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Check eligibility and documents by school type
| School type | Application route | Key checks |
|---|---|---|
| Government/aided | Primary One usually through allocation; transfers through schools and EDB support. | Age, residence, permission to study, address and application records. |
| Direct Subsidy Scheme | Normally through the school. | Target year, curriculum, language, academic and assessment requirements. |
| Private/international | Independent application and assessment. | Vacancies, curriculum fit, language, status and school-specific records. |
Establish age, current year, status and target curriculum before making a checklist for each school.
Plan dates for each school
Record the curriculum, teaching language, application route and deadline for each school. Prepare annual entry and mid-year transfers separately, checking vacancies and assessments for transfers.
Entry criteria: Primary One and transfers
For September 2027 Primary One allocation, all four conditions apply: at least 5 years 8 months on entry (born on/before 31 December 2021), Hong Kong resident, not already attending primary school, and never allocated a P1 place. Visitor status is not study/allocation eligibility. DSS, private and international schools set their own admissions; allocation dates and conditions do not automatically apply to them.
Transfers depend on vacancies, previous year/curriculum, language and school assessments, with lawful study status. There is no universal transfer score.
At this review, 2027 discretionary applications have closed. Results are due on 23 November 2026, with registration on 25 or 26 November as notified. Families yet to apply for POA may apply to EDB by 22 January 2027 for the Central Allocation stage. Cross-boundary pupils and address changes follow EDB guidance. We update dates for the intended intake.
School documents: common records and additional requirements
| Evidence | When to prepare it |
|---|---|
| Child and parent identity | Birth certificate, HKID/travel document and valid stay/study evidence; parent/guardian identity and custody records where relevant. |
| Address and application | Correct application form and accepted genuine residential-address evidence, such as a qualifying tenancy or bill. Do not use a borrowed address. |
| P1 discretionary criteria | Only for criteria claimed: sibling enrolment, parent alumni/employment, religion or other specified evidence under that year’s rules. |
| Transfer/school-run admission | Recent school reports, enrolment/year confirmation and photo; language tests, references, portfolio or activities only where requested. |
| Registration | Offer/allocation notice, original verification, acceptance/registration documents and health records where requested. |
List required and conditional documents, deadlines and submission methods for each school. Transcript periods, photo specifications, references and tests vary; confirm any unknown requirements with the school.
Plan adjustment as well as admission
Prepare for language, curriculum and daily-life changes, including homework and parent-school communication. Before major non-refundable commitments, verify the school’s formal notice and the child’s status and study arrangements. An interview or waiting-list place is not a final offer.
For a conditional offer, confirm the conditions still to meet, acceptance deadline, refund rules and start date. Then coordinate housing, transport, uniform, books and language support.