Student Visa Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide for Indian Students

Students worldwide have chosen Singapore as their preferred study abroad destination, while India has witnessed an expanding student migration to this country. Students increasingly choose Singapore as their study destination because of its internationally recognised universities, combined with the multicultural learning environment and market-driven courses. To start your educational journey in Singapore, you must secure the Student’s Pass visa, also referred to as the Singapore student visa.

All international students enrolled in full-time courses at approved institutions in Singapore must obtain the Student’s Pass, which the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues before starting their academic journey. The Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration portal serves as the initial step in the visa application process after your institution starts it through the SOLAR (Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration) system.

Your legal right to Study in Singapore depends on obtaining this pass, regardless of your admission outcome. This blog provides comprehensive information about the Singapore student visa, which includes eligibility criteria, document requirements and application process for the Singapore student visa mentioned below in the article.

Who Can Apply for a Singapore Student Visa?

A student visa Singapore application is open to those who have received acceptance from any Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore. A student visa in Singapore is available to candidates accepted by universities, along with polytechnics, foreign system schools and private institutions approved by the Committee for Private Education (CPE).

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have a valid passport.
• Full-time enrolment in a course constitutes the eligibility requirement for a student visa in Singapore. Neither part-time nor distance learning programmes qualify for the visa.
• International students need to satisfy Student Visa Singapore requirements with proper academic credentials, adequate English abilities and financial documentation.
• The application period for a student visa for Singapore from India should start 1–2 months ahead of a course’s commencement date.

Do I Need a Visa to Study in Singapore?

A foreign student studying at a Singaporean educational institution requires a student visa to proceed with their education.

Non-Singaporean citizens and permanent residents must obtain a student visa in Singapore to study in the country. However, there are exceptions:

You do not need a visa if:

• The visa exemption for short-term study applies to you as a foreign student who plans to study for less than thirty days.
• Workshops and seminars you join do not qualify as formal education programmes.
• Those studying academic courses exceeding 30 days must obtain a Student’s Pass regardless of their programme duration.

Types of Singapore Student Visas

International students studying in Singapore have access to multiple visa options that cover their student needs throughout their limited or extended periods of stay in the country. Here are the main types:

Student Pass

All international students studying full-time courses in Singapore must obtain a Student Pass visa. A student visa is mandatory when your educational period extends beyond thirty days. The visa remains active throughout your complete course duration and enables renewal when your education exceeds its initial length. International students must submit an offer from a Singapore-recognised institution to obtain a Student Pass.

Short-Term Visit Pass

International students needing authorisation to participate in short courses or exchange programmes lasting under 30 days should obtain the Short-Term Visit Pass. The Short-Term Visit Pass provides a straightforward application compared to the Student Pass, but students receive no authorisation to study permanently or gain employment. The Short-Term Visit Pass proves most beneficial to students who enrol in workshops, participate in seminars, or conduct exchange programmes lasting under thirty days.

Long-Term Visit Pass

This visa enables relatives or guardians of students to stay for extended periods in Singapore. The Long-Term Visit Pass enables extended residence without allowing workplace participation for its holders. This visa enables parents to stay with their students throughout their study period.

Singapore Study Visa Fees

The total expenses for Singapore student visa acquisition require deep understanding from prospective students during their financial planning process. The regular fees consist of application expenses and issuance expenses.

General Fee Structure

1. Candidates must pay an application fee as the first step of visa submission. The visa fees for Singapore expand between SGD 30 and SGD 90 based on visa category and applicant nationality.
2. After your visa application gets approved by Singapore authorities, you need to cover an issuance fee amounting to SGD 60.
   The processing expenses of visa applications, together with the cost of issuing visas, are covered through these fees.

Additional Costs

Two vital fees for education in Australia include medical examination fees as well as insurance costs alongside administrative costs imposed by academic institutions. Each institution has varying expense ranges according to its requirements together with any additional services necessary.

Process of Applying for a Singapore Student Visa

A student visa application to study in Singapore follows multiple stages for completion. The application process follows these steps according to this detailed guide.

Step 1: Acceptance from an Institution
An official acceptance letter from an accredited Singaporean educational institution serves as your prerequisite before requesting a student visa. Every student needs this enrolment document for visa processing.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all required documents from above to make your visa application proceed. Ensure your documentation is both correct and recently updated in order to prevent application delays from occurring.

Step 3: Online Application
You must submit your visa application at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. Complete the application form, then add your documents to the system before making the required application fee payment. The application process works smoothly through the system, which provides helpful guidance step by step.

