Arrival in Singapore

All international students studying at Ngee Ann Academy will be required to come to Ngee Ann Academy with your original and officially translated documents once you are in Singapore for second verification of your qualifications. Failure to do so will result in your In-Principle Approval (IPA) being cancelled.

A Singapore visa is not an immigration pass. It is a pre-entry permission for the holder of a valid Singapore visa to travel to, and gain entry, into Singapore.

Entry Visa
International students from certain countries are required to apply for an Entry Visa prior to your entry into Singapore. Click here to find out if you require an Entry Visa to enter Singapore.

The Entry Visa will allow you to undertake a course of study that is not more than 30 days without the need for a Student’s Pass (STP).

Student’s Pass (STP)

Full-time international students attending a course of study with a duration of more than 30 days must hold a valid Student’s Pass.

Ngee Ann Academy will assist all international students with your application for the Student’s Pass. Your application needs to be submitted 2 months before the programme commencement date. You will be issued with an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter when your Student’s Pass application is approved.

If your nationality falls under the list of countries that require an Entry Visa, the entry visa will be incorporated in the IPA letter. Hence, you do not need to apply for another visa, and may enter Singapore by producing your IPA letter at the Singapore Immigration Counter. Click the link above to find out if you are of a nationality which requires an Entry Visa into Singapore.

The IPA letter will subsequently be converted into a Student’s Pass at ICA once you are in Singapore.
For additional information on becoming a Student’s Pass holder, please click here.

*Students are advised to arrange your flights and accommodation only after your STP application has been officially approved.

All international students can request for an airport pick up service. Please let Ngee Ann Academy know your flight details and the location of your accommodation. If you are accompanied by a guest (either a family member or a friend), their particulars are required as well. This arrangement should be made at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival in Singapore.

Students travelling to Singapore must complete the Disembarkation / Embarkation Card. This card is issued to you by flight attendants on board your flight. Disembarkation / Embarkation Cards are also available at Singapore checkpoints for students taking other modes of transport. Otherwise, you can get them from travel agents, bus companies and ferry operators.

Photo: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority via https://www.ica.gov.sg/enteranddeparting/before/de

At the Immigration Counter, you must submit the completed Disembarkation / Embarkation Card to the Immigration Officer together with your In-Principle Approval Letter and travel document.

According to the Singaporean laws and regulations, there are certain types of items that are subjected to the payment of duty before you can bring them into the country and some require permits before customs clearance. Under other conditions, there is a category of goods which are entirely prohibited in the country. Illegally bringing in this category of goods could subject you to composition amounts and customs offences.

For full details on what you can and cannot bring, please click here.

For the completion of the Student’s Pass (STP), the ICA requires all students to undergo a medical examination in Singapore. The STP can only be issued or collected after the medical report is submitted to ICA. Should you require a meet and greet session, Ngee Ann Academy will arrange to pick you up for the medical check-up and arrange a trip to ICA to complete your STP formality.

Click here for more information on how to complete your Student’s Pass formalities.

Alternatively, Ngee Ann Academy can help you to book an appointment to complete your STP formality.