Travel Ban Due to Coronavirus
January 28, 2020
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At a Glance
- In an effort to contain the coronavirus, effective January 29, 2020, visitors with passports issued in Hubei Province, Mainland China, and those who have traveled to Hubei Province in the last 14 calendar days are banned from entry into or transit through Singapore.
- Returning Singapore nationals and permanent residents and Singapore long-term pass holders who have either traveled to Hubei Province in the last 14 calendar days or who have Mainland Chinese passports issued in Hubei Province will be quarantined on their return to Singapore.
- Lastly, effective immediately, all Singaporean visas of those with Hubei-issued passports are suspended.
The situation
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority in Singapore has implemented an entry/transit ban for certain visitors with passports from or travel history to Hubei Province, Mainland China, in an effort to contain the coronavirus. Quarantine measures for certain visitors to the Province are also in place.
A closer look
- Entry and transit ban. Effective January 29, 2020, visitors with passports issued in Hubei Province, Mainland China, or those who have traveled to Hubei Province in the last 14 calendar days are banned from entry into or transit through Singapore.
- Quarantine measures. Returning Singapore nationals and permanent residents and Singapore long-term pass holders who have either traveled to Hubei Province in the past 14 calendar days or who have Mainland Chinese passports issued in Hubei Province will be quarantined upon their return to Singapore. There are severe penalties for noncompliance with quarantine orders, including possible jail time.
- Visa suspension. Effective immediately, persons with Hubei-issued passports with a Singaporean visa who are currently outside Singapore cannot enter Singapore. Pending Singaporean visa applications are also suspended for persons with Hubei-issued passports.
- UPDATE - Work pass application rejections. The Ministry of Manpower has stated that it will reject all new work pass applications for foreign workers from Mainland China's Hubei Province effective January 28, until further notice. Renewal applications for existing work pass workers from Hubei Province will not be affected.
Looking ahead
Fragomen is tracking the various travel bans and restrictions in the Asia-Pacific region. Affected foreign nationals should contact their Fragomen immigration team for specific advice.
For the latest breaking news on this topic, see Fragomen’s social media channels.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
