Singaporean officials are implementing changes for certain qualified Student’s Pass holders to apply for permanent residency faster.

Key Points:

• Student’s Pass holders can now apply for permanent residency if they have passed at least one national exam or if they are part of an Integrated Programme.
• Previously, Student’s Pass holders had to wait two years before they could apply for permanent residency.

Additional Information: The national exams that qualify a student pass holder include the Primary School Leaving Examination and the General Certificate of Education N/O/A level examinations. An Integrated Programme is a six-year course that eventually leads to the General Certificate of Education A-Level examination or International Baccalaureate Diploma or NUS High School Diploma. The government is also implementing a policy change to allow male guardians (fathers or grandfathers) to apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to accompany and look after a foreign student; previously, only female guardians could apply.

BAL Analysis: The government hopes to make it easier for students to become permanent residents and attract more international skilled talent.