We understand that transitioning to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help you navigate the immigration process smoothly, we’ve compiled important information regarding student pass applications, entry into Singapore, and medical examination requirements.
Student Pass (STP) Application
Full-time international students are obligated to undergo the Student Pass (STP) application process prior to their arrival in Singapore. Following a successful application, students will be issued an In-Principle Approval (STP-IPA), acting as a single entry visa for Singapore. The completion of student visa formalities must be done in person at the NUS campus to acquire a valid STP.
The Admissions Office will initiate the Student Visa application process in late May 2025. Upon admission, all full-time international students will receive an email containing the application letter and instructions to complete eForm16. It is mandatory to proceed with payment and submit the completed form to ICA online. The approval process for the STP-IPA will typically require a minimum of 2 weeks, or in some exceptional cases, up to 8 weeks. Please note In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letters issued from May-July will be valid for 4 months from the date of issuance.
Participation in the Off-Site Enrolment (OSE) exercise on campus, scheduled for July and August 2025 is compulsory for all students to finalize the student visa formalities upon arrival in Singapore. The link to register for an appointment will be sent in early July 2025.
For reference, here is a copy of the Student Pass Application Guide, which provides detailed step-by-step instructions on the application process.
Medical Examinations (for Student Pass Application)
The Medical Examination for Student Pass Application must be completed before departing from your current country of residence and within three months from the completion of the student pass formalities in July or August 2025. Note that previous/recently completed medical examination reports cannot be used for submission.
Important Instructions:
- Forms and Instructions: In May 2025, you will receive instructions and forms necessary for the medical examination process. You can also access the form below. Please use this form for your student pass medical examination and ensure that your attending medical practitioner signs and stamps it for validation. Upon completion, kindly upload the filled form along with your medical report to ICA following the provided instructions. It’s imperative to use only the forms provided by us, as they require the signature and stamp of your attending medical practitioner to be considered valid. ICA-STP – Medical Examination
- Language Requirements: All medical reports, laboratory tests, and X-ray reports must be completed in English. If completed in languages other than English, an official translation is required. The chest X-ray report should include your name, identification number, and date of birth.
- Original Reports: The original completed medical reports must be brought along when completing the student visa formalities.
Off-Site Enrolment (OSE) Exercise on Campus
The Off-Site Enrolment (OSE) exercise on campus, is compulsory for all students to finalize the student visa formalities, before the expiry of your entry pass issued to you on your arrival in Singapore. Note that overstaying is an offence in Singapore. Students will only be able to complete STP formalities via the OSE sessions held on campus.
Student’s Pass OSE Schedule (Dates):
- 23 July 2025
- 28 July to 5 August 2025 (excluding weekends)
- 26 to 29 August 2025
Key Steps for Student Pass Formalities:
- Book an Appointment for On-Campus OSE Exercise: Instructions to book an appointment for the on-campus OSE exercise will be provided in early July via email.
- Complete Medical Examination: Utilize ICA’s Medical Examination Form to complete your medical examination for the Student Pass. This examination must be done before arrival in Singapore. Students can only attend OSE/book e-appointment after the medical report has been submitted and approved; a process that takes up to 3 working days.
- Prepare Required Documents: Print and bring all necessary documents and payment receipts to complete your STP formalities. This includes your IPA letter, passport, admission letter, issuance fee receipt, multi-entry visa fee receipt and any other relevant documents.
- Obtain a Local SG Phone Number: Before proceeding with the completion of STP formalities, ensure you have a local Singaporean phone number. The e-student pass requires a mobile phone for access.
- Read and Bring Terms & Conditions: Additionally, please ensure to read, sign, print, and bring a copy of the terms & conditions with you when you complete your student visa formalities in person. ICASTP – Terms & Conditions of STP
- Report to MPSH1 or MPSH2 for OSE: Attend your assigned OSE slot at MPSH1 or MPSH2. Attendance at OSE is by appointment only.
- Booking e-Appointment if Missed OSE Slot: Students who did not manage to book a slot will have to make an e-appointment with ICA once the system opens after the last OSE session. Date of opening will be announced later.
- Checklist: A checklist detailing the necessary items required for your visit to the ICA to complete the student visa formalities can be found below. ICA – OSE Documents Checklist
*IMPORTANT*
Students are required to complete their Student’s Pass formalities within the validity period of their IPA letter OR their Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP), whichever is earlier.
If your IPA or STVP is expiring before the OSE with ICA, or should you be unable to book an OSE slot, please extend your STVP immediately to avoid being fined or prosecuted for overstaying.
Student’s Pass Issuance
From 27 February 2023, ICA will issue the Student’s Pass in digital form only. Therefore, ICA Student’s Pass issuance at NUS will no longer be organised. You may refer to the link for more information.
A digital STP will be available on FileSG upon the completion of formalities from 27 Feb 2023 onwards. NO physical card will be issued. The email address provided in the application will be used to access the digital STP. Pass holders may retrieve the digital STP via Singpass if he or she has a valid Singpass account.
For pass holders without a valid Singpass account, one-time passwords will be sent via SMS to the Singapore mobile number for the retrieval of the digital STP. Please ensure that the Singapore mobile number provided at OSE is able to receive SMS. For ease of operation during OSE, the student is to write their Singapore mobile number legibly on the first page of the IPA letter.
Entry into Singapore
To enter Singapore, travellers must meet the following immigration requirements:
-
- Passport Validity
- Have minimum 6-month passport validity if you are not a Singapore passport holder
- Visa
- Short term travellers holding a passport or travel document from a visa-required country/region must apply for a Visa.
- Visa-required travellers can use the Visa-Free Transit Facility for stay of less than 96 hours in Singapore, if eligible.
- Security and Immigration Processes on Arrival
- Ensure that you do not bring prohibited items into Singapore
- Familiarise yourself with immigration/customs clearance procedures, including whether you are eligible for automated clearance
- Short-Term travellers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel (tickets, visas), and ensure that you do not stay beyond your visit pass validity. You may retrieve your e-Pass after arrival using the e-Pass Enquiry Portal or check your visit pass validity using the visit pass validity tool.
- SG Arrival Card (SGAC)
All travellers are required to submit the SG Arrival Card within three (3) days (including the day of arrival) before arriving in Singapore, except:
- Those transiting/transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance; and
- Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders entering via land checkpoints.
Submission of SGAC is Free and can be done via the SGAC e-Service or MyICA Mobile app. Please refer to SGAC with Electronic Health Declaration for more information.
- COVID-19 Requirements
There are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travellers arriving in Singapore from 13 Feb 2023, regardless of vaccination status or traveller profile.
- Yellow Fever Requirements
All Travellers, including Singapore residents, with recent travel to countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (regardless of area, city or region) in the past six days prior to arrival in Singapore must produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to the ICA officer upon arrival in Singapore. This requirement also applies to travellers who spent more than 12 hours in airport transit in these countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. For more information on yellow fever requirement, refer to Yellow Fever Vaccination Ceritificate.
Personal Medications
When preparing for your journey to Singapore, it’s important to consider any personal medications you may need to bring along. Singapore has strict regulations concerning the importation of medications, and it’s essential to ensure compliance to avoid any complications during your travel.
For detailed information on the requirements for bringing personal medications when traveling to Singapore, visit the official website of the Health Science Authority (HSA) here.
