Singapore student visa for Indian students: All you need to know

Aman Saxena

28.05.21 (updated more than 1 year ago)

7 minute read

With top universities like National University of Singapore, and Singapore Management University, Indian students find Singapore to be a great destination for further studies.

Plus, Singapore is a diverse and dynamic city to study in with a historical and thriving Indian community. Learn what it takes to get a student visa for Singapore and how you can apply for one.

📝 Table of contents
Application Process Requirements Documents Checklist Fees

While this article can highlight the process for a Singapore student visa, it is not to be taken as a replacement for professional advice or representation of the SIngapore authorities. It is advised to seek an immigration specialist for your own individual immigration journey, and keep up to date with changes in policy from the Singapore government itself.

🎓Singapore student visa application

International students, including Indian students, who want to study in Singapore must apply for a Student Pass. It is similar in nature to a student visa in other countries, but has a slightly different process that is to be completed in India and once you get to Singapore.

Student Passes are only available for foreign national students who have been accepted into an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.

🏫 Here are the list of IHL you can possibly apply and enroll in, which include universities, polytechnics, and foreign universities with a Singapore campus¹:

You can be exempt from getting a Student Pass if you are enrolling in a course that is less than 30 days long in Singapore. The course would have to be a short term stand alone course or module. In this case you would only require a Short Term Visit Visa and not a Student Pass.

To successfully receive a Student Pass, you will have to be accepted into a full time programme at the IHL. Part time courses, night courses or weekend courses are not eligible for international students to receive a Student Pass.²

It is possible for foreign nationals who hold a registered Student Pass to be able to work in Singapore. You have to be a full time registered student at one of the approved universities to be able to take advantage of the work allowance. But check the fine print as you may not be able to work more than 16 hours a week or the job is part of an industry attachment program for the university.³

Your Student Pass application can only begin once you have been offered a place as a full time matriculated or registered student at an institution in Singapore. The application for the Student Pass is online and is to be completed before your arrival in Singapore.

It is recommended to start the application for a new Student Pass at least 1 month before your course start date, but better yet, 2 months before. The process to receive your Student Pass culminates in registering in Singapore when you arrive.

A successful Student Pass will allow you to study full time in Singapore and will be valid for the length of your course.

Here is what you can and cannot do with a Student Pass or student visa in Singapore:

Do’s ✅	Don’ts ❌
Study full time at an approved institution	Apply for a part time or night courses using a Student Pass
Submit your Singapore Student Pass application before arriving in Singapore	Apply for a Student Pass before you have been accepted into a Singapore institution
Consult with your Singapore institution before starting your Student Pass application	Forget to collect your Student Pass in Singapore
Apply for a new Student Pass if you are switching institutions	Attempt to switch your school or university on the same Student Pass
Ensure you have received your Student Pass application number from the Singapore institution	Forget to make sure your passport has a validity of at least 6 months

The entire process to receive a Student Pass is a 2 step process that is started in India, and completed fully once you meet the requirements in Singapore. Here is a breakdown of the process.

📋 Singapore student visa process

The process to get your Student Pass for Singapore is in 2 stages. The first can be done from India through the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority website. The second stage is the issuance of your Student Pass in Singapore once you arrive. Here are the steps for the Student Pass process⁴ ⁵:

Apply and accept enrollment in a Singapore institute of higher learning
Await an email from your Singapore institution with the next steps for your Student Pass application. The application number they provide you will allow you to access your application online
Gather all your documents in the meantime
Access the SOLAR system (Student's Pass Online Application & Registration)
Complete the Student Pass Application Form (Form 16) on the SOLAR system
Pay the application fee online
Await the In-Principle Approval Letter (IPA) via email
Once you have received your IPA, log on to the SOLAR system to pay the issuance fee
Confirm your travel plans
Once your travel dates are set, log into SOLAR again to make an e-appointment for Confirmation of Formalities (COF)
Pay the course fees as outlined by your university in Singapore
Present your IPA and documents at immigration in Singapore
Once you are in Singapore, bring your IPA letter and all your documents for your schedule appointment date and time to the Visitor Services Centre- ICA Building
At ICA, head to kiosk 3 to scan your IPA letter to get a queue ticket
Acknowledge and confirm to following the terms and conditions of your Student Pass
Your Student Pass will be issued to you in-person at the ICA

Students from India may be required to undergo a medical exam in Singapore once they arrive. Check the stipulations required from your institution in SIngapore and the designated medical facilities to complete the medical exam.

