Visa run Singapore - up-to-date info needed

[tropicalstorm]

Hi All,

I have searched on the forum and online for the answer to this question, but the information I've found is old and may be out of date. I'd like some current information if anyone has any...

My boyfriend is coming to stay with me long-term in Singapore. I know that we can 'pop over' the border to Malaysia or something; a visa run. However, I have been told that he will need to be out of the country (Singapore) for 5 days in order to be allowed back in. Is this really the case? I can't find anything online that says so.

And does anyone have any experience of how many times you can do a visa run before you start being questioned? We hope to find him a job in the first couple of months, but I'm just checking, just in case.

Thanks in advance!

[katbh]

Strictly speaking, yes it is the case. There will be the odd time you come back in and they will not notice. But trust me, after a few trips, your boyfriend will be given a little talking to....They will tell him that they have noticed he is going in and out and that he should see to his immigration status. From this point on, it is possible that he has been flagged and will be refused entry.
I was once pulled over at the second link (and I am PR) because I went over the border for only 2 hours. They said that my behaviour was suspicious! So, yes, they track everyone.
It is my recollection that if you went to Malaysia a few years ago by car, you only got 7 days visa when you came back by car. But they would give you the full visa if you flew in to Changi (even if it was from Malaysia). I believe this has changed now.
Just do not think that it will not be noticed. It will be, and they will not turn a blind eye for long. So your boyfriend should be aware and prepared for, the eventuality that he may not be allowed in at some stage. This then becomes a 'refusal' and technically this has to be acknowledged every time you make a visa application for ANY country. It is not a good look.
And as ICA will have his details on the computer from the first time of entry, it will be easy for them to track the number of times in and out and they can assess if he is 'resident' here. Far better for him to try to get a legitimate pass. You can look at student pass, or alternatively,,,,,, get married.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Concur. The days of living here for close to a decade on a SVP and visa runs (well not exactly visa runs) are long over (I did that!) And got married, had two kids and owned three cars here as well!

[bgd]

Depending on where you are from you can get an online visa extension. I did that for my parents, 30 days was increased to 90 days. Some nationalities seem to get 90 days automatically so you may not need this.

If he can't find a job in 3 months then you might need to think plan B. As mentioned visa runs won't work long here.

@katbh interesting that you were questioned. Most weekends I visit Malaysia, often only for a couple of hours. Been doing it for years and never questioned once.

[katbh]

Maybe I am just a shady type ... or more likely, they were just having a slow boring morning.....
But it was worrying as they searched my car while I was being interviewed - without my permission and without my keys!

[bgd]

Perhaps they view bikes differently.

An old survey from a paper in the UK said something like 13% of car drivers and 89% of motorcyclists drive/ride for enjoyment on a weekend.

Perhaps Sg immigration read the same survey.

That's why I'm over in Malaysia so often, the roads, food and not forgetting the cheap petrol of course

[katbh]

Going out of Singapore is not a problem if you are on PR or EP. I travel to Malaysia a lot and this was a single incident.
The problem is for the OP who does not have a legitimate pass to reside in Singapore