How Much Money Will You Save On Your Child’s School Fees When You Become A Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) ?

12 Sep

Singapore offers significant financial benefits for Permanent Residents (PR) and citizens, particularly in the realm of education. For those considering Singapore as their long-term home, one of the most attractive perks is the government subsidies that dramatically reduce education costs for children. In the text below, we will highlight the contrast between what citizens, PRs, and foreigners pay for school fees.

Educational Fees for PRs and Citizens vs. Foreigners

One of the major incentives for obtaining PR or citizenship status is access to subsidized education, significantly lowering fees at all educational stages, from primary school to post-secondary institutions like junior colleges and polytechnics.

Primary School Fees

Citizens: Primary education is nearly free for Singaporean citizens, who only pay a small miscellaneous fee of $6.50 to $13 monthly.
PRs: PR parents pay $230 to $268 monthly for primary school education.
Foreigners:
- ASEAN students pay between $490 and $528 monthly.
- Non-ASEAN students face the highest costs, with fees ranging from $825 to $888.

For example, over six years of primary school:

Singaporean citizens pay a total of $468 to $936.
PRs pay $16,560 to $19,296.
International students from ASEAN countries pay $35,280 to $38,016.
Non-ASEAN students pay a hefty $59,400 to $63,936.

Secondary School Fees

Citizens: For government or government-aided secondary schools, Singaporean citizens pay between $5 and $25 per month, with a total cost of around $1,200 over four years.
PRs: PRs pay $440 to $520 monthly, with a total cost of $24,960 over four years.
Foreigners:
- ASEAN students pay $840 to $920 monthly, or $44,160 over four years.
- Non-ASEAN students pay between $1,600 and $1,770 monthly, adding up to $84,960.

For independent secondary schools, fees increase significantly:

Singaporean citizens pay $300 to $600 monthly, totaling $28,800 over four years.
PRs pay between $600 and $1,000 monthly, reaching $48,000.
International students face fees ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per month, with non-ASEAN students paying up to $120,000.

Post-Secondary Education

Junior College

Citizens: The total cost for two years is around $792.
PRs: PR students pay $520 to $607 monthly, with a total cost of $14,568.
Foreigners:
- ASEAN students pay $1,070 to $1,127 monthly, or $27,048 in total.
- Non-ASEAN students face $1,950 to $2,127 monthly, with a final total of $51,048.

Polytechnic

Citizens: Annual tuition fees are $3,000, totaling $9,000 over three years.
PRs: PR students pay $6,200 annually, or $18,600 over three years.
Foreigners:
- Both ASEAN and non-ASEAN international students pay the same fee of $11,900 per year, amounting to $35,700 for three years.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

Citizens: Depending on the course, annual fees range from $430 to $590, with a total cost of $860 to $1,180 for two years.
PRs: PR students pay between $6,150 and $7,760 annually, adding up to $12,300 to $15,520.
Foreigners:
- ASEAN students pay $17,400 to $20,550 annually, while non-ASEAN students pay the same, totaling $34,800 to $41,100 for two years.

Conclusion

For foreign students, especially those from non-ASEAN countries, the cost of education in Singapore is significantly higher compared to citizens and PRs. PRs save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of their child's education. For example, while a non-ASEAN foreign student may pay up to $63,936 for six years of primary school, a PR would only pay up to $19,296. These savings grow even more substantial at the secondary and post-secondary levels, making PR status a financially advantageous option for families looking to stay long-term in Singapore.

Therefore we encourage you to take the next steps today! Visit our website at www.eh-immigration.com to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation. Let us help you unlock your Singapore dream and make your PR application a success.

Rachael Lee