Studying in the Philippines can be a unique and rewarding experience for international students. Its cultural heritage, quality education, wide range of English-taught degree programs, and outstanding landscapes are only a few of the reasons why many international students choose to study a degree program in the Philippines. Many universities also encourage overseas students to enroll in a variety of available degree programs with low tuition fees and scholarship options.
Let’s say you have made your decision and been accepted into a degree program in the country. The next step is to find out how to get a student visa in the Philippines. In this article, you will learn about the most important steps to apply for a Philippine student visa or study authorization. Read more and be ready to take notes!
Steps on Applying for a Philippine Student Visa
Below, we explain the necessary steps to take when applying for a Philippine student visa.
Step 1. Choose Your Application Method
There are two main ways for foreign students to secure a Philippine Student Visa (9F): first, the Philippine-based university submits the student visa application to the Visa Division of the Office of Consular Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, and the visa is issued at the Philippine Foreign Service Post in the applicant’s country of origin or legal residence; second, the student applies for a Temporary Visitor Visa (9A) abroad and then converts it to a Student Visa (9F) at the Bureau of Immigration after arriving in the Philippines. Application procedures differ by route, so make sure you know where to apply, what to bring, and how to apply.
Step 2. Provide Your Documents with Your University in the Philippines (Option 1)
You can use this option to get your student visa before arriving in the Philippines. Provide your admitted university in the Philippines with the necessary documents and follow the school’s instructions. Once the higher education institution is satisfied that you have complied with its requirements, it issues the Notice of Acceptance and submits the application package to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila through its designated liaison officer. The DFA then endorses the documents to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the student’s country of origin or legal residence for visa issuance. The foreign service post may ask the student to appear in person for an interview and submit consular requirements.
Step 2. Prepare Your Documents and Fill Out the Visa Application Form (Option 2)
You can use this option to get a temporary visitor visa first and then convert your status to a student visa once you arrive in the Philippines. Minimum requirements for a temporary visitor visa generally include a passport or travel document valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines, completed visa application forms, passport photos, proof of bona fide status as a tourist or businessperson, confirmed return or onward tickets, and payment of visa fees. Requirements may vary by Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and some applicants may be eligible for visa-free entry for short stays depending on nationality.
Step 3. Pay the Visa Application Fee
Once you have prepared the documents and filled out the application form, you are required to pay the fees for the visa type or immigration transaction you applied for and submit a copy of the official receipt when required.
For a temporary visitor visa issued abroad, the fee and payment method are set by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate handling your application. For a visa waiver or extension of stay in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration process generally requires applicants to submit the completed application and attachments with the passport, get an Order of Payment Slip, pay the fees, submit the Official Receipt, and then claim the passport stamped with the approved extension of stay.
For conversion to a student visa in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration instructs applicants to secure the Consolidated General Application Form, submit the documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit or the appropriate immigration office, pay the required fees, submit a copy of the Official Receipt, complete ACR I-Card biometrics when required, and then check whether the application has been approved.
Step 4. Track Your Application and Claim Your Visa
For a temporary visitor visa or extension of stay, once you submit all required documents, complete the application, and pay the applicable fees, you will be instructed when to claim your passport with the approved visa or extension details.
For the student visa, you need to track your application. Once your application is approved, you need to submit your passport for visa implementation and claim your ACR I-Card when it is available.
At this stage, you can look for temporary or permanent accommodation for your stay in the Philippines by contacting your university for on-campus accommodation options or by looking for rental apartments in the area.
Documents Needed for Philippine Student Visa Applications
It is very important to bring all materials required for the student visa application; the absence of any necessary materials may cause incomplete or rejected applications. Therefore, the first thing you should do is to review the Bureau of Immigration checklist or the requirements published by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate handling your application and start preparing them as soon as possible. The types of documents can vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, place of application, and course of study, so it is best to check with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence and with your admitted university.
For conversion to a Student Visa (9F) in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration checklist currently includes a joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the authorized representative of the petitioning school and the applicant; a duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form for Student Visa and Special Study Permit; photocopies of the passport bio-page, latest admission with valid authorized stay, and Bureau of Quarantine stamp; the Notice of Acceptance with the school’s official dry seal; an endorsement from the school registrar; a Certificate of Eligibility for Admission from the Commission on Higher Education in the case of Medicine or Dentistry; a CHED endorsement for transfer or shifting of course, if applicable; National Bureau of Investigation clearance if the application is filed six months or more from the date of first arrival in the Philippines; a photocopy of the BI school accreditation ID of the registrar or school representative; and a BI Clearance Certificate. The Bureau may require additional supporting documents for further verification and evaluation.
For a Student Visa (9F) issued through a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, requirements may include the visa application form, passport, Notice of Acceptance, Certificate of Eligibility for Admission when required, medical health certificate with laboratory and chest X-ray results, police clearance, photos, and payment of the applicable visa fee. Check the foreign service post that has jurisdiction over your residence for its exact requirements.
Foreign nationals below 18 years old, those taking short-term non-degree courses, trainees or interns, and some aviation students may need a Special Study Permit instead of, or in addition to, a temporary visitor status. Coordinate with your admitting school before traveling.
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for the Philippines
Can International Students Work Part-Time During Their Studies in the Philippines?
A Philippine Student Visa (9F) or Special Study Permit does not automatically give foreign students permission to work. Bureau of Immigration rules state that foreign nationals granted a Student Visa or Special Study Permit must not engage in gainful employment without the express authority of the Commissioner of Immigration or the Commissioner’s authorized representative. Because of this, international students should not accept part-time work unless they have confirmed the correct authorization with their school, the Bureau of Immigration, and, when applicable, the prospective employer.
Depending on the type and duration of work, a foreign national may need additional authorization, such as a Special Work Permit for certain short-term gainful employment or other employment-related permits. There is no general 20-hour-per-week work allowance published on the Bureau of Immigration student visa page, so students should not rely on that figure unless it is confirmed in writing by the relevant government office.
How Much is the Entry Visa Fee for a Philippine Student Visa?
According to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, visa and immigration transactions include several service fees, and applicants are required to pay the necessary fees to complete their applications. Fees may change without prior notice, and consular visa fees abroad may vary by foreign service post.
For conversion to a Philippines Student Visa (9F) in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration currently lists a total of PHP 9,720, plus an additional USD 50 ACR I-Card fee. Using the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas PDS closing rate of PHP 61.465 per USD published for May 25, 2026, PHP 9,720 is approximately USD 158, excluding the separate USD 50 ACR I-Card fee.
For a Temporary Visitor (9A) Visa Waiver or initial extension handled by the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines, the listed total is PHP 3,030, which is approximately USD 49 using the same exchange rate. This is not the same as the fee for a temporary visitor visa issued by a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad, so applicants should check the fee schedule of the foreign service post where they will apply.
The visa application process can be complicated because it includes several bureaucratic steps that need careful attention from the applicant. Our advice, therefore, is to make sure you understand the visa application requirements and methods as early as possible before you start your application so that the process goes smoothly.
We hope that this article on how to apply for a Philippine student visa was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students and the Philippines Page to explore your study options.
