According to regulations, international students who have been offered admission to study in Singapore will need a study visa others called student pass in order to be allowed to enter the country for study purposes. In this article, we have helped provides a full guide on how to apply for Singapore Study Visa.

Singapore Study Visa

What’s Singapore Student Pass

A Singapore Study Visa Pass is issued to foreign students who have secured admission to study in Singapore. It is usually issued for foreign students with full-time admission and the validity last for the course duration. The visa allows holders to have part-time work while studying. There is no need to obtain a Work or Employment Pass, inasmuch as the work isn’t more than 16 hours per week. Foreign students exempted from obtaining students pass are  Dependent Pass holders as well as those on Immigration Exemption Order.

What are the Basic Requirements for Singapore Student Pass

To be eligible to apply for Singapore Study Visa Pass, you must meet these basic requirements:

• Applicants must have got admission to study in Singapore
• Applicants are required to have a security deposit in the amount of SGD 5,000 ($3,600)
• Applicant must have language proficiency test results
• All documents in languages other than English must be translated by a qualified translator.
• Applicants must be free from crimes.

Required Documents for Singapore Student Pass Application

The following are documents to be tendered during submission of application for Singapore Study Visa:

• Valid passport (with at least three months validity beyond the study program)
• Valid means of Identification (identity card, driver’s license etc)
• Passport-sized photograph
• Birth certificate (for those below 18)
• Academic qualifications certificates and transcripts
• Acceptance letter from  Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) in Singapore
• Language proficiency test result
• A printed copy of Form 16 and Form V36
• Signed comprehensive study plan
• Medical certificate
• In-principle approval letter
• Proof of financial support

Also Read: Get And Apply For South African Sponsorship Family Visa

Steps to Apply for Singapore Study Visa Pass

The application procedure for Singapore Study Visa Pass is slightly different from other countries, as it is centralized, somehow one might need to involve a visa agency to help with it. Apart from that, the application process is strict, any error might have your application denied. However, we have simplified the process below:

Step 1: Get Acceptance Letter

The first step is to get  the letter of acceptance from your chosen Singaporean school, college or university.

Step 2: Check Your Registration Status on SOLAR

The application is strictly online as it is handled by Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). You need to check if you have been registered by the institution that gave you admission. The institution is actually expected to register you on Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration (SOLAR) website. If the registration has been done by the university, it will then give you your SOLAR application reference number, which you will use to access SOLAR.

Step 3: Finish Registration on SOLAR

After you have been given the SOLAR reference number, you need to proceed and finish your SOLAR registration. What to do is that you will fill out and submit the eForm16. The form will require you to indicate your passport details, email address, and Singapore address. After you might have submitted the application, the ICA will take it for evaluation.

Step 4: Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter

You will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, once your application is approved. It contains all documents required to produce at the ICA office when you arrive in Singapore for the collection of Student Pass. Before this letter is issued, you will need to pay for application fee which is non-refundable.

Step 5: Travel to Singapore

After receiving the IPA and you get all the required documents with the copy. Ensure you print the IPA letter as well plus a copy. Then travel to Singapore, when you get to the Checkpoint, tender the IPA letter you will be issued a Visit Pass.

Step 6: Collect the Student Pass

Now that you have gain entry to Singapore, you then need to make an appointment at the ICA building to complete the formalities of obtaining a Student Pass. You can book an appointment on the ICA website. On the appointment day, proceed to the ICA building with all the required documents including a signed Terms & Conditions of Student’s Pass (STP) document which is available on ICA’s website. You will be required to pay an issuance fee before the pass will be issued to you.

What Can You Do With Singapore Study Visa Pass

Apart from using the Singapore Student Pass as a study permit in Singapore, you can also use it to gain part Time job which should not be more than 16 hours per week. After completing your study, you can use it to get Visiting Pass which has 12 months validity. This can help you find a permanent job in the country. Graduate students with valid Students Pass can sponsor their family to visit them on a Visiting Pass which valid for 4 weeks.

What’s the Processing Duration for Singapore Study Visa Pass Application

The application processing is swift. It is usually between 14 days to 30 days, provided that there is no issue with the application.  You will be notified if you have been approved for the Student Pass. There are some instances when the application might take longer, especially when the applicant is summoned for an interview or asked to give more information or requirements.

What’s the Cost Singapore Study Visa Pass Processing Fee

The fee for processing Singapore Student Pass is around S$ and it is non-refundable. Online payment is the method of payment accepted which can be through credit/debit card or internet banking. In addition,  S$60 will be charged as an issuance fee and a further S$30 multiple-entry visa fee.  However, if the application isn’t successful, there won’t be a need to bother about the issuance fee.

Conclusion:

“Pass” in Singapore means to permit or visa. The student pass is issued to foreign students who have gained full-time admission to study in the country. The application process is slightly complicated and strict. It doesn’t require an interview at the embassy, unless in rare cases. The process is swift. Singapore is a place for international students with world-class institutions and eco-friendly and study-friendly environments.