Immigration and Checkpoint Authority rejected about 2% of PRs’ re-entry permits annually

For the past three years, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) has rejected about 2 per cent of re-entry permit applications from permanent residents (PRs).

This was revealed by the Home Affairs Minister, K. Shanmugam, in response to a question from Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Audrey Wong, on the number of PRs who could not renew their re-entry permits.

According to The Straits Times, PRs are required to have a valid re-entry permit if they wish to travel out of Singapore, so they can retain their PR status while away from the country. They are required to renew the re-entry permit on a periodic basis.

However, Mr Shanmugam said that reasons for rejection of applications included an applicant’s prolonged absence from Singapore, lack of gainful employment at the time of a renewal application or lack of family roots in Singapore.

In addition, for PRs who are dependents such as spouses or elderly parents, the loss of the PR status of their sponsor would mean that their re-entry permit applications would also be rejected.

Foreign Nationals found hidden in a storage compartment trying to leave Singapore illegally

Officers from the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have caught three Indian nationals for trying to leave Singapore illegally.

They were found hidden in a storage compartment, located behind the driver’s seat of a 40—foot Malaysia—registered prime mover.

The incident happened last Saturday at about 11.40 am.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 29—year—old Malaysian driver was promised $500 for each immigration offender he successfully brings out of the country.

Arrangements were made to pick up the three immigration offenders along Woodlands Road.

The three, aged between 27 and 36, said they had come to Singapore to seek illegal employment.

If convicted, for overstaying or illegal entry, they could be jailed up to six months and given at least three strokes of the cane.

Penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Singapore Immigration (ICA) Officer charged with three counts of forging medical certificates

An officer from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was charged on Tuesday with three counts of forgery.

Mohammad Rahimi Hussain, 24, is believed to have doctored three medical certificates in a flat at Block 750, Woodlands Avenue 4, in August and September last year.

Each of the three documents he allegedly forged originally stated that he had been given a day's leave.

It's believed that Mohammad Rahimi inflated the rest period the doctors had given him to up to four days.

He will be back in court on March 29.

If convicted of forgery, he could be jailed up to four years, fined or both on each charge.

Arriving in Singapore - Customs Clearance Procedure

Red and Green Channels

To expedite clearance of arriving travelers, the Red and Green Channel system is operated at all entry checkpoints.

If you are arriving by car, you will see the Red and Green Channel directional signs located along the route after Immigration clearance.

Air, sea, bus/coach or rail passengers will see the Red and Green Channel signs above the Examination Counters in the Arrival Hall at the respective checkpoint. Examination Counters are manned by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers.

When to use the Red Channel

Proceed to the Red Channel if you carry:

• Prohibited items
• Controlled or restricted items
• Taxable or dutiable items exceeding your GST Relief or duty-free concession
• Items for which no GST Relief or duty-free concession is granted

At the Red Channel, please:

• Declare verbally to the ICA officers any of the above items that you are carrying
• Produce the prohibited or controlled items together with the import permit, if any

When to use the Green Channel

Proceed to the Green Channel if you do not carry any of the items stated above. However, the officers may still conduct selective checks at the Green Channel. If in doubt, always seek clearance at the Red Channel.

Singapore to tighten rule for PR application

FEWER applications for Singapore permanent residency (PR) will be approved this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng in Parliament yesterday.

In his response to a question by Nominated MP Paulin Tay Straughan on the number of PR applications in 2009 and this year, Mr Wong said the number "will be noticeably less than that in 2009".

He added that 132,200 applications were received by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority last year.

Of these, 115,900 applications were processed. Only 51 per cent - or 59,500 - were successful.

Most of these were from professionals who qualified under the Professional, Technical and Skilled Workers Scheme, said Mr Wong, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs.

This scheme requires potential PRs to work in Singapore under an Employment Pass. It assesses their tertiary and professional qualifications.

Others who were granted PR were their dependants or dependants of Singapore citizens.

He said: "We will continue to be stringent in our requirements for PR. PR will be granted to those of suitable quality, (who) are able to contribute to Singapore and integrate well into our society."

Mr Wong also noted the worries of Singaporeans, which he said can be heard "every day" through the news, dialogue sessions and at the grassroots level.

He added that the Government would "ensure that the number of PRs is not going to be significantly large and overwhelm the Singapore citizen population".

Still, Mr Wong emphasised the need to welcome immigrants in order to tackle Singapore's low birth rate.

"Unless there is a significant shift in attitudes towards marriage and parenthood, and we see improved birth rates, we will continue to need immigrants for Singapore to remain a vibrant and competitive economy," he said.

source: AsiaOne News