Requirements for U.S. Citizens Who Wish to Study in the Philippines
(Philippine legal and regulatory overview, updated to July 2025)
1. Governing Laws & Regulations
| Instrument | Key Provisions for Foreign Students |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940), as amended by Executive and Republic Acts | ‑ Creates the Student Visa (9‑F) category; empowers the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to admit, monitor and, when necessary, deport foreign students. |
| BI Revised Guidelines on the Entry and Stay of Foreign Students (most recently consolidated 2023) | ‑ Distinguishes Student Visa vs. Special Study Permit (SSP); sets documentary, age and school‑accreditation rules. |
| CHED, DepEd & TESDA Joint Memorandum Orders | ‑ Require Philippine schools to secure institutional accreditation before accepting foreign students and to issue Letters of Acceptance (LOA) bearing a BI school code. |
| Alien Registration Act of 1950 | ‑ Mandates an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR‑I Card) and Annual Report for all foreign nationals staying > 59 days, including students. |
| Labor Code + DOLE Department Orders | ‑ Make gainful employment by student‑visa holders illegal unless they first obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and a visa conversion; practical training must be school‑endorsed. |
| Data Privacy Act & Anti‑Red Tape Act | ‑ Protect student records and set timelines for government processing. |
2. Two Main Study Authorizations
| Special Study Permit (SSP) | Student Visa (9‑F) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Short‑term, non‑degree courses ≤ 1 year (language, pilot ground school, culinary, etc.) | Full academic programs > 1 year (bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, secondary or elementary levels) |
| Where obtained | BI Head Office / participating field offices in‑country | Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad or visa‑free entry followed by in‑country conversion at BI |
| Stay limit | Issued in 6‑month tranches, renewable up to 1 year | Valid for the duration of the program but must be extended every semester (tertiary) or annual (basic ed) |
| ACR‑I Card | Required if total stay > 59 days | Always required |
| Work permission | None | None, except BI‑cleared on‑the‑job training integral to the curriculum |
| Exit & re‑entry | SSP automatically lapses on exit; new permit needed | Must obtain a Re‑Entry Permit (P 2,880 standard) before travel |
3. Eligibility Prerequisites for U.S. Applicants
Age & educational background
- Must meet the Philippine level‑appropriate schooling age or hold an academic credential equivalent to the Philippine prerequisite (e.g., U.S. high‑school diploma for bachelor’s entry).
Admission to an accredited Philippine school
- School must possess an active BI school accreditation number; LOA must specify program, start date, and that the institution will report the student’s status changes to BI.
Good moral character
- Proved by a State‑level police clearance or FBI clearance (issued within 6 months) authenticated by an Apostille.
Sufficient financial means
- BI guideline: tuition + living allowance of at least USD 2,500–3,000/semester outside Metro Manila or USD 4,000–5,000/semester in Metro Manila; substantiated by bank certificates or notarized Affidavit of Support.
Valid passport
- Must have at least six months’ validity beyond intended stay and two blank pages.
Health requirements
- Proof of full vaccination under Philippine DOH list (currently includes polio, measles‑rubella, and COVID‑19 primary series/booster).
- Chest x‑ray and physical exam; students originating from yellow‑fever areas need WHO Yellow Card.
Not in the BI blacklist or watchlist.
4. Application Workflow
A. Student Visa Secured Before Arrival
Compile documents
- LOA, completed BI Form CGAF‑003‑REV 1, birth certificate, police clearance, transcript, affidavit of support, bank proof, passport bio data, 2”×2” photos.
Consular filing
- Submit at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate with jurisdiction; pay USD 250–300 (varies).
Authority to Issue Student Visa (AISV)
- Embassy seeks clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) & BI (2–4 weeks).
Visa issuance & entry
- Once AISV arrives, embassy stamps 9‑F; upon arrival at NAIA ports, immigration grants an initial 59‑day stay.
Post‑arrival duties
- Within 30 days: ACR‑I Card biometrics capture, register with local BI field office, pay Alien Registration fee (₱1,000) + I‑Card fee (~₱2,800 first year).
- Each semester: File Extension of Stay (form CGAF‑C).
