1. PURPOSE
1.1 The policy outlines the processes relating to the enrolment of international students at School of Theology (SOT).
2. SCOPE
2.1 All international onshore students enrolled in SOT courses.
3. POLICY
3.1 Definition
An international student is defined as any student who is not a Singapore citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or holder of any valid Singaporean visa*, and who is undertaking an onshore SOT course. Due to ICA requirements, certain Singaporean visa holders may be required to apply for Student’s Pass to study in an SOT onshore course as well.
*Please refer to the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority for updated list of valid visas: https://www.ica.gov.sg/reside/STP/apply
3.2 Student’s Pass Requirements & Restrictions:
3.2.1 All international students must hold a valid Student’s Pass issued by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for their studies at SOT.
3.2.2 Student’s Pass holders are not allowed to work in Singapore during their course of study. Students are strictly not allowed to engage in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid. Unless he/she has a written consent from the Controller of Immigration, he/she is not allowed to be in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of his/her Student’s Pass. Violators will be prosecuted by law.
3.2.3 Students are required to ensure that they remain in Singapore on a valid pass at all times. Please take note of the expiry dates of your Social Visit Pass and your Student’s Pass. Overstaying is a punishable offence under the Immigration Act.
3.3 Transfer of Student’s Pass
3.3.1 Students who wish to transfer out of SOT to another school may request to do so. All outstanding amounts must be repaid to SOT before the transfer will be approved. All costs incurred as a result of this transfer of Student’s Pass will personally borne by the transferring student.
3.3.2 After completion of SOT, if you wish to study in a different private education institution (PEI), you must apply for a new Student’s Pass online using the ICA e-Service at least four weeks before your new course begins.
4. PROCEDURES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
4.1 Application Process
4.1.1 Please refer to Appendix A: Flowchart on Student’s Pass Application Process. An SOT staff will send the Student Pass Application Guide to help students complete the application process.
4.1.2 The SOT staff will log into the ICA portal to start the application process for each international student accepted to the onshore SOT course. SOT will email the student the Registration Acknowledgement Slip and the link to complete the Student’s Pass Application form.
4.1.3 Due to the complexity of the application process, any error in the details will result in a further delay to the approval of the Student’s Pass. Hence, the SOT staff will assist students to verify their Student’s Pass application details before submission.
4.2 Approval of Student’s Pass
4.2.1 ICA will take up to 6 weeks for Student’s Pass application approvals. Students can check the application results on the ICA website, and the results will also be sent to them via email.
4.2.2 The issuance of Student’s Pass is subjected to the applicant fulfilling all the requirements stated in the IPA letter.
4.2.3 Approved students will receive an In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter from ICA. A printout of this IPA letter is required at the Singapore Immigration upon arrival.
4.2.4 International students will be issued a visit pass upon arrival in Singapore, and given a period of time to complete all the formalities for obtaining the Student’s Pass.
4.2.5 Students have to personally arrange for an extension to the visit pass (before expiry) if more time is required for the completion of the formalities.
4.3 Students Briefing
4.3.1 SOT will conduct a Student’s Pass briefing for international students, within the first 3 days of school commencement date.
4.4 Collection of Student Pass
4.4.1 Once formalised, the collection of Student’s Pass is by e-appointment only.
4.4.2 The Student’s Pass is issued in digital form only.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 The SOT Dean of Students is responsible for implementing this policy.
6. FORMS & RECORDS
6.1 All forms and records should be retained for archival purposes, or for a minimum of five years, whichever is longer. This is consistent with CHC’s document retention policy.