• A shot of a brightly lit and ultra-modernized Singapore Bay.Singapore Bay image by Roy L. from Fotolia.com
  
  Singapore is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic nations in the Pacific Rim. This has established it as an attractive option for immigration throughout the world. Specifically, this allure has created migrant worker influxes from countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Singapore's immigration laws are quite consistent with many other nations with regard to eligibility, length of travel and work visas. Of late, more attention has been paid to enforcing foreign labor restrictions and minimizing perceived abuses.
  
  

Immigration Act of Singapore

• Major rules for entry into Singapore and for what constitutes legal and prohibited immigrants are mapped out in its Immigration Act. Singapore, like most nations, denies entry and permanent residence to certain categories of people. These include enemies of the government, those with past criminal records and also people infected with specific illnesses. The latter scenario receives similar treatment in the United States.
  
  Other proscriptions may be decided upon by the immigration ministry. It is empowered to evaluate specific cases for possible complications that may end up barring an individual entry or immigrant access.
  
  

Immigration Enforcement

• The Immigration Act provides the necessary mechanisms to detain and deport those visitors in violation of Singapore's immigration law. Like the United States, anyone suspected of or proven to be in violation can be arrested and detained, often without a written warrant. In Singapore, the law specifically states that you cannot be detained for more than 14 days while the decision process is under way. Singapore's police officers are engaged in enforcing these laws. Law enforcement agencies also have the right to delegate those rights to identified "comptrollers" who can aid them in related efforts.
  
  

Encouraging Migrant Workers

• Singapore has historically encouraged foreign migrant workers to come into the country, citing it as a proud extension of its cosmopolitan character. Alternatively however, the latest trends indicate that Singapore is trying to dam the flow of migrant workers in recent years. The 1991 law regarding foreign workers illustrates the strict controls placed on work visas. Enforcement curtailing offenses is quick and in some cases punishable by heavy fines and up to a six-month prison sentence.
  
  While some of these policies can be observed in many other national contexts, Singapore has drawn some heat from human rights organizations over its labor immigration laws.The critiques largely focus on a contended absence of holiday or sick leave, unrestricted number of hours and intense scrutiny over foreign domestic workers.
  
  

Changi Airport

• Changi is Singapore's chief airport. The country's immigration laws require the visitor to follow specific procedures when entering Changi. Lines are formed separating foreign nationals from those with Singaporean citizenship, visas or permanent residence. When checking in with the immigration and customs officials, you must present all the mandatory paperwork regarding your status as well as proof that you have been cleared for yellow fever--provided you are coming from a location that Singapore has designated a risk area for the illness. If you cannot produce the latter forms, then you will be required to visit the airport clinic for approval to enter the city.