Living in Singapore

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

All international applicants are required to apply for a Student’s Pass through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore after acceptance by an educational institute to pursue full-time studies in Singapore.

Student’s Pass Application

All international applicants should accept the offer of admission by the deadline stipulated in the NAFA Admission Offer.
When applying for a Student’s Pass, please verify the accuracy of the information that has been entered into the Student’s Pass application through the Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration Plus (SOLAR+) system. Please inform NAFA Student Admissions Office immediately in the event of misspellings of name or errors in the date of birth. A new application will be submitted with the earlier registration cancelled.
If you do not have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, please apply for a new passport as you are unable to apply for a Student’s Pass with a passport that has less than 6 months validity.
Approval of the student pass is subjected to ICA.
For further details on Student’s Pass application, please visit: https://www.ica.gov.sg/#/visitor/studentpass/peo

New Student’s Pass Application

Steps

Upon receiving your offer letter, you will need to confirm your place at NAFA. To accept the offer, please refer to the offer letter for the acceptance online, fees and documents required for submission.
The Student Admissions Office will register your application for a Student’s Pass on ICA’s Student's Pass On-Line Application and Registration (SOLAR)+ system, and obtain your SOLAR+ Application Number.
Your SOLAR+ Application Number will then be emailed to you or your agent, if you had registered through one.
Apply for your Student’s Pass online within five days of receiving your SOLAR+ application number.
At the ICA website, click on ‘PEO’, then ‘Student’.
Note: You will need your SOLAR+ Application Number in order to apply for the Student’s Pass.
When you have successfully submitted your SOLAR+ Application, it will be routed as ‘Receiving Attention’ according to ICA
ICA will take about 3-4 weeks to process an application. You may check the status of your Student’s Pass application online, through the SOLAR+ website, using your SOLAR+ Application Number.
Once ICA has approved your application, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter will be issued.
Proceed to complete for a medical check-up and ensure your doctor uses the medical report attached to your IPA letter. If you have never studied in Singapore, you can go to a registered General Practitioner in your home country for your medical check-up. However, your doctor must use and complete ICA’s prescribed form. If you have studied in Singapore before, you must do your medical check-up in Singapore.
Collect your Student's Pass by making an e-appointment through the ICA website or attend the ICA offsite at NAFA campus.

Documents Required for the Collection of Your Student's Pass

IPA Letter
Passport which must be valid for at least 6 months
Two recent passport-sized colour photographs
Documents as listed in the IPA Letter
A completed original medical check-up form and original/copy of the laboratory report (in English)
Your duly signed Student’s Pass Application e-Forms
Two signed copies of the Terms & Conditions of Issue for Long Term Pass (LTP) Card
Receipt of issuance of card fee - S$60.00 to S$90.00

For more information on the Student’s Pass, please refer to: http://www.ica.gov.sg

Please note that your student status will be withdrawn if your Student’s Pass application is rejected.

Singapore Laws

Please refer to the relevant Singapore laws on driving, drugs and alcohol abuse, political activities, employment, smoking, traffic and littering. Trafficking of drugs carries a death penalty.

For more information and updates, please visit
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore
Singapore Police Force
Ministry of Manpower
National Environmental Agency

Estimated Cost of Living

Accommodation	S$14,400 per year
Transport	S$1,800 per year
Food	S$5,000 per year

Actual expenses vary with each student, according to lifestyle and individual preferences.

Student Accomodation

Sitting in the heart of cosmopolitan Singapore, we are easily accessible from the Bugis, Bras Basah, Dhoby Ghaut and Bencoolen Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations. While we do not manage any student hostels, there are many student accommodation options around NAFA.

Student Support

The Academy provides holistic learning environment through a comprehensive range of student support services in the following areas:

Education and Career Guidance
Counselling Services
Provision of student insurance
Student Activities and CCA
Library services

More information is available in the Student Handbook and during the orientation.

Career Services
NAFA supports all full time students in career related training and preparation to meet the industry demands. Job placements are available for students seeking freelancing during their studies to enhance their social knowledge.

The services available are:

Career Preparatory Workshop
Seminars & Talks
Career Coaching and consultation
Reviewing of Resume & Cover Letter
Posting of Job Opportunities
Job Matching Service

Internship
Internship module is offered to participating academic departments during their second year of study. Attachment is strictly during vacation period, between May and July.

Student Counselling
Students may approach Office of Student Care & Internship (OSC) for assistance on their personal or emotional problems. You can reach the friendly staff of OSC at:
Career Services: [email protected]
Internship: [email protected]
Student Care: [email protected]

Opening a Bank Account

To open a bank account, you have to visit the bank in person.
You will also need the following documents:

Valid passport
Student Pass
Initial deposit (amount varies according to bank)