of any order of removal under subsection (1).
(5) Where an order of removal under subsection (1) has been made
in respect of any person, any permit, pass or certificate to enter or
remain in Singapore issued to him or her under this Act or the
regulations ceases to be valid.
(6) Nothing in this Part or the regulations requires the Minister, the
Controller or any other public officer to disclose any fact, produce
any document or assign any reason for the making of any order of
removal under this Part which he or she considers it to be against the
public interest to do so.

Detention of persons ordered to be removed

34.—(1) Where any person is ordered to be removed from
Singapore under the provisions of this Act, it is lawful for the
Controller to order that person to be detained in custody for such
period as may be necessary for the purpose of making arrangements
for that person’s removal.
(2) Any person detained under subsection (1) who appeals under
section 33(2) against the order of removal may, in the Controller’s
discretion, be released, pending the determination of the person’s
appeal, on such conditions as to furnishing security or otherwise as
the Controller may think fit.
(3) Subject to the determination of any appeal under section 33, any
person who is ordered to be removed from Singapore may be placed
on board a suitable vessel, aircraft or train by any police officer or
immigration officer, and may be lawfully detained on board that
vessel, aircraft or train, so long as the vessel, aircraft or train is within
the limits of Singapore.
(4) Any person who is detained in custody pursuant to an order
made by the Controller under subsection (1) may be so detained in
any prison, police station or immigration depot, or in any other place
appointed for the purpose by the Controller.

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53 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Power to arrest person liable to removal

35. Any person reasonably believed to be a person liable to removal
from Singapore under this Act may be arrested without warrant by
any immigration officer generally or specially authorised by the
Controller in that behalf or by a police officer, and may be detained in
any prison, police station or immigration depot for a period not
exceeding 14 days pending a decision as to whether an order for his or
her removal should be made.

Unlawful return after removal

36. Any person who, having been removed from or otherwise
lawfully sent out of Singapore, enters or resides in Singapore without
the written permission of the Controller shall be guilty of an offence
and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a
presumptive minimum term of not less than one year and not more
than 3 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $6,000,
and shall in addition be liable to be removed from Singapore.
[15/2019]

PART 5A
OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION OR PASSENGER INFORMATION
[18/2012]

Interpretation of this Part

36A. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —
“disclose”, in relation to identifying information that is a
personal identifier or in relation to passenger information,
includes providing access to the identifying information or
passenger information;
“identifying information” means —
(a) any personal identifier;
(b) any meaningful identifier derived from any personal
identifier;

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 54
(c) any record of a result of analysing any personal
identifier or meaningful identifier derived from any
personal identifier; and
(d) any other information, derived from any personal
identifier or meaningful identifier derived from any
personal identifier, or from any record of a kind
referred to in paragraph (c), that could be used to
discover a particular person’s identity or to get
information about a particular person;
“passenger information” means the information relating to a
passenger on board an aircraft, a vessel or a train provided to
the Controller or any immigration officer pursuant to any
provision of this Act.
[18/2012]

Authorising access to or disclosure of identifying information

and passenger information
36B.—(1) The Minister may, in writing, authorise a specified
person, or any person included in a specified class of persons —
(a) to access identifying information or passenger information
of the kind specified in the Minister’s authorisation; or
(b) to disclose, on written request, identifying information or
passenger information of the kind specified in the
Minister’s authorisation, to another specified person, or
another person included in a specified class of persons, in
the Minister’s authorisation,
for the purpose or purposes specified in the Minister’s authorisation.
[18/2012]

(2) The Minister must specify in an authorisation under this section,

as the purpose or purposes for which access or disclosure is
authorised, one or more of the following purposes, and no other:
(a) combating document and identity fraud in immigration
matters;

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55 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(b) assisting in the identification of, and authenticating the

identity of, any person who may be required by or under
this Act to provide a personal identifier;
(c) improving the efficiency and integrity of immigration
processing at authorised landing places, airports, train
checkpoints or points of entry;
(d) assisting in the identification of, and authenticating the
identity of, any applicant for or holder of a Singapore visa,
and facilitating his or her entry into Singapore;
(e) enforcement of the criminal law, including investigating or
prosecuting a person for an offence under any written law;
(f) administering or managing the storage of identifying
information or passenger information;
(g) modifying identifying information to enable it to be
matched with other identifying information, or in order
to correct errors or ensure compliance with appropriate
standards;
(h) identifying non-citizens who are prohibited immigrants,
who are of national security concern or who are associated
with activities of a criminal nature and whose detention or
supervision may be necessary in the interests of public
safety, peace and good order;
(i) making decisions under this Act, the Passports Act 2007 or
the regulations made under either Act;
(ia) preventing, detecting or investigating criminal or terrorist
activities or activities which may be prejudicial to the
security of Singapore or any part thereof or to the
maintenance of public order or essential services;
(ib) identifying an individual who is unconscious or otherwise
unable to communicate, for the purposes of providing
urgent medical care to the individual;
(j) any other purpose the disclosure of which is required or
authorised by or under any written law.
[18/2012; 53/2018]

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 56
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a specified person or a
specified class of persons to whom identifying information or
passenger information may be disclosed may include a police
force, a law enforcement body or a border control body of a
foreign country.
[18/2012]

Accessing or disclosing identifying information or passenger

information
36C.—(1) If a person accesses identifying information or
passenger information, and the person —
(a) is not authorised under section 36B to access any
identifying information or passenger information; or
(b) is not authorised under section 36B to access the
identifying information or passenger information for the
purpose for which the person accessed it,
the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
[18/2012]

(2) If a person’s conduct causes disclosure of identifying

information or passenger information, and the disclosure is not a
disclosure that is for any of the purposes specified in section 36B(2),
the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
[18/2012]

PART 6
MISCELLANEOUS
Performance of duties of immigration officers
37.—(1) Immigration officers appointed under this Act must
perform the duties imposed on them by this Act and the
regulations, and must also perform such duties as are required of
them by the Controller, either directly or through any other officer.

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57 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(2) No action taken by any such officer under or for any purpose of
this Act is deemed to be invalid or unauthorised by reason only that it
was not taken by the officer specially appointed or detailed for the
purpose.
(3) Every immigration officer is deemed to be a public servant
within the meaning of the Penal Code 1871.

Authority of immigration officer to arrest and prosecute

38.—(1) Except when exercising any powers under section 51AA,
every immigration officer appointed under this Act has the authority
and powers of a police officer to enforce any of the provisions of this
Act relating to arrest, detention or removal.
[6/2018]

(2) Every immigration officer has the authority to appear in court

and may, with the authorisation of the Public Prosecutor, conduct any
prosecution in respect of any offence under this Act or the
regulations.
[15/2010]

(3) In any case relating to the commission of an offence under this

Act or the regulations, an immigration officer has all the powers of a
police officer under the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 in relation to
an investigation into a seizable offence.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), when an immigration officer
is exercising the powers of a police officer under the Criminal
Procedure Code 2010, the immigration officer is deemed to be an
officer not below the rank of inspector of police.
[15/2010]

Immigration officer to be armed

38A. Every immigration officer must be provided with such batons,
arms, ammunition and other accoutrements as may be necessary for
the effective discharge of his or her duties.

Power to summon witnesses, etc.

39.—(1) The Controller may, for the purpose of any inquiry under
this Act, summon and examine witnesses on oath or affirmation, and
may require the production of documents relevant to the inquiry.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 58
(2) Any person summoned as a witness under subsection (1) who,
without reasonable excuse, fails to attend at the time and place
mentioned in the summons, or who, having attended, refuses to
answer any question that may lawfully be put to him or her or to
produce any document which it is in his or her power to produce, shall
be guilty of an offence.

Exclusion of judicial review

39A.—(1) There shall be no judicial review in any court of any act
done or decision made by the Minister or the Controller under any
provision of this Act except in regard to any question relating to
compliance with any procedural requirement of this Act or the
regulations governing that act or decision.
(2) In this section, “judicial review” includes proceedings instituted
by way of —
(a) an application for a Mandatory Order, a Prohibiting Order
or a Quashing Order;
(b) an application for a declaration or an injunction;
(c) an Order for Review of Detention; and
(d) any other suit or action relating to or arising out of any
decision made or act done pursuant to any power conferred
upon the Minister or the Controller by any provision of this
Act.

Minister may designate others to hear appeals

39B.—(1) The Minister may designate any of the following
persons to hear and determine, in the Minister’s place, any appeal
or a specific appeal under section 8(6), 10(5), 11(6), 14(6), 29(7) or
33:
(a) the Second Minister (if any) for his or her Ministry;
(b) any Minister of State for his or her Ministry;
(c) any Parliamentary Secretary to his or her Ministry.
[16/2016]

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59 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(2) Any reference to the Minister in section 8(6), 10(5), 11(6),

14(6), 29(7), 33 or 39A includes a reference to a person designated
under subsection (1).
[16/2016]

(3) To avoid doubt, in this section —

“Minister of State” includes a Senior Minister of State;
“Parliamentary Secretary” includes a Senior Parliamentary
Secretary.
[16/2016]

Duty of police officers to execute orders

40. Every police officer must, when so requested by an immigration
officer, receive and execute any written order of the Controller, and
any warrant of the Controller for the arrest, detention or removal of
any person made under the provisions of this Act.

