Due to the growing reputation of Singapore, it has attracted many students from all over the world who are looking for the best education in the business, technology and culture global centre. The state provides quality of education at an affordable price, as well as a good quality of life in a multicultural environment. For those who wish to study in Singapore, a student visa is one of the most significant aspects of ensuring a realisation of their academic vision.
Thus, in this post we will prepare you for the process of applying for a student visa for Singapore and set forth requirements that you will be expected to meet. In order to do this effectively, we will use the so-called PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution) approach which will help us to identify barriers, provide solutions to these barriers and supply you with essential information to make your next move.
The Problem: The Troubles with the Visa Procedure
Applying for a student visa can be quite stressful. You may be apprehensive about the documentation, eligibility criteria, and red-tape engagement from a far-off location. It does require a substantial amount of effort, and making a mistake could quite possibly set you back in relation to your study plans. Let us highlight a few issues that are faced:
- Difficulties in understanding eligibility criteria: Every country has its own melange of visa parameters, and the case with Singapore is no different. With some nationalities having different rules, few students doubt whether they qualify at all.
- Difficulty in submitting an application: It may seem intimidating to send an application to the other side of the globe with deadlines, payments, and bureaucratic procedures that you are not very familiar with.
- Working timelines and waiting periods: It brings in the concern of time as well wherein students fear that they will not get the approval needed for their application to join the program on time.
- Not stated requirements in terms of finance: There still exists a requirement of most countries including Singapore that requires balance or rather financial strength. How much balance must be shown? What documents qualify as one?
Such questions can seem disturbing but they are not. As long as you understand the steps involved and know what you are doing, you should be able to handle the application process with great ease.
Agitate: What if you do not get it right?
Here’s what’s happening: You have already been enrolled at one of the best universities in Singapore. You have even secured your accommodation, and your tuition is settled. However, your visa is still being processed, and your classes are just around the corner in two weeks. You are panicking. What if my visa does not come? What if you forgot some documents or there is some documentation improvement that is required? You are apprehensive about the chances that you’ll be able to study in Singapore in the course of the semester.
That is quite a lot of pressure, correct?
There are various setbacks to those who don’t have a clear view of how the visa has to be attained. These include but are not limited to,
- Delays in application which would lead to a semester or an entire year’s worth of waiting.
- Submitting application forms that are either incomplete or inaccurately filled leading to delays or the entire application being discarded.
- Unforeseen expenses: Having to submit an application once more, forwarding relevant documents without any delay, or procuring a flight but not on notice due to unnecessary hold-ups.
But never mind – whatever concerns you have are not an issue. Everything that you will need to make sure that you do your application properly so you do not have to think twice will be provided. Hopefully, you will be looking forward to studying and everything that comes with it in Singapore.
Solution: Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process of Singapore Student Visa
Let’s forget about stressing and let me get you ready. The name for a student visa in Singapore is the Student Pass and it is administered by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. Below is a list of the steps involved as well as some recommendations of how to carry them out so that you have no problems with the function procedure and that all of your documentation is ready.
1. Eligibility Criteria: Who Needs Student Pass?
International students are most likely going to need the student pass owing to the fact that if their course of study lasts more than 30 days, it would be a requirement. In the case of an approved full-time program which is offered by approved institutions for instance universities, polytechnics or private education institutions, you are most likely eligible. You need not apply for a Student Pass if:
- You are a dependent pass holder (however, you have to apply for Letter of Consent).
- You are an exchange student who is on a short-term basis (less than thirty days).
In order to apply for the Student Pass, one must secure a place in a full-time program and the school must be duly accredited by the Singapore government.
2. The Appropriate Time to Submit Your Student Pass Application
Importance of timing is emphasized in this section – You can apply for Student Pass for up to 2 months prior to the start of the course, however, see to it that the application is lodged at least 30 days prior to the course commencement.
As soon as an applicant attends the educational institution, the latter will provide confirmation of acceptance by the Centre in the form of an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which is needed when applying for a visa. The IPA letter is a document which the student receives when applying for the Student Pass which allows entering Singapore for the purpose of studying.
3. Your Student Pass Application Requirements
When applying for a Student Pass, students will need to come with the following documents.
- Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid and should not be expiring in 6 months from the time the person intends to come and arrive in Singapore.
- An IPA letter: This is obtained from your institution after you have been accepted.
- eForm 16: Fill this out via the ICA’s Student Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs: A photograph taken not more than three months ago and one that meets the guidelines as set out by the ICA.
- Evidence of payment of application fees: The price for a visa application is about SGD $30, for the issuance of the Student Pass students are expected to pay an additional SGD $60.
- Proof of payment of the tuition fees: This is usually a receipt or a letter of confirmation from the institution.
- Proof of any Amendments: These will be different for specific schooling and for the program in question however, you might have to produce educational certificates of any schooling undertaken previously.
- Proof of Finances: Since you are required to remain in Singapore, you will probably be asked to provide evidence of how you intend to support yourself. In this case, this can be a bank statement or even a letter from the person supporting you financially.
4. Making an Application for Student Visa for Singapore Students: Applications for Singapore Student Passes – The SOLAR system :
The SOLAR system is considered the student pass application for students and can be applied for online. Use SOLAR and the guide below to reach the completion of the application in just a few minutes.
- Step 1: Register with the SOLAR system: The Educational Institute that you are enrolled in will go ahead and register you on SOLAR system and you will be provided with a registration number. When you log into the system, you will be able to do so using the registration number to complete the application.
- Step 2: Fill in eForm 16: Log into the SOLAR system with your reference number and enter eForm 16. The following information has to be prepared:
- The details related to your passport.
- The address of the institution and the information about the program.
- Your email address, as well as your address in Singapore (if available).
- Step 3: Application fee: Pay Application Processing fee yes. You are required to pay a processing fee of SGD $30 over the internet. Make sure you take the receipt to show that payment was done.
- Step 4: Submit Your Application: Take care to confirm every one of your details prior to submitting the application using SOLAR. Submitting incomplete applications can lengthen the time taken to complete the process!
5. Processing Time: What is the duration for the undertaking?
The processing period of waiting for a Student Pass would take ten working days at most. Peak times of application, especially in September or February when most of the main academic semesters commence, may take longer.
You can monitor the status of your application from the SOLAR system directly. If this is approved, the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter will be sent to you which you will need upon entering Singapore. One has to remember always that, this letter serves also as an entry visa for lots of students.
6. Completing the Process: Arriving in Singapore
When you arrive in Singapore with your IPA letter, the next thing you need to do is settle what is known as a Student Pass. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to the ICA: At this point, you’re probably looking to finish the requirements with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and this would mean scheduling an appointment with them. Make sure you have the following with you:
- The IPA letter you received.
- The one that bears your photograph.
- Your medical evaluation report, if necessary.
- The SGD $60 issuance fee.
Step 2: Get your Student Pass card: After your appointment, you will then be offered the official Student Pass card. This is a document required for you to remain legally in the territory of Singapore for the entire period of the program.
7. Working while studying in Singapore
Another issue, which is echoed among many students, is the work and study balance. However, the good news for Student Pass holders is that they are able to work for a maximum of 16 hours a week during the school term and full-time work during holidays, as long as they are studying with an approved institution.
Nonetheless, it needs to be emphasized that working hours and the availability of employment opportunities are very much controlled. Compliance with these mandates is necessary to avert sanctions such as revocation of the Student Pass.
8. To renew or extend your Student Pass or visa
In case there is a prolongation of the course period or when a higher level is being undertaken, there is a need for the extension of the student pass. It can be achieved via the SOLAR system but one must request for renewal one month before the expiration of the present pass. The same documentation requirements may apply, thus it would be wise to have everything in order during the course of study.
Final Thoughts: Easy As Pie When Traveling to Singapore
The process of applying for a Singapore Student Pass may appear quite complicated but if one is prepared for it, the process is more or less straightforward. The most important factors when it comes to applying is the time and the planning. So, prepare all of your documents, remember the timelines, and make your application well ahead of the beginning of your program.
With this manual, you can be sure of your dreams of studying in Singapore. In no time, you will be in a busy cosmopolitan city, surrounded by quality faculty as well as indulging and experiencing what one of the most advanced nations has to offer.
Next step what should you do? Start compiling your documents, contact the college of your choice, and make the first move to your dream in Singapore!