Chinese woman jailed six months for overstaying in Singapore for more than 28 years
A 60-year-old Chinese national, Yu Zefang, has been sentenced to six months’ jail and fined S$2,000 after overstaying in Singapore for more than 28 years — believed to be the longest overstay case on record.
- Yu Zefang overstayed in Singapore for 10,268 days from 1996 to 2024.
- She remained in the country illegally to care for her daughter, who later became a permanent resident.
- Yu surrendered to authorities after nearly three decades and was sentenced to six months’ jail and fined S$2,000.
SINGAPORE — A 60-year-old Chinese national, Yu Zefang, was sentenced to six months’ jail and fined S$2,000 on 1 September 2025 after overstaying in Singapore for more than 28 years.
According to Mandarin daily Lianhe Zaobao, the case is believed to be the longest overstay incident ever recorded in Singapore. Yu overstayed for 10,268 days — from 20 November 1996 until 30 December 2024.
Yu first entered Singapore on a student’s pass in April 1995, which she had been renewing regularly. These passes are issued to foreigners enrolled in full-time studies at approved institutions.
Arrest and disappearance
In October 1996, Yu was arrested for drug use, and her passport was confiscated by authorities. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) subsequently issued her a special pass allowing her to remain in Singapore temporarily while investigations were ongoing.
She was required to report regularly to ICA but failed to do so and went missing after her permit expired in November 1996.
Stayed illegally to care for her daughter
In January 1997, Yu’s then eight-year-old daughter obtained a student’s pass to continue her studies in Singapore. To look after her, Yu decided to stay on illegally.
Her daughter later became a Singapore permanent resident in May 2008, although details of how this status was obtained were not disclosed in court.
After nearly three decades of evading immigration authorities, Yu surrendered herself to ICA on 30 December 2024, expressing her desire to return to China.
Court sentencing
During court proceedings on 1 September, Yu appeared with family and friends and pleaded guilty to overstaying. Her lawyer asked for leniency, noting that she had voluntarily surrendered and deeply regretted her actions.
However, the presiding judge stressed that Yu’s prolonged and deliberate overstay demonstrated the seriousness of the offence.
Under Singapore’s Immigration Act, overstayers face a fine of up to S$6,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. In more serious cases, caning may also be imposed on male offenders.
0 Comments