Step 4: Await Approval
Once your application reaches ICA they will handle its review process. The ICA conducts a review of applications which normally requires 10 to 15 working days yet the timeline might extend beyond that. Please stay accessible since the ICA might ask for extra documentation during the review period.

Step 5: Issuance of Student Pass
After approval, you need to visit the ICA office in Singapore to collect your issued Student Pass. Bring all necessary documents with your passport when visiting the ICA office for verification. A medical examination or further documentation requirements might be necessary during this section.

Application Process According to Your Age

The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) handles visa applications directly for students who plan to study full-time at approved Private Education Organisations (PEOS) below the age of 19.
Candidates above 19 years may need to attend an interview at the Embassy to study vocational courses and language programmes, and commercial or fine arts non-graduate/postgraduate degrees (including University of London (UOL) tuition programmes).

Application Process for a Singapore Study Visa

Students who want to study in Singapore must use the Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration System (SOLAR) to process their visa applications. Through its online application process, the Student’s Pass (STP) application has become faster for international students.

Here’s a step-by-step guide.

• The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) has implemented SOLAR to manage visa application processes. The following guide shows how to make the most out of this system.
• Users must visit ICA’s website to build their account through a legitimate email address.
• Access your SOLAR account and open the online application form to complete it. Complete your application form by filling every section precisely with accurate information that includes your study details along with academic history and Singapore sojourn plans.
• The system requires uploaded supporting documents that you spent time preparing. Follow the stated document requirements by uploading your scanned copies through a system that restricts file sizes. Transfer your documents to English language format along with certified translation when necessary.
• Submit your application electronically through SOLAR.

Other Benefits of SOLAR

• The partnership known as SOLAR involves ten Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). The participating educational institutions in SOLAR include the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, INSEAD (Singapore), University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Singapore) and five polytechnics which are Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic.
• Through SOLAR foreign students can now submit their STP applications as another alternative option.
• Foreign students who have applied for STP can see their application status through the SOLAR system.

Documents Required for a Singapore Student Visa

The documented materials needed for this process include:

• The passport must remain valid for three months beyond your time spent in Singapore after enrolment.
• The application process requires approved student visa application forms, ICA Form 16 & Form V36.
• Pay $30 as your application fee through proper receipt submission because $30 is equivalent to Rs 1,841*. Students need to pay an issuance fee of S$60 (Rs 3,685)* during the Student’s Pass approval stage.
• A Singapore educational institute must extend you an official place acceptance through their offer letter. Tuition fee payments trigger the release of these forms.
• Two passport-sized photographs (if applicable)
• A recent bank statement must display the exact amount of $8400* as the tuition fee payment.
• Fixed Deposit Receipts (if necessary)
• Bank loan sanction letter (if necessary)
• Submit your academic certificates, including transcripts, diplomas, degrees, as well as school-awarded certificates.
• The standardised test results that your college demands, including TOEFL or GRE, or GMAT
• The approach you will use to finance educational costs, living expenses, and travelling expenses

*Note: All prices mentioned are approximate values. Students should check official government websites or the respective university websites for exact figures.

Singapore Student Visa Processing Time

The duration to process a Singapore student visa ranges between 10 days and one month. Students can retrieve their processed visas at local embassies or request delivery through a courier service. Students should file for their Singapore study visa at least two months before their academic term starts.

The Process from Document Submission to Visa Issuance

You can monitor your application status through SOLAR following its submission.

• The ICA reviews complete applications together with supporting documents during this phase. Additional information requests may be submitted to you by the ICA for processing.
• A medical examination will be mandatory at designated clinics throughout Singapore.
• Security Checks
• You will get your application status notification from ICA through email communication.
• You will receive Student Pass collection information after visa approval from the Singaporean embassy or consulate throughout your home country.

Scholarships for Studying in Singapore

Singapore achieved a position as a new educational power in the international market while quickly establishing itself as a force in global education. Many different scholarships are now available at both public and private Universities in Singapore to draw international students as potential candidates. The government, along with various organisations, provides numerous Scholarship Opportunities for students to take advantage of. These are the most popular scholarship opportunities for studying higher education in Singapore.

• Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Programme
• The INSEAD Alumni Fund (IAF) Diversity Scholarship provides 68 opportunities.
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
• CCSE Graduate Scholarship
• Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award

Conclusion

Students who get a visa to study in Singapore open the door to their educational future within one of Asia’s leading advanced learning systems. The process of visa application for Singapore requires preparation alongside accuracy along with each document submitted on time regardless of your current location whether India or elsewhere.

Students selecting Singapore for their overseas education benefit from its efficient visa services and top-ranking academic institutions. You can easily get connected to top universities through MetaApply IE while receiving assistance with your student visa for Singapore from India and streamlining your educational experience.