Singapore reports fewer arrests of Chinese visitors since visa waiver

By Hoang Vu September 11, 2024 | 01:27 am PT

Tourists pose for photographs at Merlion Park in Singapore, Jan. 27, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Singapore has not seen a rise in the number of Chinese visitors arrested since the implementation of visa-free travel between the two countries in early February, a government official reported.

Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development, said on Monday that there has been no increase in the number or percentage of such arrests since the visa exemption began, according to a press release on the ministry's website.

She added that the percentage of Chinese visitors arrested in Singapore this year is lower than last year, though specific figures were not provided.

Since Feb. 9, holders of passports issued by Singapore and China have been exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days in each country.

As a result of the visa-free regime, China has surpassed Indonesia as the largest source of visitors to Singapore.

So far this year, Singapore has received over 2.2 million Chinese visitors, according to Singapore Tourism Board.

Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Thailand have recently introduced initiatives to attract Chinese visitors, including visa exemptions and increased flight frequencies.