Singapore Student Pass

Singapore has always been an attractive destination not only for tourists but also for international students, planning to pursue their higher studies abroad. With its efficient healthcare system, well-developed transportation network, strong economic framework, and brilliant education system, Singapore guarantees a good lifestyle combined with a nurturing environment for students to prosper in their respective areas of study.

Types of Student Passes and Their Validity

• Student Pass: The student visa most commonly called a ‘student pass’ in Singapore is usually granted for full-time courses. The student has to secure his/her admission to the desired university and accept the offer letter to become eligible to apply for the student pass. The validity of the student pass covers the entire duration of the course selected by the international student.
• Short-term Visit Pass: It is also issued for students willing to take short-term courses in Singapore. However, the duration of the course must be 30 days and not more than that. Students pursuing short-term or part-time courses are not eligible to apply for the Singapore Student Pass. This pass can be extended for up to 30 days or 89 days.

Who Needs to Apply for the Student Pass?

Foreign students who have been issued a Long-Term Visit Pass, Dependent's Pass, and Immigration Exemption Order or a short-term visit pass to attend short-term courses are exempted from holding a student pass in Singapore. The 30 days or the remaining time on the short-term pass must be used to finish the courses. The module must be comprehensive and standalone, and it must not incorporate any industrial attachment or hands-on occupational training that entails interacting with walk-in clients. All other foreign students who wish to study in Singapore must apply for a student pass.

Cost of Singapore Student Pass

The overall cost to procure a Singapore student pass can be broken down into two categories:

• Processing fee: The student is required to submit a processing fee amounting to S $30 while applying for the pass. Please note that all the payments made to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) for the visa application process are non-refundable.
  
• Once the student pass is issued, the student is expected to make a payment of S $60 and an additional amount of S $30 in case the student wants to procure a multiple-entry visa.

The students are also required to pay a Security Deposit, indicated as per the IPA letter, which is refundable provided the applicant doesn't breach the conditions specified in the Security Bond. The applicant is exempted from paying the security deposit if:

• he/she is a citizen of Malaysia or Brunei
• he/she is a holder of a long-term visit pass or a work pass
• he/she is a foreign student enrolled in a full-time course in an EduTrust-certified PEI
• he/she is a foreign student enrolled in a full-time study program in an EduTrust-certified provisional PEI (except for the University of London)
• he/she is below 16 years of age at the time of application for the student pass

Steps to Applying for a Singapore Student Pass

A student pass is not necessary for foreign students to study in Singapore if they have been granted a long-term visit pass, dependent's pass, immigration exemption order, or short-term pass. To obtain a pass, other international students should take the following actions:

Applying to Institute of Higher Learning

The first step in the application process for a student pass is selecting their preferred IHL. To help them narrow down their options, students can access the official website's list of IHL that have been approved by Singaporean authorities. After applying to this institute, students will receive an offer letter. Additionally, students must apply on the ICA website for their student pass through SOLAR online services. Following acceptance, it is the student's IHL's duty to register the student with the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority and submit all necessary student data.

Gathering the Required Documents

Every document that students turn in needs to be in English or have been officially translated into the language. Both the original and the translated document must be included. The documentation needed may differ depending on the nation.
Documents Required While Applying for Singaporean Student Pass:

• A valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Student Visa Application form (filled)
• Offer letter issued by the respective Institute of Higher Learning
• A passport-size photograph
• Bank statement affirming your financial status
• Fixed Deposit receipts (if necessary)
• Personal information related to educational background, countries/places the applicant has previously resided in, etc
• Test scores related to TOEFL, GRF, GMAT, etc.
• Residential address and contact details in Singapore
• Email address
• Medical certificate (if applicable)

Filling the Application Form

Following their ICA registration, students will receive a SOLAR reference number from the IHL. Using their SOLAR application reference number, name, sex, nationality, and date of birth, students will log in to the SOLAR. Students will then be required to complete the eForm16 and affix a current passport-size photo. There will be a $30 processing fee that the students must pay.

