Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Number of Students’ Passes Issued to Foreign Students in 2023

Question:

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in 2023, how many Student’s Passes have been issued to foreign students; (b) what is the proportion of holders who are found to have abused their Student’s Passes such as for illegal employment; and (c) what are the measures in place to mitigate against such abuses.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issued about 74,000 Student’s Passes in 2023, with the median duration of the pass issued being about a year. In 2023, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) took enforcement action against 143 Student’s Pass holders, or 0.16% of all Student’s Pass holders, for working illegally.

2. ICA assesses every application carefully. For example, applicants who cannot demonstrate that they have the financial means to support themselves during their studies in Singapore will be rejected. There are also penalties to deter and punish Student’s Pass holders who work illegally. Offenders can face a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to two years, or both. ICA and MOM will also cancel their Student’s Pass, deport them, and debar them from future employment in Singapore.

3. Employers who illegally employ Student’s Pass holders or abet Student’s Pass holders in illegal employment may face a fine of at least $5,000 and up to $30,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Their work pass privileges may also be suspended.