Studying in Singapore | The “Golden Key” for Young Immigrants, Do You Know About It?

Although many people mention that the immigration threshold in Singapore is quite high, it must be acknowledged that the value of Singaporean citizenship is undeniably significant.

In fact, Singapore’s policies for international student immigration are relatively more relaxed! Today, let's take a closer look at the requirements for international students to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore.

I. Applying for PR as a Younger International Student

Is it easier for younger international students to obtain Permanent Residency (PR) in Singapore?

Many students who go to Singapore to study are concerned about this, especially those who study there from a young age. Most of them do not plan to return to their home countries after graduation, so they are particularly interested in obtaining a Singapore PR.

While the general threshold for applying for a PR in Singapore is high, the country is more welcoming for international students under the age of 18, particularly those who come to study at the elementary level. These students are more likely to receive PR.

To apply for PR, international students must meet the following three conditions:

1. Be enrolled in an educational institution in Singapore.

2. Have lived in Singapore for at least two years.

3. Have passed one of Singapore's national exams.

Regardless of whether you are in elementary school, secondary school, high school, or university, if you study in Singapore and pass one of the national exams, you may be eligible to apply for PR.

01 Three Examinations

PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination)

Cambridge O-Level Examination

Cambridge A-Level Examination

(Similar to China’s primary school entrance exam, high school entrance exam, and college entrance exam)

So, when is the most cost-effective and profitable time to study in Singapore? The most profitable option is to study for only 2 years to meet the conditions for applying for a green card.

02 The Most Cost-Effective Age of Entry Corresponding to the Timing of the Three Examinations

Third or fourth-grade primary school students + study for two years to participate in the PSLE

Second-year middle school students + study for two years to participate in the Cambridge O-Level Examination

Second-year high school students + study for two years to participate in the Cambridge A-Level Examination

PR holders enjoy government tuition discounts, and the younger you are, the more profitable it is. After being a PR holder for one year, you can apply for citizenship. As a citizen, you do not need to pay tuition fees for primary school, and the monthly tuition fees for middle school are 5 Singapore dollars, while those for junior colleges and high schools are 6 Singapore dollars.

II Applying for PR for University and Above

Students above the university level need to obtain an Employment Pass after graduation to apply for PR.

Moreover, whether or not an application for PR is approved will also focus on the following aspects:

01 School

Choose public schools if possible

For master's degrees in Singapore, NUS and NTU are definitely the top choices. They are highly recognized locally and have rich alumni resources, which are very beneficial for staying in Singapore!

02 Major

Consider Singapore's market demand

The best employment opportunities are first in computer-related fields, followed by finance, which also offers many positions for international students.

03 Industry

Don’t stick to one industry.

No matter how good your major is, you shouldn't stick to one industry. For example, companies like S and T, which previously issued the most Employment Passes, no longer issue Junior work visas.

Industries that still issue Employment Passes include banks' Graduate Programs, the Chinese business departments of some financial companies, Fintech companies, and various research institutions (some research centers in schools will recruit fresh graduates as researchers and provide visas!)

Another issue is private schools. Students at private schools should pay attention. As mentioned above, international students must pass a national examination to apply for PR. However, some private schools do not have this examination. In this case, parents need to help students register for the national college entrance examination, and they can apply for PR after passing it.

If parents and students have any questions about Singapore study abroad applications, the latest study abroad policies, visa policies, entry guides, international scholarships, or life abroad, you can send us a private message to learn more about Singapore study abroad information~