Philippines Student Visa

Foreign students over the age of 18 who wish to pursue higher education at an educational institution accredited by the Bureau of Immigration need a student visa.

How to apply for a Philippine student visa?

You can apply for a Philippine student visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate near you.

The application process looks like this:

• Enroll in a Philippine school accredited by the Bureau of Immigration.
• Your institution contacts the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to approve your application to study in the Philippines.
• The Commission on Higher Education informs the Immigration Bureau on the decision.
• If your application has been approved, the Bureau of Immigration sends the decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which then notifies the consulate of the embassy where you will be applying for a Philippine student visa.

You can also enter the Philippines on a tourist visa and then convert it to a student visa at the Philippine Immigration Office.

What documents are required to apply for a student visa?

When applying for a student visa in the Philippines, you will need the following documents:

• Certificate of Acceptance from the educational institution
• Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the educational institution
• A police clearance certificate issued by the authorities of your country
• A health certificate, including an X-ray, issued by an authorized medical practitioner
• Personal History Statement Forms (forms you must provide to the school you are applying to, detailing your personal and family details, your appearance, education, etc.)
• A list of all the contacts you have in the Philippines
• Previous educational/academic qualifications (diploma or other)
• Your school transcripts
• Your birth certificate
• Any other documents requested by the Embassy/Consulate or Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.

Foreign citizens who wish to complete a short-term study course without obtaining a diploma

International students who wish to complete a short-term course of study without a degree, such as language or computer courses, must apply for a temporary visa.

Upon arrival in the Philippines and admission to a school/institute authorized by the Bureau of Immigration to admit foreign students, the student must apply for a special study permit to the Bureau's Student Office along with the following documents:

• Request letter;
• Acceptance certificate from an educational institution accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students;
• A photocopy of the passport reflecting the applicant's authorized period of stay;
• Statement of support and confirmation of financial means; and
• Birth certificate.