Singapore Student Visa 2026: Student's Pass Requirements
The Singapore student visa is officially the Student's Pass, issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). A foreigner who has been accepted by an educational institution to pursue full-time studies in Singapore needs one, with a few exceptions. The application is online, there is a fixed window to apply, and the rules differ slightly with the type of school. This guide sets out the timing, fees, documents and work rules from ICA and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
You must be accepted into an approved full-time course, then apply online at least two months and not more than three months before the course begins. The processing fee is S$45, the issuance fee is S$60, and a Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable, is S$30. For universities and polytechnics, processing takes within one week, or within two weeks if a visa is required. The pass is issued in digital form. At listed institutions you can work up to 16 hours a week during term without a work pass.
Who needs a Student's Pass
You need one if you are a foreigner accepted for full-time studies in Singapore, unless you hold a valid pass from this list:
| You hold | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order | You do not need a Student's Pass for full-time, non-religious studies, and may enrol in any school within the duration of the existing pass |
| Short-Term Visit Pass | You are exempt only for a short course that meets all of ICA's criteria |
If the existing pass expires or is cancelled during your studies, you have to apply for a Student's Pass to continue.
Short courses that do not need a Student's Pass
- The course is completed during the validity of the Short-Term Visit Pass or within 30 days, whichever is shorter.
- It is a complete and stand-alone module. Courses with multiple programme modules need a Student's Pass.
- It does not include practical occupational training or industrial attachment that involves interacting with walk-in customers, and is not conducted at premises that are also places of business.
Courses that do not qualify
To apply for a Student's Pass you must be accepted into an approved full-time course. Part-time courses and courses conducted in the evening or on weekends are not eligible.
Rules by type of institution
| Institution | When to apply | Processing time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institutes of Higher Learning: universities, polytechnics and offshore institutes with local campuses | At least two months and not more than three months before the course begins | Within one week, or within two weeks if a visa is required | You do not need to be in Singapore while the application is processed |
| Private Education Institutions | At least two months and not more than three months before the course begins | Within one month for a new application, and within two weeks for an EduTrust-accredited institution | Only EduTrust-certified institutions can offer placements to foreign students |
| Government, Government-aided and independent schools | At least two months and not more than three months before the course begins | Within one week, or within two weeks if a visa is required | You need a local sponsor who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged 21 or older |
ICA notes for each type that some applications may take longer to process. Processing times exclude the date of submission.
The Institutes of Higher Learning on ICA's list
- Local universities: 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
- Local polytechnics: Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic
- Offshore institutes with local campuses: ESSEC, 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 and information to have ready
- 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 countries or places you have lived in, your educational background, employment history and financial support
- Your parents', spouse's and siblings' personal information, if applicable
- Your residential address and contact details in Singapore
- Your email address
- A recent passport-sized digital colour photograph, taken within the last three months
Documents not in English need official translations. ICA accepts translations from the embassy of the issuing country, from a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country, or private translations attested by that embassy or notarised by such a notary. Foreign-born applicants aged 12 or below also have to submit vaccination information to the Communicable Diseases Agency.
How to apply, step by step
- Get your place and the Registration Acknowledgement Letter from the school.
- Apply online through the ICA e-Service at least two months and not more than three months before the course begins, and pay the non-refundable S$45 processing fee.
- Stay outside Singapore if you can. ICA recommends applying before you arrive, because you cannot extend your stay while processing is underway.
- Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. If you require a visa to enter Singapore, the visa is automatically included in the letter.
- Enter Singapore and produce the IPA letter at the checkpoint. ICA states that the letter does not guarantee entry.
- Submit the Medical Examination Report if it applies to you.
- Complete the formalities by appointment at the ICA Services Centre, 2 Crawford Street, Level 3, or at an offsite enrolment arranged by your school. Pay the S$60 issuance fee and, if applicable, S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa.
- Retrieve the digital Student's Pass. ICA emails instructions for the FileSG website, and the pass can be viewed in the Singpass app after three working days.
Since 27 February 2023, ICA has issued the Student's Pass in digital form only, in place of a physical card.
