Student Visa – 9(f)

Procedures and Requirements for the Issuance of Student Visa Under Section 9(f) of the Philippine Immigration Law, as amended, and Executive Order No. 423

A. Policies

Any Philippine Higher Education Institution (HEI) whose programs/courses are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is authorized to accept foreign students.

A bonafide foreign student is one who is at least eighteen years (18) of age at the time of enrolment; has sufficient means for his education and support; and seeks to enter the Philippines temporarily to take up higher education course/program.

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.

The Certificate of Eligibility of Admission issued by CHED-Office of Student Services (OSS) is required only in courses where restrictions or quota on enrollment may exist due to shortage of facilities as in Medicine and Dentistry

B. Procedures in the Issuance of 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 HEI authorized to admit foreign students and complies with the school’s institutional requirements, including submission of the following documents:

  • Duly accomplished Visa Application Form (FA Form No. 2)
  • 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)
  • Chest x-ray plates and chest x-ray results
  • Police clearance certificate bearing the signature of issuing police officer and seal of law enforcement agency
  • Passport (minimum validity of 6 months)
  • $250.00 fee in cash, money order or cashier’s check (personal checks are not accepted)
  • Six (6) 2×2 photos, taken within the last 6 months.

Step 2 – The HEI, satisfied with the student’s compliance with its requirements, issues a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) 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 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)
  • 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 Health Certificate (FA Form No. 11), duly notarized, together with laboratory reports of urine (urinalysis), stool (ova/parasites and occult blood) and blood (routine)
  • Chest x-ray plates and chest x-ray results
  • Police clearance certificate bearing the signature of issuing police officer and seal of law enforcement agency
  • Passport (minimum validity of 6 months)
  • $250.00 fee in cash, money order or cashier’s check (personal checks are not accepted)
  • Six 2×2 photos, taken within the last 6 months

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

Note: 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 be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate exercising jurisdiction of the place where the school is located.

See also Bureau of Immigration Comprehensive Guidelines on 9(f)/Student Visas