Visa & Arrival: Studying in Singapore - Study in Singapore

Visa & Arrival: Your Student's Pass (STP)

Singapore's visa process is efficient and largely online, but it runs on strict timing. Miss a step or upload a bad document, and you lose weeks. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the order ICA and your university expect.

Who Needs a Student's Pass?

Every international student planning to study full-time for more than 30 days in Singapore needs a Student's Pass (STP). This includes:

• Undergraduate students at NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS
• Master's and PhD students at autonomous universities
• Students at Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) and approved private institutes
• Polytechnic students (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek, Republic)

Short-term visiting students (under 30 days) can often enter as tourists — check with your university.

The Process at a Glance

Step 1: Accept Your Admission

Once admitted, you typically have 2-4 weeks to formally accept the offer and pay any initial deposit. Only accepted students can proceed with the Student's Pass.

Step 2: Receive SOLAR Reference from Your University

Your university initiates the SOLAR application on ICA's side. They email you:

• A SOLAR reference number
• Form 16 (personal details form — pre-filled with university data)
• Form V36 (sponsorship confirmation)

If you don't receive these within 2 weeks of acceptance, email your university's international office.

Step 3: Submit SOLAR Application

Log into solar.ica.gov.sg using your reference number. Complete:

• Personal details — name, date of birth, passport details, home address
• Emergency contact — family member in your home country
• Educational history — most recent school and any universities attended
• Additional declarations — previous Singapore visits, any criminal record, medical conditions
• Upload documents:

Pay the SGD 30 application fee by credit card.

Step 4: Receive the IPA Letter

ICA processes the application in roughly 4-6 weeks. The In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter is emailed to you. The IPA contains:

• Your name, passport number, nationality
• Your course and university
• Terms and conditions (16-hour work limit, bond if MoE Grant applies)
• Validity period for entry (usually 2-3 months)
• Instructions for the ICA appointment after arrival

Print the IPA and carry it in your hand luggage when you fly. Airlines check it at boarding.

Step 5: Complete the Medical Examination

Before your ICA appointment you must complete a medical check:

• HIV test
• Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening)

This can be done at any Singapore-approved clinic. Your university will often arrange a group medical session during orientation week. Typical cost: SGD 50-100.

Step 6: Travel to Singapore

Book your flight to land 1-2 weeks before orientation — it gives you time for the ICA appointment and settling in.

At Changi Airport:

• Present passport + IPA letter at immigration
• You'll be stamped in as a visitor (usually 30-90 days)
• Collect your bags, take the MRT (SGD 2-3) or a cab (SGD 20-30) to your accommodation

Step 7: The ICA Appointment

Within the window stated on your IPA (usually 1 month), attend the ICA appointment. Your university typically arranges group appointments — follow their instructions.

What to bring:

• Passport
• IPA letter (original printed)
• Medical examination results
• Completed Form 14 (you fill this in at the appointment)
• Disembarkation/Embarkation card from arrival (for first-time students)
• SGD 60 issuance fee (credit card accepted)

What happens at the appointment:

• Fingerprint biometrics
• Facial photo
• Identity verification
• Sign the Tuition Grant Agreement (if you applied for the MoE Grant)

You receive a receipt immediately and your physical Student's Pass card is mailed to your registered address within 1-2 weeks.

Step 8: Register at Your University

Finally, complete university registration:

• Submit originals of all educational certificates
• Complete course registration (module selection for your first semester)
• Attend orientation events and international student briefings
• Collect your matriculation card (university ID)
• Set up your university email and IT systems

First-Week Essentials

Within your first week in Singapore, tackle these:

Open a Bank Account

Go to DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB with:

• Passport + Student's Pass (or IPA if STP not yet issued)
• Admission letter
• Proof of address (dorm letter or rental contract)

Activate online banking and set up PayLah! (DBS) or OCBC Pay Anyone for daily payments. GrabPay is also widely used.

Get a Local SIM

Singtel, StarHub, M1, and MVNOs like Circles.Life offer student-friendly prepaid and postpaid plans:

• Prepaid — SGD 15-25/month for 10-50GB data
• Postpaid — SGD 25-60/month for unlimited data

You can activate a SIM at Changi Airport or any convenience store with your passport.

Apply for the Student Concession Pass

Your student concession EZ-Link card gives you unlimited MRT and bus travel for SGD 52/month. Apply at the TransitLink Ticket Office (Bugis, Orchard, or Harbourfront MRT) with:

• Passport
• Student's Pass (or IPA)
• Matriculation card

Without it, adult fares cost SGD 2-3 per journey.

Buy Student Health Insurance

Most universities require you to hold student health insurance. NUS and NTU offer a bundled insurance plan (SGD 150-300/year) covering GP visits, hospitalisation, and emergency care. You can also buy private insurance from AXA, AIA, or NTUC Income.

Get Your Utilities & Essentials Set Up

• Register with your university's student portal
• Set up laundry and cleaning (most halls include laundry machines; off-campus use coin laundry or SGD 15-30/week services)
• Stock up at FairPrice, Sheng Siong, or Giant supermarkets for basic groceries
• Buy a plug adapter — Singapore uses UK-style 3-pin plugs, 230V AC

Renewing Your Student's Pass

Your Student's Pass is issued for the duration of your program — typically the full 3-4 years for undergrad, 1-2 years for Master's. If your course is extended or you switch programs, renew through SOLAR before the current pass expires.

Leaving and Re-Entering Singapore

Your Student's Pass allows multiple entries — travel for breaks as often as you want. Carry:

• Passport
• Student's Pass card
• (If you have an MEP visa) valid multiple-entry visa

Most ASEAN, Japanese, Korean, and Western nationalities don't need re-entry visas — check ICA.

Common Visa Mistakes

• Applying too late — submit SOLAR within 2 weeks of accepting admission
• Low-quality photo — ICA rejects photos that don't meet spec
• Insufficient proof of funds — show at least SGD 15,000-20,000 in your or a sponsor's account
• Missing medical before ICA appointment — you can't complete the appointment without medical clearance
• Losing the IPA letter — print two copies, store a digital copy on your phone

Next Steps

1. Living in Singapore — housing, food, transport, and culture
2. Costs and funding — confirm your full budget
3. Work and career — part-time work rules and internships
4. The 10-step guide — the full journey overview