As a parent of an international student in Singapore, you may want to be closer to your child and support them through their academic journey. Fortunately, Singapore offers a Dependant’s Pass, which allows parents to stay with their children who are studying in the country. In this article, we will discuss how to apply for a Singapore Dependant’s Pass/Long-term Visit Pass (LTVP) for parents of international students.

Eligibility:

To apply for a Dependant’s Pass or LTVP, the student must meet certain criteria. They must be studying full-time in one of the following institutions:

- Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) such as universities, polytechnics and institutions that offer post-secondary education

- Foreign System Schools (FSS) registered in Singapore

- Private Education Institutions (PEIs) with at least four years registration and operations in Singapore and registered with the Council for Private Education

Application Process:

1. First, the student must apply for the Dependant’s Pass or LTVP on behalf of their parents through the electronic submission system. The processing fee for a Dependant’s Pass or LTVP application is S$105 and S$150, respectively.

2. Once the application is approved, parents will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email. The IPA letter is valid for 6 months.

3. After receiving the IPA letter, parents should go to the Singapore Embassy or Consulate General in their home country for fingerprint verification and to collect the pass.

4. Parents must also purchase a medical insurance plan with a minimum coverage of S$15,000 per year and for the entire stay in Singapore.

5. Parents can enter Singapore once the Dependant’s Pass or LTVP has been issued. To extend the pass, the student's educational institution must submit an application for renewal at least two months before the expiry date.

Documents Required:

- A valid passport with a validity of at least six months

- A recent passport-sized photograph

- Educational documents, such as the student’s admission letter, Student Pass and Attendance Records

- Completed Dependant’s Pass application form

- Bank statements to show financial support for the parents

- Marriage certificate (if applicable)

- Birth certificate (if applicable)

Note: All documents must be in English. If they aren’t, they must be translated by an official translation service.

Conclusion:

Applying for a Dependant’s Pass or Long-term Visit Pass for parents of international students in Singapore can seem daunting at first. However, by following the above steps, parents can be reunited with their children and support them through their academic journey. It’s important to note that parents should apply for the pass well in advance, as it can take 6-8 weeks for the application to be processed. With proper planning and preparation, parents can enjoy a hassle-free application process and an enriching experience in Singapore.