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ICA to facilitate visitors on Short Term Social Visit Passes who wish to attend short courses in Singapore
From 1 June 2004, visitors who have been granted short term Social Visit Passes at the Singapore checkpoints can pursue a short course during their stay in Singapore without having to apply for a separate Student's Pass.
2 The exemption will apply to short courses that the visitor is able to complete within the validity period of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to him at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter. It must also satisfy two other criteria, that is, the course:
(i) Must be a complete and stand-alone module on its own. Courses with multiple programme modules are excluded from this Student's Pass exemption scheme; and
(ii) Must not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment which have interaction with walk-in customers or be conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
3 Those who wish to pursue a course that may extend beyond the duration of the Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoints are still required to apply for a Student's Pass.
4 These changes to our Student's Pass procedures are part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's on-going efforts to bring further convenience to bona fide visitors.
5 Visitors who wish to find out more about this exemption scheme or the Student's Pass application procedures can visit our website at www.ica.gov.sg. They can also call 6391 6100 if they have further queries.
6 A list of frequently asked questions is also attached at Annex.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
31 May 2004
Annex
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: What are the types of courses that I can attend without applying for a Student's Pass?
A1: You are exempted from applying for a Student's Pass to take up a short course as long as:
(i) It is conducted and completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter;
(ii) It is a complete and stand-alone module on its own; and
(iii) It does not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is not conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
Q2: What is usually the duration of the Social Visit Passes issued?
A2: The validity of Social Visit Passes issued can be 14 days, 30 days or 90 days.
Q3: What should I do if the validity of my Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint is not sufficient to cover the whole duration of the course?
A3: Any extension of stay will be considered on its own merit. If you wish to sign up for longer courses in Singapore, we advise that you apply for a Student's Pass. For details on the Student's Pass application procedures, please refer to our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q4: If I wish to apply for a course that is longer than the Social Visit Pass issued to me, may I ask for a Social Visit Pass with a longer duration?
A4: If the duration of your course is expected to be longer than the duration of your Social Visit Pass, you will have to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q5: If my Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint is expiring, can I extend my stay to complete my course?
A5: You are advised to make your plans early if you wish to take up long-term studies in Singapore. It would be prudent to sign up for a course that is within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint as any extension of stay would be considered on its own merit. If your course is longer than 30 days or the validity of your Social Visit Pass (whichever is shorter), the appropriate avenue for longer courses will be to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q6: Upon completion of a short course in Singapore, can I extend my stay to take up another course?
A6: You are advised to make your plans early if you wish to take up long-term studies or multiple short courses unless these multiple short courses can be completed within the stipulated timeframe. This is because any extension of stay will have to be considered on its own individual merits. The appropriate avenue for longer courses would be to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q7: Can my entry to Singapore be guaranteed if I produce my school's placement letter to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officer at the checkpoint?
A7: Visitors to Singapore need to satisfy the following requirements before they can be considered for entry:
(i) passport valid for at least 6 months;
(ii) confirmed onward/return tickets;
(iii) sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore;
(iv) visa, if applicable; and
(v) entry facilities, including visas to their onward destinations.
The grant of entry to visitors will be determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints officers at the Singapore checkpoints.
Q8: I am a Malaysian who has signed up for a cooking course. The class is conducted once per week over a period of two months. Do I need to apply for a Student's Pass since the total lessons that I am going to attend is less than 30 days?
A8: It would be prudent to sign up for a course that can be completed within the validity of the Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint. Any extension of stay is considered on its own merit.
Q9: Will my Social Visit Pass be extended if I want to stay in Singapore to look for a job after completing my 30-day course?
A9: You may apply for an extension of stay at our Visitor Services Centre at 4th Storey, ICA Building at 10 Kallang Road Singapore 208718 (next to the Lavender MRT station). Each application will be assessed on its own merit.
Q10: I am interested to sign up for a course with a registered training school to acquire hairdressing skill. The course is less than 30 days and the trainees are required to have hands-on practice during training. Do I need to apply for a Student's Pass?
A10: If the course involves hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons, you are required to apply for a training pass at the Ministry of Manpower.
Q11: I have an acceptance letter from a registered training school to take a make-up course. The course takes three weeks or 21 days to complete, but I am given only a 14-day Social Visit Pass at the Woodlands Checkpoint. What should I do?
A11: It would be prudent to sign up for a course that can be completed within the validity period of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint as any extension of stay is considered on its own merit. If the course involves hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is conducted at premises that are also the places of business, you are required to apply for a training pass at the Ministry of Manpower.
Q12: Can I take up a course at a Community Club?
A12: You can take up a short course conducted by a Community Club if it can be completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to you at the Singapore checkpoint which could be 30 days or less.
Q13: Is there any quota on the number of times I can attend short courses in Singapore without applying for a Student's Pass within a year?
A13: There is no quota. Your entry into Singapore is nevertheless subjected to the prevailing immigration entry requirements as follows:
(i) passport valid for at least 6 months;
(ii) confirmed onward/return tickets;
(iii) sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore;
(iv) visa, if applicable; and
(v) entry facilities, including visas to their onward destinations.
The grant of Social Visit Passes to visitors will be determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints officers at the Singapore checkpoints.
Q14: I am currently an owner of a private school. What should I do if I wish to take in visitors holding Social Visit Passes for short courses conducted in my school?
