What are the requirements for a Student Visa?
(Note: In no case will consular officers accept applications for enrollment in Philippine schools for transmittal to Manila.)
The procedure to be followed in applying for a student visa is as follows:
I. Prospective foreign students shall communicate directly with the school in the Philippines and comply with the school’s institutional requirements, which shall include the submission of the following documents:
a) Five (5) copies of the Student’s Personal History Statement (PHS) duly signed by him, both in English and in national alphabet accompanied by his personal seal, if any, and containing, among others his left and right thumbprints and a 2X2 inch photograph on plain white background taken not more than six months prior to submission.
b) A notarized Affidavit of Support including bank statements or notarized Notice of Scholarship Grant for institutional scholars to cover expenses for the student’s accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses.
c) Transcript of Records/Scholastic Records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student applicant’s country of origin or legal residence.
d) Photocopy of data page of the student’s passport showing date and place of birth, and birth certificate or its equivalent by the Philippine Foreign Service Post (embassy/consulate).
e) For students accepted in Dentistry or Medicine programs: Certified true copy of Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
II. The school, satisfied with the student’s compliance with its requirements, shall issue a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) to the student and submit a duplicate copy thereof to the Department of Foreign Affairs, together with a certified true copy of the Commission on Higher Education's Certificate of Eligibility of Admission, when necessary, and the above-cited document-requirements. These documents shall be hand-carried to the DFA by the School’s designated liaison officer under a cover letter on the school’s official stationery signed by the school registrar and stamped with the school’s dry seal requesting that a student visa be issued to the person named therein.
A Letter of Endorsement from the college/university registrar requesting issuance of a student visa to the applicant, should be addressed to:
The Director
Visa Division, Office of Consular Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs
III. The DFA shall indorse the documents to the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the prospective student’s country of origin or place of legal residence, regardless of where the prospective student is at the time of application.
IV. The concerned Philippine Foreign Service Post shall notify/contact the student of the receipt of the documents and require him to appear in person before a Consular Officer for interview and compliance with consular requirements. In addition to the documents submitted to the DFA, the student shall submit the following requirements to the Consular Officer at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate upon notice of interview:
- Duly accomplished non-immigrant visa application form;
- One (1) passport size (4.5cm x 3.5cm) photograph with signature at the bottom/side portion;
- Original of the school’s Notice of Admission (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school’s official dry seal;
- Police clearance issued by the national police authorities in the student’s country of origin or legal residence, authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction over that country;
- Medical health certificate issued by an authorized physician including but not limited to standard-size chest x-ray, Hepatitis B clearance (FA form no. 11);
- For students accepted in Dentistry or Medicine programs: Original of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
- Student Visa processing fee (non-refundable). Please refer to http://www.vancouverpcg.org/schedule-of-fees.html), and
- Other documents deem necessary by the Consular Officer.
Note: The consular office shall not assume the task of determining the student’s scholastic fitness for the program applied for. No student visa shall be issued by a consular officer unless authorized/approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
IV. A notice of visa issuance shall be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate action.
Please visit these helpful links:
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) http://www.ched.gov.ph
Bureau of Immigration (BI) http://www.immigration.gov.ph
List of accredited Schools: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/information/list-of-accredited-entities
What are the requirements for foreign nationals applying for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV) with the intention to convert into 9(f) student admission status upon arrival in the Philippines?
All foreign nationals applying for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa with the intention to convert into 9(f) student admission status upon arrival in the Philippines shall, among other requirements for 9(a) TVV, present originals and submit copies of the following documentary requirements:
- Police clearance issued by the national police authorities in the student’s country of origin or legal residence;
- Medical certificate issued by an authorized physician including, but not limited to, standard-size chest x-ray, and hepatitis B clearance;
- Scholastic records; and
- Affidavit of support.
The above-mentioned additional documentary requirements shall be duly translated and authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction thereat.