A Guide for Foreign Nationals in obtaining Education in the Philippines
1. A prospective foreign student-applicant for the tertiary or college level should be a high school/secondary school graduate or its equivalent.
2. A bonafide foreign student who is at least eighteen years of age at the time of enrollment, must have sufficient means for his/her education and support and who seeks to enter the Philippines for temporary stay with the purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a university, college or school authorized to accept foreign students.
3. For students who wishes to apply for a student visa in the Philippines must submit the following to any school authorized by the Phil. gov’t (HEI) to accept foreign students.
- Five (5) copies of the Student’s Personal History Statement (PHS) as required by the accepting school duly signed by him, both in English and in his national alphabet accompanied by his personal seal if any, containing among others, his left and right thumb-prints and a 2 x 2 inch photograph on plain white background taken not more than six months prior to submission;
- Transcript of Records/Scholastic Records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post (PFSP) located in the student-applicant’s country of origin or legal residence;
- A notarized Affidavit of Support including bank statements or notarized grant for institutional scholars, to cover� expenses for the student’s accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses; and
- Photocopy of the student’s passport showing date and place of birth and birth certificate or its equivalent duly authenticated by the PFSP.
4. Upon compliance of the required documents and subject to entrance requirements of the accepting school, HEI issues Notice of Acceptance (NOA).
5. DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs) endorses the documents to the PFSP in the student’s country of origin or legal residence for the issuance of the corresponding visa.
6. PFSP notifies the student-applicant with instruction that he appear in person before the Consular Officer for interview and submission of required documents, as follows:
A. Original copy of the school’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school’s dry seal;
B. Original copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) issued by CHED if enrolling in Medicine and Dentistry;
C. Police clearance issued by the national police authorities in the student’s country of origin or legal residence, duly authenticated by the PFSP having consular jurisdiction over the place; and;
D. Medical Health Certificate issued by an authorized physician including but not limited to standard-size chest x-ray, HIV, Hepatitis-B clearance. The Consular Office shall not assume the task of determining the student’s scholastic fitness for the program applied for and shall issue the student visa as soon as all the requirements are accomplished.
7. Foreign student reports to the Bureau of Immigration Student Desk for registration and to the accepting HEI and shall enroll in the school which issued his NOA upon arrival in the Philippines;
8. Accepting HEI shall assist foreign student to obtain Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Student (CRTS) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI); and
9. DFA sends notice to accepting HEI on the issuance of student visa to the applicant, copy furnished CHED, BI, NICA and NBI.
FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS ALREADY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND WOULD LIKE TO CONVERT/CHANGE THEIR ALIEN STATUS TO THAT OF A STUDENT:
These are the requirements:
- Written endorsement from the school for the change/conversion of admission status of the alien to that of a student;
- Original copy of the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school’s official dry seal;
- Certified true copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) issued by the Commission on Higher Education in the case of students in Medicine and Dentistry;
- Proof of adequate financial support to cover expenses for the student’s accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and incidental expenses;
- Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post (PFSP) located in the student’s country of origin or legal residence;
- Police Clearance Certificate issued by the National Police Authorities in the student’s country of origin or residence duly authenticated by the PFSP having consular jurisdiction over the place, for the student who resided in the Philippines for less than 59 days. However, those who resided in the Philippines for more than 59 days at the time he applies for the said change/conversion of admission status, shall also be required to submit a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance.
- Quarantine Medical Examination by the National Quarantine Office;
- Copy of the student’s Personal History Statement (PHS) signed by him/her with a 2 x 2 inch photograph recently taken; and
- Xerox copy of the photo, data and stamp of the latest arrival pages of the student’s passport. The passport itself shall be presented to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for verification.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES AS A STUDENT?
Comply with these requirements:
A. Written endorsement from the school for the extension of the student visa of the alien;
B. Application form duly accomplished by the student;
C. Two (2) 2 x 2 photographs;
D. Xerox copy of the photo, data and stamp of the latest arrival, pages of the passport of the students or Certificate of Identity;
E. Transcript of Records signed by the Dean or Registrar with its seal for 1st extension only.� No need for the same on 2nd or succeeding extensions;
F. Grades for the previous semester both for 1st and succeeding extensions;
G.Xerox copy of the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS) and 9(f) visa stamp on the passport for 1st extension only;
H. Explanation by the student and confirmed by the School Registrar or Dean in the case of one who took less than the required normal/regular full load per semester as follows:
a.Undergraduate at least 15 units
b.Graduate Student (MA) at least 12 units
I. However, graduating students and those enrolled in the College of Medicine may have less than the aforesaid number of units.
J. Explanation by the student in case of failures, incomplete grades, dropped or withdrawals of two (2) or more subjects equivalent to six (6) or more units as confirmed by the School Registrar or Dean of the School;
K. Notice of Acceptance/registration card for the incoming semester; and
L. Approval of the admitting school in cases of school transfer, course shifting or enrollment in a masters or doctorate studies related to the student’s bachelor degree.
WHO ARE THE FOREIGNERS EXEMPTED FROM SECURING STUDENT VISA AND SPECIAL STUDY PERMIT?
1. Permanent foreign residents;
2. Aliens with valid working permits under Section 9(d), 9(g) and 47(a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended;
3. Personnel of foreign diplomatic and consular missions residing in the Philippines and their dependents;
4. Personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines and their dependents;
5. Holders of Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) and Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV); and
6. Foreign students coming to the Philippines with 47(a)(2) visas issued pursuant to existing laws, e.g. PD 2021.
GENERAL INFO FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS ON LIVING IN THE PHILS
CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.
POPULATION
There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.
LANGUAGES
Two official languages — Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.
Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.
RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.
UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.
CURRENCY
The Philippines’ monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.
LIST OF HEI (HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS) IN THE PHILS. click link
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A SCHOOL IN THE GREATER MANILA AREA OR IN THE PROVINCES?
LOST IN MANILA? CHECK THIS OUT! A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE CITY!
NEED A HOUSE OR CONDO? BOARDING HOUSE? DORMITORIES THAT ARE NEAR YOUR PREFERRED SCHOOL?
SPEND YOUR VACATION TIME TO SEE THE SIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Contact a Local Travel agent like Viaje Royale Travel Services and get the best deals in town. Their contact nos. are (02)774-78-76 or 0929-7779966 or 0917-9955487. They offer Low fares and Tour Packages that suits any student’s budget.
