What exactly does the 30-month residence rule require?
The 30-month rule governs the ongoing duty to live at an address after it has been used to gain priority admission — MOE requires that, from the start of the child's P1 term, the family lives at the address used at registration for at least 30 months. If this is not met, MOE has the right to transfer the child to another school it considers suitable, and parents do not get to choose which school that is.
Context
This rule specifically targets families who move house shortly before registration to gain a closer distance band, and it has real consequences if not met.
What this means for your family
What this means for your family: this rule mainly targets families who moved or changed homes shortly before registration to improve their distance priority. If you plan to move around the time your child starts school, think through whether you might move again within that 30-month window — not just whether you can secure the priority band right now.
Steps you can take now
- If you plan to move house shortly before registration to improve your HSD priority, check in advance when the new address's move-in or registration date will be.
- Mark the 30-month completion date on your calendar, counting from the start of your child's P1 term.
- If there is a real chance you will need to move again within that 30 months for work or study reasons, confirm the consequences with the school or MOE in advance.
- Keep proof of address on hand in case MOE needs to verify it later.
How to know you’re done
You know the start date and end date of the 30-month period, and you have honestly assessed how likely a further move is during that time.
Sources and check dates
- SRC-MOE-P1-HOME-ADDRESS-2026 · checked 2026-07-24
- SRC-MOE-P1-BALLOTING-2026 · checked 2026-07-24