Restriction on discharge of member of crew

41.—(1) When any seaman is about to be or is discharged or paid
off in Singapore, the master, owner, charterer or agent must so notify
the Controller.
(2) A member of a crew who has been discharged or paid off must
not be left in Singapore unless either —
(a) he or she is a citizen of Singapore; or
(b) he or she is in possession of a valid permit or pass.
(3) Where there has been any contravention of subsection (2), the
master, owner, charterer, agent or consignee of the vessel, aircraft or
train in which the person concerned was employed is liable for the
maintenance of that person and for the cost of that person’s
repatriation to that person’s place of birth or citizenship or, if the
master, owner, charterer, agent or consignee so elects, to such other
place as the Controller may approve.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 60
Signing on or bringing as member of crew any person with
intent to land contrary to this Act
42. Any transportation company and any person, including the
master and the owner of a vessel, aircraft or train arriving in
Singapore, who —
(a) has knowingly signed on the ship’s articles or brought to
Singapore as a member of the crew of the vessel, aircraft or
train any person with intent to permit that person to enter
Singapore contrary to the provisions of this Act or the
regulations; or
(b) represents to an immigration officer that that person is a
bona fide member of the crew of the vessel, aircraft or
train,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $4,000 and not less than $200 in respect of each such
person.

Security to prevent unlawful landing

43.—(1) An immigration officer may demand security from the
master, owner, charterer or agent or consignee of any vessel, aircraft
or train from which the immigration officer has reasonable grounds to
believe that any person is about to disembark in or enter Singapore in
contravention of the provisions of this Act or the regulations, and may
refuse to release the vessel, aircraft or train from examination until
the security is furnished.
(1A) Despite subsection (1), an immigration officer may demand
security from the master, owner, charterer or agent of any vessel to
ensure that no member of the crew of the vessel disembarks in or
enters Singapore in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the
regulations, and may refuse to release the vessel from examination
until the security is furnished.
(2) The Controller may, if satisfied that any person has disembarked
in or entered Singapore from any vessel, aircraft or train, in respect of
which security has been furnished under subsection (1) or (1A), in

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61 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

contravention of any provisions of this Act or the regulations, direct

the forfeiture of the security or any part thereof.
(3) The Controller must not direct the forfeiture of any security
under subsection (2) if he or she is satisfied that the master, owner,
charterer, agent or consignee took every reasonable precaution to
prevent any person from so disembarking in or entering Singapore.
(4) The security under subsection (1) or (1A) 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.

Reports as to persons failing to continue their journey

44.—(1) Where any through passenger on or member of the crew of
any vessel, aircraft or train fails to continue his or her journey in the
vessel, aircraft or train in circumstances from which it may
reasonably be inferred that the passenger or member of the crew
has remained in Singapore, the master of the vessel, aircraft or train
(as the case may be) must notify an immigration officer or a police
officer of the failure of the passenger or member of the crew to
continue his or her journey.
(2) A master of a vessel, an aircraft or a train who fails to comply
with subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Repatriation
45.—(1) Any person residing in Singapore who —
(a) is not a citizen of Singapore;
(b) is by reason of destitution, infirmity or mental incapacity,
unable to obtain employment or to support himself or
herself and his or her family (if any);
(c) is unable to pay the cost of his or her passage and of the
passages of his or her family (if any) to the country of his or
her birth or citizenship; and
(d) is or is likely to become a charge upon the public or on a
charitable institution,

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 62
may apply to the Controller for the repatriation of himself or herself
and his or her family (if any) at the cost of the Government.
(2) Upon an application under subsection (1), if the Controller is
satisfied, after such inquiry as he or she thinks necessary, that the
person has or is about to become a charge on the public or on a
charitable institution and is unable to pay the cost of the repatriation
of himself or herself and his or her family (if any) and that no
government, organisation, company or person is liable or willing to
pay the cost of repatriation, the Controller may authorise the payment
of the cost subject to the condition specified in subsection (3).
(3) Any person repatriated at the cost of the Government must enter
into an undertaking, in such form as may be prescribed, that he or she
will not return to Singapore without the written sanction of the
Controller.
(4) Such sanction is conditional upon the person refunding to the
Controller all costs and charges incurred in the repatriation of the
person and his or her family (if any) and is subject to such other
conditions as the Controller may consider expedient.
(5) Any person repatriated at the cost of the Government under this
section who enters or attempts to enter Singapore without the
sanction of the Controller under subsection (3), or who having
entered Singapore with such sanction, fails or neglects to comply
with any condition upon which the sanction was given, shall be guilty
of an offence.

Masters, owners, etc., liable for expenses

46.—(1) If any person —
(a) enters Singapore from any vessel, aircraft or train contrary
to the provisions of this Act or the regulations;
(b) disembarks from any vessel on which he or she has been
re‑embarked or to which he or she has been returned under
section 19, 20 or 24; or
(c) arrives at any authorised airport or train checkpoint in
Singapore from any aircraft or train (as the case may be)

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63 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

and is required to leave or depart from Singapore under

section 25 or 25A, as the case may be,
the master, owner, charterer and agent thereof shall be jointly and
severally liable for all expenses incurred by the Government in
respect of the detention and maintenance of the person and his or her
removal from Singapore.
[18/2012]

(2) The expenses are recoverable as a debt due to the Government

from the master, owner, charterer and agent of the vessel, aircraft or
train jointly and severally.

Obligation to afford free passage

47.—(1) When an order of removal is made under the provisions of
this Act in respect of any person who has entered Singapore contrary
to the provisions of this Act or the regulations, and the person was
brought to Singapore in a vessel, an aircraft or a train, the master of
the vessel, aircraft or train, and also the master of any vessel, aircraft
or train belonging to the same owners or chartered by the same
charterers, must, if required in writing by the Controller, receive the
person on board his or her vessel, aircraft or train and afford the
person free of charge a passage to the port or place at which the
person embarked for Singapore or to any other port or place
designated by the Controller and proper accommodation and
maintenance during the voyage, flight or journey.
(2) No master shall be liable under subsection (1) unless the order
of removal has been made by the Controller within 12 months from
the date on which the person entered Singapore.
(3) A master of a vessel, an aircraft or a train who fails to comply
with this section shall be guilty of an offence.

Seizure of moneys for purposes of repatriation, etc.

47A.—(1) A prohibited immigrant is liable to pay to the
Government a sum sufficient to cover all expenses incurred by the
Government in connection with the detention, maintenance, medical
treatment and removal from Singapore of himself or herself and his or
her dependants.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 64
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Controller may order a
prohibited immigrant to be searched and that all moneys found on
him or her when so searched be seized and used by the Controller to
meet the expenses which have been incurred or may be incurred by
the Government under that subsection.
(3) Where any sum seized under subsection (2) is in excess of the
total amount of expenses for which the prohibited immigrant is liable
under subsection (1), the balance of the moneys must be returned to
him or her.
(4) The Controller may seize moneys under subsection (2) even
though the prohibited immigrant has not been charged with nor
convicted of an offence.
(5) Any person who claims to be the legal owner of any moneys
seized under subsection (2) (other than the prohibited immigrant from
whom the moneys were seized) may, within 6 years from the date of
seizure, apply to the Controller in such form and manner as may be
prescribed for the moneys seized to be returned to him or her.
(6) Despite the provisions of any written law, the moneys seized
under subsection (2) (except any excess moneys which have been
returned to the prohibited immigrant under subsection (3)) shall not
be liable to be garnished, attached, sequestered or levied upon for or
in respect of any debt or claim, other than to meet the expenses
referred to in subsection (1) or any claim made under subsection (5).

Power to detain vessel

48.—(1) The Controller may by writing under his or her hand
authorise the Director of Marine to detain any vessel in connection
with which an offence under this Act is reasonably believed to have
been or to be about to be committed, and the vessel may then be
detained either at the place where it is found or at any place to which
the Controller may order it to be brought.
(1A) The Controller must give notice to the master, owner,
charterer or agent of the vessel of the detention of the vessel.
(2) For the purposes of the detention and other lawful dealing with
the vessel, the Director of Marine has power to muster the crew and

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65 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

may, if he or she considers it necessary to do so, place a police guard

on board.
(3) The detention is for safe custody only, and ceases if a bond with
2 sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the Controller is given by the
master, owner, charterer or agent of the vessel for the payment of any
fine, costs, expenses or charges incurred under this Act in respect of
any offence or default thereunder.
(4) If default is made in the payment of any such fine, costs,
expenses or charges, the Director of Marine may seize the vessel and
the vessel is to be declared forfeited to the Government by order of a
court of competent jurisdiction upon the application of the
Attorney‑General.
(4A) Any vessel so forfeited is to be sold free of all encumbrances.
(5) The proceeds of sale of a vessel under this section must, despite
any rule of law relating to priority of claims, be applied first in
payment of any fine, costs, expenses or charges incurred under this
Act and of any costs incurred in and about the sale and the
proceedings leading thereto, and the balance must be paid to the
owner of the vessel or other person lawfully entitled to the proceeds
thereof.
(6) Section 3(1)(r) of the High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction)
Act 1961 is to be construed as extending to any claim in respect of a
liability incurred by the owner of a vessel under this Act.

