Possibility of being detained on entry

Moving to Singapore? Ask our regular expats in Singapore questions on relocation and their experience here. Ask about banking, employment pass, insurance, visa, work permit, citizenship or immigration issues.
Post Reply
dh87fhr
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu, 16 May 2019 10:51 pm

Possibility of being detained on entry

Post by dh87fhr » Thu, 16 May 2019 11:01 pm

I hope this is the correct forum for such questions. Thanks for your attention.

The background story to my questions involve a woman (SEA national), an agent and a man (both Singapore nationals). Some 6 years ago, the woman was put in contact with the agent, who promised to find her a Singaporean husband and a better life. She then came to Singapore and married the man in question, hence getting visa and work permit. However, the man turned out to be far less than promised; he mistreated the woman and demanded she work and give him all her salary.

Unwilling to put up with the situation, she left the man, but continued to work in Singapore for stretches of time, returning to SEA regularly to visit family. She did this for 2-3 years, never having any issues with police or ICA. Eventually the man applied for divorce by reason of abandonment, which was subsequently granted. This led to the woman losing her right to reside and work in Singapore, which she respected, only entering Singapore a couple of times for short visits after the divorce, again with no issues from ICA.

This is where the story gets more problematic, the agent was a little too prolific at making these arrangements and the authorities eventually caught up with him. This led to the man being interrogated (by now he was already married to another foreigner organised by the same agent). The result, a statement by the man declaring both of his marriages as sham marriages organised by the agent. The woman's name and passport number are mentioned in the statement, but she was not otherwise involved in these proceedings. This happened around 2 years ago.

The woman would like very much to visit Singapore again, as she has many friends and memories here, but she is scared of being locked up for unspecified offences. Not so much of being refused entry to Singapore and sent back, but rather of going to jail.

Now to the questions, any answers/opinions would be greatly appreciated, the first two are a matter of conjecture:

1. How likely is it that any offence/blacklisting has been recorded against the woman as far as the ICA are concerned?

2. Is jail a realistic possibility or is that being paranoid and at worst entry will be refused with no further action?

3. What is the best/correct way to determine if any offence/blacklisting has been recorded with the ICA/Singapore authorities?

User avatar
PNGMK
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8834
Joined: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 9:06 pm
Answers: 2
Location: Sinkapore

Re: Possibility of being detained on entry

Post by PNGMK » Fri, 17 May 2019 10:56 am

1. Highly likely. She was a co-conspirator. I'm surprised she hasn't been charged and maybe she has been in absentia.
2. Possibly.
3. Hire a solicitor and have him check if there are pending charges or a warrant out for her arrest. The solicitor can advise on the best course of action from there on and maybe able to negotiate a deal with the AG. Note that ICA and the AG are separate so there may be an ICA case against her that is not criminal but has the effect of banning her from Singapore.

What is your interest? If you're thinking of marrying this woman I advise against it. Her history will always cause issues. Plenty of other fish in the sea.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Relocating, Moving to Singapore”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests