Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Overstayers, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Ms Anthea Ong : To ask the Minister for Home Affairs of the 940 overstayers arrested in 2018, what is (i) the number of Social Visit Pass overstayers and Work Pass overstayers respectively and (ii) the duration of overstaying for the 20th percentile, 50th percentile and the 80th percentile.

Answer:

1. The number of overstayers arrested in Singapore has decreased from 1,690 in 2013 to 940 in 2018.

2. Of these 940 overstayers, 510 were Short-Term Visit Pass holders, and 107 were Work Pass holders. Another 283 were holders of Special Passes, which were issued to them for specific purposes such as assisting in an investigation or attending court. The remaining overstayers held other passes e.g. Long-Term Visit Pass and Student’s Pass.

3. The median overstay duration is about two months.

4. ICA will continue to maintain its enforcement efforts to ensure that the overstayers situation is kept under control.