A Step-by-Step Guide to Get Singapore Student Visa In 2021

Singapore is not only leaving a mark on the business world but also steadily becoming one of the best academic centers. Every year a large number of students are rushing towards Singapore for the study purpose. But getting a student visa can be a tricky affair. You can either consult with your immigration consultant in Singapore or read on to get a detailed guide.

Why Study in Singapore?

Singapore has over 16 Universities among which Nanyang Technical University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) are amongst the top-listed universities in the world. Also, many research units are providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for seamless research works. 

Being a foreign national, living and studying in Singapore is far safer than living in any other Asian country. Political stability is another crucial factor that makes studying in Singapore the most preferable country around the Globe.

Singapore also offers an excellent healthcare program that covers more or less everything. Thus, in short, with its infrastructure, regulations, and benefits, Singapore is preferred as the more likely destination to study overseas. 

What is a Singapore Student Pass?

Student pass simply stands for the student visa. Going for immigration solutions is the best way to ensure your process of applying to study here in Singapore is seamless for the students. Any full-time international student who wishes to study for over 30 days needs to grab hold of this ‘Student Pass’. 

With the help of Student Pass, students are eligible to work part-time without the need for any work pass. Also, for graduates with Student Pass, Universities are eligible to pay for your family to visit for 4 weeks. Consult with your immigration consultants to know more about the perks of the Singapore Student Pass. 

Application Requirement

Here we list down all the essential documents you’ll need to go for the Student Pass. All these must be translated into English. 

  • Your application form of the letter of acceptance. 
  • Passport-sized photograph, not less than 6 months old. 
  • Application fee for the student visa.
  • Your finance sources. The bank details must be original and must be from the last 28 days. 
  • All the mark sheets you have till your last degree. 
  • An affidavit must be provided by your sponsor on Rs.20 stamp paper.
  • If any, you need to provide your employment experience. 
  • Sanction document of your bank loan. 
  • Medical certificates in compliance with the ICA. 
  • Your standardized test (GMAT, GRE, etc.) score. 
  • Birth certificate and identity card. 

Steps in applying for the Singapore student pass 

Once you have organized all your documents, you need to follow the following steps to complete the process. 

  • Check if your institute has already completed your registration in the SOLAR (Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration). If not, you can call your immigrating consultants to do the needful. For the proper SOLAR application, you need to upload your name, D.O.B., gender, nationality, and course detail. You will generate a SOLAR reference number which you can access for future reference. 
  • After SOLAR, you need to fill in eForm16 where you need to give your passport details, email id, and your address in Singapore.
  • Print both the SOLAR and eForm16 that will require ICA evaluation. 
  • Pay the student visa fee and wait for the results. 

How To Apply for Singapore Student Visa

The success of your visa application lies in the following follow-up steps. 

  • It is usually 15 days to 4 weeks to process the visa after a thorough submission of the application.
  • Depending on your university policy, a visa interview will be scheduled. 
  • You will receive your finalized visa via email or you can collect it directly from the embassy. 
  • The finalized visa is then required to be submitted to the ICA at least 2 months before the beginning of your course.

Registration of Application by (IHL) Institute of Higher Learning 

If you can complete the process all by yourself then good. If not then you can always take help from consultants. They provide the best possible immigration solutions. However, generally, Universities complete the SOLAR registration and provide you with the reference number. 

Singapore Student Visa cost

At first, you need to pay SGD 30 or $22 after successful application submission. This leads to you further paying an issuance fee of SGD 60 or $44. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Student Visa in Singapore?

The maximum processing time of Student Pass ranges from 15 days to 4 weeks. But it also varies with each institution. 

It is always recommended to hire a professional immigration consultant in Singapore for an easy student visa process as they have a great amount of experience and expertise. 

 

Singapore’s ministry of manpower in order to encourage local staffing and hiring have made few amendments for the minimum salary to be paid by the companies based in Singapore. The announcement made several repercussions on the salaries of froing professionals and foreign mid-skilled employees. The amendment which is effective from 1st September 2020 has a considerable impact on two types of work visas: Singapore employment pass (EP)and S pass. 

The ministry also made an announcement focusing on S pass wherein it has required companies to follow fair consideration framework advertisement norms to ensure that such specialization jobs are more offered to local candidates rather than hiring a foreign candidate for the same. They gave a special mention that companies should employ foreign candidates for specialization jobs only if they are unable to source a local candidate for a position. 

 

What Is The Reason Behind Changing Qualifying Salaries?

The Singapore government’s criteria for approving work passes are updated periodically taking into consideration the demand, supply, global markets, economic reforms and much more. Every year the government receives hundreds of Singapore employment pass applications by foreign candidates looking out for employment opportunities and career scope in Singapore. 

However, the Singapore government aims at promoting the interest of local citizens and providing them with immense employment opportunities. But due to the COVId-19 Global pandemic, the country has suffered a great economical debacle. Its economy has suffered a lot though, most of the businesses have started resuming their work and activities. The stability is something which is still missing in the market. In such scenarios, some amendments are necessary to promote the interest of local candidates and provide them with some assurance. 

The Minimum salary requirement of Singapore Employment pass and  S pass is an extension of their job support scheme. By this amendment, the government acknowledges the Singapore Employment application and encourages companies to grow, foster and expand local talent.

 

What Are The Employment Pass Salary Requirements? 

Singapore Employment Pass allows managers, employees and professionals to work and live in Singapore. Every year several candidates wishing to explore immense career opportunities in Singapore apply for employment pass application. The EP is primarily to work in Singapore. However, the candidate must meet some qualification and education criteria to qualify for Singapore Employee Pass Application. The minimum EP qualifying salary as on 1st May 2020 was $3,900 however with the new amendment it is raised to $4,500. This qualifying salary is applicable for all new applicants wishing to apply for the Singapore Employment Pass.

Apart from this, the government has also increased the minimum salary for a Singapore employment pass for jobs in the financial sector. Earlier it was $4500 and with effect from December 1st 2020, it is $5000.  Singapore’s ministry of manpower has also made vital modifications in the minimum qualifying salary of S pass applicants as well.

The Bottom Line

Despite several changes and amendments in the employment policy. Singapore is one of the potential markets offering a plethora of job opportunities and career scope. Immigration solutions in Singapore are also simplified as compared to other countries.  This has encouraged several global and national; companies to expand, grow and flourish their business and Singaporean markets and achieve newer heights. After all, Singapore is one of the most stable and emerging markets for global trade.

 

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