Singapore Student Visa Requirements

Singapore is among the preferred destinations for education for many of the students all around the world. The country has steady growth in the education sector and is considered one of the best. Since the country is quite popular for education and is a unique destination for international students, the process of getting a visa for the country must be known. In this article, we will be discussing how to get a student's visa in Singapore for the students who are planning to study

A Singapore visa is a pre-entry permission for the people who want to visit the country for certain purposes such as education, travel, or any other. There are various good colleges in Singapore that have global recognition and that give students a world-class exposure. They have some of the highly ranked universities. The country is also the strongest economy and financial center. 

The students who wish to study a course for more than 30 days have to apply for the student visa. So if you are going to be a full-time student you have to apply for the Singapore student visa before arriving in Singapore.

How to get a student visa for Singapore;

The student visa has often termed a pass in Singapore.

The below documents are required in order to get a student visa of Singapore:

• A valid passport
• A valid identity card
• A passport size photograph
• A letter of acceptance from a Singapore university
• A printed copy of the form ( Eform & form from SOLAR)
• A comprehensive study plan
• Approval letter
• Medical certificate
• Test scores of Standardized exams like GMAT, GRE, etc.
• Application fees of $30
• Birth certificate
• Academic certifications
• Academic transcripts
• And the proof of financial capability.

So these are the documents required for a student who is aspiring to get a Singapore student visa. These were needed at the time of application

Visa Requirements For Singapore 

The requirement for a Singapore visa are as follows :

• Valid passport ( must be valid till 3 months after course completion)
  
• Proof of financial capability 
• 1 recent color passport-sized photograph (with white background)
• The printout of eForm 16 submitted through SOLAR (duly signed by the applicant)
• If your documents are in the native language, you must get an official English translation of the documents.
• Comprehensive study plan 
• Proof of English proficiency ( IELTS/TOEFL )
• A copy of the in-principle approval letter
• A medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website).

How to Apply for a Singapore Visa

If you are aspiring to a Singapore university, in this article we will be telling you the various steps you have to go through in order to get your student visa. The process is not as complex as the country has made it simple in order to welcome foreign students. Let's have a look!

Step 1

Secure the letter of acceptance you have received from the Singapore university. You have to be sure about your registration in the SOLAR system in order to move forward in the process.

Step 2

If you have completed your SOLAR registration than move to the eForm 16. The form will further ask for you to provide the following information:

• Your passport details
• Email address
• Singapore address ( your accommodation address or university address)

Step 3

Print the eform 16 as it will be evaluated by the ICA. Then after the evaluation, you will move to further steps.

Step 4

Pay the applicable fees, which are the issuance fees that are paid only after the application is approved by the ICA.

Step 5

When your application is approved by the ICA ( Singapore government agency), you have to pay the issuance fees.

These are the steps to be followed by the aspirants.

Singapore Visa Requirements For Indians 

The visa requirements for Indian Citizens depend on the purpose of Indian Citizens. If the individual wants to go as a tourist or a student. Singapore tourist visa is valid for 2 years and allows 30 days of travel. Whereas a student visa is called a student pass in Singapore.  It is valid for the duration of the study and needs to be submitted within one week after course completion. 

Singapore Visa Requirements For India -

• Passport
• International student application form
• Visa application fee
• Transcripts (Mark sheets from 10th class to the latest degree obtained)
• Bank Statements for the last 28 days from all sponsors
• Work experience certificate
• One Passport size photo is less than 6 months old.
• Affidavit of Support to be given by the sponsor on Rs.20 stamp paper (non-judicial)

Singapore Visa Photo Requirement

When it comes to applying for a visa, one must be careful in following the small guidelines given by the authorities regarding the documents and proof. Visa photograph is among them. All the instructions relating to the picture to be submitted must be followed. 

If photo specifications are not followed, it can even lead to Visa rejection in some cases.

