A Chinese woman, identified as Chen Xixi (transliteration) or Chen Wenshi, claimed she was detained for two days at Changi Airport after arriving in Singapore on January 31st. She alleges she was held after being stopped for further checks at immigration.
Details of the Detention
Chen, who claims to be an influencer, stated this was her first trip to Singapore and that she intended to visit her sister, a teacher in the country. According to Chen’s account, shared in videos uploaded to Douyin on February 2nd and 4th, she was questioned by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers about her travel plans.
She claims officers examined her phone, social media applications, and bank details. Following this, she says she was moved to a waiting room and then to another room where her fingerprints were scanned and a headshot was taken. Chen alleges she was then issued an order of detention in English for “removal from Singapore,” and her travel bag and phone were seized.
Chen further alleges she was asked to sign an agreement, also in English, surrendering her phone. While detained, she says she was provided with a pillow, blanket, slippers, and three meals a day, with regulated access to phones in common areas. She also claimed officers primarily communicated in English, a language she doesn’t fully understand, and used Chinese only to reprimand her.
ICA’s Response
ICA acknowledged Chen’s allegations and stated that the checks she underwent are “typical for travellers subject to additional checks at our checkpoints.” The authority said interviews were conducted in Mandarin, a language Chen understands. ICA stated Chen “was unable to provide a clear itinerary for her visit to Singapore and did not have an onward air ticket” and was “evasive” when questioned about visiting her sister.
ICA also stated that officers discovered messages on Chen’s phone indicating she had been coached on how to respond to immigration questions, leading to her being refused entry. She was held in a holding room with meals and shower facilities until her flight the next day, February 1st.
Regarding a claim by Chen that she was asked to pay $500 for her stay, ICA stated that it does not impose any fees on travellers who are refused entry. Chen reportedly told officers she had no money – a tactic she said she learned from Xiaohongshu – but was warned she could be barred from future entry if she didn’t pay. Her bag and phone were returned upon boarding her flight back to China.
ICA added, “A foreigner’s entry into Singapore is neither a right nor automatic. Each visitor’s entry is considered on its own merits.”
Further Investigation
The police have lodged reports regarding the unauthorized photo and video taken within ICA’s premises, and the matter is being investigated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did ICA say about the alleged fee Chen Wenshi was asked to pay?
ICA stated that it does not impose any fees on travellers who have been refused entry into Singapore.
What reason did ICA give for detaining Chen Wenshi?
ICA stated that Chen was unable to provide a clear itinerary for her visit and did not have an onward air ticket. They also said she was evasive when questioned about her stated reason for visiting Singapore.
Was Chen Wenshi’s phone examined by ICA officers?
ICA confirmed that officers examined Chen Wenshi’s phone and found messages indicating she had been coached on how to answer questions from immigration officers.
Given the conflicting accounts and ongoing investigation, what steps might be taken to clarify procedures for travelers facing additional scrutiny at Singapore’s borders?