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee, non-refundable | S$45 | At application |
| Issuance fee | S$60 | At completion of formalities |
| Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable | S$30 | At completion of formalities |
Working on a Student's Pass
MOM says a Student's Pass holder is only allowed to work if specific requirements are met. Its rules separate vacation from term time, and each has its own list of institutions.
| During vacation | During the school term | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Full-time matriculated or registered students at an institution on MOM's vacation list, aged 14 and above | Full-time matriculated or registered students at an institution on MOM's term-time list |
| Limit | No hours limit is stated | A maximum of 16 hours a week, or work under an industrial attachment or internship programme that contributes towards graduation requirements |
| Work pass | Not needed, and you need not notify MOM | Not needed, and you need not notify MOM |
- Term-time list: it includes the six local universities, the five polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education, LaSalle College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, INSEAD, ESSEC and others. Check MOM's page for your institution.
- Exchange students: MOM states you are not allowed to work if you are an exchange student in Singapore.
- The penalty: it is an offence for a foreign student to work in Singapore without a valid work pass.
- After graduation: once you have completed your studies and your Student's Pass expires, you need a work pass, and your employer has to apply for it.
Tuition Grant: help with costs, with a bond
The Ministry of Education (MOE) says eligible international students can receive a Tuition Grant for selected full-time diploma and undergraduate courses at the Institutes of Higher Learning. The condition is written on the same page: Tuition Grant recipients who are Singapore Permanent Residents or international students must serve a 3-year bond after graduation.
Children: places in mainstream schools
International students can seek admission to mainstream primary and secondary schools through MOE's admissions exercises, the AEIS and the S-AEIS. All tests are held in Singapore. MOE's page gives early January 2027 as the next S-AEIS application period, with tests from the end of February 2027 to early March 2027, marked tentative. A child offered a place at a Government, Government-aided or independent school needs a local sponsor for the Student's Pass. If the child has a Singapore citizen or permanent resident parent or step-parent, that person must act as the sponsor, and companies cannot be sponsors.
Changing school and ending your studies
- Transfer before collection: if you want to move to another school after approval but before collecting the pass, you need to submit a new application.
- Private institutions: to take a different course or move to a different private institution, apply for a new Student's Pass at least four weeks before the new course begins.
- When you stop: when you cease or terminate your studies you should cancel the pass. ICA says to submit the cancellation at least 3 working days before the pass expires.
From student to permanent resident
ICA's list of foreigners who may be eligible to apply for permanent residence includes students studying in Singapore who have passed at least one national exam (PSLE, GCE 'N', 'O' or 'A' levels) or are in the Integrated Programme.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Singapore Student's Pass cost?
S$45 for processing, which is non-refundable, and S$60 for issuance. A Multiple Journey Visa, if applicable, costs S$30.
When should I apply for a Singapore Student's Pass?
At least two months and not more than three months before your course begins. ICA recommends applying before you arrive in Singapore.
How long does a Singapore student visa take?
For Institutes of Higher Learning, within one week, or within two weeks if a visa is required. For private education institutions, within one month for a new application, and within two weeks for an EduTrust-accredited institution.
Can international students work in Singapore?
Yes, if they study full-time at an institution on MOM's lists. During term the limit is 16 hours a week, or an industrial attachment that contributes towards graduation requirements. Exchange students are not allowed to work.
Do Indian students need a separate entry visa?
ICA says that if you require a visa to enter Singapore, the visa is automatically included in your In-Principle Approval letter. India is on ICA's list of countries whose travel document holders need an entry visa.
Can I study part-time on a Student's Pass?
No. Part-time courses and courses conducted in the evening or on weekends are not eligible.
Do I get a Student's Pass card?
No. Since 27 February 2023 the Student's Pass has been issued in digital form only.
Official sources
- Immigration & Checkpoints Authority — Becoming a Student's Pass holder
- ICA — Student's Pass: Institutes of Higher Learning
- ICA — Student's Pass: approved Private Education Institutions
- ICA — Student's Pass: Government, Government-aided and independent schools
- ICA — Completion of formalities and issuance of Student's Pass
- ICA — Cancellation of Student's Pass
- Ministry of Manpower — Work pass exemption for foreign students
- Ministry of Education — Tuition Grant Scheme
- MOE — Admissions for international students
- ICA — Check if you need an entry visa
- ICA — Becoming a Permanent Resident
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Tuition fees are not covered here. Confirm the requirements for your school type on ICA's page before you apply. Information, not legal advice.