A14: You may take in visitors holding Social Visit Passes for short courses conducted in your school if the course:
(i) Is conducted and completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter; and
(ii) Does not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, and is not conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
2 The exemption will apply to short courses that the visitor is able to complete within the validity period of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to him at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter. It must also satisfy two other criteria, that is, the course:
(i) Must be a complete and stand-alone module on its own. Courses with multiple programme modules are excluded from this Student's Pass exemption scheme; and
(ii) Must not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment which have interaction with walk-in customers or be conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
3 Those who wish to pursue a course that may extend beyond the duration of the Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoints are still required to apply for a Student's Pass.
4 These changes to our Student's Pass procedures are part of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's on-going efforts to bring further convenience to bona fide visitors.
5 Visitors who wish to find out more about this exemption scheme or the Student's Pass application procedures can visit our website at www.ica.gov.sg. They can also call 6391 6100 if they have further queries.
6 A list of frequently asked questions is also attached at Annex.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
31 May 2004
Annex
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: What are the types of courses that I can attend without applying for a Student's Pass?
A1: You are exempted from applying for a Student's Pass to take up a short course as long as:
(i) It is conducted and completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter;
(ii) It is a complete and stand-alone module on its own; and
(iii) It does not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is not conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
Q2: What is usually the duration of the Social Visit Passes issued?
A2: The validity of Social Visit Passes issued can be 14 days, 30 days or 90 days.
Q3: What should I do if the validity of my Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint is not sufficient to cover the whole duration of the course?
A3: Any extension of stay will be considered on its own merit. If you wish to sign up for longer courses in Singapore, we advise that you apply for a Student's Pass. For details on the Student's Pass application procedures, please refer to our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q4: If I wish to apply for a course that is longer than the Social Visit Pass issued to me, may I ask for a Social Visit Pass with a longer duration?
A4: If the duration of your course is expected to be longer than the duration of your Social Visit Pass, you will have to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q5: If my Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint is expiring, can I extend my stay to complete my course?
A5: You are advised to make your plans early if you wish to take up long-term studies in Singapore. It would be prudent to sign up for a course that is within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint as any extension of stay would be considered on its own merit. If your course is longer than 30 days or the validity of your Social Visit Pass (whichever is shorter), the appropriate avenue for longer courses will be to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q6: Upon completion of a short course in Singapore, can I extend my stay to take up another course?
A6: You are advised to make your plans early if you wish to take up long-term studies or multiple short courses unless these multiple short courses can be completed within the stipulated timeframe. This is because any extension of stay will have to be considered on its own individual merits. The appropriate avenue for longer courses would be to apply for a Student's Pass. Details on the Student's Pass application procedures are available at our website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q7: Can my entry to Singapore be guaranteed if I produce my school's placement letter to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officer at the checkpoint?
A7: Visitors to Singapore need to satisfy the following requirements before they can be considered for entry:
(i) passport valid for at least 6 months;
(ii) confirmed onward/return tickets;
(iii) sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore;
(iv) visa, if applicable; and
(v) entry facilities, including visas to their onward destinations.
The grant of entry to visitors will be determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints officers at the Singapore checkpoints.
Q8: I am a Malaysian who has signed up for a cooking course. The class is conducted once per week over a period of two months. Do I need to apply for a Student's Pass since the total lessons that I am going to attend is less than 30 days?
A8: It would be prudent to sign up for a course that can be completed within the validity of the Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint. Any extension of stay is considered on its own merit.
Q9: Will my Social Visit Pass be extended if I want to stay in Singapore to look for a job after completing my 30-day course?
A9: You may apply for an extension of stay at our Visitor Services Centre at 4th Storey, ICA Building at 10 Kallang Road Singapore 208718 (next to the Lavender MRT station). Each application will be assessed on its own merit.
Q10: I am interested to sign up for a course with a registered training school to acquire hairdressing skill. The course is less than 30 days and the trainees are required to have hands-on practice during training. Do I need to apply for a Student's Pass?
A10: If the course involves hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons, you are required to apply for a training pass at the Ministry of Manpower.
Q11: I have an acceptance letter from a registered training school to take a make-up course. The course takes three weeks or 21 days to complete, but I am given only a 14-day Social Visit Pass at the Woodlands Checkpoint. What should I do?
A11: It would be prudent to sign up for a course that can be completed within the validity period of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the checkpoint as any extension of stay is considered on its own merit. If the course involves hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, or is conducted at premises that are also the places of business, you are required to apply for a training pass at the Ministry of Manpower.
Q12: Can I take up a course at a Community Club?
A12: You can take up a short course conducted by a Community Club if it can be completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted to you at the Singapore checkpoint which could be 30 days or less.
Q13: Is there any quota on the number of times I can attend short courses in Singapore without applying for a Student's Pass within a year?
A13: There is no quota. Your entry into Singapore is nevertheless subjected to the prevailing immigration entry requirements as follows:
(i) passport valid for at least 6 months;
(ii) confirmed onward/return tickets;
(iii) sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Singapore;
(iv) visa, if applicable; and
(v) entry facilities, including visas to their onward destinations.
The grant of Social Visit Passes to visitors will be determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints officers at the Singapore checkpoints.
Q14: I am currently an owner of a private school. What should I do if I wish to take in visitors holding Social Visit Passes for short courses conducted in my school?
A14: You may take in visitors holding Social Visit Passes for short courses conducted in your school if the course:
(i) Is conducted and completed within the validity of the initial Social Visit Pass granted at the Singapore checkpoint or 30 days, whichever is shorter; and
(ii) Does not involve hands-on practical occupational training and/or industrial attachment, which has interaction with walk-in customers, and is not conducted at premises that are also the places of business, e.g. hair salons and beauty salons.
