EAIC Recommends Charges Against Immigration Officers for Medical Visa Abuse

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has uncovered abuse of power and procedural weaknesses by Immigration Department officers in the issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals. The EAIC's Special Task Force found that officers approved medical visa applications despite knowing they were incomplete and violated Immigration Circular No. 10/2001.

The findings have been referred to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), with recommendations for charges under the Penal Code, the Immigration Act 1959/63, and/or the Passports Act 1966.

The investigation, which began last October with the seizure of 156 Social Visit Pass (Medical Treatment Pass category) application files, involved reviewing irregularities, interviewing witnesses, and seizing documents. In February, the Home Minister confirmed that 22 Immigration officers had been called in to assist with the investigation into the alleged medical visa syndicate.