By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
Children who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents are international students, and they enter local government schools through MOE’s centralised tests: the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), held in the second half of each year for the following January, and the Supplementary AEIS (S-AEIS) early in the year. The tests are held in Singapore, places are not guaranteed, and fees are higher than for citizens. Many families also consider international schools.
School is the part of a move with the longest lead time. The local route runs on MOE’s calendar, not yours, and a child arriving mid-year may wait for the next test window. Start planning as soon as the move is likely.
School routes at a glance
| Route | For | When |
|---|---|---|
| Primary 1 registration for international students | Children aged 6 as of 1 January of the year of admission | Indication of interest online in May, for the following year |
| AEIS | Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3, for the following academic year | Applications in July; tests in September (1 to 4 September in 2026) |
| S-AEIS | Primary 2 to 4 and Secondary 1 to 2, for the same academic year | Applications in January; tests in March |
| International schools | All ages | Each school’s own admissions and waiting lists |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Local schools | Strong and much cheaper than international schools, but entry depends on test results and vacancies. |
| The catch | Test windows are fixed; a mid-year arrival may mean months without a local place. |
| International schools | Easier continuity with home curricula, at annual fees in the tens of thousands of dollars. |
| Start | As early as possible; both routes fill up. |
| Worth knowing | Placement follows vacancies and your home address where possible. |
Local schools through AEIS and S-AEIS
MOE admits international students to mainstream primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute. For primary and secondary levels, the route is a centralised test. The AEIS covers Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3 for the following academic year: in 2026 applications opened in July and tests ran from 1 to 4 September. The S-AEIS covers Primary 2 to 4 and Secondary 1 to 2 for the same year: in 2026 applications ran in January and tests in early March. All tests are held in Singapore.
Admission is not guaranteed. It depends on your child’s results and on vacancies, and MOE places successful students in schools with places, near your declared home address where possible. Applicants apply through MOE’s Candidates Portal and upload documents such as a birth certificate and passport; primary applicants also submit Cambridge English Qualifications results.
Primary 1
Children who will be 6 on 1 January of the year of admission can seek a Primary 1 place through the international student route of P1 registration, beginning with an online indication of interest in May. Citizens and permanent residents are placed first.
Fees
MOE school fees depend on nationality and school type. International students pay considerably more than citizens and permanent residents, with a lower rate for students from ASEAN countries; for 2026, MOE’s published secondary fees were S$1,090 a month for ASEAN international students and S$2,190 for others. Check MOE’s fee page for your child’s level.
International schools
Singapore has many international schools teaching the IB, British, American and other curricula, with their own admissions and fees, usually well into five figures a year. They offer continuity for families who will move again, and admissions that do not depend on MOE test windows, though popular schools have waiting lists.
Schools: FAQ
Can foreign children attend local schools in Singapore?
Yes, as international students, through MOE’s AEIS or S-AEIS tests, or Primary 1 registration. Places are not guaranteed.
When is the AEIS?
Applications open in July, with tests in September or October, for admission the following January. In 2026 the tests ran from 1 to 4 September.
Can my child take the AEIS from overseas?
No. All AEIS and S-AEIS tests are held in Singapore.
How much are local school fees for international students?
More than for citizens and permanent residents, and they differ for ASEAN and non-ASEAN students. For 2026, secondary fees were S$1,090 a month for ASEAN and S$2,190 for other international students.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. For your children’s passes, read bringing your family.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: MOE, admissions for international students; MOE, AEIS 2026 application periods and tests; MOE, S-AEIS 2026; MOE, admissions process; OWIS citing MOE’s 2024 to 2026 fee schedule. General information; MOE’s pages are the final word. Last updated 29 September 2026.
