Singapore confirms refusal of entry to Vietnamese citizens seeking work

On July 24, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore continued to work with senior leaders of the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and asked the leaders of the checkpoint at Changi International Airport to clarify information about a number of Vietnamese citizens being denied entry to Singapore.

Singapore's Changi Airport (Source: AFP)

Speaking to a VNA reporter in Singapore, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, said that the ICA affirmed Singapore's policy of welcoming citizens of all countries, including Vietnamese citizens, to travel to Singapore. Singapore absolutely does not apply any form or measure of discrimination against Vietnamese citizens.

The ICA representative also said that in the context of the good development of relations between the two countries in recent years, the number of Vietnamese citizens coming to Singapore in the past 5 years has doubled. The vast majority of Vietnamese citizens, up to 98%, have entered the country smoothly.

However, ICA will not allow entry to citizens who use passports with different identities to enter Singapore multiple times. Singapore also refuses entry to citizens who have violated the laws in Singapore, citizens who enter Singapore multiple times without clearly explaining the purpose of entry or citizens who enter Singapore for the purpose of finding work.

ICA also explained that they invited some female Vietnamese citizens into the room to ask about their purpose, related documents and take fingerprints, and emphasized that this did not mean they suspected Vietnamese citizens or that those citizens would be denied entry.

Singapore still interviews citizens of many countries and takes fingerprints for long-term immigration management. Many countries in the world also conduct interviews and take fingerprints.

The representative of the Vietnamese Embassy has requested ICA to support and create the best conditions for Vietnamese citizens to enter Singapore quickly and conveniently, in accordance with the framework of the good relations between the two countries.

The Vietnamese Embassy stated that Singapore needs to take necessary measures to minimize inconvenience to Vietnamese citizens when entering the country with clear purposes and with full documents as prescribed.

The Embassy requested that Singapore arrange interpreters to assist during the entire time Vietnamese citizens enter the country, and requested that the immigration agency at Changi Airport ensure politeness and respect for Vietnamese citizens.

At the meeting, ICA representatives agreed with the above proposals, pledging to increase information exchange, closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy and airlines flying between the two countries to create more convenience for Vietnamese citizens when entering Singapore.

Through the above working results with ICA, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed that Vietnamese citizens can feel secure when traveling to Singapore. Vietnamese citizens need to prepare all necessary documents such as filling out the correct entry declaration form, being ready to present a return flight ticket, hotel reservation or relative's home address, contact phone number. If asked, they need to clearly state the purpose of entry and length of stay in Singapore.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore will continue to closely monitor and coordinate with relevant Singaporean agencies and airlines to facilitate the entry of Vietnamese citizens into Singapore in the coming time, in accordance with the agreements between the two countries and the common agreements of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), especially in the context of the ASEAN Community being formed at the end of this year./.

(According to Vietnam+)