About Singapore
Singapore is a city-state and Asia's leading financial, tech and logistics hub, just 4–5 hours from India. English is the main working language, and it is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world. Main intakes are August (most universities) and January. The currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD).
Why study in Singapore
- NUS and NTU rank among Asia's top universities
- Strong job market in finance, tech and consulting
- English-speaking, safe, close to India with a large Indian community
- Work 16 hours a week at approved institutions
- Up to 1 year after graduation to look for a job (LTVP)
Popular fields of study
Computer science and AI, engineering, business analytics and finance, accounting, supply chain and logistics, and biomedical sciences. Top universities include the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and SUTD.
Student visa, step by step
Student visa: Student's Pass.
- Get admission from a public university or an approved private institution.
- Your institution registers you on ICA's SOLAR+ system. You then complete eForm 16 and pay the processing fee.
- Show funds for tuition and living costs (about SGD 8,000–SGD 10,500 a year for living).
- Get In-Principle Approval (IPA) from ICA, usually in 4–8 weeks.
- Travel to Singapore, complete a medical exam if needed, give biometrics at ICA and collect your digital Student's Pass.
After you get your visa
- Work up to 16 hours a week in term and full-time in vacations, but only at MOM-approved institutions. Many private-college students can't work.
- If you took the MOE Tuition Grant, you must work for a Singapore company for 3 years after graduating.
- Keep up attendance and tell ICA about any change of course.
Work and staying on
- Working while you study
- Work up to 16 hours a week in term and full-time in vacations, but only at MOM-approved institutions. Many private-college students can't work. If you took the MOE Tuition Grant, you must work for a Singapore company for 3 years after graduating.
- After you graduate
- Up to 1 year to look for a job (LTVP) Singapore has no open post-study work visa. Graduates of eligible institutions can get a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) of up to 1 year to look for a job. You can attend interviews but not work on it.
- Settling long term
- Employment Pass (EP): for professionals, with a minimum salary of about SGD 5,600 a month (2026, higher for older applicants and finance) plus COMPASS points. S Pass: for mid-skilled roles from about SGD 3,300 a month, subject to employer quotas. Permanent residence (PR): you can apply after working in Singapore for some time. Approval is selective.
Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.
Visa expenses
| Student's Pass processing fee | SGD 30–SGD 45 |
| Issuance fee | SGD 60 |
| Multiple-journey visa (if needed) | SGD 30 |
| Living-cost funds to show | about SGD 8,000–SGD 10,500 a year |
Average salary
Fresh university graduates typically start at about SGD 4,500–SGD 5,500 a month (approximate). Tech and finance pay more.
Good to know
- Housing is expensive: a room costs about SGD 1,000–SGD 2,500 a month.
- Check that your private institution is EduTrust-certified before you pay.
General information for Indian students, not immigration advice. Fees, funds and post-study rules change often; figures marked approximate are estimates. Check the official sources before you apply: