Leave of Absence (LOA) Application and Placement
24 June 2026
General Information for Applicants
Singaporeans who are planning to go overseas for work or related concerns may reserve places for their children in their current school under the Leave of Absence (LOA) Scheme. Upon their return to Singapore the children can be readmitted directly to their schools.
Applicants are to submit using this link online LOA Application Form.
Eligibility
The Leave of Absence (LOA) scheme applies to all Singapore Citizen (SC) and Permanent Resident (PR) children studying in primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute.
To be granted LOA, your child must fulfil the following criteria:
Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
Presently studying in a Singapore school
Accompanying you on an overseas posting with the intention of re-joining the school after returning to Singapore
Or:Child is already registered for Secondary 1 but will be overseas at the start of the year
Procedures
Please prepare the following information before you proceed with the LOA application, such as:
Student information ie Full Name, NRIC/BC Number
Parent information ie Full Name, NRIC/FIN/Passport Number
LOA period and reason
Softcopy of supporting document(s) for the LOA application
The school may contact you for additional clarification and/or documents (if required). Please note that the LOA application is subject to the Principal's approval, and the school will notify you of the outcome.
Schools will charge an annual nominal fee for a child on LOA. For LOA periods of less than a year, the annual LOA fee will be pro-rated accordingly. Upon successful application, the school will advise on the payment procedure for LOA fee.
All successful LOA applications will expire at the end of the year and you will need to inform the school in November if you wish to renew the LOA for another year. Your child’s LOA status will expire if you choose not to renew.
Assured School Placement
We encourage Returning Singaporeans who are looking for a secondary school place near their residence, to apply through the Assured School Placement service.
Overview of school admissions for Returning Singaporeans | MOE
Whether your child is going overseas to live and study, currently living and studying overseas, or returning to Singapore, the information and links below will help you plan ahead for your child’s education journey.

For more information, kindly visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/secondary
https://www.moe.gov.sg/media/files/returning-singaporeans/Returning%20Singaporean%20Information%20Sheet.pdf— To download a copy of Returning Singaporean Information Sheet.pdf
