In Singapore, a Student’s Pass is required for foreign nationals who have been accepted into a full-time course at an approved educational institution and intend to study in the country for more than 30 days. If you already hold a valid Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or Immigration Exemption Order, you do not need a Student’s Pass to pursue full-time study, provided your existing pass remains valid throughout your studies. Short-term courses that meet specific criteria may also be exempt. 

To apply for a Student’s Pass, you must first receive an offer of admission from a recognised school, university, or other full-time programme in Singapore. Once accepted, your institution will register your details with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and provide you with an application number to begin your application through ICA’s online e-Service. Application submissions require supporting documents, including a passport-sized photograph and details from your passport. 

Some applications may require a local sponsor — typically a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or older — who can log in to the ICA e-Service using Singpass to sponsor your application. A non-refundable processing fee is payable online as part of the application. 

After submission, ICA will review your application and, if approved, issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. The IPA letter outlines the conditions you must meet before the Student’s Pass can be issued. You will usually need to enter Singapore on a valid immigration pass and complete certain formalities — which may include attending an appointment at the ICA Services Centre or another designated location — before your Student’s Pass is formally issued. Once all requirements are fulfilled, a digital Student’s Pass will be issued, which you can view via Singpass or the relevant government service portal.