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- Study Abroad SupportKeywords: Singapore student visa, Study in Singapore, International student, Study abroad, Shivi Study Abroad, Singapore universities, Singapore education, Singapore culture, Singapore cost of living, Singapore visa requirements Singapore has emerged as a thriving business and banking center, attracting a large number of international students to pursue their academic goals. To enroll in a full-time academic program in Singapore, international students need to obtain a student pass, also known as a Singapore student visa. This pass allows students to reside in the country for a fixed period of time and pursue their education. Additionally, it grants students the flexibility to work full-time during vacations and part-time throughout the week. If you're an Indian student considering studying in Singapore, it's essential to know the latest application process and the total cost of obtaining a Singapore study visa. Main Types of Student Visa There are two types of student visas for international students who wish to study in Singapore: 1. Student Pass for full-time students: This visa is for international students who have been accepted into a full-time course at a Singaporean university or educational institution. The Student Pass allows students to stay in Singapore for the duration of their course. NOTE: You need this pass for pursuing Undergrad/Grad/PhD degree. 2. Training Employment Pass (TEP) for students undergoing practical training: This visa is for international students who are pursuing practical training in Singapore as part of their course. The TEP is valid for up to 6 months and can be extended for another 6 months if required. Both types of visas require students to be enrolled in a recognized institution in Singapore and meet certain eligibility criteria. It's essential to apply for the appropriate visa type based on your course requirements to avoid any complications during your stay in Singapore. Application Steps To apply for a student pass in Singapore, you need to follow these steps: 1. Get admitted to an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL): To be eligible for a student pass, you must first enroll in an IHL recognized by Singaporean authorities. 2. Register with Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) service: Your IHL will register you with SOLAR using your personal information. https://www.ica.gov.sg 3. Obtain a SOLAR application reference number: Your IHL will provide you with a personalized application number that you'll need to access SOLAR. 4. Complete the eForm16 on SOLAR: Fill in the required details on the eForm16 and print a copy of the completed form. 5. Pay the application fee: Before submitting your application, you must pay a standard processing fee of $30. 6. Wait for a decision: It typically takes two weeks for the authorities to process your application. 7. Receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter: If your application is approved, you'll receive an IPA letter, which serves as a temporary student pass allowing you to enter Singapore. 8. Receive a visit pass: Present your IPA letter to officials at the Singaporean port of entry to receive a visit pass. 9. Schedule an appointment at an ICA center: Once you've arrived in Singapore, you'll need to collect your official student pass from an ICA center. Refer to the next section for a list of required documents. You must pay a fee of $60 when collecting your pass. Required Documents 1. A printed copy of the completed eForm16 1. Formal admissions letter from your IHL 2. SOLAR registration acknowledgment letter from your IHL 3. A passport that’s valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your stay 4. In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter 5. A recent passport-sized photograph of yourself 6. Certificate of educational achievements and qualifications 7. Record of employment history 8. Accommodation details for where you’ll be living in Singapore 9. Means to pay the online application fee 10. Means to pay the student pass collection fee 11. Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your living expenses 12. Recent medical certificate Singapore Student Pass Processing Time The processing time for a Singapore student visa is typically 10 days to two weeks, but during peak periods such as July and August, it may take longer. To avoid any potential delays or complications, it's recommended to initiate your visa application at least two months before your intended enrollment date. This allows sufficient time for processing and also provides a buffer in case of any unforeseen issues with your application. Where to Apply for Singapore Student Visa/Pass from India? You can apply for a Singapore student visa (student pass) from India by using the Student's Pass Online Application and Registration (SOLAR) system on the website of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. Singapore Student Visa Interview? Only Students who are over 20 years of age and are applying for vocational, language, commercial, or fine arts degrees in Singapore are required to attend an interview. It is important to thoroughly proofread all your paperwork and prepare for basic questions such as "why are you applying to this institution?" and other questions related to your application documents in advance of the interview. Can Family Members Join you in Singapore? If you have a spouse or children who are under 18 years old, they may accompany you to Singapore and stay for up to one month. However, to enter the country, your family members must first obtain sponsorship from your university. Once they receive sponsorship, they will be issued a social visit pass, which permits them to stay in Singapore for a maximum of four weeks. Can you work off-campus in Singapore on a student pass? YES, As an international student studying in Singapore, you have the opportunity to earn money while pursuing your education. You are allowed to work up to 16 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during university holidays. These work permits are included automatically with your student pass, so there is no need for any additional paperwork or applications. With all the information you need to apply for a Singapore student visa, it's time to take the next step towards your dream of studying in Singapore. If you want to get admitted to top Singapore universities, Shivi Study Abroad can help. Our organization has a successful track record of assisting students in securing admissions to their desired institutions in Singapore. Shivi study abroad team of professionals can guide you through the application process, provide you with valuable insights into Singaporean education culture, and help you make the right decisions for your future. With our expertise, you can maximize your chances of getting admitted to a top Singapore university and embark on an exciting educational journey in a vibrant and dynamic country. https://www.shivi.org/contactLike
