Hi all, I’m an Indian student who just applied for the Applied Economics Masters at NUS, aiming for a career in consulting.
I keep hearing about a tough job market and visa sponsorship issues for international grads in Singapore. Could any current Indian students or recent alumni from similar programs share their experience?
How was your job search experience?
How difficult is it really to get an EP sponsored?
Is the investment worth it for someone with a profile like mine (strong academics, consulting internships, no full-time exp)?
Hi there! The important thing everyone is doing right now is networking. You need to leverage LinkedIn and alumni connections to get referrals. The application-to-interview ratio is low if you just apply online cold.
The EP rules are strict, so many are also looking at roles in other sectors like banking, tech analytics, or even with the government (though that’s even harder for int’l students). It’s good that you’re thinking about this now.
Hey, I applied to NUS too different course and had the same doubts, so I reached out to a few seniors there. What they told me is that the job market in Singapore is definitely tight right now, especially for fresh grads without prior full-time experience. Getting an EP sponsored is possible, but it’s tougher if you don’t already have local internships or solid work ex on your CV.
A couple of seniors from economics/finance programs did manage to get consulting or analyst roles, but it took a lot of networking and some were okay starting with short-term/contract jobs first. The NUS brand does carry weight though even those who didn’t stay in Singapore ended up using it as a stepping stone for good opportunities in India or the Middle East.
So, if your main goal is settling in Singapore long-term, it won’t be the easiest path right after graduation. But if you’re looking at NUS as a way to build your profile and keep multiple doors open, it can definitely be worth it.
“Your LTVP doesn’t need a job offer, but it’s not instant—factor in some wait time. Then your employer files for the EP, which is another wait, so you’ll be in limbo for like 3–4 weeks.” (Reddit)
Basically, after graduation, you switch from a Student Pass to a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP), using your degree cert it’s your buffer while job hunting. Once you land an offer, your employer starts your Employment Pass (EP) application, which takes weeks. Settle in and budget for that overlap!
It gets stricter: older or more experienced applicants actually need higher salary thresholds (growing with age). (InCorp Global, Piloto Asia)
So yeah big companies or well-known consultancies might be okay with sponsorship. But smaller firms often shy away if they can’t meet those numbers. Keep this in mind while interviewing.
Is the Investment Worth It for You?
With your strong academics and consulting internships, NUS + the Singapore network can definitely boost your profile. It’s just that:
Your first full-time job might not be a top-tier consulting role it could be in research, public sector, or strategy-adjacent.
The process can be a bit stressful—LTVP → search → EP.
But it’s doable, especially if you’re flexible and patient.