Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many foreigners with valid In-Principle Approvals (IPA) were denied entry in 2025; (b) what were the primary reasons for these denials; and (c) with the implementation of the No-Boarding Directive in 2026, what measures will be in place to inform prospective employers of these denials and facilitate appeals.

Mr K Shanmugam: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) does not track the number of foreigners who were holding In-Principle Approval (IPA) letters issued by the Ministry of Manpower but were subsequently denied entry into Singapore by ICA. An IPA letter is issued in relation to a work pass application and does not guarantee entry into Singapore. Upon arriving in Singapore, holders of an IPA letter will still have to be assessed by ICA on their immigration and security risks and whether they should be allowed into Singapore, like every other foreigner. A foreigner's entry into Singapore is neither automatic nor a right.

When the No-Boarding Directive is implemented later this month, there may indeed be instances where foreigners issued with IPA letters are prevented from boarding flights bound for Singapore. They should then inform their prospective employers. In effect, the outcome is no different from today, where they will be denied entry upon arrival at our checkpoints. If they still wish to travel to Singapore to work, they will have to appeal to ICA via the ICA feedback channel, before arranging a new flight to Singapore.

Link to Hansard: Link