Power to seize, detain and forfeit vessels below 200 tons or

vehicles
49.—(1) Any vessel below 200 tons or any vehicle that is used, or
in respect of which there is reasonable cause to suspect that it has
been or that it is about to be used, in the commission of any offence
under this Act or the regulations may be seized and detained at any
place either on land or in the territorial waters of Singapore —
(a) by the Controller, or any immigration officer authorised in
that behalf by the Controller in writing under his or her
hand; or

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 66
(b) by any police officer authorised in that behalf by a Deputy
Commissioner of Police in writing under his or her hand.
[18/2012]

(2) The seizing officer must immediately give written notice of the
seizure and the grounds thereof to the owner, charterer or agent of the
vehicle or vessel so seized or detained, either by delivering the notice
to the owner, charterer or agent in person or by post at that person’s
place of office or abode, if known.
(3) The notice under subsection (2) is not required to be given
where the seizure or detention is made in the presence of or with the
knowledge of the offender or the owner or the agent of the offender or
owner, as the case may be.
(4) Any vehicle or vessel liable to seizure or detention under
subsection (1) is liable to forfeiture.
(5) An order for the forfeiture or for the release of any vehicle or
vessel liable to forfeiture under this section is to be made by the court
before which the prosecution with regard thereto has been held.
(6) Where, upon an application by the Public Prosecutor, it is
proved to the satisfaction of a court that an offence under this Act or
the regulations has been committed and that the vehicle or vessel was
used in the commission of the offence, the court is to make an order
for the forfeiture of the vehicle or vessel, even though no person may
have been charged with or convicted of the offence.
(6A) No vehicle or vessel is to be forfeited under this section if it is
established by the owner thereof that the vehicle or vessel was
unlawfully in the possession of another person without the owner’s
consent.
(7) The Controller may sell any vehicle or vessel forfeited under
this section.
(8) The proceeds of the sale must, after payment of the expenses of
the sale, be applied in payment of any fine, costs or charges incurred
under this Act and any balance remaining must be paid into the
Consolidated Fund.

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67 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Power of interrogation
50.—(1) Any person reasonably believed to be a person liable to
removal from Singapore under any of the provisions of this Act may
be questioned by an immigration officer.
(2) The person must fully and truthfully answer all questions and
enquiries put to the person by the immigration officer tending,
directly or indirectly, to establish the person’s identity, nationality or
occupation or bearing on any of the restrictions contained in this Act
or the regulations, and shall disclose and produce to that officer on
demand all documents in the person’s possession relating to those
matters.
(3) All such answers and documents are admissible in evidence in
any proceedings under this Act against the person making or
producing the same.
(4) Nothing in this section is to be construed as rendering any such
answers inadmissible in any other proceedings in which they would
otherwise be admissible.

Power of search and arrest for offence under Act

51.—(1) Any immigration officer or any other officer generally or
specially authorised in writing in that behalf by the Controller, and
any officer of the Singapore Customs acting under the instructions of
such immigration officer, and any police officer may without a
warrant and with or without assistance —
(a) enter and search any premises; and
(b) stop and search any vehicle, train, vessel or person, or
search any aircraft, whether in a public place or not,
if he or she has reason to believe that any evidence of the commission
of an offence under this Act or the regulations is likely to be found on
the premises or person or in the vehicle, vessel, aircraft or train, and
may seize any evidence so found.
[6/2018]

(2) A woman must not be searched under this section except by a

woman.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 68
(3) Any police officer, immigration officer or customs officer may
arrest without warrant any person whom the officer reasonably
believes has committed an offence under this Act or the regulations.
(4) Where any person is arrested by an immigration officer or
customs officer under subsection (3), the immigration officer or
customs officer must comply with sections 67 and 68 of the Criminal
Procedure Code 2010 as if he or she were a police officer.
[15/2010]

Power of search and arrest for offences committed within

authorised area, etc.
51AA.—(1) An immigration officer or a police officer may,
without a warrant and with or without assistance, stop and search
any vehicle, train, vessel or person, or search any aircraft, within or in
the vicinity of an authorised area, if the immigration officer or police
officer has reason to believe that —
(a) a relevant offence has been, or is likely to be, committed
within or in the vicinity of the authorised area; and
(b) any evidence of the commission of the relevant offence is
likely to be found on the person or in the vehicle, train,
vessel or aircraft.
[6/2018]

(2) An immigration officer or a police officer may seize any

evidence so found under subsection (1).
[6/2018]

(3) A woman must not be searched under this section except by a

woman.
[6/2018]

(4) An immigration officer or a police officer may require any

person subject to a search under subsection (1) to undergo any form
of security screening, including doing one or more of the following:
(a) to walk through a walk-through detector;
(b) to pass the person’s personal property through an X‑ray
machine;
(c) to allow the immigration officer or police officer to pass a
hand‑held scanner in close proximity to the person;

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69 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(d) to allow the immigration officer or police officer to pass a

hand‑held scanner in close proximity to the person’s
personal property.
[6/2018]

(5) If an immigration officer has reason to believe that a relevant

offence has been committed within or in the vicinity of an authorised
area, the immigration officer may examine orally any person who
appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the
relevant offence.
[6/2018]

(6) The person mentioned in subsection (5) is bound to state truly

the facts and circumstances with which the person is acquainted,
except that the person need not say anything that might expose the
person to a criminal charge, penalty or forfeiture.
[6/2018]

(7) A statement made by a person mentioned in subsection (5)

must —
(a) be reduced to writing;
(b) be read over to the person;
(c) if the person does not understand English, be interpreted to
the person in a language that the person understands; and
(d) after correction (if necessary), be signed by the person.
[6/2018]

(8) An immigration officer may arrest without warrant any person if

the immigration officer has reason to believe that a relevant offence
(being also an arrestable offence) has been committed within or in the
vicinity of an authorised area.
[6/2018]

(9) An immigration officer may arrest any person who, within or in

the vicinity of an authorised area, is accused of committing or
commits in the view or presence of the immigration officer, a
non‑arrestable offence if, on the demand of the immigration
officer —
(a) the person refuses to give his or her name and residential
address; or

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(b) the person gives a residential address outside Singapore, or
a name or residential address which the immigration
officer has reason to believe is false.
[6/2018]

(10) In making the arrest under this section, the immigration

officer —
(a) must touch or confine the body of the person to be arrested
unless the person submits to arrest by word or action; and
(b) may use all reasonable means necessary to make the arrest
if the person to be arrested forcibly resists or tries to evade
arrest.
[6/2018]

(11) The person arrested must not be restrained more than is

necessary to prevent the person’s escape.
[6/2018]

(12) Where any person is arrested by an immigration officer under

subsection (8) or (9), the immigration officer —
(a) must immediately inform a police officer of the arrest and
await the arrival of a police officer to hand over the person
to the police officer; and
(b) while awaiting the arrival of a police officer, may detain
the person for a period not exceeding 24 hours in any
suitable place of detention within or in the vicinity of an
authorised area.
[6/2018]

(13) An immigration officer, who has reasonable grounds to

suspect that a relevant offence may be committed within or in the
vicinity of an authorised area, may intervene for the purpose of
preventing and must, to the best of the immigration officer’s ability,
use all lawful means to prevent the commission of the relevant
offence.
[6/2018]

(14) Where a relevant offence is committed within or in the vicinity

of an authorised area, an immigration officer may, for the purpose of

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71 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

preserving any crime scene, cordon off any area where the relevant
offence is committed.
[6/2018]

(15) Nothing in this section affects any other power exercisable by

an immigration officer under any other written law.
[6/2018]

(16) In this section —

“arrestable offence” and “non-arrestable offence” have the
meanings given by section 2(1) of the Criminal Procedure
Code 2010;
“relevant offence” means an offence under any written law
(other than this Act or the regulations).
[6/2018]

Provision of information by Housing and Development Board

51A.—(1) Any immigration officer duly authorised by the
Controller may, if the immigration officer considers it necessary
for administering or enforcing any requirement under this Act or the
regulations relating to the reporting of the place of residence of any
person or any change thereof, by written notice require the Board to
disclose any secret or confidential document or information which is
in the possession or control of the Board.
[5/2010]

(2) The Board must disclose the document or information required

by an immigration officer under subsection (1) despite any obligation
as to secrecy or confidentiality imposed by any law.
[5/2010]

(3) Any immigration officer to whom any document or information

has been disclosed under subsection (2) must not disclose that
document or information to any other person except —
(a) to another law enforcement officer for the performance of
his or her official duties in administering or facilitating the
administration of any written law, provided the Board
consents to such disclosure; or
(b) for the purpose of criminal proceedings.
[5/2010]

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 72
(4) Any immigration officer who contravenes subsection (3), or any
law enforcement officer who discloses any document or information
obtained under that subsection to any other person other than for the
purpose specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection, shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
12 months or to both.
[5/2010]

(5) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Board” means the Housing and Development Board
established under section 3 of the Housing and
Development Act 1959;
“disclose”, in relation to any document or information, includes
allowing access to such document or information;
“law enforcement officer” means —
(a) any police officer;
(b) any immigration officer; or
(c) any registration officer within the meaning of the
National Registration Act 1965.
[5/2010]

Person registered under Enlistment Act 1970

52.—(1) An immigration officer may prevent any person from
leaving Singapore and require the person to surrender the person’s
passport to the immigration officer if the immigration officer has
reason to believe that the person is a person subject to the Enlistment
Act 1970 who is not exempted from the requirement for an exit
permit and is attempting to leave Singapore without an exit permit
issued by the proper authority.
[Act 10 of 2024 wef01/05/2024]

(2) In this section, “person subject to the Enlistment Act 1970” and
“proper authority” have the same meaning as “person subject to this
Act” and “proper authority”, respectively, in section 2 of the
Enlistment Act 1970.
[Act 10 of 2024 wef01/05/2024]

53. [Repealed by Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]

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73 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

Counterfoils, etc., to be prima facie evidence

54. In any proceedings under this Act or at the hearing of any
charge for an offence under this Act, any counterfoil or counterpart of
any permit, pass, certificate or other document issued under this Act
or the regulations and purporting to be signed by the Controller or by
an immigration officer generally or specially authorised in that behalf
by the Controller may be produced in evidence without further proof
and is prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated and is, unless
the contrary be proved, presumed to be a true statement of the
relevant contents of the permit, pass, certificate or other document to
which it relates.

