Singapore Study Visa Without IELTS – A Complete Guide

Introduction

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to gain international experience, expand your worldview, and advance your career prospects. Singapore, in particular, has become an increasingly popular study destination for international students from across the globe. With world-class universities, a multicultural environment, and plenty of post-study work opportunities, it’s easy to see why.

Until recently, submitting IELTS scores was a mandatory requirement to apply for a student pass visa in Singapore. However, in a welcome development, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has removed the IELTS requirement for student visa applicants from certain countries.

In this blog post, we provide a detailed guide on how to apply for a Singapore student visa without IELTS.

Overview of Singapore Student Visa

The Student Pass is the main visa type issued by ICA for international students who wish to pursue full-time studies in Singapore. It allows you to stay in Singapore throughout the duration of your course.

To be eligible, you must gain admission into an approved institution and course. This can be at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level. Some key requirements are:

• Valid offer letter from university/school
• Proof of financial support
• Medical checkup
• Student visa application form and fees

The standard validity period of a Student Pass is up to the duration of your program plus an additional 7 months post-completion.

Countries Exempt From IELTS

Traditionally, submitting valid IELTS or TOEFL scores has been an important part of the student visa application process. This requirement aimed to evaluate an applicant’s English language proficiency.

However, in March 2022, ICA introduced a new policy removing the need for English test scores for applicants from certain countries. This list of countries currently includes:

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• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

Applicants from the above countries are automatically assumed to have sufficient English ability based on their prior education and nationality. Hence, they can now apply directly without taking IELTS/TOEFL.

This change has made the student visa application process faster and simpler for thousands of international students.

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For all other nationalities, IELTS remains an eligibility requirement as before. The minimum test scores needed are:

• IELTS: 5.5 overall

OR

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• TOEFL PBT: 550

Step-by-Step Process to Apply

If you are from one of the exempt countries, you can follow the steps below to apply for a Singapore student visa without IELTS:

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Step 1: Obtain admission letter

First, apply to your desired university/institute in Singapore and obtain a valid offer letter/email confirming your admission.

Step 2: Prepare supporting documents

In addition to the admission offer, you will need to submit:

• Passport biodata page
• Financial documents
• Educational certificates
• Medical report
• Recent passport photo
• Student visa application form

Step 3: Submit visa application

You can submit the student visa application online via ICA’s e-services portal. Make the payment for visa fees.

Step 4: Attend medical checkup

You will receive a medical exam form. Undergo the specified medical exam with an approved doctor in Singapore.

Step 5: Collect Student Pass

If approved, you can collect your actual Student Pass from ICA within 1-4 weeks. The approval letter will be sent via email.

And you’re all set! The best part is you can get your Singapore student visa without worrying about IELTS scores.

Conclusion

The recent removal of IELTS for student visa applicants from selected countries has provided a major advantage. Qualified students from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can now save time and money by skipping English tests.

With an increasing number of world-class universities and growth opportunities, Singapore remains an attractive study destination. Simplifying visa norms makes the process more welcoming for international students looking to study here.

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References

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. “Student’s Pass.” https://www.ica.gov.sg/pass/student-pass/eligibility

Ministry of Education Singapore. “Studying in Singapore.” https://www.moe.gov.sg/international-students/studying-in-singapore

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