SingaporeStudy visa

Student's Pass (STP) in Singapore

The Student's Pass is a long-term visa for foreign nationals enrolled on full-time studies at an approved educational institution in Singapore, from kindergarten to university. The pass is issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and the documentary requirements and application procedure depend on the type of institution.

Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ica.gov.sg)

Who can obtain the pass

By type of educational institution

Approved private education institutions (PEIs) — only an institution with EduTrust certification may enrol foreign students
Foreign system and private schools (Foreign System Schools)
Government, government-aided and independent schools — a local sponsor is required
Institutes of Technical Education
Kindergartens and childcare centres
Institutes of Higher Learning — universities and polytechnics

Mandatory conditions

Enrolment on a full-time course; evening, part-time and weekend courses do not qualify for the pass
The pass is not required if a Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order is already valid
Short standalone modules within the validity of a Short-Term Visit Pass or 30 days do not require a pass
Foreign children aged 12 and under must submit vaccination records to the Communicable Diseases Agency
For a religious educational institution the pass is mandatory even for LTVP and DP holders; only holders of an Immigration Exemption Order are exempt
If you move to another school after approval but before the pass is issued, a fresh application must be filed

What it costs

Application processing fee	45 SGD
Student's Pass issuance fee	60 SGD
Multiple Journey Visa, if required	+30 SGD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Multiple Journey Visa, if required” adds 30 SGD.	105–135 SGD

The S$45 fee is stated on the application page (for example, the section for Institutes of Higher Learning); the S$60 and S$30 fees are stated on the page for collecting the completed pass: https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/collect.

Documents to gather

The list for the main case — admission to a university or polytechnic (Institute of Higher Learning); for other types of institution the list is almost identical.

Registration Acknowledgement Letter — the registration confirmation letter from the school
The biodata page of the travel document and the birth certificate (if applicable)
Details of previous countries/places of residence, education, employment history and sources of funding for the period of study
Personal details of parents, spouse and siblings (if applicable)
Address and contact details in Singapore
Email address
A colour digital passport-format photograph taken no more than three months earlier
An official translation of documents not drawn up in English

How the process runs

The procedure is described for the standard case — admission to an Institute of Higher Learning; for PEIs, schools and the ITE the conditions differ only slightly.

1
File the application online
no earlier than 3 months and no later than 2 months before the course starts
The application is filed through the ICA e-Service, attaching the registration confirmation letter from the school, the passport page and details of previous residence, education and sources of funding. Being in Singapore at this stage is not required.
2
Wait for the ICA's decision
up to one week, or up to two weeks where a visa is needed for entry, excluding the day of filing
On approval the ICA sends an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter; if the applicant needs a visa to enter, it is included in that letter.
3
Enter Singapore on the IPA letter
With the IPA letter the applicant clears passport control at the border and receives a temporary Visit Pass — until the Student's Pass itself is issued.
4
Complete the formalities at the ICA
You must sign the Student's Pass Terms and Conditions form, submit a Medical Examination Report (if required) and attend an appointment at the ICA Services Centre — or complete registration at the school itself, if it organises such an offsite exercise.
5
Receive the digital Student's Pass
Once the issuance fee is paid, the pass is issued in digital form only — since 27 February 2023 the ICA no longer produces a plastic card. The collection link is sent to the email address given in the application; the pass is available in the Singpass app or on the FileSG website.

Timelines and rights

Work

Part-time work is allowed only to full-time students at institutions on the ICA lists. During the holidays students aged 14 and above at 43 institutions may work; during term time students at 28 institutions may work, and for no more than 16 hours a week. Exchange students are not allowed to work, and working without the right to do so is an offence.

Renewal and the grace period

As long as the holder continues on the same course at the same school, the Student's Pass renewal is filed online through the ICA e-Service. An application to renew or to transfer to another educational institution is assessed within a week, excluding the day of filing. When moving to another course or another institution, a fresh application must be filed no later than four weeks before the new course begins.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Student's Pass (STP)	ONE Pass for top professionals	Work visa for professionals
Visa term	The pass is aligned with the length of the course	5 years; renewable for 5 years if the income is maintained or a company with ≥5 local employees is run	Up to 2 years initially; renewal for up to 3 years
Grounds	Enrolment on a full-time course at an approved educational institution in Singapore	High income	Professionals/managers
Money	You must state the sources of financial support for the period of study	Fixed salary ≥30,000 SGD/month; the employer is a large company	Minimum salary 5,600 SGD/month (6,200 in the financial sector), higher for older candidates
Work	Part-time work is allowed only to full-time students at institutions on the ICA lists	Work for several employers, own business	Work only for the sponsoring employer

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

PR applications may be filed by students who are studying in Singapore and have sat at least one national examination — the PSLE or GCE N, O or A levels — or who are on the Integrated Programme. From the age of 15 the application is filed through Singpass, and without it for younger applicants; the fee is 100 Singapore dollars and a decision takes up to 6 months. A male PR becomes liable for National Service: registration at 16.5, enlistment from 18, with no deferment granted for university study.

Route to citizenship

A student with PR may apply for citizenship after 3 years of residence in Singapore, at least one of which with PR status, and having sat a national examination. The fees are 100 Singapore dollars on application, 70 for the certificate and 10 for the identity card on issue. A decision takes up to 12 months.

Frequently asked questions about Student's Pass (STP)

Who needs a Student's Pass in Singapore?

The pass is needed by a foreign national admitted to full-time studies at an approved educational institution in Singapore, from kindergarten to university. Evening, part-time and weekend courses do not qualify for the pass. It is not required by those who already hold a valid Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order.

How much does it cost to apply for a Student's Pass?

The application processing fee is S$45. It is paid on filing and is not refunded regardless of the ICA's decision.

How much does it cost to collect an approved pass?

When completing the formalities in Singapore you pay S$60 for issuing the Student's Pass itself, and a further S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if one is needed.

How long does assessment of the application take?

For universities, polytechnics and most other institutions — up to one week excluding the day of filing, or up to two weeks if a visa is needed for entry. The ICA may take longer over individual applications where additional documents are required.

Can you work while studying on a Student's Pass?

Yes, but only students at institutions on a separate MOM list, and without a work pass. During the holidays you may work from the age of 14 with no limit on hours; during term time — no more than 16 hours a week, or as part of an industrial attachment that counts towards the qualification. Exchange students may not work in Singapore under any circumstances.

How is a Student's Pass renewed for a new academic year?

As long as the holder is studying on the same course at the same school, the renewal is filed online through the ICA e-Service; assessment takes about a week excluding the day of filing. When moving to another course or another school, a fresh application must be filed no later than four weeks before the new course begins.

Can a Student's Pass holder obtain PR in Singapore?

Yes — if they are studying in Singapore and have sat at least one national examination (PSLE, GCE 'N'/'O'/'A' levels) or are on the Integrated Programme. From the age of 15 the PR application is filed through Singpass; for those under 15 there is a separate route without Singpass.

Does a child need a Student's Pass if they already hold a Dependant's Pass?

No. While a child holds a valid Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order, they may study full time at any school without a separate Student's Pass. One is needed only where there is no such pass, or where a valid pass has expired or been cancelled during the studies.

Other ways to move to Singapore

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Singapore.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.