Singapore is fast emerging as a global educational hub and a popular study abroad destination, as many well-ranked universities offer high-quality programs in various domains. To study in Singapore, you need to fulfil several requirements, and one such condition is to obtain a student visa. So, if you want detailed information about student visas for Singapore, this guide is for you.
Key Highlights

• Student visa for Singapore: An overview
• Singapore study visa requirements
• Singapore study visa processing time
• Singapore study visa fees in Indian rupees
• How to apply for a student visa for Singapore from India?
• FAQs

Student visa for Singapore: An overview
In Singapore, a student visa is commonly called a Student Pass. A Student Pass is an essential document that international students need to obtain to pursue a full-time study program lasting more than 30 days at an approved academic institution in Singapore. This does not include part-time courses. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) is a category in Singapore for higher education. The IHL includes local polytechnics, local universities, and foreign universities with offshore campuses in Singapore.

International students, who have been accepted for a full-time course in one of the IHLs, should not apply for a Student Pass if they:

• Have an Immigration Exemption Order
• Plan to study a short course (30 days duration) or are granted a Short-Term Visit Pass at a Singapore Checkpoint

Singapore study visa requirements
Students above 19 years of age willing to pursue vocational, language, commercial or fine arts studies may need to attend an interview as a part of the visa application process.
The documents that need to be submitted along with the Student Pass application form are as follows:

1. The Registration Acknowledgement Letter received from the university you are planning to attend
2. Passport details
3. Birth certificate (if applicable)
4. Travel history disclosing a list of countries where you have stayed for over a year
5. Academic transcripts (higher secondary certificate, bachelor’s degree and diploma certificate)
6. English language test score of any one of the two tests: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
7. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
8. Employment records (if any)
9. Proof of funds
10. Your email address
11. Your residential address and contact details in Singapore
12. Your passport-sized, digital and colour photograph taken within the last three months.
13. Your parents’, siblings’ or spouse’s personal information (if applicable)

Kindly note that the requirements for a Student Pass may differ from one IHL to another. Therefore, check with your IHL to get accurate details.
Singapore study visa processing time
The general processing time of a Student Pass application is within 1 week (excluding the date of submission). If you need a visa, the processing time will increase to 2 weeks from submission. Sometimes, the processing time may take longer than required.
Singapore study visa fees in Indian Rupees
You need to pay a non-refundable processing fee of SGD 30 (∼INR 1,846) along with the application, which is submitted to ICA. You also need to pay an issuance fee of SGD 60 (∼INR 3,692) after collecting the Student Pass.

You can make a payment by using:

• MasterCard or Visa debit/credit card
• American Express (AMEX) credit card, or
• Internet Banking

How to apply for a student visa for Singapore from India?

• Apply online for Singapore Student Pass via the e-Service portal.
• Log in to the portal using the information provided in the Registration Acknowledgement Letter. Fill in details like your Full Name, Nationality, Date of Birth and Gender.
• Attach all necessary documents (as mentioned) along with your digital photo.
• Pay the application processing fee.

You can check the status of your application at the e-Service portal. When your application for Student Pass is approved, you will receive an In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter.
A Pro-Tip: The new applications for a Student Pass must be submitted at least one month and not more than two months before the course commencement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can you work in Singapore with Student Pass?
Ans. International students can work a maximum of 16 hours per week if they have Singapore Student Pass.

Q2. Can students bring their families on Student Pass?
Ans. Students cannot bring their family members on Student Pass.
So, if you are planning to study in Singapore but facing financial hiccups, you can opt for an education loan. At Avanse Financial Services,  we offer a study loan for abroad courses with benefits like 100% finance, quick sanctions, and flexible repayment options. Get in touch with us today to know more about hyper-personalised loans.