1. Working in Singapore
2. Immigration Matters
3. Accommodation
4. NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme
5. Cost of Living
6. Useful Links

Working in Singapore

Please note that Non-graduating students (holding Student’s Pass) are not eligible for employment.

Immigration Matters

For incoming international students, the University will apply for a Student’s Pass Application Number on your behalf once you are offered admission to NUS. You will then be given this Application Number via email (as provided in your online application) to access the Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority [ICA] web-based Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration [SOLAR] system to verify the accuracy of your information and submit eForm 16 online as part of your Student's Pass application procedure. Please ensure that you read and follow the instructions carefully in the SOLAR system before you proceed to verify your details in eForm 16. ICA will review and process your student pass application once you have submitted the eForm 16. More information on student pass application can be viewed here.

Once the Student's Pass application has been approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval [IPA] letter, which will be given to you during the registration exercise at NUS. If you are from a visa-required country, your IPA letter will be emailed to your email address (as provided in your online application). Please print out the IPA letter and bring the letter with you as it will serve as a single-trip entry visa when you arrive in Singapore.

Please note that candidates without the IPA will not be granted the Student’s Pass later. After your registration, your IPA letter will be stamped with the required period before you proceed to convert your social visit pass into a Student’s Pass.

All incoming international students who are applying for Student’s Pass for 6 months and above are required to do a medical examination (details will be provided in your offer package). Please also note that Non-Exchange students are required to read at least 12 MCs worth of modules per semester or pursuing full-time research in order to qualify as a full-time student and be issued with a Student’s Pass.

Please note that your offer of admission is conditional upon your successful application of your Student's Pass.

Accommodation

Details of matters relating to accommodation can be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs [OSA] website.

Undergraduate Exchange international students from universities outside Singapore applying to admit NUS during AY2008/2009 Special Term (summer program) may submit NUS Housing request via sephousingenquiry@nus.edu.sg.

From 2 March 2009 onwards, Undergraduate Exchange international students from universities outside Singapore who are applying for NUS admission from Semester 1 AY2009/2010 onwards can apply for NUS housing via the NG admission application system. For those who have applied for AY2009/2010 admission prior to 2nd March 2009, Registrar’s Office will be sending an email to prompt applicants to re-enter application for NUS Housing. Please note that due to overwhelming response from NUS students, housing is still subject to availability and the University may not be able to accommodate all Undergraduate Exchange applicants. Housing enquiries for undergraduate exchange students should be directed to sephousingenquiry@nus.edu.sg.

For Non-Exchange students, Graduate Exchange students and Undergraduate Exchange students who are not successful in their application for NUS Housing, please refer to private housing options  here. For enquiries, please refer to the OSA contact information here.

NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme

Every international student must take up the compulsory NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme.

Click here for details of the scheme.  Please note that not all health services are covered by the scheme so you may wish to enrol with a private health insurance organisation that offers services not covered by the scheme.

It is advisable to take up travel insurance to cover things such as lost luggage or trip cancellation. The NUS Group Medical Insurance Scheme does not cover travel to and from Singapore.

Cost of Living

Below is a list of estimated expenditure a single student may likely incur during your stay in Singapore. These amounts may vary accordingly depending on the student’s personal needs and lifestyle pattern. You are advised to refer to the sample data as a rough guide for planning your expected individual living costs.

Please note that this schedule only includes expenses for your daily essentials and does not account for non-essentials and major items such as shopping, entertainment, computers, electronic/communication devices, travel plans, etc.

Useful Links