Visa-Free Visitors Arrested or Identified as Persons of Interest for Criminal Offences and Enhanced Screening Measures Planned
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms He Ting Ru's inquiry regarding the crime statistics of visa-free visitors since 2021 and the potential for enhanced screening through an electronic travel authorisation system. Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam replied that publishing such data for over 150 countries is impractical and could affect bilateral relations or deter bona fide visitors. He explained that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority employs a risk-based, multi-layered approach to maintain border security while facilitating travel. Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam further stated that current measures are sufficient and an additional electronic travel authorisation regime is not required. Such a system is currently avoided to prevent making visits to Singapore more inconvenient for bona fide travellers.
Transcript
14 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many visa-free visitors to Singapore have been arrested or identified as persons of interest for criminal offences each year from 2021 to June 2024; (b) what is the breakdown of these offences by type, number, and country of origin; (c) what enhanced screening measures are being considered to prevent and counter crime by visitors on visa-free travel; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider implementing an electronic travel authorisation system similar to other jurisdictions to better vet visa-free visitors.
Mr K Shanmugam: There are over 150 countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Singapore. It is not practical nor meaningful to publish their crime statistics. There are also bilateral considerations and it may send the wrong message to bona fide visitors from these countries.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uses a risk-based, multi-layered approach to balance between border security and the facilitation of travellers. The Member may refer to the Oral reply delivered on 9 September 2024 in response to a question posed by Mr Leong Mun Wai, for more details. [Please refer to "Number of Social Visit Pass Holders from China who Have Been Arrested", Official Report, 9 September 2024, Vol 95, Issue 140, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
We are satisfied with the current measures and, for now, do not see a need for an additional electronic travel authorisation regime. Also, such a regime will make visiting Singapore more inconvenient.