What’s in this article
A foreigner is required to apply for a Student Pass if he/she is 19 years and below and wishes to pursue full-time studies in Singapore in a EduTrusted private education organization (PEO) that is registered with the Council for Private Education (CPE).
With the Council for Private Education (CPE)’s launch of the Enhanced Registration Framework, from 21 Dec 2009, all PEOs will need to be awarded with EduTrust to offer school placement for international students. Student Pass applications will be accepted only if they are for international students who are enrolled in a EduTrusted PEO.
You can refer to https://www.cpe.gov.sg for a list of EduTrust-certified institutions.
Eligibility criteria for a Singapore Student Pass
If you have already been accepted into an approved Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore, you will be eligible to obtain a Singapore Student Pass. The courses must be full-time courses. Part-time, evening, or weekend classes do not qualify for a Singapore Student Pass. The following is a list of institutions to which you may apply for a Student Pass.
| Singapore Universities | Singapore Polytechnics | Foreign institutes with branches in Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | Nanyang Polytechnic | École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales |
| Nanyang Technological University | Ngee Ann Polytechnic | INSEAD |
| Singapore Management University | Republic Polytechnic | University of Chicago – Booth School of Business |
| Singapore Institute of Technology | Singapore Polytechnic | DigiPen Institute of Technology |
| Singapore University of Social Sciences | Temasek Polytechnic | University of Nevada, Las Vegas |
| Singapore University of Technology and Design | German Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia | |
| Sorbonne-Assas International Law School | ||
| SP Jain School of Global Management |
Who is Exempted From the Singapore Student Pass
A foreigner is exempted from applying for a Student Pass if the course:
Types of Student Visas in Singapore
The following is a list of the different types of Singapore student visas:
| Type | Required By |
|---|---|
| Training Work Permit | Students and semi-skilled foreign workers who are receiving practical training in Singapore for up to six months. |
| Training Employment Pass | Foreign professionals who are earning a minimum of SGD $3,000 and are undertaking practical training. |
| Work Holiday Pass | Students between the ages of 18 and 25 who want to work and vacation simultaneously in Singapore for up to 6 months. |
| Work Holiday Pass | For Australian students and graduates between ages 18 and 30 who desire to spend a year working and vacationing in Singapore. |
The Singapore student visa applications can be submitted through the Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system.
For students up to 19 years attending college, the student visa application shall be directly processed by the ICA. Note that an interview is conducted for students above the age of 20.
Singapore Student Visa Interview
The interview is only conducted for students above the age of 20 who are applying for vocational, language, commercial, or fine arts degrees in Singapore. Ensure that all the paperwork is proofread and you are prepared for basic questions on why you are applying at a certain place.
Documents Required for Singapore Student Pass Application
Here are the documents that are required to apply for the Student Pass in Singapore:
Procedure, timeline and fees
New applications are to be submitted at least 2 months and not more than 3 months from the course commencement date. Applicants are not required to be present in Singapore while their applications are being considered.
Hence, applicants are advised to apply for a Student’s Pass before arriving in Singapore as no extension of stay will be granted while the applications are under processing. Applicants are advised to enter Singapore to complete the formalities for the issuance of a Student’s Pass only after their applications have been approved. They will be issued with Student’s Passes within one month from the date of commencement of the course.
The general processing time for a new application for a Student Pass is about 4 weeks. It may even take up to 2 months or even 4 months if interviews are required.
There will be a processing fee of $30 for every application and a $60 fee when the successful applicant completes the formality process upon issuance of the Student Pass at ICA.
What happens if I want to Transfer Schools / Courses of Study?
Applicants who wish to apply for a new Student’s Pass in order to take up a different course or to study in a different PEO, are to submit an application for the transfer of school/course of study at least 4 weeks before the course begins.
In general, an application to transfer school/course would take about 3 working days to process (excluding the day of submission and collection) after having received a duly completed application by ICA. Nonetheless, some applications may require a longer time to process.
Do I need a Local Sponsor?
A local sponsor is only required for the Government/Government-Aided/Independent Schools and for Institutes of Technical Education.
For Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, you may also opt to sponsor a foreigner to study upon acceptance of an educational institution to pursue full-time study.
Do I need to pay a Security Deposit?
When the application for a Student Pass is approved, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter will be issued for the applicant to complete the formalities and collect the Student Pass card at ICA. The Security Deposit, if required, would be indicated in the IPA letter to the applicant.
The amount of Security Deposit (if required) is listed in the table below:
| Country Form of Security Deposit | Rate Per Person | |
| i | Bangladesh, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China & India Banker’s Guarantee from any established bank in Singapore or Cashier’s Order | S$5000/= |
| ii | Indonesia, Philippines & Thailand Banker’s Guarantee from any established bank in Singapore or Cashier’s Order or NETS | S$1000/= |
| iii | Others | S$1500/= |
Applicants are not required to furnish a Security Deposit if they are
Collecting my Student Pass
After printing out the IPA letter, it can be used to travel to Singapore. Upon landing in Singapore, the IPA letter must be shown to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Officers who will then give you a Visit Pass.
An appointment must then be made at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) building to complete the formalities of obtaining a Student Pass. These formalities must be completed before the Visit Pass expires. All documents required on the IPA letter along with a signed Terms & Conditions of Student’s Pass (STP) document must be submitted. This document declares that you agree to the terms and conditions of a Singapore Student Pass.
Do note that a fee of SGD $60 is required for the issuance of your Singapore Student Pass.
Can I work with a Student Pass?
Yes, you are able to work with a Singapore Student Pass without having to get a Work Permit. However, the following conditions need to be met:
Exchange students are not allowed to work in Singapore.
FAQs
An Employment Pass and it’s Employment Pass Requirements is one of the most common work visas here. Employment Pass allows foreign professionals who have job offer in Singapore to relocate there and work. Specifically, it is geared towards directors, managers, executive or those in a specialist role. This pass is valid for 2 years and to be renewed thereafter.
The current regulations regarding the Employment Pass do not bar anyone from receiving one on the basis of nationality. Anyone who meets all of the relevant criteria may receive it. Therefore, any eligible person from any country may receive an Employment Pass.
Those who are interested in obtaining PR status in Singapore ought to know that receiving an EP will make it much easier for them to do so. Therefore, foreigners who are interested in becoming a Singapore PR ought to apply for an EP. However, those who already own an EP but have no desire to become a Singapore PR are not obliged to do so.
