Singapore Student Visa : Types, Document Checklist, Fees, Application Process, Processing Time

Conforming to the Immigration Regulations, international students need to acquire a student visa to pursue studies in Singapore. To make the process for Singapore student visa aka Student Pass uncomplicated, ICA (Immigration and checkpoints Authority) has divided the requirements into six categories, depending upon the type of institution:

• Approved Private Education Organisation
• Institute of Technical Education
• Institute of Higher Learning
• Foreign System Schools
• Government/Govt.-Aided/Independent Schools
• Childcare Centres

Of these, Institutes of Higher Learning includes all 34 Singapore universities that international students, especially Indian students, wish to study in. Candidates applying for Singapore student visa must have received their acceptance to a full-time program in Singapore. Once you have the confirmation, begin your Student VISA application process maximum of two months before your traveling time. For Indian students, the cost of the Singapore student visa is somewhere around S$90 (4,910 INR) as they need to submit S$30 (1635 INR) at the time of application and S$ 60 (3,275 INR) at the time of issuance.

Covid 19 Update

International students who have Student Pass will be allowed to enter Singapore only if they have obtained permission from the ICA and MOE (Ministry of Education Singapore), respectively. Also, students are asked to submit a health declaration via SG Arrival Card before traveling to pursue studies in Singapore. Any student failing to provide the permission letter or health declaration form will be asked to return to their home country.

Types of Singapore Student Visa

Student pass is acceptable at all 34 International Houses of Learning (IHLs) in Singapore that admit international students. There are, however, variations of the pass:

Disembarkation/ Embarkation Card

Upon arrival at the Singapore Airport, the candidate will be required to submit 3 things - passport, original copy of IPA, and Disembarkation/ Embarkation Card. This D/E card will be given to you on the plane, a copy of which will also be available at the Immigration checkpoint at Singapore Changi Airport.

Cost of Singapore Student Visa

An Indian student for acquiring Singapore student visa has to pay two types of fees:

1. Visa Processing Fee (SGD 30): It is a non-refundable advance charge that must be paid when submitting your application to the Singapore ICA. If you opt to use the SOLAR system to submit your student pass application, you must pay the processing charge using your online banking account or a debit/credit card.
2. Visa Issuance Fee (SGD 60): If you want to leave and return to Singapore during your academic program, you must pay a multiple-entry fee of SGD 30. When you pick up your student pass, you must pay the issuance and multi-entry costs.

Documents Checklist for Singapore Student Visa

To study in Singapore, Student Pass is a mandatory document. Following is a list of documents to be submitted.

• Biodata page of your passport
• Offer Letter from the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore
• The notification you must have received from IHL, informing you about how to apply for an online Student Pass.
• Four passport size color photographs.
• Residential address and contact details in Singapore.
• Personal information involving,
  • a list of previously resided countries,
  • academic records,
  • employment records
  • financial support
  • an email ID
• Personal information of the parents (if required)

Application Process for Singapore Student Visa

To apply for the student visa to Singapore, international students are asked to submit the Student Pass application at least a month prior (also not more than two months) to the commencement of their chosen program. Applications are to be made via e-Service by following the guidelines mentioned below:

Step I: Click on the “Foreign Students” icon and read the instructions given. Post that login by entering the details-

• SOLAR Application Number
• Name
• Date of Birth
• Sex
• Nationality

Step II: Click on the submit “eForm 16” and complete the form by entering the required details such as

• Travel Documents: Passport number and Expiry Date
• Residential Address in Singapore: Complete address with postal code (not compulsory)
• Travel History: List of countries where you have stayed for more than a year
• Antecedent of Applicant: Answer the questions in Yes or No. Reasons for answers marked as Yes
  • Have you ever been refused entry into or deported from any country, including Singapore?
  • Have you ever been convicted in the law of court in any country, including Singapore?
  • Have you ever been prohibited from entering Singapore?
  • Have you ever entered Singapore using a different Passport of Name?

Step III: Tick the box reading “I have read and agreed to the declaration” and click on “Next”.

Step IV: Upload the photograph, guidelines for which are

• Should be taken within 3 months
• Facial features must be clearly visible and evident
• File resolution must be 400X514 pixels
• Should be JPEG format and not exceed 60 KB

Once you have completed the application form, you can proceed to pay the application processing fee of 30 SGD (1,635 INR). Generally, the immigration office takes up to 10 working days to process your application for a Singapore student visa.

Note: During the peak time in July and August, some applications take a longer time to process.

Singapore Student Visa: Collection of Student Pass

If your application for the Student Pass is accepted, then you will receive an ‘In-Principle Approval’ aka IPA Letter, along with an enclosed single entry visa to Singapore. 

What’s an IPA Letter? And Why is it important?

An IPA letter is an official document issued by the ICA through your chosen Singapore University. The letter confirms the approval of your Singapore student visa application. Without the IPA letter, no international student will be allowed to enter Singapore. 

Since your IPA letter acts as your Visit visa, students can travel to Singapore. It is there that they will be issued the Student Pass. Once students have reached Singapore, they have to carry the documents listed IPA letter to the following address:

Visitor Services Centre ICA Building
10 Kallang Road, Level 4 (next to Lavender MRT Station)
Singapore 208718

Complete the formalities (within the visit visa duration) and collect Singapore student pass.

Singapore Student Visa: Study Work Permit

Under the following conditions, a student can work in Singapore while studying even if he/she doesn’t have a work pass:

• You are a full-time registered study in one of the approved institutions.
• You have a Student Pass issued by ICA.

Also, you should fall under one of the following situations (to work without work pass):

• If it is only for a maximum of 16 hours per week.
• If it is attached to the industrial program conducted by your university or educational institution. The work undertaken can be either compulsory or elective but it must add on to your course requirements.

Singapore Student Visa: Cancellation of Student Pass

Unlike other student visas, international students are required to cancel and return their Student Pass (STP) post completion of their program. While a few schools and institutions have the authority to apply for cancellation STP online, students are advised to complete the process themselves in person. For this, they have to report to the following address:

Visitor Services Centre ICA Building
10 Kallang Road, Level 4 (next to Lavender MRT Station)
Singapore 208718

Students must carry their completed STP Cancellation Form, Valid travel document, and STP card. Alternatively, they can also submit their Student Pass to the ICA authority on the airport when leaving Singapore.

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