Requirements for Student Visas to the Philippines

Foreign students are those belonging or owing allegiance to a country other than the Philippines and studying in any educational institution recognized or owned by the government of the Philippines. These include researchers, trainers, grantees, scholars, and other similar categories of persons who conduct research work in any government or private department or agency, or who study in any special training institution or center in the country. (MECS memo, No. 183, s. 1983).

A bonafide foreign student is one who is at least eighteen years of age at the time of enrollment; has sufficient means for his/her education and support; and who seeks to enter the Philippines for a temporary stay for the purposes of taking a course of study higher than high school at a university, college or school authorized to accept foreign student.

Any Philippine Higher Educational Institution (HEI) whose programs or courses are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and approved for admission of foreign students by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is authorized to accept foreign students.

A prospective foreign student for the tertiary or college level should be a graduate of high or secondary school or its equivalent.

Aliens exempted

For enrollment in tertiary schools, student visa and BI special study permit shall not be required of the spouses and unmarried, dependent children below 21-years old aliens under the following categories:

Permanent foreign residents
1. Aliens with valid working permits
2. Personnel of foreign diplomatic and consular missions
3. Personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines
4. Holders of Special Investor's Resident Visa, and
5. Holders of Special Retiree's Resident Visa

Documentary Requirements

The following documents are required of a foreign student who applies for a student visa:

1. Original copy of the school's Notice of Acceptance (NOA).
2. Original copy of the student's Personal History Statement (PHS).
3. Proof of adequate support to cover expenses incidental to his studies.
4. Scholastic records authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post.
5. Police Clearance Certificate by the National Police Authorities in the student's country of origin or residence duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post.
6. Medical Health Certificate issued by an authorized medical practitioner in the student's country of origin including standardized Chest X-ray.
7. Original copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) issued by the Commission on Higher Education (This is required only in Quota courses of study such as Medicine and Dentistry).

Procedure in the issuance of student visa abroad

The following procedure shall be observed in the issuance of a student visa abroad:

1. A foreign student communicates with his choice of any Philippine HEI authorized to accept foreign students and complies with the school's institutional requirements, including submission of the documents listed under documentary requirements except the plice clearance and the medical certificates, which shall be submitted, directly to the Foreign Service Post (FSP).
2. The HEI, satisfied with the student's compliance with it's requirements, issues a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) to the student and submits a duplicate copy to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), together with a certified copy of the CHED's CEA (if the student is to enroll in Medicine or Dentistry), the original copy of the student's Personal History Statement, proof of adequate financial support, and student's scholastic records. These documents shall be hand carried to the DFA by the HEI's designated Liaison Officer.
3. The DFA endorses the documents to the FSP located in the student's country of origin or residence for the issuance of the student visa. Requests for issuance of visa in places other than the student's country of origin shall not be entertained.
4. The FSP notifies the student of the receipt of the documents and requests him to appear for interview before a consular officer, bringing his Notice of Acceptance. The Consular Officer shall confirm the student's scholastic fitness for the program applied for and shall issue the student visa upon compliance with consular requirements.
5. Upon arrival in the Philippines, the student shall report immediately to the accepting HEI which shall assist him to obtain the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residents for Temporary Students (CRTS) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
6. The DFA notifies the HEI, copy furnished CHED and NICA, of the issuance of a student visa to the student as soon as it receives a report to this effect from the issuing post.

Certificate of Eligibility for Admission to a Medical Course

The Certificate of Eligibility for admission to a medical course (CEM) and the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission to a dental course (CED) of foreign students shall be issued by the Office of Student Services of the Commission on Higher Education, Room 315, National Engineering Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Supporting Documents for Issuance of the CEA to a Dental Course

The following documents are required for issuance of the CEA to a dental course:

1. Scholastic records signed by the registrar and stamped with the school seal;
2. Birth Certificate/passport; and
3. Notice of Acceptance from the admitting school with quota number

Supporting Documents for Issuance of the CEA to a Medical Course

The documents required for issuance of CEA to a medical course are:

1. Transcript of Records authenticated by the registrar and stamped with the school seal;
2. Birth Certificate or passport;
3. Notice of Acceptance from the admitting school with quota number; and
4. Diploma or Certificate of Graduation from a collegiate course.

Notice of Acceptance

The Notice of Acceptance (NOA) addressed to the student-applicant shall be prepared by the HEI in quadruplicate, the copies to be distributed as follows:

1. for student (the original)
2. for DFA or BI
3. for CHED
4. for school file

The student shall present his copy to the Foreign Service Post, which later communicates with him regarding his visa application.

Consular Requirements for Student Visas

Applicant must appear in person and shall submit the following documents to the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

1. Valid passport;
2. Notice of Acceptance from the school (original and two copies)
3. Application for Non-Immigrant Visa (FA Form No. 2) to be accomplished in triplicate.
4. Six (6) 2" × 2" photograph of the applicant signed at the bottom front of each and affixed to the application;
5. Medical Certification (DFA Form No. 11) duly accomplished by any physician, should be notarized, together with a life-size chest x-ray film and laboratory reports (Original and two copies);
6. Clearance from local police authorities where applicant is residing (Original and two copies);
7. Visa Fee of $250.00 (no personal checks).

Foreigners who are already in the Philippines under any valid visa arrangement

Foreigners who are already in the Philippines under any valid visa arrangement may apply for the conversion of their status to 9(f) (Student Visa) provided they submit the following:

1. Original Notice of Acceptance (NOA) and when appropriate, the CEA*;
2. Proof of adequate financial support;
3. Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate located in student's country of origin or legal residence;
4. Police Clearance Cerrificate authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate located in student's country of origin or legal residence;
5. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance (if student resided in the Philippines for more than 59 days). If the student resided in the Philippines for less than 59 days, this requirement is not needed;
6. Quarantine Medical Examination by the National Quarantine Office;
7. Copy of Duly Signed and accomplished Personal History Statements (PHS) with 2" x 2" photograph; and
8. Photocopy of data page of student's passport showing date and place of birth.

Important Addresses

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Development Academy of the Philippines Bldg.,
San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (632) 633-1926; 636-1690; 636-1695
Fax Nos. (632) 633-1927; 635-5829

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CULTURE & SPORTS
University of Life Complex, Meralco Avenue
Pasig City, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (632) 632-1361 to 70; 633-7266
Fax Nos. (632) 631-8492; 632-0805

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 834-4000
Fax No. (632) 832-1597; 832-0683
http://www.dfa.gov.ph

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
Magallanes Drive, Port Area, 1002, Manila, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (632) 527-3279; 527-3314; 527-3265
Fax Nos. (632) 527-3279; 3288

Implementing Guidelines of Executive Order No. 285 (Entry and Stay of Foreign Students in the Philippines)