Overview
Foreigners must hold a valid immigration to pass to pursue full-time course at an approved Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.
Eligibility
You must apply for a Student’s Pass if you are accepted as a full-time matriculated or registered student at one of the approved Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore. This requirement does not apply if you hold any of the following:
- Dependant's Pass (DP)
- Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
- Immigration Exemption Order (IEO)
Select a category below to view the the approved IHLs:
- National University of Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore Management University
- Singapore Institute of Technology
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Republic Polytechnic
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Temasek Polytechnic
- École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales
- INSEAD (Singapore)
- SP Jain School of Global Management
- DigiPen Institute of Technology
- German Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia
- Assas International School (Singapore)
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.
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.
When to apply: 2 to 3 months before the course begins.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 time depends on your application type and excludes 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 | Within 1 week (Within 2 weeks if Visa is required) |
Application Status
Log in with your Student’s Pass application number to check your application status.
Completion of 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.