Singapore Visa Photo Specifications are – 

• Size should be 35mm by 45mm.
• Should be a colored photograph
• Head size and position: Head should measure 25mm to 35mm. Centered and looking forward.
• Should be taken within the last three months.
• The background should be solid white
• The neutral expression only without a smile
• Eyes should be visible and open.
• Glasses: Only if worn regularly.
• Quantity needed in application: 2.

IELTS Requirement For Singapore Student Visa 

For international students who want to study in Singapore, it requires them to be proficient in the English language. The official language of Singapore is English and thus all the courses are taught in the English language to the students. For undergraduate students, a minimum score of 6.5 is acceptable in IELTS and for postgraduate courses, the minimum score is 7. Thus IELTS is required for Singapore. 

• Practice listening skills 
• Read books and other English material
• Review one’s English and its fluency
• Interact with a native English speaking person

Singapore Study Visa Without IELTS

While most of the programs in Singapore require IELTS but there are some courses that can be pursued without IELTS. Those courses consist of foundation programs, preparatory courses, and hospitality courses.

How to get Visa without IELTS – 

• Apply for a course
• On getting the offer letter, students can apply for a visa
• Forms need to be filled and supported documents need to be attached
• Attend interview 

Singapore student Visa/Pass Application

Cost of Visa:

The cost incurred while applying for the student visa for Singapore is as follows:

• A processing fee of S$30 at the time of application 
• An issuance fee of S$60 at the time of successful application completion.

Where to apply for the Singapore Visa

• Singapore high commission, New Delhi
• Singapore consulate, Chennai
• Singapore consulate, Mumbai

Scholarships for studying in Singapore

The scholarship is a great deal and opportunity who have talent but lacks financial resources because in foreign countries usually the tuition fees and the accommodation fees are beyond the paying capacity of some students. Which is why the concept of scholarship came into the picture so that student can prove their capabilities and live their best life without any difficulty.

Here are mentioned some of the scholarships that are available:

• CCSE Graduate scholarship
• Golden key graduate scholar award
• Richie - Jennings memorial scholarship
• Instead alumni fund diversity scholarship and many more.

Singapore student visa rejection

Sometimes the student visa gets rejected due to some common errors or other reasons. The applicant might fail to submit all the necessary documents, or there may be a shortfall in the financial capability of his/hers. Like when the officials take the interview they may feel that the applicant is not up to the mark. 

The rejection rate is low and the success rate is high.

The 7-8 years gap is acceptable in the Singapore student visa.

In Singapore stay back option is available for 1-3 months. They need to get the long term visit pass of one year to stay in Singapore. You can apply for the same after completing your education from a recognized university or institution. You can stay back if you want to work for a Singapore university.

FAQs

✅ What are the requirements to study in Singapore?

Requirements vary from course to course. A minimum qualification until the 12th class is needed. Also, the age of the student should be above 18 years. The student should have all the documents necessary. 

✅ Do I need a student visa to study in Singapore?

Yes, students who wish to study in Singapore need a Student pass. The student pass is equivalent to a student visa in Singapore. The student pass is valid till the completion of the course.

✅ How long does it take to get a Singapore student visa?

It takes a period of 2 weeks to a month to get a student pass. If everything remains fine, it is a fast and straightforward process that is student-oriented.  

✅ Can I study in Singapore without IELTS?

Students can take up some courses which do not require IELTS courses; these courses are foundation programs, preparatory courses, and hospitality courses.

✅ Is studying in Singapore expensive?

Yes, Singapore is expensive compared to other countries because of the high quality of living as well as the high cost of education. The average tuition fees are around $30000-$40000. It is considered as the second most expensive country for international students.

✅ What is the rejection rate of the student visa application for Singapore?

Sometimes the student visa gets rejected due to some common errors or other reasons. The applicant might fail to submit all the necessary documents, or there may be a shortfall in the financial capability of his/hers. Like when the officials take the interview they may feel that the applicant is not up to the mark. 

The rejection rate is low.

✅ What is the year gap that is acceptable for a Singapore student visa?

The 7-8 years gap is acceptable in the Singapore student visa.