Visa & Migration

Procedures in the issuance of student visa

Step 1

A foreign student who is at least 18 years of age at the time of enrolment communicates directly with his choice of any Philippine Higher Education Institution (PHEI) authorized to admit foreign students and complies with the school's institutional requirements, including submission of the following documents:

  1. Original copy of the student's Personal History Statement duly signed by the applicant in English and in national alphabet, original left and right hand thumbprints in PHS and original photos.
  2. Transcript of scholastic records (original and photocopy), duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country of origin or legal residence; not seen and noted.
  3. Documentary proof of adequate financial support to cover expense for the student's accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expense.
  4. Passport pages where name, photos, birth date and birthplace appear;
  5. Original copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission CEA) issued by CHED (This is required only in quota courses of study such as Medicine and Dentistry.)

Step 2

The HEI satisfied with the student's compliance with its requirements, issues a Notice of acceptance (NOC) to the student and submits the original and photocopy to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), together with all the documents and shall be hand carried to the DFA by the HEI's designated Liaison Officer.

Step 3

The DFA endorses the documents to the Philippine Embassy (or the Philippine Consulate General as the case may be) located in the student's country of origin shall not be entertained.

Step 4

The Embassy or Consulate will await the personal appearance of the applicant 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:

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the students 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).

Processing time for visa applications takes at least Seven (7) days from submission of complete requirements and receipt of payment for service fees, Payment of visa fee is not guarantee that visa will be issued / granted.