Start here: sending a child from China to study in Singapore

For parents in China who have never been to Singapore and know nothing of the process: the five hard conditions to settle first, then admission, the Student's Pass, accompanying a child and entry in order, with the 2026 dates, costs and documents to prepare.

Verified 2026-10-31 Changes often

If you are in China, have never been to Singapore and have no idea about the process, start here. This article answers three questions: what to do, in what order, and what has to be done in Singapore. Each step names the official page, and the detail is in the articles linked below. It follows official information for the 2026 cycle as of 31 October 2026, which changes every year.

Settle these five hard conditions first

Find the entry route for the child

The whole process (AEIS to a government school, 2026 cycle)

That is the AEIS. Primary 1 registration, international schools and private schools have different timetables, so use the matching article.

Documents to prepare in China

• The child: passport; birth certificate with an accurate English translation; for Primary applicants, the Cambridge English statement of results; for foreign-born children aged 12 or below, vaccination information to be submitted to the Communicable Diseases Agency.
• Student’s Pass (government school): the school’s Registration Acknowledgement Letter, the travel document bio-data page, personal details (places lived, education, financial support), a Singapore address and contact details, and a passport-sized colour digital photo taken in the last 3 months. Documents not in English need official English translations, and originals are required.
• Long-Term Visit Pass for the accompanying parent: a recent colour digital photo (400 × 514 pixels), travel document, the child’s birth certificate, the parent’s birth certificate or household register, the child’s parents’ marriage certificate, divorce or custody papers if applicable, and a letter from the child’s school.

What it costs (official figures at a glance)

The full picture is in Cost components.

What the pages do not say, so you must ask

• What to do with no local sponsor: ICA’s page says who can sponsor, not what to do instead. Ask ICA or the schools you are considering.
• Whether the accompanying parent will be approved: ICA’s page gives no approval criteria or validity period, so do not assume approval.
• Housing and guardianship: we have no official source; confirm with the school.
• What residential area to declare when applying: MOE’s application page does not say. MOE only says placement depends on vacancies and the residential area you declare, where possible.

Common mistakes

• Assuming everything can be done from China: the AEIS tests are held in Singapore.
• Assuming a pass means you can choose the school: schools are assigned.
• Assuming the accompanying parent is approved automatically with the child: it is a separate application, for one person only.
• Treating the 30-day visa exemption as a study status: it is a short visit; studying needs a Student’s Pass.

Next steps

• Use the age and grade chart to see roughly which grade the child fits.
• Work through your case in the planner.
• Read Accompanying parent and Entering Singapore.

FAQ

We are in China and know nobody in Singapore. Can our child go to a government school?

ICA says a Student’s Pass application for a Government, Government-Aided or Independent school needs a local sponsor who is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 or above. Companies and organisations cannot sponsor, and if the child has a citizen or PR parent, that parent must be the sponsor. ICA also says a local sponsor is only required for those schools and the Institutes of Technical Education. We did not read an official answer for people who know nobody locally, so ask ICA or the school directly.

Must the child come to Singapore for the AEIS test?

MOE says the AEIS tests are held in Singapore, and in 2026 they ran from 1 to 3 September. The child brings a copy of the passport bio-data page and the entry proof, and sits at the desk at least 15 minutes before the test. Holders of ordinary PRC passports can enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days.

Which passes do the child and the parent each need?

The child needs a Student’s Pass (unless they hold a valid Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass or Immigration Exemption Order). A parent who stays applies separately for a Long-Term Visit Pass, and only one parent or grandparent can apply per student. Each pass has its own application and fees.

How long does the whole process take?

For the AEIS, applications start in July, tests are in September, results come in December and successful children start school the next January, about six months in all. Before that, Primary applicants must first get a Cambridge English statement of results, and documents must be prepared. Primary 1 registration, international schools and others have different timelines.

What should we look at first?

First which entry route fits the child’s current grade, then whether you have a local sponsor. Those two decide which routes are open.

Sources

• MOE: Admissions process for international students (updated 14 Jan 2026)
• MOE: AEIS overview (updated 17 Jul 2026)
• MOE: AEIS how to apply (updated 17 Jul 2026)
• MOE: AEIS test details (updated 17 Jul 2026)
• MOE: AEIS release of outcome (updated 1 Jul 2026)
• MOE: P1 registration for international students (updated 29 Apr 2026)
• ICA: Student’s Pass overview (updated 29 Oct 2026)
• ICA: Student’s Pass sponsorship (updated 30 Oct 2026)
• ICA: Student’s Pass for Government, Government-Aided and Independent Schools (updated 29 Oct 2026)
• ICA: Completion of formalities and issuance of Student’s Pass (updated 27 Oct 2026)
• ICA: Long-Term Visit Pass for a parent or grandparent of a child on a Student’s Pass (updated 29 Oct 2026)
• ICA: Mutual 30-day visa exemption between Singapore and the PRC (media release, 25 Jan 2024)

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