B. Visa‑Free Entry → In‑Country Conversion
U.S. nationals receive 30 days visa‑free under EO 408. Steps:
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| 1‑15 | Enter as tourist; gather BI conversion packet; secure NBI clearance (if stay > 6 months). |
| 16‑30 | File Conversion to Student Visa at BI Main Office; obtain AISV; pay ~₱14,000 initial fees. |
| 31‑45 | Release of 9‑F stamp & ACR‑I Card; tourist stay automatically converts; subsequent extensions per semester. |
C. Special Study Permit
- Lodged directly at BI; 3‑5 working‑day processing; fee ₱6,750 per 6‑month tranche.
- Does NOT confer multiple‑entry privilege; exit terminates the permit.
5. Documentary Requirements (Unified Checklist)
- LOA with BI School ID number & dry seal.
- Duly accomplished CGAF student form (electronic, two printed copies).
- PSA‑authenticated birth certificate (or U.S. birth certificate with Apostille).
- Transcript of Records / diploma, Apostilled.
- Police or FBI clearance, Apostilled.
- Affidavit of Support + Bank Certificate (min. USD 5,000 balance suggested).
- Medical Certificate Form 86 (embassy) or BI medical clearance (St. Luke’s Extension Clinic in Manila).
- Passport (original + bio page photocopy).
- Two colored 2”×2” photos with white background.
- BI fee Official Receipts (O.R.) for the current processing step.
6. Fees Snapshot (2025 tariff)
| Item | SSP | 9‑F (initial) | 9‑F (extension/semester) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application + I‑Card | ₱6,750 | ₱14,130 | ₱8,560 |
| ACR‑I Card renewal | n/a | included | ₱2,830 (annual) |
| Re‑Entry Permit | n/a | ₱2,880 | per exit |
| Annual Report (Jan–Mar) | ₱300 | ₱300 | ₱300 |
Exchange rate July 2025: ₱56 ≈ USD 1. Figures rounded.
7. Compliance Obligations During Study
- ACR‑I Card Renewal — annually, or whenever passport is renewed.
- Annual Report — personally appear at BI between 02 January and 01 March, pay ₱300.
- Change‑of‑Address/School — file within 30 days; otherwise overstaying penalties (₱500/month).
- No Work Rule — part‑time or online work without DOLE AEP and 47(a)(2) visa conversion is deportable.
- Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC) — required when leaving after a continuous stay ≥ 6 months (fee ₱710).
8. Dependents & Minors
- Below 18 years: parent/guardian must secure Bureau of Immigration Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) on arrival (₱3,370) if holding temporary status, then convert.
- Accompanying parents: may obtain Temporary Visitor Visa extensions up to one year but may not work.
- Guardianship: notarized Special Power of Attorney designating Philippine‑based guardian, plus DFA authentication.
9. Pathways After Graduation
| Option | Legal Basis | Key Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Training / Internship (47a2 or Special Work Permit) | DOJ / BI circulars | School endorsement → BI petition → DOLE AEP if > 6 months. |
| Employment | Labor Code + RA 8756 | Convert to Pre‑arranged Employment Visa (9‑G); needs employer petition, DOLE AEP, BI clearance. |
| Permanent Residence | RA 9225 / marriage to Filipino / Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) | Satisfy separate financial or familial criteria; student status alone does not qualify. |
| Departure | Settle any overstaying fees; cancel ACR‑I Card at airport BI desk if final exit. |
10. Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Start early — FBI clearances can take 2–6 weeks; apostilles add time.
- Mind semester breaks — visa extensions can be filed 60 days before expiry; do not wait until classes resume.
- Keep official receipts — BI often requires the last OR when processing the next transaction.
- Report address changes promptly — landlords routinely notify BI; discrepancies trigger hold‑departure orders.
- Remember re‑entry permits — many students forget that a 9‑F stamp alone does not guarantee re‑entry.
Conclusion
Studying in the Philippines as a U.S. citizen is straightforward once you match your program’s length with the correct immigration document—SSP for short courses, 9‑F for full‑length degrees—and maintain strict compliance with BI reporting and fee schedules. The Philippine legal framework provides clear protections and obligations, but it also imposes automatic penalties for lapses. Preparing complete, apostilled documentation before arrival, budgeting for semester‑based extensions, and staying aware of non‑work restrictions will ensure a smooth and rewarding academic experience in the Philippines.