Singapore has relaxed some of its permanent residency rules for students in an effort to become a more attractive study destination.
Under the new policies, Student Pass holders are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore if they have passed at least one national exam or are attending the Integrated Programme, VisaGuide.World reports.
Prior to this change, students had to wait at least two years to apply for a PR, as explained by Business Standard. But now, excellent students will find it easier to become permanent residents in Singapore.
As further explained, the state exam contains the Primary School Leaving Examination and the General Certificate of Education N/O/A level exams. Meanwhile, the Integrated Programme is a six-year course leading to the General Certificate of Education A-Level exam, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or the NUS High School Diploma.
Male Guardians Can Now Apply to Accompany Students Studying in Singapore
In addition to easing PR criteria for overseas students, Singapore has also introduced another change concerning male guardians.
This means that male guardians, including fathers or grandfathers, are now allowed to apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) to accompany students in Singapore.
Under the previous rules, only female guardians, such as mothers and grandmothers, were entitled to apply for an LTVP.
Although both male and female guardians are now eligible to apply for such a permit, only one guardian is allowed to accompany a student studying in Singapore.
Among other things, Singapore is known for its high quality of education and is considered a top destination for students from all over the world. According to LeapSchool, Singapore welcomed over 34,000 foreign students in 2023 alone.
Singapore Lifted Visa Requirements for Oman & China
Prior to the above-mentioned policies, Singapore recently dropped visa requirements for some countries.
In July 2024, the Singaporean government lifted visa requirements for Omani nationals, requiring them to only submit a Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) at least three days before arrival. Under this policy, Omani citizens can visit Singapore visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.
In addition to Omani, Singapore reached a bilateral agreement with China to lift visa requirements between the two countries. This decision, which entered into force in February 2024, allows citizens of Singapore and China to visit each other’s countries for stays of up to 30 days.
In March 2024, Singapore also announced its plans to relax the visa process for Indian citizens, given that authorities aim to attract 1.5 million Indian tourists in 2024. In addition to the visa procedure, Singapore aims to improve hospitality infrastructure, including accommodation.
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