Overview
Foreigners must hold a valid immigration pass to pursue full-time studies at a Government, Government-aided, or independent school in Singapore.
Eligibility
To be eligibile for a Student’s Pass, you must have been offered a placement by a Government, Government-aided, or Independent school in Singapore. Check the table below to see if you are required to apply, or if your current immigration pass exempts you:
| School Type | Student's Pass Required | Student's Pass Not Required |
|---|---|---|
| Government, Government-Aided, or Independent Schools | All foreigners (Except those listed under "Student's Pass Not Required”) | Holders of a valid:
|
| Approved Religious Schools |
| Holders of a valid:
|
Local Sponsor Requirement
If you are required to apply for a Student’s Pass, you must have a local sponsor to complete the sponsor forms during your application.The following applies:
- The sponsor must be a Singapore Citizen (SC) or Permanent Resident (PR) aged 21 or older.
- Companies and organisations cannot act as sponsors.
- If you have an SC or PR parent or step-parent, he/she must act as your local sponsor.
Documents Required
You will need the following documents and information ready before you apply:
- The Registration Acknowledgement Letter from the school you plan to attend
- Your travel document biodata page and birth certificate (if applicable)
- Your personal information, including the list of countries/places you have previously resided in, your educational background, employment history and financial support
- Your parents’, spouse's, and/or siblings’ personal information (if applicable)
- Your residential address and contact details in Singapore
- Your email address
- Your recent, passport-sized, digital, colour photograph taken within the last 3 months. Please refer to the Photo Guidelines for more information.
- For foreign-born applicants aged 12 years 0 day or and below, submit their vaccination information to Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA). For details, please visit the CDA website.
You will need to provide original documents and official translations (for documents in languages other than English).
ICA accepts:
- Translations provided by the embassy of the country/place that issued the document
- Translations produced by a notary public in Singapore or the country/place that issued the document
- Privately created translations attested by the embassy of the country/place that issued the document, or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the country/place that issued the document
ICA does not endorse any private translation companies or entities. Insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance of your application. You may be required to provide additional documents to support your application.
Procedure
Submit your new or renewal application online using the unique reference number on your Registration Acknowledgement Letter to complete Form 16A – Student’s Details, and V103 – Student’s Parents.
Your local sponsor will need to complete and submit Form V39s and Form V39Q.
When to apply: 2 to 3 months before the course
You do not need to be in Singapore while your application is being processed. ICA recommends applying for a Student’s Pass before you arrive in Singapore as you cannot extend your stay while processing is underway. Once approved, you can enter Singapore to complete the formalities required to issue your Student’s Pass.
Fees
You must pay a non-refundable S$45 processing fee.
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
Processing Time
Processing times depend on your application type and exclude the date of submission. Some applications may take longer to process.
| Application Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| New | Within 1 week (Within 2 weeks if Visa is required) |
| Renewal or Transfer | Within 1 week |
Application Status
Log in with your Student’s Pass application number to check your application status.
Complete Formalities
Once approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter and must complete the formalities for the issuance of your Student's Pass.
FAQs
While you must be accepted into a full-time course by an approved education institution, your Student's Pass is issued by ICA.
The digital Student's Pass (STP) is equivalent to the physical STP cards issued before 27 February 2023.
Every Student's Pass application is processed and assessed on its own merits.
