What type of visa can I apply for to stay in Singapore after completing a one-year or 1.5-year master's program, and can I work with this visa?
Yes, after a 1-year or 1.5-year master's in Singapore, eligible graduates can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (S$45 application plus S$60 issuance fee) to stay and job-search, but the LTVP alone doesn't let you work; your employer must then secure an Employment Pass or S Pass.
Yes, after your master's, eligible graduates can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) to remain in Singapore while looking for a job. The LTVP itself doesn't authorize you to work; you need a separate work pass once you have a job offer.
Your Pass Options After a Singapore Master's
| Stage | Pass | Can You Work? |
|---|---|---|
| During your master's | Student's Pass | Up to 16 hours a week during term at some institutions, such as NUS, NTU, SMU, and SUTD, without a separate work pass |
| After graduation, job searching | Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) | No, the LTVP alone doesn't authorize work |
| After a job offer | Employment Pass (minimum S$5,600/month) or S Pass (minimum S$3,300/month) | Yes, once your employer secures the pass |
What to Know About the LTVP
- Eligibility: it's available to graduates of qualifying Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning, so not every university or program automatically qualifies.
- Fees and timing: the application currently costs S$45 to apply plus S$60 on issuance, and ICA generally processes complete applications within about 6 weeks.
- Next step: once you land a suitable role, your employer applies for the Employment Pass or S Pass on your behalf.
My Advice
Before enrolling, confirm directly whether your specific Singapore university qualifies for the graduate LTVP scheme, since this isn't automatic for every institution. Start job-hunting actively during your LTVP window rather than after it's granted, since the pass itself gives you time to search but not the right to work while you do.
How long can you stay and work after a Singapore master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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