Singapore

The Asian Financial & Tech Hub

Singapore’s student visa (Student’s Pass) is highly selective but offers immense prestige. International students at approved institutions can work up to 16 hours per week during the school term and unlimited hours during vacations. The focus in 2026 remains on high-demand sectors like Fintech, AI, and Sustainability. While Singapore does not have an automatic “stay-back” visa for all, graduates from local universities can apply for a one-year Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) to search for a job.

The primary benefit for graduates is the streamlined transition to an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass. For those in the technology sector, the “Five-Year Tech EP” provides a long-term stable pathway for high-earning professionals. Additionally, Singapore’s COMPASS framework (a points-based system) awards bonus points to candidates who graduated from top-tier local or global universities, making it significantly easier for students to secure work visas immediately after their degree.