Singaporean students at Harvard amid SEVP certification uncertainty

[SINGAPORE] Singapore is closely monitoring developments following the reported revocation of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, and its implications for Singaporean students, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on May 27.

This comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to strip Harvard of its authority to host international students and scholars — a move that has left approximately 6,800 foreign students in the United States in a state of uncertainty. Affected students were given two options: transfer to another institution or face potential deportation.

According to the Harvard International Office, 151 Singaporean students and scholars are currently enrolled at the university. In recent years, top-tier American institutions such as Harvard have become increasingly attractive to Singaporean students, drawn by their global prestige and strong academic and research offerings. The possible fallout from the SEVP issue has triggered concerns among students, parents, and educators in Singapore.

However, on May 23, a U.S. judge intervened to block the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the university’s ability to enrol foreign students. The ruling brought relief to many international students and their advocates, highlighting the legal challenges surrounding U.S. immigration policy and its impact on the academic community.

The MFA noted that Singapore’s embassy in Washington DC has been in contact with both the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. The government’s active engagement with American authorities reflects its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its citizens abroad, particularly students navigating periods of uncertainty.

Support mechanisms have also been established, including a dedicated communication channel managed by the Consular Department of the MFA and the Singapore Global Network (SGN), aimed at keeping affected students informed.

Singaporean students at Harvard impacted by the situation are encouraged to register at https://go.gov.sg/singaporeanharvardstudents to join the group channel. Additionally, the Singapore Ambassador to the United States will host a virtual town hall for Singaporean students at Harvard on May 30 at 5pm local time (May 31, 5am Singapore time). The session is expected to serve as a platform for students to raise concerns, seek clarification, and receive updates on the evolving situation.

The MFA also advised Singaporean students to stay in regular contact with Harvard’s International Student Services for the latest information.