Singaporean Fined For Staying Away In Us

Probably cheaper than paying an annual visa.

Singapore (dpa) - A Singaporean who stayed in the United States for 13 years without a valid exit permit was fined US$4,000 when he returned to Singapore, news reports said Friday.

Lim Kiam Boon, a 41-year-old insurance salesman, pleaded guilty in court to remaining overseas from April 1993-May 2006.

He left the city-state in August 1990 for studies abroad, with an exit permit valid until September 1992, The Straits Times said. He failed to return after the permit expired and stayed in the US for 13 years, one month and six days. He returned to Singapore on July 27.

Lim, who pleaded for leniency Thursday, had previous convictions for theft, mischief and using criminal force to deter a public servant.