Regulations
55.—(1) The Minister may make regulations not inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act for all or any of the following purposes:
(a) prescribing anything that is to be or may be prescribed
under the provisions of this Act;
(b) prescribing the forms to be used for the purposes of this
Act;
(c) prescribing —
(i) the period for which permits are valid;
(ii) the terms and conditions subject to which any person
(other than a person referred to in sub‑paragraph (v))
may be granted a permit and the authority who may
issue permits;
(iii) the terms and conditions subject to which any person
(other than a person referred to in sub‑paragraph (v))
may be granted a pass entitling him or her to enter
and remain temporarily within Singapore, the period
for which any pass may be granted, the classes of
passes and the authority who may issue passes;
(iv) the terms and conditions subject to which any person
may be granted a certificate of status entitling him or
her to enter Singapore, the period for which the

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 74
certificate may be granted and the authority who may
issue such certificates;
(v) the terms and conditions subject to which any person
who has ceased to be a citizen of Singapore may be
granted a permit or a pass entitling him or her to
enter, re‑enter or remain temporarily within
Singapore, including but not limited to the period
for which such a permit or pass may be granted, the
classes of such permits and passes and the authority
who may issue such permits or passes;
(d) providing for the payment and recovery of any expenses
incurred by the Government in connection with the
detention, maintenance, medical treatment and removal
from Singapore of any person under the provisions of this
Act;
(e) prescribing the place where, the person to whom and the
manner in which application to enter Singapore must be
made;
(ea) providing for the circumstances for granting Singapore
visas and the conditions subject to which a Singapore visa
may be granted;
(eb) providing for the manner in which personal identifiers
(within the meaning of Part 5A) are obtained and kept;
(f) prescribing the procedure to be followed by persons
entering Singapore;
(g) prescribing the procedure to be followed by authorities in
the exercise of their functions under this Act;
(ga) providing for the taking or recording of any personal
identifier of —
(i) any person who applies for or has been issued with a
permit or pass;
(ii) any person suspected or have been convicted of an
offence under section 5, 6(1), 15 or 36 or the
regulations;

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75 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(iii) any prohibited immigrant;

(iv) any person (other than a citizen of Singapore) who
transits through Singapore; or
(v) any applicant for, or holder of, a Singapore visa;
(h) governing the procedure to be followed and the fees and
costs to be paid on any appeal;
(i) providing for a deposit or security to be made or given by
or in respect of any person as a condition of, or for the grant
of, an entry permit, a re‑entry permit or a pass to him or her
and the conditions subject to which the deposit or security
may be forfeited;
(j) prescribing the fees to be charged upon the issue of any
entry permit, re‑entry permit, certificate, pass, Singapore
visa or document issued or to be issued under this Act or
the regulations and the processing of any application for
the issue of such entry permit, re‑entry permit, certificate,
pass, Singapore visa or document;
(ja) prescribing different fees for different classes of applicants
for any entry permit, re‑entry permit, certificate, pass,
Singapore visa or document issued or to be issued under
this Act or the regulations, and any application fee so
prescribed need not bear any relationship to the cost of
issuing or processing the entry permit, re‑entry permit,
certificate, pass, Singapore visa or document;
(k) prescribing the penalties of imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $3,000 or both
for the breach of the regulations;
(ka) prescribing the penalties for the late payment of any fees
prescribed under the regulations;
(l) generally for the better carrying into effect of the purposes
and provisions of this Act.
[18/2012; 6/2018]

(2) All regulations made under this section must be presented to

Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 76
(3) If a resolution is passed within the next 3 months after the
regulations are so presented disapproving the regulations or any part
thereof, the regulations or such part thereof (as the case may be) then
cease to have effect but without affecting the validity of anything
previously done thereunder.

Power to exempt from provisions of this Act

56.—(1) Despite anything in this Act, the Minister may by order
exempt any person or class of persons, either absolutely or
conditionally, from all or any of the provisions of this Act and may
in that order provide for any presumptions necessary in order to give
effect thereto.
(2) Every order made under this section which relates to a class of
persons shall be published in the Gazette.

Offences
57.—(1) Any person who —
(a) attempts unlawfully to enter Singapore in contravention of
any provision of this Act, other than section 6(1), or the
regulations;
(aa) abets any person to enter Singapore in contravention of the
provisions of this Act or the regulations;
(b) abets any person to leave Singapore in contravention of the
provisions of this Act or the regulations;
(c) engages in the business or trade of conveying to or out of
Singapore in or on any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or train any
person whom he or she knows or has reasonable grounds
for believing is a prohibited immigrant;
(d) harbours a person —
(i) whom the defendant knows has acted in
contravention of the provisions of this Act or the
regulations;

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77 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(ii) with reckless disregard as to whether he or she has

acted in contravention of the provisions of this Act or
the regulations; or
(iii) negligently failing to ascertain as to whether he or
she has acted in contravention of the provisions of
this Act or the regulations;
(e) employs any person who has acted in contravention of
section 6(1), 15 or 36 or the regulations;
(f) makes or causes to be made any false report, false
statement or false representation in connection with any
obligation imposed by the provisions of this Act or the
regulations;
(g) resists or obstructs, actively or passively, any immigration
officer in the execution of the immigration officer’s duty;
(h) without lawful excuse hinders or obstructs any removal
under the provisions of this Act;
(i) gives, sells or parts with possession of any entry or re‑entry
permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate in order that it
may be used in contravention of paragraph (j);
(j) uses any entry or re-entry permit, pass, Singapore visa or
certificate issued to any other person as if it had been
lawfully issued to himself or herself;
(k) by making a false statement obtains or attempts to obtain
an entry or a re‑entry permit, pass, Singapore visa or
certificate for himself or herself or for any other person;
(l) uses or without lawful authority has in the person’s
possession any forged, unlawfully altered or irregular
entry or re‑entry permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate
or other document issued under this Act or the regulations,
or any permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate or other
document so issued on which any endorsement has been
forged or unlawfully altered;
(m) makes or has in the person’s possession, without lawful
authority, or traffics in any electronic template, stamp, seal,

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 78
plate, paraphernalia or other instrument knowing that the
electronic template, stamp, seal, plate, paraphernalia or
instrument is or is intended to be used for forging or
unlawfully altering any endorsement made under this Act
or the regulations on any passport, entry or re‑entry permit,
pass, Singapore visa or certificate or other document issued
or to be issued under this Act or the regulations; or
(n) makes or has in the person’s possession, without lawful
authority, or traffics in any device, machine, paper,
material or other thing knowing that the device,
machine, paper, material or thing is or has been specially
designed or adapted for making a forged entry or re‑entry
permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate or other
document issued under this Act or the regulations,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(1AA) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) —
(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(a), shall be
punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding
2 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding
$4,000;
(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(aa), shall be
punished with imprisonment for a presumptive minimum
term of not less than 6 months and not more than 2 years,
and —
(i) where the offence is abetted within the meaning of
section 107(1)(b) or (c) of the Penal Code 1871 and
the offence abetted is punishable with caning, shall
also, subject to sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the
Criminal Procedure Code 2010, be punished with
caning with not less than 3 strokes; or
(ii) in any other case, shall also be liable to a fine not
exceeding $6,000;
(c) subject to subsection (1A), in the case of an offence under
subsection (1)(b) or (e), shall be punished with
imprisonment for a presumptive minimum term of not

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79 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

less than 6 months and not more than 2 years and shall also
be liable to a fine not exceeding $6,000;
(d) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(c), shall be
punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than
2 years and not more than 5 years and shall also be
punished, subject to sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the
Criminal Procedure Code 2010, with caning with not less
than 3 strokes;
(e) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(d)(i) or (ii),
shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a
presumptive minimum term of not less than 6 months and
not more than 2 years and shall also be liable to a fine not
exceeding $6,000;
(f) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(d)(iii), shall
be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to
both;
(g) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(f), (g), (h),
(i), (j), (k) or (l), shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or to both; and
(h) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(m) or (n),
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $8,000
or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to
both.
[15/2010; 18/2012; 15/2019; S 22/89; S 227/95]

(1A) Where, in the case of any offence under subsection (1)(e), it is

proved to the satisfaction of the court that the defendant has at the
same time employed more than 5 immigration offenders, the
defendant shall be punished, subject to sections 325(1) and 330(1)
of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, with caning in addition to the
punishment prescribed for that offence.
[15/2010]

