Current Students Pre-arrival Information

Pre-arrival Information

Pre-arrival Information

Welcome to Singapore!

Before departing for Singapore, you should have made prior arrangements with James Cook University Singapore Airport Pick-up Service for a smooth and seamless transfer to your accommodation in Singapore.

When embarking to Singapore, there is important information that you should be aware of to ease the immigration and customs clearance process.

Please click on the respective headings below for useful information before departing from your home country and arriving in Singapore. For more information, contact us at [email protected].

Airport Pick Up Service

All international students are eligible to request an airport pick-up service. Each student will be granted access to our online Pre-Arrival System.

Accessing the Pre-Arrival System should be done once you receive your In-Principle Approval (IPA). An acknowledgement email will be sent to you within 1 working day upon receiving your submission. The email indicates the finalized information of the airport pick-up.

On the day of your arrival, you will be met by an outsourced transport company driver and a James Cook University Singapore Meet & Greet Buddy. They will assist and send you to your pre-arranged accommodation.

Click here to be directed to an illustration of the airport pick-up arrangements procedures.

Click here for more information on how to be a James Cook University Singapore Meet & Greet Buddy.

* In response to the 2019 COVID-19 outbreak, the following changes have been implemented.

  • Only students who have received their entry approval will be directed to access our online Pre-Arrival System.
  • James Cook University Meet & Greet Buddy program is temporarily suspended.
  • For students who are required to serve their Stay Home Notice (SHN) at an SHN Dedicated Facility (SDF), a pick-up service is applicable for them at the end of their SHN.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] for further details.

Immigration Clearance

When entering Singapore, you must present yourself for immigration clearance at the point of entry. You must satisfy the following basic requirements before you can be considered for entry:

Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

Customs Clearance

Before you leave your designated arrival belt, you will come across 2 Singapore Customs Counters:

Customs Channel Sign GreenCustoms Channel Sign Red

The Red and Green Channel system is operated at major passenger entry checkpoints to expedite customs clearance of arriving travellers.

These counters are manned by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who grant clearance to all travellers bringing items/goods to Singapore. If an ICA officer at a checkpoint wishes to examine your baggage, you must open, unpack and repack it yourself. This gives you full control over the process. It also prevents any unintentional damage to your baggage or belongings.

If you do not have dutiable, controlled or prohibited goods, you may proceed to the Green Channel. However, ICA officers may conduct checks on visitors’ baggage. If you are found with any undeclared dutiable, controlled or prohibited goods, you may be fined or prosecuted.

You must declare all dutiable goods, controlled goods or prohibited goods at the Red Channel. You must show these goods and your import licence, or authorisation where applicable, to an ICA officer for examination, and seek Customs clearance. Making a false or incorrect declaration is an offence.

For a full detailed list of Dutiable, Controlled and Prohibited Goods, please click here.

For more information, please visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website – https://www.ica.gov.sg/

Student Pass Formalities

Before receiving a Student Pass, all students must undergo a medical check-up in Singapore, which James Cook University Singapore will arrange on your behalf. The medical check-up is a Singapore Government requirement.

After completing the medical check-up, James Cook University Singapore will arrange for you to visit the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to collect your Student Pass. Your Student Pass will be valid for the duration of your study.