As per the new rules, international students in Singapore can now apply for a permanent residency in the city-state if they have passed at least one national exam, such as PSLE or GCE ‘N’/’O’/’A’ levels. They can also apply for PR if they are in an integrated programme.
This move is a significant shift from the previous requirement, which made international students wait at least two years for PR after their course completion.
Students aged 15 years and above can submit their applications using the ‘Singpass’ or ‘non-Singpass’ options at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s e-service website.
While earlier only female guardians – mothers or grandmothers – were allowed to apply for a long-term visit pass to accompany the students, the new rules allow male guardians to apply as well.
Only one guardian is eligible to accompany an international student to Singapore.
International students who have enrolled in a Singapore university have to apply for a student pass unless they have a valid dependant’s pass, LTVP, or a short-term visit pass.
According to ICA, students pursuing part-time courses and courses conducted in the evening or on weekends are not eligible for a student pass.
Apart from PR’s obvious benefits of living and working in Singapore without visa restrictions, graduates will also be able to access social security services and a pathway to citizenship.
An important consideration is the applicant’s ability to integrate with the local population as well as his potential to contribute to our society
Josephine Teo, second minister of home affairs, Singapore.
Previously, the second minister of home affairs Josephine Teo stated that over 80% of international applicants gained residency in Singapore.
“In assessing whether an applicant should be granted ‘PR’ or Singapore citizenship, an important consideration is the applicant’s ability to integrate with the local population as well as his potential to contribute to our society,” said Teo in a statement.
According to data from the Ministry of Education and the ICA, there were over 79,300 international student pass holders in Singapore by the end of January 2023.