Indian National Charged in Singapore for Harbouring 13 Overstayers on Expired Visas

A 26-year-old Indian national has been charged in Singapore for allegedly harbouring 13 immigration offenders after their Short-Term Visit Passes (STVPs) had expired, along with two Singaporean co-accused , authorities said.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said Kanojiya Riken was charged on May 21 for offences linked to the illegal stay of foreign nationals. The 13 Indian nationals involved had entered Singapore on STVPs , a temporary visa issued for short stays such as tourism or visits. Investigations found they had all overstayed after their passes expired , including one case where the pass had lapsed on February 24, 2025 .

The case surfaced after ICA officers conducted a raid on a flat on March 3, 2026 , where they found 13 Indian nationals (11 men and two women aged 19-44) living together. Officials said Riken had allegedly allowed them to stay between December 2025 and March 2026 without checking their immigration status or conducting due diligence.

Riken was arrested during the raid and later charged with harbouring immigration offenders . Two Singaporeans were also charged in related cases, including one accused of employing an overstayer without a valid work permit and another for hiring a foreign national who had no legal right to work or remain in Singapore. Several overstayers have since been deported and barred from re-entry .

Under Singapore law, employing or harbouring immigration offenders can lead to 6 months to 2 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to SGD 6,000 , depending on intent, while negligent offences may still attract jail, fines, or both.