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Applying for Student's Pass

Note

This article applies to international students only. Singapore citizens or permanent residents do not need to apply for a pass to study at NTU. The application process typically begins about 2 months before the course starts.

International students must possess a valid long-term pass, i.e., Student's Pass (STP) to stay in Singapore during their study at NTU.

Before proceeding, here are some key terms to understand:

  • Student's Pass (STP): A long-term visa for students to stay in Singapore.
  • In-Principle Approval (IPA): An intermediate document for Student's Pass application.
  • Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA): The agency responsible for visa management.
  • On-Site Endorsement (OSE): The final step in obtaining the Student's Pass.

To apply for a Student's Pass, you need to submit an STP application to ICA. Upon approval, you will first receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, which serves as a single-entry visa to Singapore. Then, through the On-Site Endorsement (OSE) procedure, you will complete the Student's Pass formalities to obtain a valid Student's Pass. OSE appointments will be notified via your NTU email.

Here is the basic flow of Student's Pass (STP) application:

  sequenceDiagram
    autonumber
    Applicant ->> IPA: Apply for STP and get IPA
    IPA ->> STP: Convert to STP at school OSE
Common Misconceptions about STP and IPA

In Singapore, the In-Principle Approval (IPA) is an "exchange voucher" issued after approval of all types of visas. It's not exclusive to Student's Pass. You are applying for a Student's Pass, not an IPA letter; these are fundamentally different.

For example, many students apply for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) to seek employment in Singapore. In this process, students also receive an IPA after LTVP approval.

Many agents and social media posts incorrectly refer to the application process as "applying for IPA," which can confuse applicants.

Prepare Information and Materials

Before starting the application process, you must prepare the following information and materials:

  • School email (containing application account information)
  • Digital copy of passport bio-data page
  • Recent passport-sized photo with white background
  • Valid VISA/MasterCard/American Express credit card for fee payment

Check your application email for an email titled NTU Acceptance of Offer to Coursework Programme (xxxxxxxx) from NTU.

Below is a screenshot of a sample email containing all the information needed for your Student's Pass application.

Start Application

Begin your Student's Pass application process by visiting the STP Application Portal.

STP Application Portal Interface

Scroll down to find the application entry point and select Foreign Students.

On the new page, you will see the login portal. Enter your personal information to log into the application system. The Student's Pass Application Number is your Solar Number (starting with TU) from step one.

Personal Information Form

On the new page, you will see a form containing information about your Student's Pass application. Please fill in the form according to the illustrations. If marked as "No need" in the images, you can skip that field.

Document Upload

In the document upload section, you need to upload the following materials. Detailed requirements are provided below.

  • Personal photo (400x514 JPG format)
  • Scanned passport bio-data page (PNG format)
  • Signed Form 16 (PNG format)

Photo Requirements

The uploaded photo only needs to meet these basic requirements:

  • Dimensions: 400×514 pixels
  • Format: JPG

However, for OSE, you need to bring an additional photo for scanning to create your digital student card (physical cards will no longer be issued from 2024). The on-site scanning will include pupil verification, so if you need photo editing, please avoid modifying the eye area. You may want to prepare a photo that meets both requirements at this stage. Core requirements for OSE photos are listed below, and official examples can be found in the Official Photo Guidelines.

  • Size: 35mm x 45mm
  • Background: Pure white
  • Finish: Matte / Semi-matte (note: regular photos are glossy)
  • Taken within: Last 3 months
  • Requirements: No glasses or contact lenses, facial features visible (forehead, ears, eyebrows, etc.)

Passport Bio-data Page

Obtain a scanned copy of your passport bio-data page.

Form 16

Form 16 can be exported directly from the above process. Complete the date and signature in Part 2 of Form 16. Remember to use the application date and sign in English.

Payment

After uploading all materials, complete the application by paying the required fees.

OSE to STP Conversion

After receiving the OSE appointment notification from the school, click on the specific date in the email to make your appointment.

On your appointment day, bring the following materials to the third floor of Nanyang Auditorium. Only the passport must be original, and IPA needs to be printed; other materials can be in digital format.

  • Original passport
  • One color printed photo (35mm × 45mm, white background, matte/semi-matte finish)
  • Printed IPA (write your Singapore mobile number on the first page)
  • Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) (can be downloaded from here)
  • Payment proof (can be found in payment history on the ICA system)

You will receive your electronic STP within about a week, completing the application process.