Study in Singapore from Nepal and India

Singapore student visa at a glance

Visa fee

SGD 45

Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

No fixed amount

Work in term

16 hrs/wk

Work during term

Source: mom.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

See guide

No post-study work visa

Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Singapore you apply for the Student's Pass. The main visa fee is SGD 45. No fixed funds amount is published; you show enough to cover your study and living costs. You can work up to 16 hours a week during term.

How much does it cost to study in Singapore?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Singapore student visa?

Who needs it

Foreigners accepted for a full-time day course; part-time, evening and weekend courses do not qualify. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

When to apply

At least 2 and no more than 3 months before the course starts; you do not need to be in Singapore while it is processed. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Documents

Registration Acknowledgement Letter from your school, passport biodata page, birth certificate if applicable, personal, family and financial-support details, recent photo, and official English translations. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing

Universities and polytechnics: within 1 week (2 weeks if you need a visa). Private institutions: within 1 month for new applications (2 weeks if EduTrust-accredited). Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Private schools

Only EduTrust-certified private education institutions can take international students on a Student's Pass. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

After approval

ICA issues an In-Principle Approval letter (it includes your visa if you need one); complete formalities at ICA by appointment, with a medical report if required. The pass is digital. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Singapore?

Work during term

Full-time Student's Pass holders at listed institutions (universities, polytechnics, ITE and others) may work up to 16 hours a week without a work pass, or do a school-run internship that counts toward graduation. Source: mom.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work in vacations

No weekly cap during school vacations; exchange students may not work at all. Source: mom.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

No post-study work visa

ICA offers a Long-Term Visit Pass for graduates of Singapore institutes of higher learning who are seeking a job (S$45 + S$60, about 6 weeks); it does not allow work without a work pass. Source: ica.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

Employment Pass

To work after graduating you need a work pass; the Employment Pass needs at least S$5,600 a month (higher with age; S$6,200 in financial services) and 40 COMPASS points. Source: mom.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

MOE Tuition Grant bond

International students who take the Tuition Grant must work full-time for a Singapore entity for 3 years after graduating, or pay liquidated damages. Source: moe.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Singapore?

Compare universities across countries

What has changed recently?

1. 1 Jan 2027

   Employment Pass minimum salary rises to S$6,000 (S$6,600 in financial services) for new applications; renewals from 1 January 2028. Source: mom.gov.sg (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 4 Apr 2025

   India: UGC regulations on equivalence of foreign qualifications came into force (offshore-campus and franchise rules). Source: ugc.gov.in (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• How long the graduate job-search Long-Term Visit Pass lasts and who qualifies (not stated on ICA pages).
• When a medical examination is required (ICA says "if applicable").
• Tuition fees and living costs — no government figures; check your institution.
• How much money to show — ICA publishes no fixed amount.
• Where Nepali applicants get consular help — we found no Singapore embassy in Nepal; ask ICA or your institution.
• Tuition Grant liquidated-damages amounts and course eligibility for Indian/Nepali students.
• Nepal: how much foreign exchange you can take for study in Singapore — check with Nepal Rastra Bank or your bank.

Official sources for Singapore

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1ICA – Student's Passimmigration_authority · Who needs a Student's Pass
2. 2ICA – Apply (Institutes of Higher Learning)student_visa_main · Timing, S$45 fee, documents, processing
3. 3ICA – Apply (Private Education Institutions)student_visa_main · EduTrust-only, processing
4. 4ICA – Completion of formalitiesfee_page · S$60 issuance, S$30 MJV, IPA letter
5. 5ICA – Visa requirementsentry_visa · India visa-required; Nepal not (updated 25 Jun 2026)
6. 6MOM – Work pass exemption for foreign studentswork_rules · 16 hrs/week in term (updated 11 May 2026)
7. 7ICA – Long-Term Visit Passpost_study · LTVP for IHL graduates seeking employment
8. 8ICA – LTVP for IHL graduate seeking employmentpost_study · Documents, fees, 6 weeks
9. 9MOM – Employment Pass eligibilitypost_study · Minimum salary, COMPASS, 2027 change
10. 10MOE – Tuition Grant Schemescholarship · Tuition Grant eligibility, 3-year bond
11. 11MOE – Tuition Grant bond: employmentscholarship · Work full-time for a Singapore entity 3 years
12. 12High Commission of Singapore, New Delhi – visa informationembassy_india · Indian visas via authorised agents, 3–5 working days
13. 13High Commission of Singapore, New Delhi – travelling to Nepalembassy_nepal · No resident mission in Nepal found; New Delhi gives consular help there
14. 14UGC Regulations 2025 – equivalence of foreign qualificationsrecognition_india · Offshore-campus / franchise rules for Indian equivalence