Singapore barred entry to 33,100 foreigners in 2024 due to immigration or security risks, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced on Friday. This marked an increase of 4,500 from the 28,600 foreigners denied entry in 2023.
According to ICA, which processed over 230 million travellers at checkpoints last year—38 million more than the previous year—those turned away were deemed likely to overstay, work illegally, or engage in criminal activity.
The surge in visitors was primarily driven by increased movement through Singapore’s land checkpoints, which accounted for over 75% of all arrivals. For instance, on December 20, 2024, more than 562,000 land crossings were recorded at the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints, linking Singapore to Peninsular Malaysia.
ICA credited its New Clearance Concept (NCC) at Changi Airport, which features automated lanes and passport-free clearance, with enhancing security. These systems, which are gradually being introduced at all sea checkpoints, utilize facial and iris biometrics to identify high-risk travellers before they arrive. ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre analyzes this data, flagging individuals for stricter immigration checks.
The automated lanes at checkpoints also feature fraud detection capabilities, helping ICA officers identify travellers using fake passports or false identities. Those with past criminal records who attempt to re-enter under different names are also recognized through biometric data.
In a parliamentary session in September 2024, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling acknowledged that no visa system is foolproof in preventing unwanted visitors. She highlighted ICA’s use of technology and advanced passenger information, such as flight manifests and arrival cards, to assess travellers.
Meanwhile, ICA reported a decline in immigration-related offences in 2024. The number of arrested immigration offenders dropped to 536 from 587 in 2023, while overstayer arrests fell to 475 from 542. However, arrests of illegal immigrants increased from 45 in 2023 to 61 in 2024, with 25 apprehended by the Police Coast Guard before entering Singapore.
Additionally, more individuals were caught harboring or employing immigration offenders, with cases rising to 389 in 2024 from 327 the previous year.
A notable trend was the sharp rise in arrests for marriage-of-convenience offences, which jumped from eight cases in 2023 to 41 in 2024 due to intensified enforcement. Those convicted face up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SGD10,000, or both.