(1B) Where, by virtue of sections 325(1) and 330(1) of the Criminal

Procedure Code 2010, the defendant referred to in subsection (1A) is

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 80
not punishable with caning, he shall, in lieu of caning, be punished
with a fine not exceeding $10,000.
[15/2010]

(2) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under

subsection (1)(e) and that offence is proved to have been
committed with the authority, consent or connivance of any
director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body
corporate or any person who was purporting to act in any such
capacity, he or she, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of
that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly.
(2A) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under this Act
for which a period of mandatory imprisonment or mandatory caning
is prescribed, the body corporate shall, in lieu of imprisonment or
caning, be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $100,000 and
not more than $200,000.
(3) Any person unlawfully entering or re‑entering or attempting
unlawfully to enter or re‑enter Singapore or unlawfully remaining in
Singapore shall, whether or not any proceedings are taken against
him or her in respect of that offence, be liable to be removed from
Singapore by order of the Controller.
(4) Where the master of any vessel is charged with an offence under
this Act, the clearance of the vessel may be refused until the charge
has been heard and the fine (if any) imposed has been paid.
(5) Where, in any proceedings under this Act or the regulations, it is
proved that the defendant has failed to produce on demand by an
immigration officer or a police officer —
(a) any valid permit, pass or certificate issued to him or her
under this Act or the regulations;
(b) any other document accepted by the Controller as evidence
that the defendant has entered or remained in Singapore
lawfully; or
(c) any other evidence showing to the satisfaction of the
Controller that the defendant is exempted from
section 6(1),

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81 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

it is presumed, until the contrary is proved, that he or she has (as the
case may be) entered or re‑entered or remained in Singapore
unlawfully.
(6) Where, in any proceedings for an offence under
subsection (1)(c), it is proved that the defendant has conveyed any
prohibited immigrant in any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or train, it is
presumed, until the contrary is proved, that he or she is engaged in the
business or trade of conveying to Singapore in or on that vehicle,
vessel, aircraft or train that prohibited immigrant knowing him or her
to be, or having reasonable grounds for believing him or her to be, a
prohibited immigrant.
(7) Where, in any proceedings for an offence under
subsection (1)(d)(ii) or (iii), it is proved that the defendant has
given shelter to an immigration offender, it is presumed, until the
contrary is proved, that the defendant has harboured him or her with
reckless disregard as to whether he or she is an immigration offender
or negligently failing to ascertain as to whether he or she is an
immigration offender, as the case may be.
(7A) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1)(d)(ii)
or (iii), it is not a defence for the defendant to prove that the
immigration offender harboured was in possession of a permit or pass
issued to the immigration offender under this Act or the regulations
unless the defendant further proves that he or she had exercised due
diligence to ascertain that the permit or pass was at the material time
valid under this Act or the regulations.
(7B) Where a defendant who is charged with an offence under
subsection (1)(d)(ii) has rebutted the presumption that the defendant
has harboured an immigration offender with reckless disregard as to
whether he or she is such a person under subsection (7), the defendant
shall be liable to be charged with an offence under
subsection (1)(d)(iii).
(7C) For the purpose of subsection (7A) —
(a) a defendant who is charged with an offence under
subsection (1)(d)(ii) is not to be deemed to have
exercised due diligence unless the defendant has carried
out any 2 of the acts specified in subsection (7D); and

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 82
(b) a defendant who is charged with an offence under
subsection (1)(d)(iii) is not to be deemed to have
exercised due diligence unless the defendant has carried
out all the acts specified in subsection (7D).
(7D) The acts referred to in subsection (7C), to be carried out by the
defendant in relation to the immigration offender harboured, are —
(a) inspecting the permit or pass issued to the immigration
offender under this Act or the regulations;
(b) checking the permit or pass to ascertain that the particulars
on the passport of the immigration offender materially
correspond with the particulars set out in the permit or
pass;
(c) checking with —
(i) the Controller of Immigration or the Controller of
Work Passes (as the case may be) that the permit or
pass was valid at the material time; or
(ii) the employer to verify that the immigration offender
is employed by the employer and that the particulars
of the immigration offender correspond with the
records of the employer, where the name of the
employer of the immigration offender is specified in
the permit or pass.
(8) Where an immigration offender is found at any premises or
place, other than premises used solely for residential purposes, the
occupier of the premises or place is presumed, until the contrary is
proved, to have employed him or her knowing that he or she is an
immigration offender.
(9) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1)(e), it is
not a defence for the defendant to prove that the person employed by
the defendant was in possession of a permit or pass issued to the
person under this Act or the regulations unless the defendant further
proves that the defendant had exercised due diligence to ascertain that
the permit or pass was at the material time valid under this Act or the
regulations.

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83 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(10) For the purpose of subsection (9), a defendant who is charged

with an offence under subsection (1)(e) is not to be deemed to have
exercise due diligence unless the defendant —
(a) has inspected the permit or pass issued to the person
employed by the defendant;
(b) has checked the permit or pass to ascertain that the
particulars on the passport of the person employed by the
defendant materially correspond with the particulars set
out in the permit or pass; and
(c) where the person employed by the defendant is a holder of
a visit pass, has reasonable grounds for believing that the
person had, at the material time, in force a work pass issued
under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 or
had obtained the written consent of the Controller of
Immigration.
(11) A person, being the owner, tenant or occupier of any premises
or place referred to in subsection (8), must not knowingly permit or
suffer such premises or place or any part thereof to be kept or used as
a place or premises in which any person is employed in contravention
of subsection (1)(e).
(12) Any person who contravenes subsection (11) shall be guilty of
an offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for
a term of not less than 6 months and not more than 2 years and shall
also be liable to a fine not exceeding $6,000.
(12A) Where, in any proceedings for an offence under
subsection (1)(m) of possession without lawful authority of any
electronic template, stamp, seal, plate, paraphernalia or instrument, it
is proved —
(a) that the electronic template, stamp, seal, plate,
paraphernalia or instrument was in the custody or under
the control of the defendant when it was used for forging or
unlawfully altering an endorsement mentioned in that
subsection; or
(b) that the defendant had in the defendant’s possession the
electronic template, stamp, seal, plate, paraphernalia or

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 84
instrument which had been specially designed or adapted
for forging or unlawfully altering an endorsement
mentioned in that subsection,
it is presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the defendant knew
that the electronic template, stamp, seal, plate, paraphernalia or
instrument (as the case may be) was or would be used to forge or
unlawfully alter an endorsement mentioned in that subsection.
[18/2012]

(12B) Where, in any proceedings for an offence under

subsection (1)(n) of possession without lawful authority of any
device, machine, paper, material or thing, it is proved —
(a) that the device, machine, paper, material or thing was in the
custody or under the control of the defendant when it was
used to make the forged entry or re‑entry permit, pass,
Singapore visa or certificate or other document issued
under this Act or the regulations; or
(b) that the defendant had in the defendant’s possession the
device, machine, paper, material or thing which had been
specially designed or adapted for making a forged entry or
re‑entry permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate or other
document issued under this Act or the regulations,
it is presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the defendant knew
that the device, machine, paper, material or thing (as the case may be)
was or had been specially designed or adapted for making a forged
entry or re‑entry permit, pass, Singapore visa or certificate or other
document issued under this Act or the regulations.
[18/2012]

(12C) In subsection (1)(m) and (n), “traffic”, in relation to any

thing, means —
(a) to sell, deliver or distribute that thing; or
(b) to offer to do or to cause to be done any act mentioned in
paragraph (a) in relation to that thing.
[18/2012]

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85 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(13) In this section and sections 57A and 57B, “immigration

offender” means a person who has acted in contravention of
section 6(1), 15 or 36 or the regulations.
(14) A reference to a permit or pass in subsections (7D) and (10) in
relation to a person is to be read as a reference to the original copy of
the permit or pass issued to that person under this Act or the
regulations.

