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ICA Student Visa

Singapore Student Pass (SOLAR System) Guide 2026

Complete guide to Singapore Student Pass for international students. ICA SOLAR e-Service procedures, 16-hr/week work limits, PEI approvals, and banker's guarantee.

Overview & Statutory Background

The Student Pass is issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to foreign nationals accepted into full-time educational programs in Singapore (Autonomous Universities like NUS/NTU/SMU, Polytechnics, or EduTrust-certified Private Education Institutions). Applications are processed through ICA's Student's Pass Online Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.

Key Pass Highlights & Statutory Criteria

Part-Time Work Limit

16 Hrs/Week

Verified

ICA Solar Fee

S$45 Application

Verified

Pass Issuance Fee

S$60 + S$30 Multiple Entry

Verified

Bank Security Deposit

S$1,000 - S$5,000 (if req.)

Verified

Evaluation Criteria & Points Breakdown

SOLAR Registration by Institution

Institute Initiated

The educational institution must first register the candidate's SOLAR application reference number before the student can log in.

Work Limits for University Students

16 Hours / Week

Full-time undergraduate/graduate students at approved institutions (NUS, NTU, SMU, SIT, SUTD) can work up to 16 hours/week during term time without a work permit.

EduTrust Certification for Private Schools

Mandatory EduTrust

Private Education Institutions (PEIs) must hold valid EduTrust certification from SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

Vacation Work Rights

Full-Time Work

Full-time university students at approved institutions can work full-time during official university vacation periods.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Must be accepted into a full-time course at an approved Singapore Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) or EduTrust-certified PEI.

Must submit SOLAR application at least 1 month before the course start date.

Students at unapproved private schools are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from working part-time or full-time.

Mandatory medical checkup (HIV and Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis) required for students aged 15 and above upon arrival.

Step-by-Step Application & Issuance Process

SOLAR Application Filing by Institution

University files SOLAR registration; student receives SOLAR application number.

Student e-Form 16 Submission

Student logs into ICA SOLAR portal, completes e-Form 16, and pays S$45 application fee.

IPA Approval Letter

ICA issues In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter which serves as single-entry visa to enter Singapore.

Medical Check & Card Issuance

Arrive in Singapore, complete medical screening, pay S$60 issuance fee + S$30 Multiple Entry Permit fee, and collect Student Pass card at ICA Building.

Required Document Checklist

•ICA SOLAR Application e-Form 16 & Form V36

•Valid Passport (minimum 6 months validity)

•Official University / PEI Acceptance Letter & Course Fee Schedule

•Highest Academic Certificates & Transcripts (with English translation)

•Proof of Financial Ability (Bank statements showing tuition fees and living expenses for 1 year)

•Medical Checkup Report from a Singapore-registered clinic

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Students at approved Autonomous Universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SIT, SUTD) and polytechnics can work up to 16 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations without a work permit. Students at private schools (PEIs) are strictly forbidden from working.

SOLAR (Student's Pass Online Application & Registration) is ICA's web portal used by educational institutions and international students to process Student Pass applications.

You should submit your SOLAR application at least 1 to 2 months before your course commencement date.

Yes. Foreign students aged 15 and above must undergo a medical screening in Singapore for HIV and Tuberculosis (Chest X-Ray) before ICA issues the Student Pass.

What is the total fee for a Student Pass? Application fee S$45 + S$60 issuance + S$30 Multiple Entry Permit fee (Total S$135).

Yes. Graduates from Singapore public universities can apply for a 1-year Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) to search for employment in Singapore, or apply directly for an Employment Pass or S Pass upon securing a job offer.