Written by Cheryl Ng, Advocate & Solicitor (Updated Sep 2026)
The four routes
Singapore cannot extradite you based on an INTERPOL Red Notice. Singapore can only extradite you under these four routes:
- A bilateral treaty or agreement — currently with the United States, Germany, the Hong Kong SAR and Indonesia.
- Declaration as a Commonwealth territory — around 40 territories, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
- Particular multilateral conventions, for the offences covered by those conventions only.
- A separate warrant-endorsement regime for Malaysia and Brunei.
Where the requesting country falls under none of these, there is no lawful basis to extradite. See Which countries.
Where there is no extradition route
However, if there is no extradition route, Singapore can still take action against you. Firstly, if you have committed offences in Singapore, you may be investigated and prosecuted here.
Case study — Li Huabo: sought by the PRC, with which Singapore has no extradition arrangement. Li Huabo was subsequently prosecuted in Singapore for dishonestly receiving stolen property and sentenced in 2014 to 15 months’ imprisonment. His permanent residence was cancelled, and he was deported at the end of his sentence back to China.
Singapore can also take action against you under the Immigration Act 1959. A person may be declared a prohibited immigrant, or a removal or deportation order may be made. The main powers are these:
- Under section 8, a person may fall within the classes of prohibited immigrants — which include persons deemed to be undesirable — and a prohibited immigrant may be refused entry and removed.
- Under section 9, the Minister may by order prohibit or restrict a person’s entry into Singapore.
- Under Part 5 of the Act, a removal order may be made against a prohibited immigrant or a person whose presence in Singapore is unlawful, and a person subject to a removal order may be detained pending removal.
- Once a removal order is made, any pass to enter or remain in Singapore ceases to be valid.
The avenues to challenge immigration action are limited. Representations may be made to the Minister, and judicial review of a decision is available in principle, although the grounds are narrow.
Mutual legal assistance
Separately, under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2000, a foreign country may obtain assistance from Singapore in the form of evidence — bank records, documents, the restraint of assets. Mutual legal assistance does not extend to the surrender of a person.
If you have learned of an Interpol Red Notice, or suspect one has been issued, contact us to arrange a confidential discussion about your situation.
The information on this page is general in nature and may not reflect the latest developments. Extradition arrangements change, and the law evolves over time. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, and reading it does not create a solicitor–client relationship. For advice on your own situation, please contact us.