Singapore has become an educational hub for international students aside from the tourist attractions that lure many tourists to visit the country.
Students that intend to study in any tier of education in Singapore are required to possess a legal document known as the Singapore Student Visa without which they will be denied entry into the country.
In the bid to help students out, we have compiled all the necessary information on How to Apply for Singapore Student Visa including a step-by-step guide that you’ll find helpful.
How To Apply For Singapore Students Visa (Step By Step Guide)
Singapore schools have grown to offer world-class education which is found attractive to most international students within and outside Asia.
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That is because the country is home to numerous internationally recognized institutions whose certifications are recognized and accepted in most countries around the world.
So, if you are a student studying in Singapore, you have to start your preparation as an international student and one of the requirements to study in Singapore is to possess a Student Visa.
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An important fact, a visa is referred to as a “Pass” in Singapore. This means that a student visa is referred to in Singapore as a “Student Pass”. Once you have been granted admission by an Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore to study full-time, it is required that you apply for a Student’s Pass.
How to Apply For Singapore Student Visa
We advise that you begin to apply for a Student’s Pass immediately after your admission is confirmed before arriving in Singapore. It is only after your application has been approved that you can enter Singapore to complete the formalities for the issuance of a Student’s Pass.
To Apply for Singapore Students Visa, vis this link to submit an application https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/apply.
However, the requirements and procedures for a Singapore Student’s Pass slightly vary depending on the educational institution you want to study.
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The various type of educational institution that you can apply to in Singapore includes:
- Approved Private Education Institutions.
- Foreign System Schools.
- Government/Government-Aided/Independent Schools.
- Institutes of Technical Education.
- Kindergartens and Childcare Centres.
- Institutes of Higher Learning.
#1. Approved Private Education Institutions In Singapore For International Students.
All foreign student acceptance and admission to study full-time must come from an EduTrust-certified Private Education Institution (PEI) in Singapore that is registered with the Committee for Private Education (CPE).
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Make sure you find out if the private institution in Singapore offering you admission is registered with the Council for Private Education (CPE) and already has EduTrust certification.
Singapore Student Visa Application Processing Period
The processing period for a new Student’s Pass application takes up to 4-weeks. For EduTrust-accredited PEI, it takes 2-weeks. However, some applications tend to take a longer period to process. Likewise, the application for transfer students is within five working days.
#2. Foreign System Schools.
If you have been accepted and offered a placement to pursue full-time study at a Foreign System School (FSS) in Singapore, you will need to apply for Singapore student Pass.
Ensure that the FSS that offered you admission is registered with the Committee for Private Education (CPE) and must have obtained EduTrust certification.
Application Processing Period
The processing period for a new Student’s Pass application is within five working days. However, some application processes may take longer time than five working days.
#3. Government/Government-Aided/Independent Schools.
If you have been accepted and offered admission to pursue full-time study at a Government, Government-aided, or independent school in Singapore, you need to apply for a Singapore student pass.
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Application Process
You don’t have to be in Singapore to apply as the application processes can be completed online. However, you will be required to provide a local sponsor if you are applying for a Student’s Pass to study at one of these schools. The local sponsor must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident and must be aged 21 or older.
Mind you, companies and organizations cannot act as sponsors, but if you have a Singapore citizen or Permanent resident parent or step-parent, he/she must act as the local sponsor of your Student’s Pass application.
The application process for this type of study includes the following process:
- Obtain a Registration Acknowledgement Letter from the Government, Government-aided or independent school in Singapore you plan to attend.
- Visit and log in to e-Service to complete your application forms using the unique reference number indicated on the Registration Acknowledgement Letter issued to you.
- Your local sponsor is expected to log in to e-Service to complete and submit forms V39s and V39Q (Undertaken by the Local Sponsor).
Application Processing Period
The processing period for a new Student’s Pass application is within five working days. In special cases, the application process can be longer than that.
#4. Institutes of Technical Education.
A student pass is required if you have been accepted and offered admission to pursue full-time study at an Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore.
Application Processing Period
You don’t have to be in Singapore to apply as the application processes can be completed online. However, you will be required to provide a local sponsor if you are applying for a Student’s Pass to study at one of these schools. The local sponsor must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident and must be aged 21 or older.
Mind you, companies and organizations cannot act as sponsors, but if you have a Singapore citizen or Permanent resident parent or step-parent, he/she must act as the local sponsor of your Student’s Pass application.
The application process for this type of study includes the following process:
- Obtain a Registration Acknowledgement Letter from the Government, Government-aided or independent school in Singapore you plan to attend.
- Visit and log in to e-Service to complete your application forms using the unique reference number indicated on the Registration Acknowledgement Letter issued to you.
- Your local sponsor is required to log in to the e-Service to complete the application and submit forms V39s and V39Q (Undertaking by Local Sponsor).
Application Processing Period
The processing period for a new Student’s Pass application is within five working days. However, some applications can be longer than that.
#5. Kindergartens and Childcare Centres.
You will need to apply for a Student’s Pass if a foreign child is accepted and offered a placement to attend a kindergarten or a childcare center licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in Singapore.
Institutes of Higher Learning.
If you apply for and have been accepted for admission as a full-time matriculated or registered student at one of the following institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore, then you’ll need to apply for a Student’s Pass.
Note: If you already possess an Immigration Exemption Order, you don’t have to apply for a Singapore student visa.
Required Documents for the Interview.
On the day of your scheduled interview when you will visit the Singapore embassy, consulate, or visa application center in your home country, some documents are required of you to take along, and ensure you go with the following documents:
- The Registration Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) from the school you plan to attend.
- Your travel documents, biodata page, and birth certificate (if relevant)
- Your personal information includes the list of countries or places you have previously resided, your educational background, employment history, and financial support.
- Your parents, legal guidance, spouse’s, and/or siblings’ personal information (if relevant)
- Your residential address and contact details in Singapore.
- Your email address.
- Present your recent, passport-sized, digital, color photograph taken within the last 3-months.
Singapore Student Pass Application Process
You can apply online at least 2 months and not more than 3 months before your course begins. The new application for Singapore student pass applies to students that want to transfer to study in Singapore.
Singapore Student Pass Fees
You will be required to pay a non-refundable S$30 processing fee is payable. It can be paid via your debit card, PayNow, Internet Direct Debit, and American Express.
How long is the Processing time of the Singapore Student Pass?
Processing of Singapore student pass is generally between 2 to 4 months for cases in which interviews are required. Inquiry on the outcome of the interview is not accepted. That is why you need to begin your application process immediately and should be months before you will embark on your journey to the country.
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Conclusion.
Singapore is a nice place to study and even work upon the completion of your career.
It is a country of opportunities and possibilities that will let you use your full potential and get to the height of your career. Ensure you follow every tidbit provided here on How to Apply for Singapore Student Visa.