Prohibition of immigration offender entering or remaining at

work place
57A.—(1) An occupier of a work place who has control of access to
the work place must not permit any immigration offender to enter or
remain at the work place.
(2) Where an immigration offender is found at a work place, it is
presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the occupier of the work
place —
(a) had control of access to the work place;
(b) had permitted the immigration offender to enter or remain
at the work place; and
(c) had knowledge that he or she is an immigration offender.
(3) The presumptions provided for in subsection (2)(b) and (c) are
not rebutted unless the defendant proves that the defendant had
exercised due diligence to prevent the immigration offender from
entering or remaining at the work place.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), a defendant is not presumed
to have exercised due diligence unless the defendant had taken all
reasonable measures to prevent any immigration offender from
entering or remaining at the work place, including all the measures
prescribed under subsection (5) in respect of the work place.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), the Minister may, by
notification in the Gazette, prescribe the measures that are required to
be taken by the occupier of the work place.
(6) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an
offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 86
$15,000 and not more than $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or to both for each immigration offender found
at the work place and, in the case of a second or subsequent
conviction, to a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than
$60,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to
both for each immigration offender found at the work place.
(7) In this section —
“construction works” means the construction, extension,
installation, carrying out, repair, maintenance, renewal,
removal, alteration, dismantling or demolition of —
(a) any building, erection, edifice, structure, wall, fence
or chimney, whether constructed wholly or partly
above or below ground level;
(b) any road, motorway, harbour works, railway,
cableway, canal or aerodrome;
(c) any drainage, irrigation or river control work;
(d) any electrical, water, gas or telecommunication
works;
(e) any bridge, viaduct, dam, reservoir, earthworks,
pipeline, sewer, aqueduct, culvert, drive, shaft,
tunnel or reclamation,
and includes any works which form an integral part of, or are
preparatory to, the works described in paragraphs (a) to (e),
including site clearance, earth‑moving, excavation, laying of
foundation, site restoration and landscaping, and such other
works or activities as the Minister may, by notification in the
Gazette, specify to be construction works;
“occupier”, in relation to a work place, means the principal
contractor who undertakes any construction works at the
work place and includes such other person as the Minister
may, by notification in the Gazette, specify to be the occupier
of the work place;
“principal contractor” means a person who has entered into a
contract with an owner, a developer or a lessee of a property

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87 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

or an agent of one of those persons for the purpose of carrying

out any construction works on the property;
“work place” means any place or premises where any
construction works are being carried out and includes —
(a) all the land within the vicinity of the work place
which are owned by the person for whom the
construction works are being carried out and to
which the principal contractor has control of access;
(b) any canteen, sleeping quarters, office and other
structures or buildings erected on the work place; and
(c) such other place or premises as the Minister may, by
notification in the Gazette, specify to be a work place.

Assisting, encouraging or inducing giving of shelter to

immigration offenders
57B.—(1) Any person who, for or in expectation of any fee, gain or
reward, assists, encourages or induces any other person to give shelter
to any immigration offender shall, if the second-mentioned person
gives shelter to the immigration offender in consequence of such
assistance, encouragement or inducement, be guilty of an offence and
shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a presumptive
minimum term of not less than 6 months and not more than 2 years
and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $6,000.
[15/2019]

(2) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it is not

a defence for the defendant to prove that the immigration offender
was in possession of a permit or pass issued to the immigration
offender under this Act or the regulations unless the defendant further
proves that he or she had exercised due diligence to ascertain that the
permit or pass was at the material time valid under this Act or the
regulations.
(3) For the purpose of subsection (2), a defendant who is charged
with an offence under subsection (1) is not to be deemed to have
exercised due diligence unless the defendant —

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 88
(a) has inspected the permit or pass issued to the person
harboured;
(b) has checked the permit or pass to ascertain that the
particulars on the passport of the person harboured
materially correspond with the particulars set out in the
permit or pass; and
(c) has checked with —
(i) the Controller of Immigration or the Controller of
Work Passes (as the case may be) that the permit or
pass was valid at the material time; or
(ii) the employer to verify that the person is employed by
the employer and that the person’s particulars
correspond with the employer’s records, where the
name of the employer of the person harboured is
specified in the permit or pass.
(4) No prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) or for an
attempt to commit that offence is to be instituted unless the person
whom the defendant is alleged to have assisted, encouraged or
induced in fact gave shelter to the immigration offender in
consequence of such assistance, encouragement or inducement.
(5) A reference to a permit or pass in subsection (3) in relation to a
person is to be read as a reference to the original copy of the permit or
pass issued to that person under this Act or the regulations.

Marriage of convenience
57C.—(1) Any person who contracts or otherwise enters into a
marriage —
(a) knowing or having reason to believe that the purpose of the
marriage is to assist one of the parties to the marriage to
obtain an immigration advantage; and
(b) where any gratification, whether from a party to the
marriage or another person, is offered, given or received as
an inducement or reward to any party to the marriage for
entering into the marriage,

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89 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine

not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
10 years or to both.
[18/2012]

(2) Any person who arranges or otherwise assists in arranging a

marriage between 2 other persons, with the intention of assisting one
of the parties to the marriage to obtain an immigration advantage,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
10 years or to both.
[18/2012]

(3) This section applies to a marriage entered into whether in

Singapore or outside Singapore.
[18/2012]

(4) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) or (2), it

is a defence for the person charged with the offence to prove that,
although one purpose of the marriage was to assist a party to the
marriage to obtain an immigration advantage, the defendant believed
on reasonable grounds, when contracting or entering into the
marriage, that the marriage would result in a genuine marital
relationship.
[18/2012; 7/2016]

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), what constitutes a genuine

marital relationship is a question of fact and the court is to have regard
to all the circumstances of the case in determining the question.
[18/2012]

(6) In this section —

“gratification” includes —
(a) money or any gift, loan, fee, reward, commission,
valuable security or other property or interest in
property of any description, whether movable or
immovable;
(b) any office, employment or contract;
(c) any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any
loan, obligation or other liability, whether in whole or
in part; and

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 90
(d) any other service, favour or advantage of any
description;
“immigration advantage”, in relation to a party to a marriage,
means the grant or extension of the validity of any visa, pass,
permit or re‑entry permit under this Act or the regulations or
any order made under this Act for that party or for a child or
parent of that party.
[18/2012]

Wearing and possession of uniforms, etc., by others

57D.—(1) A person who, when the person is not an immigration
officer —
(a) wears or possesses any immigration officer uniform, or
uses any immigration officer insignia —
(i) for the purpose of personating or representing
himself or herself as an immigration officer; or
(ii) knowing that it is likely to cause any member of the
public to believe that he or she is an immigration
officer;
(b) uses the designation or a rank of an immigration officer, in
connection with any business, occupation or
employment —
(i) for the purpose of personating or representing
himself or herself as an immigration officer; or
(ii) knowing that it is likely to cause any member of the
public to believe that he or she is an immigration
officer;
(c) represents himself or herself, by word or conduct, to be an
immigration officer for the purpose of personating or
representing himself or herself as an immigration officer;
or
(d) wears or possesses any immigration officer uniform, or
uses any immigration officer insignia, in connection with

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91 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

any business, occupation or employment, for the purpose

of falsely claiming, suggesting or implying —
(i) that the person receives or is to receive, a fee,
commission or other reward for providing
professional or other services in relation to a
matter being dealt with or to be dealt with by the
Controller;
(ii) that the Controller has agreed to acquire any goods or
services provided by or on behalf of the person, or
that those goods or services had previously been used
or acquired by the Controller; or
(iii) that the person has the sponsorship or approval of the
Controller for any goods or services provided by or
on behalf of the person,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
6 months or to both.
[53/2018]

(2) An immigration officer who wears any immigration officer

uniform or uses any immigration officer insignia otherwise than —
(a) in the course of, and for the purpose of, exercising the
functions of an immigration officer; or
(b) for such other purpose authorised in writing by the
Controller,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
6 months or to both.
[53/2018]

(3) It is a defence to any prosecution for an offence under

subsection (1)(a) or (2) if the accused proves, on a balance of
probabilities, that —
(a) the accused had the express permission of the Controller to
wear or possess the immigration officer uniform or use the
immigration officer insignia, as the case may be; or

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 92
(b) the accused wore or possessed the immigration officer
uniform or used the immigration officer insignia (as the
case may be) for the purposes of a public entertainment
provided in compliance with the Public Entertainments
Act 1958.
[53/2018]

(4) A person (whether or not an immigration officer) who —

(a) manufactures any immigration officer uniform or
immigration officer insignia otherwise than under an
agreement with the Government;
(b) sells any immigration officer uniform or immigration
officer insignia to a person who is neither an immigration
officer nor otherwise authorised or permitted under
subsection (3) to wear or possess the immigration officer
uniform or use the immigration officer insignia; or
(c) gives or provides, whether or not for a consideration, any
immigration officer uniform or immigration officer
insignia to a person who is neither an immigration
officer nor otherwise authorised or permitted under
subsection (3) to wear or possess the immigration officer
uniform or use the immigration officer insignia,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
3 years or to both.
[53/2018]

(5) It is a defence to any prosecution for an offence under

subsection (4) if the accused proves, on a balance of probabilities,
that —
(a) the accused had reasonable grounds to believe and did
make reasonable inquiries to ascertain that the person to
whom the immigration officer uniform or immigration
officer insignia was sold, given or provided was —
(i) an immigration officer; or
(ii) a person otherwise authorised or permitted under
subsection (3) to wear or possess the immigration

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93 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

officer uniform or use the immigration officer

insignia; or
(b) the accused had received from the person to whom the
immigration officer uniform or immigration officer
insignia was sold, given or provided, evidence
purporting to show that —
(i) that person was an immigration officer or was
otherwise authorised or permitted under
subsection (3) to wear or possess the immigration
officer uniform or use the immigration officer
insignia; and
(ii) it was reasonable to and the accused did accept that
evidence as correct.
[53/2018]

(6) An offence under subsection (1), (2) or (4) is an arrestable

offence.
[53/2018]

(7) In this section —

“immigration officer insignia” means —
(a) any item (being any insignia, emblem, logo, symbol,
representation, device, badge of rank or other thing)
that is generally recognised as being used by an
immigration officer;
(b) any part of any such item;
(c) any reasonable imitation of any such item, or part of
such item; or
(d) any insignia, emblem, logo, symbol, representation,
device, badge of rank or other thing prescribed as
being within this definition;
“immigration officer uniform” means the uniform of an
immigration officer, and includes —
(a) any part of such a uniform or any accoutrement of an
immigration officer that is generally recognised as a

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 94
part of the uniform or accoutrement of an
immigration officer; or
(b) any reasonable imitation of such a uniform or
accoutrement, or part of a uniform or accoutrement;
“sell” includes —
(a) exchange or let on hire;
(b) offer, expose, possess, send, forward or deliver for
sale, exchange or hire; or
(c) cause, suffer or allow any sale, exchange or hire;
“use”, in relation to immigration officer insignia, includes —
(a) driving on a public road a vehicle that has on it any
immigration officer insignia; and
(b) using a reproduction or representation of
immigration officer insignia,
but does not include wearing an immigration officer uniform.
[53/2018]

General penalty
58. Any person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no
special penalty is provided shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
6 months or to both.

