Can I go back to SG next year after held at immigration?

[Blossom22]

Hello,

I need your help/advice regarding this matter. I went to SG month of May this year to visit my husband (we're newly wed so kinda honeymoon) and about 2 weeks before my 30 day-visit pass ends, we went to Malaysia for 3 days and was under the assumption that my 30 day pass will be refreshed. To be honest though, my husband's friend did that before so we did not worry about it as well. So basically I overstayed for 20 plus days and to my horror, I was held in the immigration. The officer escorted me to an office and I stood there for about 20 minutes - they've asked me who I'm with and what's my purpose, that stuff and I answered honestly. So they got my fingerprints, picture and I don't know what else. Afterwards, they let me go and I was able to go home to my country - Philippines.

So my dilemma now is next year - January, my husband wants me to go back to SG and visit him for 28 days and I'm afraid that I won't be granted re-entry. What should I do? They haven't told me anything if I'm banned or blacklisted. Anyone here have the same experience? Please help me guys.
Thank you.

[shuigao]

I need your help/advice regarding this matter. I went to SG month of May this year to visit my husband (we're newly wed so kinda honeymoon) and about 2 weeks before my 30 day-visit pass ends, we went to Malaysia for 3 days and was under the assumption that my 30 day pass will be refreshed ... basically I overstayed for 20 plus days ...

So you were in SG for 2 weeks,
Then you went to MY for 3 days,
Then you came back to SG ... this time when coming in what date did the immigration officer stamp on your passport / new white card?

I have no answer to your question, just that in theory your visit pass should be renewed each time you leave and come back in, but probably not necessarily for the full 30 days each time I guess.

[PNGMK]

If your husband a Singapore citizen or PR? If he is then he should really apply for an LTVP for you. It means you will have no issues going in or out of Singapore. You don't need to live in Singapore all the time to have one - it's a pass though that allows you stay as long or short as you want and come in and out when you need to. Continuing JB border runs WILL end up with you being turned around at some point.

[Blossom22]

No, my husband is not PR. He holds S Pass, so I went there May 15 (so my 1 month is suppose to be June 15, right?) But before June 8 we already went to Malaysia and exited the country for 3 days without problems since I'm not yet overstaying and much to our stupidity, we assumed that the 1 month refreshed already so we booked a ticket for me to go home to Philippines July 5.. if basing it on my arrival date of May 15 and I went home July 5 so I overstayed 20 days and that's why I was held at the immigration office.. so I don't know if how long am I banned or anything. Is there a way to check if I'm blacklisted? I really wanted to go back next year for 28 days only, not overstaying.. i'm just afraid I won't be granted re-entry.

[bro75]

How many days did the immigration officer stamp on your card when you arrived from Malaysia?
Is there any special notation in your passport page that the officer wrote or stamped?

[Blossom22]

When we arrived from Malaysia, I was given 30-day visit pass so we thought that my 30 days already refreshed (stupid, I know). So I didn't worry much until my departure date which is July 5 (this is to go back to Philippines already) that I was held at their office and stood there for 20 minutes after answering their questions and basically for overstaying for 20 days (May 15- July 5). I don't know where to check the banned list or how long am I not allowed to enter SG again.. it saddens me because I'm planning to go back next year January for 28 days. Will it be a good idea if I let my husband go to ICA office to sort this out?

[bro75]

Normally when you are given a 30 day pass, you should be able to stay for 30 days but in some cases, if the officer suspects a visa run (SG-JB-SG), then the officer will ask for the date of departure and for a onward ticket to prove this. If you provided the ticket, then you will be held to that date notwithstanding the stamp of 30 days. I am not sure if this is what happened to you. You can ask your husband to call or talk personally to ICA regarding your situation, though I am not sure they will answer this question directly because they give the officer at the arrival counter wide discretion of whether to admit or reject arrivals.

[PNGMK]

If you had overstayed you would know this (you would have been charged and probably ended up in court). I think they suspected a case but you were let off once they checked their system. Check your last entry stamp - does it show a number of days and was it stamped when you re-entered from Malaysia to Singapore? Did you stay past that number of days? - not from your account.

https://www.ica.gov.sg/enteringanddepar ... quirements

Next time you enter Singapore bring a return ticket with you that is less than 30 days.

[smoulder]

I believe that the 30 day rule is a guideline and not mandatory for them to follow. It's still up to their discretion to turn you back if they "think" that you have a potential to abuse your stay. It's really quite subjective. As others have stated, go prepared with your return ticket details. Probably the best way to pre empt.

[PNGMK]

I believe that the 30 day rule is a guideline and not mandatory for them to follow. It's still up to their discretion to turn you back if they "think" that you have a potential to abuse your stay. It's really quite subjective. As others have stated, go prepared with your return ticket details. Probably the best way to pre empt.

OP has a legitimate reason to stay as well which means she should not be suspected of being a prostitute or similar which is what ICA is trying to stop.

[smoulder]

I believe that the 30 day rule is a guideline and not mandatory for them to follow. It's still up to their discretion to turn you back if they "think" that you have a potential to abuse your stay. It's really quite subjective. As others have stated, go prepared with your return ticket details. Probably the best way to pre empt.

OP has a legitimate reason to stay as well which means she should not be suspected of being a prostitute or similar which is what ICA is trying to stop.

Agreed. My point was just to state that you have to err on the side of caution because you don't really know what the ica officer might be thinking or what emotions affect his decision. Sometimes you just get unlucky with an officer who's stricter.