9(F) Student Visa                                                        

The applicant must be a student 18 years of age at the time of enrollment, has sufficient means for his education and support, and seeks to enter the Philippines temporarily solely for the purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a university, academy, college or school in the Philippines accredited by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Procedures and Requirements in the Issuance of a Student Visa

Step 1 – Foreign student who is at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment communicates directly with his choice of any Philippine Higher Education Institution (HEI) authorized to admit foreign students and complies with the school’s institutional requirements.

Step 2 – The HEI, satisfied with the student’s compliance with its requirements, issues a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) to the student. The HEI’s designated Liaison Officer submits the following requirements in two sets (one original and one photocopy) to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):

Letter of Endorsement from the college/university registrar requesting issuance of student visa to the applicant, and addressed to: The Director, Visa Division, Office of Consular Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs.

Notice of Acceptance (NOA) from the college or university addressed to the student, containing a clear impression of the college/university’s official dry seal

Five (5) original copies of the 1998 revised Personal History Statement (PHS), duly accomplished and signed by the student in English and in their national alphabet, accompanied by personal seal, if any, and with original left and right thumb prints, signature and photo

Transcript of Records containing Apostille Certificate in the student’s country of origin or legal residence. 

Notarized Affidavit of Support with proof of adequate financial support stating the means to cover expenses, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the student’s country of origin or legal residence. For scholars: Certificate of Scholarship from the Institution concerned.

Photocopy of passport data page (page containing student’s full name, date and place of birth, passport number and photo)

For students accepted in Dentistry or Medicine programs: Certified true copy of Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) from the Commission on Higher Education.

Step 3 – The DFA endorses the documents to the Philippine Consulate General (or embassy as the case may be) located in the student’s country of origin or residence for the issuance of the student visa. Request for issuance of the student Visa in places other than the student’s country of origin shall not be entertained.

Step 4 – The Philippine Consulate General notifies the student of the receipt of the documents and requests him to appear in person before a consular officer for interview and compliance with consular requirements. In addition to the documents transmitted to the post by the DFA, students must submit the following requirements to the Philippine Consulate in triplicate:

Duly accomplished Visa Application Form (FA Form No. 2-A)

Certified true copy of Personal History Statement

Certified true copy of Notice of Acceptance (NOA) and CEA where necessary (to be duly noted by Consular Officer)

Medical Certificate (FA Form No. 11), duly notarized, together with laboratory reports of urine (urinalysis), stool (ova/parasites and occult blood) and blood (routine), and chest x-ray film or CD.

Police Clearance issued by the national police authority in student’s country of origin or legal residence, duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate. The Police Clearance should be taken not more than six (6) months prior to date of filing of visa application.

Passport (minimum validity of 6 months)

Six (6) 2” x 2” photos, taken within the last 6 months.

Payment of Visa Fee, according to the schedule of fee (non-refundable), payable in cash or money order made payable to the “Philippine Consulate General, New York.” Personal checks and debit/credit cards are not accepted.

Step 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 Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Step 6 – The DFA notifies the HEI, copy furnished CHED, BI, NICA and NBI, of the issuance of a student visa to the student as soon as it receives a report to this effect from the issuing post

A foreigner wishing to study in the Philippines may also lodge a student visa application if he/she is already in the Philippines. The application may be made at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. A prospective student must ensure that all the required documents or scholastic records issued by foreign schools must contain an Apostille Certificate from the of the country where the school is located.

Spouses and unmarried dependent children below 21 years old of aliens who are permanent foreign residents, holders of valid working permits under Section 9(d), 9(g) and 47(a) (2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, personnel of foreign diplomat and consular missions residing in the Philippines, personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines, holders of Special Investor;’s Resident Visa (SIRV) and Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV) and foreign students coming to the Philippines with 47 (a) (2) visas issued pursuant to existing laws, e.g. P.D. 2021 are exempted from securing student visa and Bureau of Immigration Special Study Permit.