Composition of offences
59. The Controller or any immigration officer authorised by name
or by office in that behalf by the Minister by notification in the
Gazette may compound such offence under this Act or the regulations
as may be prescribed as being an offence that may be compounded by
collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed
the offence a sum not exceeding $500.

Jurisdiction of Courts
60.—(1) All offences under this Act or the regulations shall be
cognizable by a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court.

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95 Immigration Act 1959 2020 Ed.

(2) Any District Court or Magistrate’s Court may, despite anything

in the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, impose the full punishment
prescribed for any offence except that a Magistrate’s Court shall not
impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding 12 months.

Disposal of fees, rates, fines and forfeitures

61. All fees levied, all rates and fines imposed and recovered, all
moneys forfeited and all costs and charges recovered under this Act
must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
[18/2012]

Amendment of Schedule
61A. The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, amend
the Schedule, except that any other personal identifier so
prescribed in the order must —
(a) be an image of, or a measurement or recording of, an
external part of the human body or a person’s voice; and
(b) not be an identifier the obtaining of which would involve
the taking of an invasive sample within the meaning given
by section 8 of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949.
[Act 26 of 2022 wef 12/06/2023]

Saving
62.—(1) Any person in Singapore whose presence is unlawful
under the provisions of any previous written law for the time being in
force in Singapore or any regulations or orders made thereunder is
deemed to be unlawfully in Singapore for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Any authority to enter Singapore granted under the provisions
of any law in force immediately before 16 April 1963 and valid on
that date is deemed to be a valid permit issued under the provisions of
this Act but subject to any limitations imposed by that law.

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2020 Ed. Immigration Act 1959 96
THE SCHEDULE
Sections 2(1) and 61A

PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS
1. A person’s fingerprint or handprint (taken using paper and ink, digital
scanning technologies or otherwise).
2. A photograph or other image of a person’s face and shoulders.
3. A person’s signature.
4. An image of a person’s iris (taken using iris scanning technologies).
[S 703/2016]

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 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
IMMIGRATION ACT 1959
This Legislative History is a service provided by the Law Revision Commission
on a best-efforts basis. It is not part of the Act.

PICTORIAL OVERVIEW OF PREDECESSOR ACTS

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY DETAILS

PART 1
ALIENS ORDINANCE
(CHAPTER 90, 1936 REVISED EDITION)
1. Ordinance 18 of 1932 — Aliens Ordinance, 1932
Bill : G.N. No. 1311/1932
First Reading : 8 August 1932
Second Reading : 19 October 1932
Notice of Amendments : 19 October 1932
Third Reading : 5 December 1932
Commencement : 1 January 1933
2. Ordinance 5 of 1934 — Aliens (Amendment) Ordinance, 1934
Bill : G.N. No. 2212/1933
First Reading : 4 December 1933
Second Reading : 12 February 1934
Notice of Amendments : 12 February 1934
Third Reading : 12 February 1934
Commencement : 23 February 1934

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 ii
3. Ordinance 26 of 1935 — The Aliens (Amendment) Ordinance, 1935
Bill : G.N. No. 1070/1935
First Reading : 17 June 1935
Second and Third Readings : 26 August 1935
Commencement : 6 September 1935
4. 1936 Revised Edition — Aliens Ordinance (Chapter 90)
Operation : 1 September 1936
5. Ordinance 3 of 1938 — Aliens (Amendment) Ordinance, 1938
Bill : G.N. No. 3591/1937
First Reading : 15 December 1937
Second and Third Readings : 14 February 1938
Commencement : 7 March 1938
6. Ordinance 32 of 1939 — Aliens (Amendment) Ordinance, 1939
Bill : G.N. No. 1618/1939
First Reading : 12 June 1939
Second Reading : 28 August 1939
Notice of Amendments : 28 August 1939
Third Reading : 28 August 1939
Commencement : 16 September 1939

PART 2
PASSENGERS RESTRICTION ORDINANCE
(CHAPTER 93, 1936 REVISED EDITION)
7. Ordinance IX of 1906 — The Exclusion Ordinance 1906
Bill : G.N. No. 1542/1905
First Reading : 22 December 1905
Second Reading : 19 January 1906
Notice of Amendments : 2 March 1906
Third Reading : 16 March 1906
Commencement : 16 March 1906

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 iii
Note: This Ordinance was read and construed as one with the Indian
Act XLI of 1850.

8. Ordinance 14 of 1919 — Passengers Restriction Ordinance, 1919

Bill : G.N. No. 223/1919
First Reading : 17 February 1919
Second Reading : 10 March 1919
Notice of Amendments : 31 March 1919
Third Reading : 31 March 1919
Commencement : 4 April 1919
Note: This Ordinance repealed the Indian Act XLI of 1850, the Exclusion
Ordinance 1906 (Ordinance IX of 1906) and sections 3, 4 and 13 of
the Registration of Aliens Ordinance 1917 (Ordinance 2 of 1917).

9. 1920 Revised Edition — Ordinance No. 169 (Passengers Restriction)

Operation : 28 November 1921
10. 1926 Revised Edition — Ordinance No. 169 (Passengers Restriction)
Operation : 1 August 1926
11. Ordinance 1 of 1930 — Passengers Restriction (Amendment) Ordinance,
1930
Bill : G.N. No. 2337/1929
First Reading : 9 December 1929
Second Reading : 27 January 1930
Third Reading : 24 March 1930
Commencement : 15 April 1930
12. Ordinance 1 of 1932 — Passengers Restriction (Amendment) Ordinance,
1932
Bill : G.N. No. 2258/1931
First Reading : 7 December 1931
Second and Third Readings : 26 January 1932
Commencement : 17 February 1932

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 iv
13. Ordinance 13 of 1934 — The Passengers Restriction (Amendment)
Ordinance, 1934
Bill : G.N. No. 245/1934
First Reading : 12 February 1934
Second and Third Readings : 16 April 1934
Commencement : 12 May 1934
14. 1936 Revised Edition — Passengers Restriction Ordinance (Chapter 93)
Operation : 1 September 1936
15. Ordinance 18 of 1937 — Passengers Restriction (Amendment)
Ordinance, 1937
Bill : G.N. No. 2066/1937
First and Second Readings : 30 August 1937
Notice of Amendments : 30 August 1937
Third Reading : 30 August 1937
Commencement : 4 September 1937

PART 3
IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE
(CHAPTER 102, 1955 REVISED EDITION)
16. Ordinance 5 of 1952 — Immigration Ordinance, 1952
Bill : G.N. No. S 113/1951
First Reading : 24 April 1951
Select Committee Report : Council Paper No. 114 of 1951
Second Reading : 20 February 1952
Notice of Amendments : 20 February 1952
Third Reading : 20 February 1952
Commencement : 1 August 1953
17. 1955 Revised Edition — Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 102)
Operation : 1 July 1956

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 v
18. Ordinance 31 of 1958 — Legislative Assembly (Presentation of
Subsidiary Legislation) Ordinance, 1958
(Amendments made by section 2 read with the Schedule to the above
Ordinance)
Bill : 158/1958
First Reading : 16 July 1958
Second Reading : 13 August 1958
Notice of Amendments : 10 September 1958
Third Reading : 10 September 1958
Commencement : 25 September 1958 (section 2 read
with the Schedule)
19. Ordinance 22 of 1959 — Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance, 1959
Bill : 202/1959
First Reading : 11 February 1959
Second and Third Readings : 3 March 1959
Commencement : 1 May 1959
20. G.N. No. S 223/1959 — Singapore Constitution (Modification of Laws)
Order, 1959
Commencement : 3 June 1959
21. Ordinance 62 of 1959 — State Advocate‑General (Transfer of Powers)
Ordinance, 1959
(Amendments made by section 5 read with the Schedule to the above
Ordinance)
Bill : 22/1959
First Reading : 13 August 1959
Second and Third Readings : 2 September 1959
Commencement : 11 September 1959 (section 5 read
with the Schedule)
22. G.N. No. S (N.S.) 179/1959 — Singapore Constitution (Modification of
Laws) (No. 5) Order, 1959
Commencement : 20 November 1959
23. Ordinance 73 of 1960 — Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance, 1960
Bill : 113/1960

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 vi
First Reading : 29 November 1960
Second and Third Readings : 29 December 1960
Commencement : 1 April 1961

PART 4
IMMIGRATION ACT 1959
(2020 REVISED EDITION)
24. M. Ordinance 12 of 1959 — Immigration Ordinance, 1959
Commencement : 1 May 1959
Application : 16 September 1963
Note: This Ordinance was extended to Singapore with amendments by the
Immigration Act, 1963 (M. Act 27 of 1963) on 16 September 1963.