- Study Abroad SupportWhen to Apply It is crucial to apply for your F-1 student visa well ahead of your intended arrival since the processing time can sometimes take several weeks, and occasionally even longer. Even though the U.S. Department of State permits issuing F-1 visas up to 365 days before the program start date, the Office of International Students for any university can only begin the process after you accept your offer of admission and your student record is received from your school/university. For detailed instructions, please refer to the consulate's website where you plan to apply for the visa (link below): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study Pre-Application Checklist Before you begin the visa application process, you must have the following documents: I-20 Form After you receive an admission offer from your university, they will send you an I-20 form through mail (via post)/email. This form is necessary when applying for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate and for entering the United States. The I-20 is created through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), indicating that your record is in the system. Your SEVIS ID number is printed in the upper corner above the bar code, usually beginning with an N. It is essential to carefully examine your I-20 for accuracy and sign it on the first page's bottom. If you have any questions or concerns, you should reach out to your university international office/admission team for clarification on any query. SEVIS Fee Receipt Prior to applying for their visa, all new students entering the United States on an F-1 status must pay a one-time SEVIS fee, and the SEVIS fee receipt must be included with their application. Instructions for paying the fee can be found on this page. It is recommended that students renewing their F-1 visa possess evidence of SEVIS fee payment, even if it is not required to be paid again. The receipt can be viewed and printed by clicking on "Check I-901 Status" at the top of this page. https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html (https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html) Additional I-20 Forms In case you have family members accompanying you in F-2 status, your university will send them an I-20 form through mail, and each dependent must have their individual form. Even though each F-2 dependent's I-20 has their unique SEVIS number, a separate SEVIS fee is not required to be paid for them. The Application Process 1. Complete the DS-160 The first step in applying for a U.S. visa is the online application DS-160. Access the DS-160 application at the Consular Electronic Application Center website.(https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/) Tips for Completing Your DS-160 Form Here are some suggested responses that you can use when filling out this form. Please note that you are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information you provide in the form. • U.S. Address or Contact Point - Use the contact information and address of your department's contact person, or Use the contact information and address of your college's. Contact your international office/school advisor. Also, listed on your I-20. • Address Where You Will Reside in the U.S. - If you already have a place to stay, use that address. If you have not yet secured housing at the time of your visa appointment, you can choose one of the following options: Use the University's address as listed on your I-20/DS-2019 as your place of residence. Or, Use your college's address. • Person/Entity Funding Your Trip List the primary source of funding as it appears on your I-20/DS-2019. Additional resources: Watch an overview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxSobebKF0)of the online application process. Read Frequently Asked Questions about the DS-160.(https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html) 2. Schedule a Visa Interview Appointment To proceed with your U.S. visa application, you need to schedule an appointment with the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you. Whenever feasible, it is advisable to apply for a visa in your home country rather than a different country. At this appointment you will need to present the following documents: • Your I-20 form (Tip: sign your name and signature on the bottom of the I-20). • The SEVIS fee receipt (I-901) (Tip: download and print the receipt) • Your DS-160 confirmation page • DS-160 payment receipt (Tip: collected from bank, in India: visa fees are generally paid at Axis bank) • A copy of your/sponsor financial support documents, i.e. evidence that you have sufficient funds to meet the expenses of studying at your university, e.g. bank statement or your scholarship or financial aid award letter. (Remember - if your parent is funding then you need an affidavit in support that they are willingly funding your education, also, their bank statement). • A valid passport (Tip: your passport should have at least 7 empty pages, and should not expire in the next 3 years: Shivi suggested) • Passport-size photographs (that you uploaded in the DS-160 application) - In India, photo (is clicked) and fingerprint is completed one day prior to the interview. • Completed required visa application forms (available on the U.S. consular websites.) Check the website of the U.S. consulate/embassy where you are applying to see if there are other requirements. An application fee and an interview will also be required. There have been (and continue to be) changes in the visa application process and these changes are usually reflected on the consular websites. Important update: US embassy is waiving visa interview requirements for those who had a valid US visa in the past. Please take advantage of the interview waiver scheme. You can get in touch with Shivi you have further questions. Submit a Contact Form, and we will get in touch with you. Find the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.(https://www.usembassy.gov/) Find the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate.(https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html) 3. Attend your Interview Attend your scheduled visa interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate. Here are 10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa.(https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/10-points-remember-when-applying-student-visa) 4. Receive and Review your Entry Visa After receiving your visa, carefully review the information printed on it to ensure its accuracy. If any of the details are incorrect, you can only make changes at the embassy or consulate where the visa was issued. Your I-20 should be returned to you. You will need it to enter the US. TIP and point's to remember When applying for your student visa, pay careful attention to the following. Entering the U.S. early You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the starting date noted on the I-20 form. If you try to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before this starting date, you may not be permitted to enter the U.S. Enter the U.S. by the I-20 Start Date It is important to carefully review the start date listed on your I-20 form, as it is the date by which you must enter the U.S. In case you are unable to enter by this date, please contact OISS to understand the procedure for changing your start date. Expiring Visas Your visa may have an expiration date that is different from the end date of your degree program. In case your visa expires before you finish your degree program, you will need to apply for a new visa on your initial trip outside the U.S. following the expiration of your current visa. Ending Tip • It's important to have a clear understanding of your studies at your US university to avoid any confusion during the visa application process. Including type of visa: Long-term (including Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD's) falls under F1-vsa, Short-term: J1 visa (summer school, exchange programs, vocational training's, etc.) • If the U.S. consulate has any questions about your studies at your university, it's best to contact your university Office of International Services or admission team for clarification and guidance. • If your visa application is delayed or denied, it's important to notify your university adviser immediately to discuss your options and next steps. • Prior to travel, be sure to review all the necessary documents and information related to your visa, I-20 form, and travel plans to ensure a smooth arrival in the U.S. • Make sure to keep all important documents, such as your passport and visa, in a safe and secure place while traveling. Good luck! and, safe travels in your study abroad journey! Remember: you can contact Shivi study abroad advisors anytime for help in your study abroad journey. www.shivi.org/contact "Studying abroad is not just about gaining knowledge, it's about gaining a new perspective and understanding the world in a whole new light." - Shivi Study abroadLike
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