Looking for Singapore student visa requirements for Sri Lanka students?Singapore is a popular international study destination among Sri Lankan students for many reasons. The country's education system boasts global recognition and consistently ranks among the best in Asia and internationally. Additionally, Singapore is strategically situated, allowing convenient travel to Sri Lankan students seeking study opportunities there. Further, the country has a remarkably low crime rate, the citizens are generally cordial, and there are numerous internationally accredited institutions of higher learning and study courses for international students.If you are a Sri Lankan national eyeing the prestigious international study opportunities in Singapore, read on to learn the eligibility criteria, requirements, cost, and application process for the Singapore student visa.
What is the Singapore Student Visa?
The Singapore student visa is a legal document that grants international students legal entry into Singapore and allows them to pursue a course at an accredited university or college. Any international student planning to study in Singapore, including Sri Lankans, must apply for a study visa.The Singapore student visa is a student pass in the country, while universities and colleges are called Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). As a Sri Lankan student looking to pursue any academic course in Singapore lasting more than 30 days, you must apply for the Singapore student pass. The Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system is Singapore's official registration system, which is mandated to process all student pass applications.If you are 19 or younger and wish to attend an approved Private Education Organization (PEO) in Singapore. In that case, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) processes your application directly. On the other hand, you might be required to attend an interview at the Singapore embassy or High Commission in Sri Lanka if you are a Sri Lankan student aged 20 years or more with aspirations to pursue a commercial, vocational, undergraduate, post-graduate, or language and fine arts study program in Singapore.
Types of Singapore Student Visas for Sri Lankan Students
The government of Singapore only issues a single type of study visa to international students – the Singapore Student Pass, which is accepted in all Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning that enroll international students. However, two variants of the Singapore Student Pass depend on the nature and duration of the study program you intend to pursue.
- Singapore Student Pass Based on the Type of Study Program
This student pass typically specifies the details of your study program in Singapore. There are numerous academic courses for Sri Lankan students in Singapore, ranging from certificate and diploma programs to professional, vocational, practical training, undergraduate, and post-graduate courses.
- Singapore Student Pass Based on the Duration of the Study Course
You can apply for a short-term or long-term Singapore Student Pass contingent on the length of your target study course. The government of Singapore issues short-term student passes to students pursuing certificate and diploma study programs that typically take up to 3 months. On the other hand, the government gives long-term student passes to students enrolled in Bachelor's (undergraduate) and Master's (graduate and post-graduate) study courses.Regardless of the variant of the Singapore Student Pass, the costs for registration and issuance are the same.
Categories of the Singapore Student Pass
Besides the two variants of the Singapore student pass, the government of Singapore issues three more categories of student passes to Sri Lankan and other international students.
| Category of Singapore Student Pass | Description and Requirements |
| Training Employment Pass | This pass is issued to foreign professionals undertaking practical training in Singapore who earn SGD 3000 per month. |
| Training Work Permit | The pass is for students or semi-qualified (semi-skilled) trainees pursuing practical training in Singapore for up to six months. |
| Work Holiday Pass | This pass is administered to students or graduates aged between 18 and 25 years who intend to work and holiday in Singapore. |
The Singapore Student Pass also serves as a temporary part-time employment pass for Sri Lankan students studying in Singapore. The pass allows you to work up to 16 hours per week and full-time during holidays. Nevertheless, you are required to surrender the pass within one week after completing your study program. Still, you can apply for a one-year Singapore Visit Pass to seek employment opportunities in the country.
Singapore Student Visa Application and Processing Timelines for Sri Lankan Students
As a Sri Lankan student applying for the Singapore Student Visa, you must submit your application online via the Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system at least one month (four weeks) before your select study program begins.In most instances, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore processes student visa applications promptly. Thus, you can receive your Singapore student visa within 10-15 days or a month after application. However, the processing time can take up to four months for more complex cases.
Singapore Student Visa Eligibility Criteria for Sri Lankan Students
Generally, Sri Lankan students seeking a Singapore student visa must meet these prerequisites:
- Possess the requisite minimum English language proficiency
- Secure admission into an accredited IHL in Singapore for a full-time study program. Weekend, evening, and part-time study courses don't qualify
- Be registered with Singapore's Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system
- Sri Lankan students pursuing study courses lasting less than 30 days are exempt from the Singapore Student Pass.