Waiting for the Decision

ICA will process the student's application after the payment has been made and the eForm16 has been turned in. Application processing could take up to two weeks. Students can use their SOLAR account to check the status of their application. If the application is accepted, the student will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via SOLAR. The IPA letter serves as a single-journey entry visa pass that permits entry into Singapore. In order to present the IPA letter to the officials upon entering the nation, students must print it.

Upon Arrival in Singapore

Students must show the IPA letter to the immigration officer at the port of entry in Singapore along with the other required paperwork. The students will then receive a visit pass from the immigration officer.

Following that, for a $60 fee, students will schedule an appointment with ICA to obtain their student pass within two weeks of entering the nation. The Student's pass may be issued by certain IHLs. The student pass is only available in digital form. When the students arrive for their appointment, they will need the following documentation:

• A hard copy of the filled-out eForm16
• Official letter of admission from their IHL
• Acknowledgment letter from their IHL regarding SOLAR registration
• A passport that will remain valid for at least three months after their visit
• Letter of in-principle approval (IPA)
• Their most recent passport-sized photo
• A diploma attesting to one's academic accomplishments and credentials
• A history of employment record
• Specifics about the accommodations they will have in Singapore
• Receipt of payment of fee
• Evidence that they have enough money to pay for their daily expenses
• A current medical certification

Steps to be Taken to Renew the Student Visa in Singapore

Through their IHL, students can renew their student pass and thus extend their stay in Singapore. If a student needs their Student's Pass to be extended beyond the initial course of study, they must apply for a renewal at least one month in advance of the pass's expiration. Students can only legally extend their stay in Singapore after their application has been accepted; reapplying for a student pass does not grant them a longer stay.

The student pass can be renewed online using the e-service. However, if the student wants to pursue a different course of study in a different institution, then a fresh application should be made for the issuance of a new student pass.

The student can also apply for the replacement of the student pass in case he/she wants to update any details or their current pass is damaged/defaced due to some reasons. The replacement request shall be made within 7 days at the Visitor Services Centre, ICA Building, Singapore. The student must carry a valid travel document, a recent passport-sized photograph, a letter from the educational institution as proof of the student’s enrollment, and an original police report concerning the same.

Working while Studying in Singapore

International students are allowed to work 16 hours per week and full-time during the holidays. The Universities in Singapore also offer a variety of internships to foreign students attending full-time University Programmes (except for the University of London). There are different employment passes provided to students such as the Training Employment Pass, Work Holiday Pass, and Training Work Permit, each demanding a specific set of criteria to be achieved.
In case the students want to work after the completion of the course, they can apply for a 1-year visit pass through the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority of Singapore.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements

In order to obtain a pass, students who are 13 years of age or older must fulfill the necessary formalities, including vaccination against COVID-19 and achieving minimum protection. Applicants who have been medically exempted and certified by a Singaporean physician are not subject to this. It is advised that everyone 60 years of age and older, those in medically vulnerable situations, and residents of assisted living facilities receive a booster shot of the most recent vaccine one year after the initial dose.

Some Things to Remember

• It normally takes around 2-6 weeks to process the visa application, so it is advisable to initiate the process 40-45 days before the travel date.
• All regional language documents should be translated into English before submission.
• Different universities have different additional requirements, so make sure to be familiar with the eligibility criteria before applying.
• The student has to apply for the cancellation and return the student pass after the completion of the course.
• The student needs to cancel or surrender the student pass within 7 days once the course is completed or in case the student decides to terminate his/her studies.
• The student pass holders must use the student pass holder lane and it is necessary to acquire approval before traveling to Singapore.
• Make sure that the medical certificate is valid and not older than three months.
• The student will not be allowed to enter Singapore without an IPA letter.
• Chewing gum and littering is a fine offense in Singapore. The student needs to make sure not to violate any guidelines.
• Make sure to keep all the documents ready before applying to make it a quick hassle-free process.