SINGAPORE - The number of foreign visitors refused entry into Singapore rose sharply in 2025 following stricter border controls, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

ICA said about 45,700 foreigners were denied entry last year, an increase of 38.3 per cent from around 33,100 in 2024, as reported by CNA.

The authority said the travellers were assessed to pose immigration risks, such as overstaying or working illegally, as well as security risks including potential criminal activity.

It said border controls were strengthened through enhanced targeting by the Integrated Targeting Centre, which uses advanced information and data analytics to identify high-risk travellers, vehicles and cargo.

ICA added that passport-free clearance at major checkpoints reduced manual processing and allowed officers to focus on profiling and investigative interviews.

The authority said these measures led to more travellers being flagged for enhanced screening and subsequently refused entry.

It cited a December case in which two Indian men arriving at Changi Airport were found to be carrying forged Ministry of Manpower approval letters.

ICA also highlighted an October case involving a 30-year-old Thai man at Tuas Checkpoint who was flagged for further checks.

Investigations found that the man had previously entered Singapore under a different name and was convicted in 2016 for providing sexual services for monetary gain.

The man was refused entry and barred from returning after officers discovered he held multiple identities.

ICA said cases involving multiple identities remained stable, with 223 detected in 2025 compared with 233 in 2024.

“ICA’s automated lanes at the checkpoints are equipped with multi-modal biometrics screening systems, which can detect travellers who attempt to impersonate others or use false identities.

“They include persons-of-interest who have previously committed crimes in Singapore and are attempting to re-enter Singapore under a different identity,” the authority said.

ICA said foreigners found to have multiple identities are permanently barred from re-entering Singapore.

The authority also reported a 39.3 per cent decline in forged or tampered travel documents, with cases falling from 61 in 2024 to 37 last year.

Meanwhile, ICA said the total number of immigration offenders arrested in 2025 remained stable at 538, compared with 536 in 2024.

It reported an 11.4 per cent drop in illegal immigrants arrested and a 1.9 per cent rise in overstayers.

Arrests of harbourers and employers fell 28.8 per cent to 277 last year from 389 in 2024.

ICA said most of the 141 harbourers either knew the offenders personally or allowed them to stay in exchange for financial gain.

The authority added that many failed to verify their tenants’ immigration status throughout the rental period.

It said most of the 136 employers arrested claimed they were renewing work passes or had only checked documents at the point of hiring.

ICA said many employers did not monitor work pass validity or overlooked renewal applications.

“ICA will continue to take tough action against harbourers and employers of immigration offenders.

“It is a serious offence to harbour or employ immigration offenders. Members of the public must not provide immigration offenders shelter and means of subsistence, so that we do not have illegal immigrant problems in Singapore,” the authority said.

Homeowners were advised to conduct proper checks on prospective foreign tenants before renting out their properties.

ICA also reported a 63.4 per cent drop in marriage-of-convenience offences, with arrests falling from 41 in 2024 to 15 last year.

It said firm action would continue against errant couples and intermediaries.

Separately, ICA said it began issuing no-boarding directives to airlines from Jan 30 this year to stop flagged travellers from flying to Singapore.

The authority said passengers without valid visas or travel documents with at least six months’ validity would be denied boarding.

It added that airlines may be required to conduct additional checks, including verifying visas and SG Arrival Card submissions, before allowing passengers or crew to board.