Singapore eases path to permanent residency for international students
International students in Singapore can now apply for permanent residency (PR) as soon as they pass at least one national exam, such as the PSLE or GCE ‘N’/’O’/’A’ levels.
The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is an annual national exam taken by students at the end of their final year of primary school education in Singapore. The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) exam can be taken not only by school students, but also other candidates.
Prior to the current change, students had to wait for at least two years after course completion before applying for PR. Additionally, students enrolled in an integrated program are also eligible to apply.
Students aged 15 and above can submit their applications via the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) e-service website, using either the ‘Singpass’ or ‘non-Singpass’ options. This process reflects Singapore’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain international talent.
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In a further policy update, male guardians are now permitted to apply for long-term visit passes to accompany international students, expanding the previous rule that only allowed female guardians, such as mothers or grandmothers, to do so. However, only one guardian is eligible to accompany each student.
International students who have enrolled in a Singapore university must apply for a student pass, unless they hold a valid dependant’s pass, Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), or short-term
