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Moving to a new country can be stressful, and one of the most important aspects for parents is ensuring a smooth transition for their children's education.
At Canadian International School (CIS), we welcome students throughout the school year and often receive queries from international families about their child’s eligibility to study in Singapore and the process of applying for a Student Pass.
While having a Student Pass is a requirement for some, not every international student needs one to study in Singapore. Read on to find out if you should be applying for a Student Pass for your child.
What is a Student Pass in Singapore?
In Singapore, a student visa is referred to as a Student Pass. It is a government-endorsed document that allows full-time international students to study in Singapore.
Who needs to apply for a Student Pass?
Your child will need a Student Pass if he/she is:
- studying long-term (more than 30 days)
- is not a permanent resident
- does not have a Dependent’s Pass or Immigration Exemption Order
- holds a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)
Additionally, your child will need a Student Pass if you and your spouse do not have an Employment Pass. For more details on Singapore’s residency requirements, you can refer here.
What you need to know before applying
Before applying for a Student Pass, your child must have already been accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore. Short-term or ad-hoc courses will not be eligible for the application.
All Student Pass applications must go through Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The earliest you can apply for the pass is two months before your child starts attending school.
The processing time for a new Student Pass varies for each individual. While most applications take approximately one month to process, some may have a longer processing time.
Can I apply for a Student Pass before arriving in Singapore?
Yes! In fact, the ICA highly encourages you to apply for a Student Pass before arriving in Singapore. It is not compulsory for you to be in Singapore throughout the Student Pass application procedure.
Studying at CIS
At CIS, we have a dedicated admissions team who will walk you through the entire process and assist you with your Student Pass application every step of the way.
If your child has been formally accepted at CIS and requires a Student Pass, we will initiate the application through ICA’s Students Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) portal.
Other assistance from our friendly admissions team includes:
- providing a checklist of documents required
- giving advice on student pass application
- verifying your child’s enrolment and immigration status
- clarifying costs involved in the application
For more information about CIS’ Student Pass procedure, we encourage you to book a personal consultation with our admissions team to help your family navigate the process. We welcome your inquiries and look forward to assisting you.