Overview
Once your Student’s Pass (STP) application receives In-Principle Approval (IPA), you must log in to the ICA e-Services to complete the required tasks. If you require a visa to enter Singapore, it will be automatically included in your IPA letter. You must present your IPA letter at the immigration checkpoint when you arrive, but this does not guarantee entry into Singapore. An immigration officer will assess your eligibility before granting a Visit Pass.
You should arrive in Singapore no more than 1 month before your course starts. After you have completed all necessary formalities, ICA will issue your digital STP, which you can access via FileSG or Singpass.
- IPA is not an immigration pass. It does not grant you a legal stay in Singapore. Overstaying is an offence. You must have a valid immigration pass to remain in Singapore while completing these formalities.
Fees
Once ICA has processed your submissions, you will receive a notification to pay the issuance fees online.
- S$60 issuance fee for STP
- S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa (if applicable)
You can pay online using any of the following:
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
- American Express (AMEX) credit card
- Internet Direct Debit (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB and Standard Chartered Bank Internet Banking accounts in Singapore)
- PayNow
Procedure
To help you prepare, the following table summarises the journey to getting your digital STP. Read the details that follow to complete your tasks.
| Prepare | Travel | Make Appointment | Appointment Day |
|---|---|---|---|
Meet all requirements stated in your IPA. Acknowledge the Student's Pass Terms & Conditions. Complete a medical examination, if required. | Arrive in Singapore no more than 1 month before your course starts. Present your IPA letter at immigration. Check the expiry date of your Visit Pass. Apply for an extension if you are unable to complete the formalities before your Visit Pass expires to avoid overstaying. | Complete your Student's Pass formalities by appointment only. Attend your appointment at the ICA Services Centre or a school-arranged venue. | Biometric enrolment. Do not wear coloured or patterned contact lenses. Your photograph must not be digitally enhanced. Download your digital Student's Pass from the FileSG website after completing the formalities. |
Complete All Required Tasks
When you receive the IPA, log in to the e-Service (depending on the type of educational institution in which you intend to study – Institutes of Higher Learning or others) to complete the required tasks before the approval expires. You will also need to acknowledge the STP Terms & Conditions, and complete a medical examination, if required.
Before you proceed:
- Ensure all entries are accurate. Errors may affect the processing of your application and the issuance of your official documents.
- If you need to upload a photograph, ensure it meets ICA's photo specifications. Avoid using filters or heavy retouching as this can affect facial recognition. Please refer to ICA’s Photo Guidelines for more information on the requirements.
- You must complete a medical examination, you may refer to the guide(PDF, 64KB) on how to fill the report form.
Pay Issuance Fees
Once ICA has processed your submission and it is marked 'Completed' in the e-Service, proceed to pay the fees. Make your online payment by the deadline to avoid having your application withdrawn.
Complete Formalities
After you have successfully made your payment, you can download a letter indicating whether an in-person visit to the ICA Services Centre is required to complete your formalities. You must complete your formalities and enrol your biometrics in person. Bring all the required documents with you.
- If a visit to ICA is not required, you will be informed to download your digital STP directly. No appointment is needed.
- Offsite Enrolment: If your school arranged an offsite enrolment, they will advise you of the date, time, and venue. You must report to this location as scheduled.
- ICA Services Centre: If your school has not scheduled an offsite enrolment for you, you must use the e-Service to book an e-Appointment at the ICA Services Centre. You will need the applicant's FIN and e-appointment ID, which refers to the last three digits of the Application ID found on page 1 of the IPA.
Digital STP Retrieval
Once you have completed all formalities and ICA has issued your STP, you will receive an email from ICA (via FileSG) with instructions on how to retrieve your digital STP. You can refer to the following guides for help retrieving your digital STP on FileSG:
- Digital STP retrieval with Singpass login
- Digital STP retrieval without Singpass login
- Digital STP retrieval without Singpass login (Chinese guide)
You can also access the digital STP through the Singpass app. STP holder can register for a Singpass account 3 working days after ICA officially issues the pass.
To verify the authenticity of a digital Student's Pass, visit the FileSG website.
- Foreign students holding a Student’s Pass in Singapore may work provided specific requirements under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) are met. Please refer to MOM website for more information.
FAQs
Your photo does not meet our specifications as follows:
- Must be taken within the last 3 months (i.e. must not have been used in previous applications or passes)
- Cannot be digitally enhanced as this will affect facial recognition
- Cannot be distorted or flipped
- Must be clear, in sharp focus and taken against a plain white background
Please refer to ICA’s Photo Guidelines.
