Primary 1 Registration 2026: Key Dates For Registering Your Child For Primary School In Singapore

The Primary 1 Registration Exercise for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents begins in July 2026. Find out how to register your child for P1, key P1 registration dates, what each phase means and all the must-knows for parents.

Primary 1 is a big year for families, but it all starts the year before, when the Primary 1 registration exercise begins. Fret not, our comprehensive guide has all you need to know about the P1 registration exercise for local primary schools. Families interested in registering their children born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021 (both dates inclusive) can now mark their calendars for the P1 registration exercise that begins in July 2026 (exact date TBA), for the academic year of 2027. All 2026 P1 registrations will be conducted online, as it was in the past years, and there will not be any in-person registration at schools. Read on for all the key Primary 1 registration dates to note down in your calendar, as well as must-knows for parents.

Jump to:
– Primary 1 Registration Phases, Explained
– Primary 1 Registration Key Dates & Deadlines
– P1 Registration for international students
– Frequently Asked Questions for Primary 1 Registration

Primary 1 2026 Registration Phases, Explained

The Primary 1 registration exercise is conducted over several phases. Phase 1, 2A, 2B, 2C  and 2C Supplementary apply to children who are Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR). Phase 3 is for international students. If your child is Singaporean or Permanent Resident and has an older sibling already enrolled in a local primary school, parents are required to submit an application directly to the school during phase 1 of the P1 registration exercise. The primary school where the older sibling is currently studying will provide parents with more details on how to register their younger child.

Phase 1:
– Parents with another child currently attending the school.

Phase 2A: 
– Parent or sibling is a former student of the school
– Parent is a member of the school’s alumni association, school’s advisory or management committee
– Parent is a staff member of the school
– Child is currently in the MOE Kindergarten located within the school

Phase 2B:
– Parent volunteer at the school.
– Endorsed members of an affiliated church or clan directly connected to the school.
– Parent is endorsed as an active community leader.

Phase 2C:
– All other eligible children not yet registered for school, including PR, including proximity-based registrations (priority is given to those living within 1km, and then 1km – 2km)

Phase 2C Supplementary: 
– Any child not yet registered after Phase 2C

Phase 3:
– International students

For Phases 2A, 2B and 2C, the link to the online form and user guide will be available on the MOE P1 Registration website during the registration periods of the respective phases.

Key dates for P1 Registration 2026

You may be wondering, “Which phase can I register my child for Primary 1?” There are six phases in total, with specific criteria and deadlines. Refer to the handy table below for the one that your child qualifies for:

The 2026 dates are estimated to take place in the first week of July 2026. As the exact dates have yet to be announced, take a look at last year’s P1 registration dates:

Phase 1: 1 July, 9am to 3 July, 4.30pm*
Phase 2A: 10 July, 9am to 11 July, 4.30pm*
Phase 2B: 21 July 9am to 22 July, 4.30pm*
Phase 2C: 29 July 9am to 31 July, 4.30pm*
Phase 2C Supplementary: 18 August, 9am to 19 August, 4.30pm*
*Note that these are 2025 dates. 2026 dates will be updated once MOE announces them. 

Are international students eligible for 2026 P1 registration?

If you are neither a Singaporean citizen nor PR, note that all non-PR foreigners are required to complete an “online indication of interest,” which will only be live on the MOE website in 2026 (exact dates TBA), otherwise you will not be able to register in Phase 3 of the P1 Registration Exercise. Info on documents needed here.

International students (IS) can only register for P1 during Phase 3 of the P1 Registration Exercise, after all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents have been allocated a place under the earlier phases. You will be notified by October 2026 (exact date TBA) whether your child can be offered a P1 place. Check out the Ministry of Education’s specific instructions here.

  Read more: Why we chose local Singapore schools for our expat kids

FAQs for Primary 1 Registration 2026

1. After registering interest in July 2026 what comes next?

In October 2026, families selected by MOE as eligible to register will be contacted to bring ALL original documents listed below in person to a designated school for verification. Take note that both parents’ original passports and identity cards will be required so manage travel plans accordingly. More info on documents needed here.

2. How can I update my child’s vaccinations and check what is required?

Regarding vaccinations: To update all vaccination records, you can scan and email all vaccinations along with the child’s FIN number, full name to the Health Promotion Board at [email protected].

Click here to see the Singapore vaccination schedule

3. How can I improve my odds of getting a spot in a local school?

Admission to local schools for foreigners (children without PR or citizenship) is decided at the discretion of the Ministry of Education. All families can do is follow the process by the deadline, submit the required documentation, and hope for a favourable outcome.

4. I hear that even if I am PR, I won’t get a spot in a local school.

This is untrue. All children holding PR or citizenship are guaranteed a spot in a local school. Be sure to review the registration by phases to learn the steps required if your child is not a foreigner.

5. How do I get into a “good school” as a foreigner?

Admission to local schools and choice of schools for foreigners (children without PR or citizenship) is decided at the discretion of the Ministry of Education.

Read more: Expat Reflections after a Year in Local Singapore Primary School

6. I am PR but my child is not, what do we do?

You register during the Phase 3 registration as a non-PR foreigner. The immigration status of the child signals the phase of registration, regardless of the status of the parent.

7. What if our application is denied?

This is a likely outcome. All decisions are final and appeals are not considered. All families should prepare a backup plan for the education of their child should the local school application not succeed.

Read more: Guide to International Secondary Schools in Singapore

8. Can I register next year?

Foreigners wanting to register outside of the P1 registration phases will have to take a rigorous standardised test called the AEIS and admission is at the discretion of the Singapore government. For more information consult the Ministry of Education. Click here to read about one mama’s experience when her son took the AEIS.

9. I want to register my child for a local school, but they were not born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021 

Outside of the P1 registration, all foreign children applying for a local school must take the AEIS exam. Admission to the school is at the discretion of the Singapore government. For more information, consult the Ministry of Education!

10. What happens if I missed the phase my child is eligible for? 

You can still register your child in the next eligible phase, but there will be no priority given. If you missed the 2026 P1 Registration Exercise completely and do not have approval from the MOE for deferment, you can contact the MOE to enrol your child into a school with vacancies.

More Resources:

• Singapore Expats in Local Schools Facebook Group
• Singapore Expat Schooling Forum Facebook Group
• Kiasu Parents (for school ranking)

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