The Complete Guide on Singapore Student Pass

Singapore’s educational system is acknowledged as one of the best worldwide. If you intend to study here, you must apply for a Student Pass. What is it and how to obtain one? In this guide, you will learn everything about the Singapore Student Pass and how to apply for one.

What Is A Singapore Student Pass?

In Singapore, the Student Pass is a document that foreign students need to be able to pursue full-time studies at an educational institution in Singapore. All Student Pass applications are handled through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

Who Can Apply for A Singapore Student Pass? 

You can apply for a Student Pass if you have been accepted into approved full-time courses in Singapore. However, if you attend part-time, evening, or weekend courses in the country, you are not eligible for a Student Pass.

Eligibility Criteria for A Singapore Student Pass

You are eligible for a Singapore Student Pass if you are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at one of the following Institutes of Higher Learning:

What Should You Prepare for The Singapore Student Pass Application?

Before you apply for a Student Pass, you need to prepare the following documents. Please note that all the documents should be in English or translated into English by an official translator.

• A Registration Acknowledgement Letter from the university you plan to go to
• A valid passport and photocopy of the bio page
• Birth certificate (if applicable)
• Personal information, including the list of countries/places you have previously resided in, your educational background, employment history, and financial support
• Contacts including residential address, email address, and contact details in Singapore
• Your parents or spouse’s personal information (if applicable)
• A recent digital passport-sized color photograph (taken within the last three months)
• credit/debit card or Internet banking details
• A completed Student Pass Application Online Form (eForm 16).

📚 Read Also: Singapore Passport Photo Size

How to Apply for A Singapore Student Pass?

You should apply for a Student Pass at least two months and not more than three months before your courses begin. The application for the Student Pass Singapore can be submitted online. Here is a complete guide.

Online application for Student Pass

Step 1: Access the ICA website and select “Pass holder”. 

Step 2. Select and click “Student Pass”. 

Step 3. Select and click “Institutes of Higher Learning”.

Step 4.  Click “Apply Online”.

Step 5. Select and click “Foreign Student”.

Step 6. Fill up all the information and click “Login”.

Step 7. Click “Submit eForm 16” and fill up the information.

Step 8. When you finish filling up the required information, download Form 16 and save a copy. Click “Next”.

Step 9. Upload the required document such as and click “Proceed”.

Step 10. Verify the information and click “Submit” at the bottom of the page. 

Step 11.  Click “Make Payment” and pay the processing fee of S$30. 

Step 12. Select “View Application Status”. Here you can check the status of your application. Normally ICA will take 5-10 working days to process your application. Please check your email regularly and upload any clarification document into the ICA SOLAR System within 14 days of notification. The application outcome will be notified via email. 

Step 13. Once the Student Pass application has been approved, click “Print Outcome Letter” which is the IPA letter to be shown to the Immigration Officer upon your arrival at the Singapore checkpoint. Please do not proceed with Steps 1 to 3 on this page until you have arrived in Singapore. 

Completion of formalities & issuance of A Student Pass

If your Student Pass application is successful, ICA will issue you an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. If you require a visa to enter Singapore, the visa will be included in your IPA letter. You should be in Singapore on a valid visa and complete the formalities to have your Student Pass issued.

After you arrive in Singapore, access the ICA SOLAR system to complete the next 3 steps (upload documents, make payment, and the completion of formalities). Here is a guide: 

Step 1. Upload documents: upload duly completed medical examination report in English or with an official English translation (applicable if the period of your studies is 6 months or more). And upload the completed Student Pass Terms and Conditions form. Submit the College Opportunity Fund documents for ICA’s processing (if applicable).

Step 2. Once ICA approves the documents, you will be notified via email to make payment for the issuing fee of S$60 for a Student Pass and S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable).

Step 3. Access the e-appointment website. Select “Completion of Student Pass Formalities”.

Step 4. Fill up the information and click “Submit”. Now you may proceed to collect your Student Pass. 