If you would like help for your Singapore Student Pass, the Singapore High Commission in India has a list of Authorized Visa Agents in India.

Singapore student visa requirements for Indian students

By being accepted and enrolled in a program in Singapore, your university would have verified most of your personal information, documents and capabilities to attend the school. That information is sent by the universities to the ICA to then help issue your Student Pass. Here are the requirements for submitting your Student Pass.

🏦 Singapore student visa financial requirements

The financial requirements for your Singapore Student Pass will be outlined by the institute that you enroll in. Typically, you are expected to pay your course fees at the time of receiving your IPA to then continue on in the process. That is however dictated by the educational institution. Your Student Pass issuance in Singapore is predicated on you having fulfilled the Conditions of Formalities.

You may be asked to show not only payment of tuition fees but also availability of funds to pay for living expenses. This can be approximately S$ 8,400/ ₹4,60,255* depending on the university.

This can be shown through: ⁶

Bank statements
Fixed Deposit Receipts
Student loan documentation, if necessary
Bank loan sanction letters, if necessary

It is best to check with your institution in Singapore to verify what documents are permissible and how much you will need to demonstrate.

*All INR prices shown are converted at the mid-market exchange rate of S$1 = ₹54.79 as of May 27, 2021

📝 Documents required for Singapore student visa

Here are the items you should have ready to submit with your Singapore Student Pass application online⁷:

The Registration Acknowledgement Letter where you are enrolled in Singapore
A photocopy of your passport biodata page and shows validity for at least 6 months after arriving in Singapore
Your personal information, which includes your educational background, employment history, financial support and a list of places and countries you have lived in
Your parents’ information, if necessary
An address and contact details in Singapore
Your email address
A recent passport sized photograph taken within the last 3 months

Once you are ready to have your Student Pass issued, agreeing and signing to the terms and conditions of the Pass is required. Any student that breaks the terms and conditions is liable to Singapore immigration regulations.⁸

⌛ Singapore student visa processing time

It can take from 5-10 working days to process a complete Student Pass application. It can take longer if documents are missing or in the busy months of July and August. And to clarify, this is to receive only the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.

You can then pick up your Student Pass at the ICA Building in Singapore at the date and time you set your appointment. Some Singapore universities have off-site pick-up for your Student Pass, so you will need to follow the date, time and location of that offsite appointment per your university's correspondence.⁹

✔️ Singapore student visa checklist

Let’s make sure you have everything you need to get your Singapore Student Pass

Your acceptance and enrollment letter from the IHL
A valid passport with more than 6 months validity after arriving in Singapore
Academic transcripts and documentation from your education in India
A recent passport size photo
A copy of your passport’s front page with your information
You SOLAR application number
A completed SOLAR application form
Paid Application fee
An In Principle Approval letter, if your application is approved
Paid Course fees as required by your institution
Completed Confirmation of Formalities
Attending your e-appointment at the ICA for your Student Pass in Singapore

💰 Singapore student visa fees

There are 2 main fees to pay to get a Singapore Student Visa:

S$ 30 Application fee
S$ 60 Issuance fee

There is also a fee of S$ 30 if you would like a multiple journey visa, which can be paid for with your issuance fee.

The S$ 30 application fee is to be paid at the submission of your application on the SOLAR system. It can be paid by¹⁰:

Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
American Express (AMEX) credit card
Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank Internet Banking accounts in Singapore)
PayNow.

The S$ 60 issuance fee is to be paid when you are issued your Student Pass in Singapore. You can pay it by¹¹:

Internet Banking
AMEX
Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card online.

Singapore student visa fees in Indian Rupees

How much will a Singapore Student Pass set you back in Indian rupees? Let’s find out. The amounts below are converted using the mid-market exchange rate, which is the same exchange rate you see on Google.

	Singapore Dollars	Indian Rupees
Application fee	S$ 30	₹1,644
Issuance fee	S$ 60	₹3,287
Multi journey visa	S$ 30	₹1,644
Total	S$ 100	₹6,575

*All INR prices shown are converted at the mid-market exchange rate of S$1 = ₹54.79 as of May 27, 2021

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Sources:

All sources checked as of 27 May, 2021

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