A 60-year-old Chinese national, Yu Zefang, was sentenced to six months’ jail and fined S$2,000 on 1 September 2025 after overstaying in Singapore for more than 28 years.
According to Mandarin daily Lianhe Zaobao, the case is believed to be the longest overstay incident recorded in Singapore. Yu overstayed for 10,268 days, from 20 November 1996 until 30 December 2024.
Yu originally entered Singapore on a student’s pass in April 1995, which she renewed regularly.
Such passes are issued to foreigners pursuing full-time studies at approved institutions.
Her situation changed in October 1996 when she was arrested for drug use and her passport was confiscated.
On 17 October that year, she was granted a special pass by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) while investigations were ongoing.
The special pass permitted her temporary legal stay, but she was required to report regularly to ICA.
Yu failed to do so and disappeared after her permit expired in November 1996.
In January 1997, Yu’s then eight-year-old daughter successfully obtained a student’s pass, allowing her to remain in Singapore for her studies.
To care for her daughter, Yu chose to stay illegally.
Her daughter was later granted permanent resident status in May 2008, although the court did not disclose details of the application.
After nearly three decades of evading immigration authorities, Yu surrendered herself to ICA on 30 December 2024, expressing her wish to return to China.
During court proceedings on 1 September 2025, Yu appeared with family and friends and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Her lawyer appealed for leniency, stating that she regretted her actions and had voluntarily surrendered.
The presiding judge, however, emphasised that Yu had deliberately overstayed for an extended period, underscoring the seriousness of her offence.
Singapore’s immigration laws carry strict penalties for overstaying.
Under the Immigration Act, offenders may face a fine of up to S$6,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
In more serious cases, caning may also be imposed for male offenders.
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