| NO. |
STUDENT CATEGORY |
REMARKS |
| 1. |
Full-Time International Students |
Must hold a valid Student's Pass (STP) issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore for their studies at NUS. |
| 2. |
Part-Time International Students |
Not eligible to apply for Student's Pass and should hold a valid Long-Term Pass such as Work Pass to stay in Singapore. |
| 3. |
Holders of valid Long-Term Visit Pass, Dependant's Pass (DP) and Immigration Exemption Order (IEO) |
Not required to obtain a Student’s Pass or Letter of Consent to pursue full-time, non-religious related studies in Singapore.
If the existing pass expires or is cancelled during the duration of your studies, you will need to apply for a Student's Pass to continue your studies at NUS. |
| For more information, please refer to ICA’s website: https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/apply |
1. Registration for a Student's Pass
Before submitting your application, NUS will register you through ICA’s Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system with the following information:
- Your name, date of birth, gender and nationality (as appearing in your travel document)
- Course details, course commencement and course end dates
- SOLAR application reference number
2. Submission of eForm 16
Once NUS has successfully registered your information, you may login to SOLAR to submit eForm 16.
You must have the following information ready before logging into SOLAR:
- A registration acknowledgement notice with the login information provided by NUS.
- A Singapore address and contact details, if you have at time of application. Otherwise, you may leave it blank.
- Your email address.
- NRIC/FIN if your parents are Singaporean Citizens, Permanent Residents or foreigners working or residing in Singapore. Otherwise, select “None of the above” to proceed.
- One recent passport-sized colour digital photograph that meets the requirements outlined on ICA’s website.
- A scanned copy of your travel document/passport biodata page
Upon submission of eForm 16, a non-refundable processing fee is payable. Failing which, the application will not be processed.
3. Entering Singapore
IPA Letter
If your application is successful, ICA will issue you an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. Click on the “Print Outcome Letter” button in ICA’s SOLAR system to generate the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts “Ctrl + P” or “⌘ + P” to print the letter.
For international students from visa-required countries to Singapore, please present this printed copy of your IPA letter together with a valid passport to the Duty Officer at the Immigration Checkpoint upon arrival in Singapore, as it will serve as a single-entry visa.
The IPA letter is NOT the Student’s Pass. You are required to attend an additional in-person session after your arrival in Singapore to complete your formalities with ICA in order to have the Student’s Pass issued.
SG Arrival Card
All travellers to Singapore are required to complete the SG Arrival Card prior to arrival which involves declaration of your health status and recent travel history, as well as personal particulars and contact details. This is to be completed via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service within three (3) days (including the day of arrival) before arriving in Singapore.
For more information regarding Singapore's entry requirements, please refer to ICA's website here.
Short-term Visit Pass (e-Pass)
After clearing immigration in Singapore, an electronic Short-term Visit Pass (e-Pass) will be issued to all foreign visitors through email in replacement of inked endorsement stamps on the passport.
The e-Pass will contain your Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) number, the maximum number of day(s) of stay and the last day of stay allowed in Singapore.
For more information, please refer to the ICA’s website: https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/at-our-checkpoints/for-travellers/retrieval-of-electronic-visit-pass
4. Completion of Formalities and Issuance of Digital Student’s Pass
This is to take place after your arrival in Singapore.
You will need to navigate to ICA’s SOLAR System > View Application Status to view the status of your STP application.
Complete the following steps:
- Step 1: Upload completed documents including ICA’s Medical Examination Report and Terms & Conditions Form
- Step 2: After ICA approves the uploaded documents, make payment for the issuance fee and multiple-journey fee (if applicable)
- Once Step 1 and 2 are completed, you will need to make an e-appointment to complete your Student’s Pass formalities (i.e. Step 3) at ICA Building. For Semester 1 and 2 main intakes, completion of formalities will be done on campus during ICA’s Offsite Enrolment (OSE) sessions organized by the University. You will be notified of this in your IPA letter. An email notification from the University with details about appointment booking will also be sent to your NUS Email.
Please refer to the respective Registration Guides (or information leaflet sent by the respective NUS admission departments) on the dates and details of ICA's Offsite Enrolment at NUS.
You will receive your digital Student’s Pass within 7 working days after completing the formalities. For more information on issuance of digital Student’s Pass, please refer to ICA’s website: https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/collect
IMPORTANT NOTES:
You will need to complete the Student's Pass formalities before your IPA letter* or the validity of the e-Pass expires, whichever is earlier. If you are in Singapore and your scheduled appointment date is beyond the validity of e-Pass, please apply for aShort-Term Visit Pass (STVP) extension via ICA e-service.
When filing for an extension of the STVP, please fill up the Reason for extension section with the following:
- NUS student awaiting completion of Student’s Pass formalities
- Provide your SOLAR Application number and Foreigner Identification Number (FIN)
Students are required to obtain a valid Student's Pass by the stipulated deadline. Failure to do so will result in a warning, followed by dismissal from NUS if the warning is not heeded within 7 days. The Student's Pass application will also be cancelled.
Overstaying without a valid immigration pass is a punishable offence under the Immigration Act. Failure to comply may result in a composition fine or prosecution in Court. Students must ensure that they hold a valid pass at all times in Singapore to avoid being charged for overstaying.
For full-time international students, please note that you will be deemed to be residing illegally in Singapore if you do not have a valid Student’s Pass.
|
* If your IPA is expiring or has expired before you can complete the formalities, submit re-application for your Student’s Pass:
- Undergraduate Students: Submit your request here
- Graduate Research Students: Complete this form and email to GradEnquiry@nus.edu.sg
- Graduate Coursework Students: Complete this form and email to your respective Faculty/School Dean’s Office for assistance
Note: You may write to ICA at ICA_STP1@ica.gov.sg to request for refund of processing and issuance fees, subject to review on a case-by-case basis.