After completing my master's in Singapore, can I stay there and search for a job?
Yes, if you graduated from a recognised Institute of Higher Learning like NUS or NTU, you can apply for a one year non-renewable Long Term Visit Pass to search for a job in Singapore, though you cannot work while holding it. Once hired, your employer sponsors your work pass.
Yes, you can stay in Singapore after your masters to search for a job, but there is no automatic open post study work visa like in the UK or Australia. Which option applies to you depends heavily on which type of institution you graduated from.
Your Options Based on Institution Type
| Graduate Type | Option |
|---|---|
| Recognised IHL graduate (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT) | 1 year non-renewable Long Term Visit Pass; cannot work while holding it |
| Private Education Institution graduate | Generally does not qualify for the LTVP; must secure a job while the student pass is still active |
Moving From Job Search to a Work Pass
Once you land a job offer, your employer must sponsor and apply for a work pass before you can legally start. An Employment Pass targets professionals and managers with a qualifying monthly salary that rises with age, while an S Pass targets mid level skilled staff under a separate salary and quota framework.
My Advice
Apply for your Long Term Visit Pass before your student pass expires, and if you studied at a private institution, start job hunting seriously well before graduation, since you will not get a dedicated job search window afterward.
How long can you stay and work after a Singapore master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
More Post-study work questions
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