The Visa Issue: Singapore

The Visa Issue: Singapore

The student visa in Singapore is known as “Student’s Pass”. If you want to study in Singapore, you need to obtain a student pass. However, the application procedure for such a visa varies depending on the education institution where you intend to study. We will provide you with some information about the application process for the following universities in Singapore:

Application procedure:

You need to submit your application for a Student’s Pass at least one or two months before the beginning of the academic year through the Student’s Pass On-Line Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.  However, before the submission of the application through SOLAR you need to be registered in SOLAR by the education institution in Singapore. Therefore, you should provide the university where you are going to study with the following information:

• Name, date of birth, gender and nationality of the student (as appear in travel document);
• Course details, course commencement and course end dates; and
• SOLAR application reference number.

After your successful registration in SOLAR by the university, you have to login to the system and submit eForm 16 and provide the following data:

• A registration acknowledgement notice with the login information provided by the education institution;
• Travel document/passport details (including travel document/passport number, date of expiry, etc);
• NRIC/FIN of parents if the student’s parents are Singaporeans or foreigners who are working or residing in Singapore;
• Singapore’s address and contact details (if not available, please provide the school’s registered address); and
• Applicant’s email address.
• One recent passport-sized colour photograph (to be pasted on the top-right corner of eForm 16) and must meet the following requirements:
• Image must be taken within the last 3 months
• Photograph should be in colour, must be taken against a white background with a matt or semi-matt finish
• Image must show the full face and without headgear (headgear worn in accordance with religious or racial customs is acceptable but must not hide the facial features

Upon the submission of the eForm 16 through SOLAR, you have to print a copy of the  eForm so that you could submit it to the Student's Pass Unit (ICA) and complete the formalities for the issuance of the Student's Pass.

Completion of Formalities:

You will be issued with an in-principle approval (IPA) letter by the Student's Pass Unit through the university where you intend to study. You are allowed to enter Singapore by presenting the IPA letter to the authorities at the checkpoints.

You need to provide the following documents for completion of formalities:

• Your valid passport. A copy of the passport particulars page must be submitted;
• The Disembarkation/Embarkation card, granted on entry into Singapore. If you are currently residing in Singapore on other long term passes, you are required to bring along that pass;
• One recent colour passport-sized photograph (taken on white background);
• The printout of eForm 16 submitted through SOLAR (duly signed by the applicant);
• A copy of the in-principle approval letter; and
• A medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website).

Offsite enrolment for Student's passes issuance:

The  Student's Pass Unit, in collaboration with the university where you are going to do your exchange, conducts offsite enrolment for the issuance of student's passes. The institution will advise you on the date, time and venue for the offsite enrolment.  When you arrive in Singapore, you have to report for offsite enrolment as scheduled for the issuance of a Student's pass. If you do not have an appointment for offsite enrolment, you are required to go to the Visitor Services Centre, 4th Storey, ICA Building for completion of formality.

Onsite enrollment for Student's passes issuance:

Since the completion of formalities can be done by appointement only, you have to use the e-appointment facility to select the preferred date and time to complete formalities. On the date of the appointment, proceed to the Self-Service Ticketing Kiosk 3 located at Visitor Services Centre, 4th Storey, ICA Building to obtain a queue ticket.

Also, when arrive in Singapore, you are required to report to the Student’s Pass Unit, 4th floor, ICA Building, for completion of formalities for the issuance of a Student’s Pass within the duration of the social visit pass granted at the checkpoint.

 You need to take the following steps of the application:

Application Fee:

When you submit your application through SOLAR, you are required to pay a processing fee of  S$30 by credit/debit cardor internet banking. Furthermore, you need to pay an issuance fee of S$60 so that the Student's Pass can be issued.  Keep in mind that prior to collection of Student's Pass, you have to bring along  a signed copy of the Terms & Conditions of Issue for Long Term Pass (LTP) Card that can be downloaded if you click here

Processing Time:

The processing time is within 5 to 10 working days. However, some applications may take a longer time to process. Keep in mind that during the July/August peak period, applications may take a longer time to process. Thus, you are strongly advised to submit your applications early.