Document Requirements for the Singapore Student Visa Application
When applying for the Singapore Student Visa from Sri Lanka, the following documents must accompany your request:
- SOLAR registration acknowledgment letter issued by your IHL in Singapore
- A Valid passport with a validity of at least three months after the projected completion date of your study course
- The formal letter of offer (admission letter) from a certified IHL in Singapore
- Printed, completed, and signed Student Visa Application Forms- ICA Form 16 (the main student pass application form) and Form V36 (depicting the student pass applicant's additional information)
- Recent medical certificate
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Transcripts of degrees, diplomas, or certificates of academic achievements from your previous educational institutions
- Record of employment history
- Bank statements depicting your capacity to fund your education (tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs) in Singapore
- Visa application fee receipt
- Proficiency test scores required by your IHL in Singapore- could be TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, or PTE, among others, depending on the specific requirements of the institution
- Accommodation details for the entire duration of your study and stay in Singapore
- Bank loan sanction letter (if you are applying for a student loan), along with proof of investments (upon request by the ICA)
- Proof of capacity to pay the student pass issuance fee
- Any other extra documentation that the ICA interviewer or your select IHL may request
Singapore Student Visa Application Process for Sri Lankan Students
As an international student, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) requires you to submit your student visa application online via the SOLAR system at least a month before your course commences. Here's the procedure:
- Secure admission into an accredited IHL in Singapore
Enroll in a certified Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore. Once you secure admission, the IHL will:
- Issue you with a formal letter of offer for your study course.
- Register for the SOLAR system by providing your details, including your name, gender, nationality, date of birth, and study program specifics, such as the commencement and completion dates.
- Issue you your personalized SOLAR application reference number to help you access the platform for your student visa application
- Apply for your Singapore Student Visa on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website through the SOLAR service
Log into the SOLAR system using your reference number and complete the e-Form 16. Ensure you have the following details at hand before logging into the SOLAR service:
- Registration acknowledgment from your IHL containing your SOLAR login details
- Your passport particulars, including the passport number and date of expiry
- Your valid email address
- Your contact details and address in Singapore or the registered address of your IHL in Singapore
- A recent passport-size color photograph
- Pay the requisite student visa application and processing fee
| Review your student pass application form and ascertain every box check before paying the standardized student visa application and processing fee. |
- Submit the e-Form 16
Submit your completed student visa application using the SOLAR service. Ensure you print a copy of the visa application forms e-Form 16 and Form V36, as you will need to submit them physically at the ICA's Student Pass Centre in Singapore to receive your Singapore Student Visa.
- Wait for visa processing.
Wait for the Singapore ICA to review and process your student visa application. Typically, the ICA handles student visa requests within two weeks of application, although it can take a little longer, depending on the complexity of each application.
- Receive an In-Principle Approval Letter
If your application sails through, you'll receive an in-principle approval letter from the Singapore ICA as a temporary student pass and entry permission into Singapore.
- Get a Visit Pass
Upon arrival in Singapore, present your IPA to the immigration officials, who will issue you a Singapore Visit Pass.
- Collect your Singapore Student Visa
After arrival in Singapore, report to the ICA center with the supporting documents for the requisite student visa application. After submitting the documents, the ICA will issue you a student pass.
Dependents of a Sri Lankan Singapore Student Visa Recipient
Singapore IHLs can sponsor spouses and children of full-time graduate research students for Social Visit Passes, allowing them to stay in Singapore for up to 4 weeks. However, these dependents must apply for entry visas at the Singapore embassy in Sri Lanka.
The Cost of Singapore Student Visa for Sri Lankan Students
Your Singapore Student Visa application attracts these charges:
- Student Visa Processing Fee- a non-refundable advance SGD 30 fee for your student pass request at the Singapore ICA. If you apply through the SOLAR service, you'll remit the fee via online banking or credit/debit card.
Student Visa Issuance Fee- SGD 60 for each Singapore student visa you receive. Moreover, you must pay SGD 30 as a multiple-entry fee to exit and re-enter Singapore during your academic program.Contact
TEVS who are a
Singapore student visa consultants in Sri Lanka to get Singapore student visa.