25. M. Act 27 of 1963 — Immigration Act, 1963

Commencement : 16 September 1963
Note: This Act repealed the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 102,
1955 Revised Edition) and extended the Federation of Malaya
Immigration Ordinance, 1959 (Ordinance 12 of 1959) with
amendments to Singapore.

26. Act 1 of 1966 — Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1966

Bill : 70/1966
First Reading : 31 December 1965
Second and Third Readings : 23 February 1966
Commencement : 4 March 1966
27. G.N. No. S 145/1966 — Modification of Laws (Immigration) Order, 1966
Commencement : 22 July 1966
28. 1966 Reprint — Immigration Ordinance, 1959
Reprint : 27 July 1966
29. Act 12 of 1970 — Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1970
Bill : 26/1969
First Reading : 22 December 1969
Second and Third Readings : 27 January 1970
Commencement : 19 June 1970

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 vii
30. 1970 Revised Edition — Immigration Act (Chapter 81)
Operation : 1 April 1971
31. Act 21 of 1973 — Statutes of the Republic of Singapore (Miscellaneous
Amendments) Act, 1973
(Amendments made by section 2 read with the Schedule to the above Act)
Bill : 16/1973
First Reading : 7 March 1973
Second and Third Readings : 20 March 1973
Commencement : 6 April 1973 (section 2 read with the
Schedule)
32. Act 60 of 1973 — Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1973
Bill : 52/1973
First Reading : 28 August 1973
Second Reading : 30 November 1973
Notice of Amendments : 30 November 1973
Third Reading : 30 November 1973
Commencement : 1 March 1974
33. G.N. No. S 353/1975 — Metrication (Immigration Act) Order, 1975
Commencement : 1 January 1976
34. G.N. No. S 68/1976 — The Metrication (Immigration Act) Order, 1975
Commencement : 1 January 1976
35. Act 13 of 1977 — Immigration (Amendment) Act, 1977
Bill : 15/1977
First Reading : 2 September 1977
Second and Third Readings : 9 November 1977
Commencement : 16 December 1977
36. Act 35 of 1984 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 1984
Bill : 30/1984
First Reading : 19 October 1984
Second and Third Readings : 20 November 1984
Commencement : 7 December 1984

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 viii
37. 1985 Revised Edition — Immigration Act (Chapter 133)
Operation : 30 March 1987
38. G.N. No. S 22/1989 — Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification)
Order 1989
Operation : 30 March 1987
39. Act 6 of 1989 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 1989
Bill : 8/1989
First Reading : 16 January 1989
Second and Third Readings : 26 January 1989
Commencement : 31 March 1989
40. Act 34 of 1989 — Immigration (Amendment No. 2) Act 1989
Bill : 36/1989
First Reading : 4 August 1989
Second and Third Readings : 31 August 1989
Commencement : 13 October 1989
41. Act 38 of 1993 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 1993
Bill : 32/1993
First Reading : 12 October 1993
Second and Third Readings : 10 November 1993
Commencement : 22 April 1994
42. 1995 Revised Edition — Immigration Act (Chapter 133)
Operation : 15 March 1995
43. G.N. No. S 227/1995 — Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification)
Order 1995
Operation : 15 March 1995
44. Act 41 of 1995 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 1995
Bill : 33/1995
First Reading : 27 September 1995
Second and Third Readings : 1 November 1995
Commencement : 1 March 1996

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 ix
45. 1997 Revised Edition — Immigration Act (Chapter 133)
Operation : 20 December 1997
46. Act 34 of 1998 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 1998
Bill : 35/1998
First Reading : 31 July 1998
Second Reading : 4 September 1998
Notice of Amendments : 4 September 1998
Third Reading : 4 September 1998
Commencement : 5 October 1998
47. Act 4 of 2003 — Customs (Amendment) Act 2003
(Amendments made by section 26 read with item (12) of the Schedule to the
above Act)
Bill : 6/2003
First Reading : 10 March 2003
Second and Third Readings : 21 March 2003
Commencement : 1 April 2003 (section 26 read with
item (12) of the Schedule)
48. Act 53 of 2004 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 2004
Bill : 51/2004
First Reading : 19 October 2004
Second and Third Readings : 16 November 2004
Commencement : 15 January 2005
49. Act 42 of 2005 — Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2005
(Amendments made by section 6 read with item (7) of the Fourth Schedule to
the above Act)
Bill : 30/2005
First Reading : 17 October 2005
Second and Third Readings : 21 November 2005
Commencement : 1 January 2006 (section 6 read with
item (7) of the Fourth Schedule)

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 x
50. Act 2 of 2007 — Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2007
(Amendments made by section 10 of the above Act)
Bill : 14/2006
First Reading : 8 November 2006
Second and Third Readings : 22 January 2007
Commencement : 1 March 2007 (section 10)
51. Act 30 of 2007 — Employment of Foreign Workers (Amendment)
Act 2007
(Amendments made by section 28 read with item (3) of the Schedule to the
above Act)
Bill : 17/2007
First Reading : 9 April 2007
Second and Third Readings : 22 May 2007
Commencement : 1 July 2007 (section 28 read with
item (3) of the Schedule)
52. Act 33 of 2007 — Passports Act 2007
(Amendments made by section 62 read with the Second Schedule to the above
Act)
Bill : 21/2007
First Reading : 21 May 2007
Second and Third Readings : 16 July 2007
Commencement : 1 December 2007 (section 62 read
with the Second Schedule)
53. 2008 Revised Edition — Immigration Act (Chapter 133)
Operation : 1 January 2008
54. Act 5 of 2010 — Moneylenders (Amendment) Act 2010
(Amendments made by section 13 of the above Act)
Bill : 23/2009
First Reading : 23 November 2009
Second and Third Readings : 12 January 2010
Commencement : 11 February 2010 (section 13)

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 xi
55. Act 15 of 2010 — Criminal Procedure Code 2010
(Amendments made by section 430 read with item 47 of the Sixth Schedule to
the above Act)
Bill : 11/2010
First Reading : 26 April 2010
Second Reading : 18 May 2010
Commencement : 2 January 2011 (section 430 read with
item 47 of the Sixth Schedule)
56. Act 18 of 2012 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 2012
Bill : 16/2012
First Reading : 9 July 2012
Second and Third Readings : 13 August 2012
Commencement : 19 December 2012
57. Act 16 of 2016 — Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2016
(Amendments made by section 10 of the above Act)
Bill : 15/2016
First Reading : 14 April 2016
Second and Third Readings : 9 May 2016
Commencement : 10 June 2016 (section 10)
58. Act 7 of 2016 — Women's Charter (Amendment) Act 2016
(Amendments made by section 47 of the above Act)
Bill : 6/2016
First Reading : 26 January 2016
Second and Third Readings : 29 February 2016
Commencement : 1 October 2016 (section 47)
59. G.N. No. S 703/2016 — Immigration Act (Amendment of Schedule)
Order 2016
Commencement : 1 January 2017
60. Act 6 of 2018 — Immigration (Amendment) Act 2018
Bill : 46/2017
First Reading : 6 November 2017
Second and Third Readings : 8 January 2018

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 xii
Commencement : 1 April 2018
61. Act 53 of 2018 — Civil Defence and Other Matters Act 2018
(Amendments made by Part 2 of the above Act)
Bill : 44/2018
First Reading : 1 October 2018
Second and Third Readings : 20 November 2018
Commencement : 1 February 2019 (section 25)
13 May 2019 (section 26)
62. Act 15 of 2019 — Criminal Law Reform Act 2019
(Amendments made by section 176 of the above Act)
Bill : 6/2019
First Reading : 11 February 2019
Second Reading : 6 May 2019
Notice of Amendments : 6 May 2019
Third Reading : 6 May 2019
Commencement : 1 January 2020 (section 176)
63. 2020 Revised Edition — Immigration Act 1959
Operation : 31 December 2021
64. Act 26 of 2022 — Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2022
(Amendments made by the above Act)
Bill : 19/2022
First Reading : 1 August 2022
Second and Third Readings : 12 September 2022
Commencement : 12 June 2023
65. Act 13 of 2024 — Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Act 2024
(Amendments made by the above Act)
Bill : 7/2024
First Reading : 5 February 2024
Second and Third Readings : 7 March 2024
Commencement : 9 April 2024
66. Act 10 of 2024 — Enlistment and Other Matters (Amendment) Act 2024
Bill : 1/2024

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 1/5/2024

 xiii
First Reading : 1 January 2024
Second and Third Readings : 16 February 2024
Commencement : 1 May 2024
Abbreviations
. (updated on 29 August 2022)
G.N. Gazette Notification
G.N. Sp. Gazette Notification (Special Supplement)
L.A. Legislative Assembly
L.N. Legal Notification (Federal/Malaysian)
M. Malaya/Malaysia (including Federated Malay States,
Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya and Federation of
Malaysia)
Parl. Parliament
S Subsidiary Legislation
S.I. Statutory Instrument (United Kingdom)
S (N.S.) Subsidiary Legislation (New Series)
S.S.G.G. Straits Settlements Government Gazette
S.S.G.G. (E) Straits Settlements Government Gazette (Extraordinary)

Informal Consolidation – version in force from 1/5/2024