student visa in singapore

If you are a student and are looking forward to studying in Singapore, fret not because we provide best services. Our visa consultants have rich experience in providing visa services to students of all nationalities around the world. Our rich experience and knowledge allows us to provide best student visa services in Singapore at affordable prices.

If you are from a non-EU country and you are in your final year of university and looking to study in a foreign country, you will probably be looking for something called the student visa. The authorities have made this process more difficult for students because of all that have fallen foul of scams and malpractice. All this is done with the intention of protecting both you and the nation that wants to welcome you.

Finding the best Singapore visa for a student is not as difficult as it may seem. It is all about planning and research work on your part, which will give you lots of options. The Touriago team has prepared this article to help you find out the information you need in order to get the right visa. Besides, the detailed things we have mentioned below will help you apply for a visa within a short time period and easily understand all the requirements needed to apply for a visa in Singapore.

Singapore is an amazing place to live. The country is known for its high standard of living and its multicultural population makes it a great place for students from around the world to live, study and work. If you’re thinking about studying in Singapore, here’s what you need to know about student visas.

Foreign students can apply for a multiple-entry student visa which allows them to stay in Singapore for up to two years. After that time, they will need to leave the country and then reapply before returning again as a student. Students who want longer periods of time in Singapore should apply for an employment pass. However, if you want both an employment pass and a student visa this is not possible because it is illegal under Singapore law to have both at once.

When applying for your visa, there are three categories:

Short-term Student Visa: This type of visa allows students to stay in Singapore for up to 12 months at a time (in total). This type of visa only allows one entry into the country during its validity period and cannot be extended or renewed once expired.

Long-term Student Visa: This type of visa allows students from outside ASEAN countries (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

If you’re a student in Singapore, you will need to apply for a student visa. You’ll need to provide proof of your enrollment status and financial ability, as well as pass a medical examination and be fingerprinted. To apply for a student visa, fill out the application form on the website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore.

Before applying for a student visa, make sure that:

Your school has an approval letter from the Ministry of Education (MOE)

Your passport is valid for at least six months after the expected date of departure from Singapore

You have enough money to support yourself while studying in Singapore

Application steps:

1. Accept a place at an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL): Universities and colleges in Singapore are known as IHLs. You must enroll in an IHL approved by the Singaporean authorities to qualify for a student pass.
2. IHL registers you with the Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) service: All international students must apply for their student pass through the SOLAR online service on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. Your IHL will start the process by providing SOLAR with your personal details.
3. Receive your SOLAR application reference number: After they’ve registered you, your IHL will send over a personalized application number that you can use to access SOLAR.
4. Log in to SOLAR and complete the application: You must complete what’s known as the eForm16. It’s important to print a copy of your completed form because you’ll need to present this to the ICA center in Singapore.
5. Pay the application fee: You must pay a standard processing fee of $30 before submitting your application.
6. Await a decision: The turnaround time on applications is usually 2 weeks.
7. Receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter: If your application is successful, you’ll be sent an IPA letter. This document acts as your temporary student pass and grants you entry into Singapore.
8. Receive a visit pass: Upon presenting your IPA to officials at the Singaporean port of entry, you’ll be issued with a visit pass.
9. Arrange an appointment at an ICA center: After you’ve arrived, you’ll need to collect your official student pass from an ICA center. A list of the documents you’ll need can be found in the next section. You must pay a fee of $60 upon collection.

Required documents:

• A printed copy of the completed eForm16
• Formal admissions letter from your IHL
• SOLAR registration acknowledgment letter from your IHL
• A passport that’s valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your stay
• In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter
• A recent passport-sized photograph of yourself
• Certificate of educational achievements and qualifications
• Record of employment history
• Accommodation details for where you’ll be living in Singapore
• Means to pay the online application fee
• Means to pay the student pass collection fee
• Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your living expenses
• Recent medical certificate

How long does it take to get a Singapore student visa?

It usually takes around 10 days to two weeks to get your Singapore student visa, but be aware it can take longer in busy periods like July and August.

It’s advisable to start your visa application as soon as you can – which is two months before you enroll. This gives you plenty of time if there are any delays or issues with your application.

Can your family members join you in Singapore?

If you have a spouse or children under the age of 18, they could live with you for around a month in Singapore.

To gain entry to the country, your loved ones will need to receive sponsorship from your university. After gaining sponsorship, they’ll be issued with a social visit pass that will allow them to remain in Singapore for up to four weeks.

Can you work on a Singaporian student pass?

Studying in Singapore means you can earn while you learn. International students are permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during term-time, or full-time during the university holidays.

You won’t need to apply for any additional paperwork either since these permissions are automatically granted with your student pass.

What if your student pass is rejected?

Receiving a visa rejection can be disheartening, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of your study abroad dreams.

Common reasons for a rejected application include things like missing documents or insufficient information. You can usually rectify these sorts of issues with a new application, but beware you’ll need to pay the fee again.

If you believe your application was mistakenly or unfairly denied, you can ask your IHL to submit an appeal letter on your behalf.

If you believe incomplete or inaccurate information was behind the rejection, you can reapply to the ICA at any point.

Dependents

The spouse and children of full-time graduate research students can get sponsorship from the university for a Social Visit Pass to stay in Singapore. The graduate students should get their spouses and children to apply for an entry visa at Singapore’s embassy.  When the spouse and children arrive in Singapore, they will be given a 4-week Social Visit Pass at the airport.

Additional Information

You can work part-time for up to 16 hours per week. Work permits are not required for those who want to work during holidays, as they can work full-time without any visa restrictions.

After the degree program is over, international students can submit an application for a one-year Visit Pass to ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore), if they want to look for employment opportunities in Singapore. This can be done online through e-VP.

Conclusion

Students are aware that studying in Singapore is not just about the educational experience, but also about enjoying a lifestyle infused with culture. They want to soak in the culture of their host country and immerse themselves in the local way of life. We have identified three factors that can set apart one student from another: educational level, lifestyle, and lifestyle preferences.

With this in mind, a viable option for students could be to consider an alternative destination like Singapore. The city-state offers much more than just exciting nightlife and a colorful culture. There are also incredible educational opportunities available; if you’re interested in continuing your studies in one of the best universities in Asia, then this is a place you’ll want to consider.