International Applicants
International students must possess a valid Student's Pass to be able to study at SMU. SMU will assist in the application of student passes once the offer to the programme is accepted. Under the Immigration Checkpoint and Authorities (ICA) regulations, only international students studying in a full-time programme are allowed to have student passes.
Application for Student's Pass is done online at the ICA website. You must receive a SOLAR application number from SMU before you can submit your application online. Your programme manager will usually initiate the application process in late May/early June. You will be provided with further details after the programme manager has registered you in SOLAR.
Student's Pass applications submitted electronically are generally processed in 5 working days for foreigners who do not require a visa to enter Singapore. For foreigners who require a visa to enter Singapore, the general processing time is 10 working days. Some applications may take a longer time to process.
For students who require visas to enter Singapore, the Student's Pass In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter will include a Single-Journey Entry Visa for your stay in Singapore till you have completed all formalities upon your arrival in Singapore. We will send the IPA letter via email once your Student's Pass application is approved. You can use the letter as a visa to enter Singapore. You are not required to apply for a separate visa.
If you wish to visit Singapore for personal reasons, please refer to the ICA website for a list of countries whose nationals require visas to enter Singapore.
Upon completion of the programme, students will have to give up their student passes. Extension of the student pass is not allowed once a student has completed graduation requirements.
Please note that the University does not sponsor the student's dependents (e.g. spouse, children, parents) for any immigration passes.
Private Apartments
You can engage the services of a property agent to help you find an apartment. There will be an agent's fee for this service.
Points to Consider When Choosing Accommodation:
- Rent - This includes the rental amount of the unit, rental deposit, security deposit, administrative charges, agent fees for service rendered, etc.
- Location - Do check whether the apartment/hostel is conveniently located and if public transport, grocery stores, food outlets or banks are easily accessible.
- Length of Lease - The lease of a unit is normally for at least a year. Landlords of private apartments usually ask for up to 3 months' rent as deposit. However, short term lease is available but usually at a higher rental.
- Others - The cost of accommodation depends on several factors such as the locality, type of premises, size, furnishings provided, recreational facilities available, length of lease. Housing in Singapore is generally expensive, especially within the city.
Do note that the contract / tenancy agreement will be made solely between the student and hostel management / owner. Please read the contract / tenancy agreement carefully before you make any commitment.
Singapore has one of the highest cost of living in South East Asia. Below are estimates of how much is required during your stay in Singapore. They do not include tuition fees and travel expenses from your home country to Singapore.
An international student in Singapore spends, on average, about S$1,000 to S$3,000 a month on living expenses. This amount will, of course, vary depending on your lifestyle and course of study.
This table gives a rough estimate of basic monthly expenditure for an international student in Singapore:
| Item | Cost per Month (SGD) | Comments |
| Accommodation | $500 - $2000 | Rental varies with geographical area, type of accommodation, demand, facilities provided & the number of people sharing, etc |
| Utilities (including water and electricity) | $40 - $100 | |
| Food | $300 - $500 | Based on $10-$15 per day for 3 meals at a foodcourt. |
| Transportation | $100 | Depends on the distance and mode of transport. |
| Telecommunications | $50 | Varies with usage and promotional packages subscribed for telephone services, mobile services and internet access services. |
| Books & Stationery | From $100/term | Booklink at the SMU concourse stocks almost all the required textbooks. |
| Personal Expenses | $100 - $300 | Varies with the individual. Could include expenses on clothes, toiletries, entertainment, haircut, miscellaneous. |
| Medical Insurance | As a SMU student, you are automatically entitled to SMU Medical Insurance Coverage scheme that covers your basic medical treatment and consultation. |
For more information on living in Singapore, please click here.
Please click here for more details on SMU Medical Insurance Coverage Scheme.