Local school placement for foreign children — Costs and fees breakdown
Placing a foreign child in a Singapore government or government-aided school means securing a place through the Admissions Exercise for International Students and paying the monthly fees set for international students, which are higher than citizen and permanent-resident rates. Placement usually follows the annual AEIS cycle, so families should plan six to twelve months ahead.
Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.
What local school placement means
Singapore’s national schools admit citizens and permanent residents first; foreign children are admitted subject to available vacancies, primarily through the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) run by the Ministry of Education. The Compulsory Education Act 2000 makes primary education compulsory for Singapore citizens, but international students may still apply for places where capacity allows. Families weighing the national system against international schools should factor cost, curriculum and admission certainty.
Who it is for
Relocating professionals and families on Employment Passes, and those pursuing longer-term residence, often prefer the national system for its academic record and lower fees relative to international schools. Families relocating for a business or investment structure frequently coordinate schooling with their tax and residency planning; the family-office context is set out in our Multi-jurisdiction family office structures — Timeline and processing benchmarks, and the incorporation background in our Subsidiary of foreign parent — director and capital pitfalls —.
Fees and monthly cost breakdown (2026)
International-student monthly school fees in the national system are materially higher than citizen rates. Indicative 2026 monthly fees for international students (non-ASEAN) are approximately S$900 to S$1,000 for primary and S$1,800 to S$2,000 for secondary, with ASEAN-national rates lower. There is also a compulsory miscellaneous fee. By comparison, international schools charge roughly S$25,000 to S$50,000 a year in tuition. AEIS test-related and application costs are modest, generally under S$1,000, but preparation tuition can add several thousand dollars.
Eligibility and the AEIS process
International students seeking Primary 2 to Primary 5 or Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 places sit the AEIS, which tests English and mathematics. Places are offered based on performance and vacancies, and there is no guarantee of a specific school or location. A supplementary intake (S-AEIS) runs early in the year for remaining vacancies. Once placed, the child needs a Student’s Pass issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Kindergarten and pre-primary admissions are handled separately.
Step-by-step process
Confirm the child’s eligibility and target level. Register for the AEIS during the mid-year window through MOE. Prepare for the English and mathematics papers, using preparatory tuition if needed. Sit the test at the scheduled date. Receive the posting result, which names the allocated school if successful. Accept the place, apply for the Student’s Pass, and complete school registration and fee payment. If unsuccessful, consider S-AEIS, private schooling or an international school.
Common mistakes and gotchas
Families frequently miss the AEIS registration window, which runs months before the school year, and must then wait a full cycle. Others assume they can choose the school — placement is by vacancy, not preference. Underestimating the English standard required is common, as is overlooking the Student’s Pass timeline. Budgeting only for tuition and forgetting miscellaneous fees, uniforms and enrichment can also surprise new arrivals.
FAQs
Can foreign children attend Singapore government schools? Yes, subject to vacancies and passing the AEIS, at international-student fee rates.
How much are international-student fees? Roughly S$900 to S$2,000 a month depending on level and nationality, plus miscellaneous fees.
When is AEIS held? Registration is mid-year with the test in the second half; a supplementary S-AEIS runs early the following year.
Do I need a Student’s Pass? Yes — once placed, apply to ICA for the child’s Student’s Pass.
Authoritative references: the Ministry of Education, Early Childhood Development Agency and Ministry of Health publish the current admission, early-childhood and health requirements.
Related reading on this site: Local school placement for foreign children — Step-by-step walkthrough.
Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.