Collecting A Student Pass

 ICA issues the Student Pass in digital form only from 27 Feb. 2023. You will receive an email with the information on the retrieval of your digital Student Pass on the FileSG website. Your digital Student Pass can be downloaded from MyICA or FileSG website. Here is how to retrieve your Digital Student Pass on FileSG Website.

Retrieval with Singpass account

Step 1. Find the email from no-reply@file.gov.sg and click ‘Open in FileSG’.

Step 2. You will be redirected to the FileSG site. Enter the transaction ID found in the email and click ‘Submit’.

Step 3. Click “Log in with Singpass”.

Step 4. Check the information and click the checkbox to agree to the terms and conditions. Click “Proceed”.

Step 5. Click the document to view it.

Step 6. The Digital Student Pass will be displayed.

Retrieval without a Singpass account

Most of the steps are the same as the Retrieval with Singpass account one, except for Steps 3 to 5.

Step 3. Click “I don’t have Singpass”.

Step 4. Type in the FIN and the date of birth.

Step 5. Type in the one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile number provided in the application.

Singapore Student Pass Processing Time & Fees

Upon the submission of your eForm 16 and complete documents, you should pay a non-refundable processing fee of S$30 via credit/debit card or internet banking. Once ICA approves the documents, you should make payment for the issuing fee of S$60 for a Student Pass and S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable).

Generally, the processing time for the Student Pass application is within one week, and within two weeks if a visa is required. You may check the application status using e-Service.

Singapore Student Pass Benefits

There are several benefits of obtaining a Student Pass in Singapore:

• With a Student Pass, you are allowed to work part-time during the school term and work full-time during vacations so that you can gain experience and earn an income.
• There are a few post-study work visa options in Singapore. You may apply for them and work in the country for a certain period. This can be an opportunity for you to gain job experience in Singapore.

Other Types of Singapore Student Passes

Apart from studying at a Singapore university (Institutes of Higher Learning), you will also need a Student Pass if you intend to study in other educational institutions. These include Approved Private Education Institutions, Foreign System Schools and Privately Funded Schools, Government/Government-Aided/Independent Schools, Institutes of Technical Education, Kindergartens, and Childcare Centers. The requirements for a Student Pass may differ according to the type of educational institution.

FAQ

🔸 Can you work with a Student Pass in Singapore?

Yes, according to the Student Pass Singapore rules, you can work with a Singapore Student Pass without having to obtain a Work Pass if you meet specific requirements:

• You are a full-time matriculated student in an approved educational institution.
• You are 14 years old and above.

During the school term, you can work for no longer than 16 hours a week in an industrial attachment program which is conducted by your educational institution and contributes towards your graduation requirements.

During vacations, you can work full-time.

🔸 Can I study in Singapore without a Student Pass?

Yes, you can study in Singapore without a Student Pass under the following two circumstances:

If you already have a Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or Immigration Exemption Order, you can pursue full-time studies in an educational institution without a Student Pass.

If you attend short-term courses that do not include practical occupational training and are not conducted at places of business, and you can complete them during the validity of the Short-Term Visit Pass or within 30 days, you are exempted from requiring a Student Pass.

🔸 How long is the Singapore Student Pass valid?

The validity of the Student Pass is based on the duration of the program you attend.  You can check the validity period of your Student Pass on this site.

🔸 Can I stay in Singapore after my Student Pass expires?

Only if you obtain a valid Short-Term Visit Pass,  you can continue your stay in Singapore.

🔸 Can I extend my Student Pass in Singapore?

Yes, you can. If you require an extension of your Student Pass, you may apply for a renewal of your Student Pass Singapore at least one month before the expiration date.

Conclusion

This article talks about the Singapore Student Pass in several aspects, including the definition of the Student Pass, the eligibility criteria, documents required, application processing time and fees, and the benefits of holding a Student Pass. Besides, it offers step-on-step guidance on the application of the Student Pass. Obtaining a Student Pass is quite easy. Now you may follow the guidance and apply for a Student Pass yourself.