For international students applying for a Student Visa and Special Study Permit, coordinate with the AIM Office for completeness of requirements and immigration assistance.

Secure the documentary requirements and have it checked for completeness at the AIM Office.

Checklist items one must secure before departure for the Philippines

1. Authenticated (Red Ribbon) or Apostille of the following school records by the nearest Philippine Foreign Service Post or Embassy of the origin of the documents.

• Latest Transcript of Records
• Diploma or Certificate of Graduation
• Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Financial Support at least $3,500.00 or its equivalent monetary currency

2. Authenticated Marriage Contract (if married)

3. Certificate of Financial Support at least $3,500.00 or its equivalent monetary currency

4. Valid passport, valid I-Card, and valid visa

Checklist items one must secure upon arrival in the Philippines
1. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance

2. Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance

3. Eight (8) pieces of recent 2×2 ID Photos

You must first be a holder of a Temporary Visitor’s Visa aka a Tourist Visa. You may check out which visa/s you should apply for through this chart:

	Applying for a full degree	Applying for a short-term program
Of legal age (18 and above)	Student Visa  ACR I-CARD	Special Study Permit (SSP)
Of minor age (17 and below)	Special Study Permit (SSP)	Special Study Permit (SSP)

Student Visa 

In the Philippines, foreign nationals must secure a Student Visa to study in an accredited admitting school. To qualify for conversion from a Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV) to a Student visa, foreign nationals must be eighteen (18) years old and above and taking a full degree undergraduate or graduate academic programs. Secure the following checklist items and have clear scanned copies of each. E-mail them to AIM’s Process Coordinator (international@addu.edu.ph) for review of completeness and for additional instructions. 

Email Subject: 9fVisaApplication _[Last Name – Nationality]

1. Medical certificate/s issued by Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)

2. Scanned copies of passport bio-page, latest admission with valid authorized stay, and BOQ stamp

3. Notice of Acceptance of the applicant bearing a clear impression of the school’s official dry seal

4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, if the application is filed six (6) months or more from the date of the first arrival in the Philippines

5. Two (2) colored 2×2 ID Photos; white background, no eyeglasses, and no scanned photos

6. Original passport 

7. Duly accomplished CGAF (BI FORM CGAF-003-REV 2)

Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-CARD)

The application period happens at least one (1) month from the filing of student visa applications at BI Davao. The Process Coordinator will then inform the students once the BI memorandum order of approved or disapproved visas is released. Those with approved student visas shall proceed directly to applying the new Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-CARD). Secure the following checklist items and have clear scanned copies of each. E-mail the AIM’s Process Coordinator (international@addu.edu.ph)  and have them checked for completeness and for additional instructions. 

Email Subject: ICARDApplication _[Last Name – Nationality]

1. Seven (7) pieces of recent 2×2 ID photos; white background, no eyeglasses, and no scanned photos

2. Application form for Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (BI FORM 2014-08-006 Rev 0)

3. Received copy of CGAF

4. Photocopy of Official Receipt

5. BI Certification

6. Photocopy of passport bio-page, latest arrival, implementation stamp

7. Memorandum Order  

Note: International students ongoing the processes of visa applications indicated above must not leave the country for at least one (1) month until a decision regarding their immigration is reached.

Special Study Permit (SSP) Application

The Bureau of Immigration requires those who are eighteen (18) years old below and or taking a non-degree or a short course of less than one (1) year, temporarily studying here in the Philippines in cases of student exchange, training, and internships to secure a Special Study Permit. Secure the  following checklist items and have clear scanned copies of each. E-mail the AIM’s Process Coordinator (international@addu.edu.ph)  and have them checked for completeness and for additional instructions. 

Email Subject: SSPApplication _[Last Name – Nationality]

1. Scanned copies of passport bio-page, latest admission with valid authorized stay

2. Certificate of Acceptance indicating the length of study

3. Two (2) colored 2×2 ID Photos; white background, no eyeglasses, and no scanned photos

4. Original passport

5. Duly accomplished CGAF (BI FORM CGAF-003-REV 2) 

Note: SSP holders must continuously update their TVV at the Bureau of Immigration and pay corresponding extension fees, preferably two weeks before the visa expires, to extend their stay in the Philippines.

Restrictions

The following are the restrictions provided by the BI that must be respected and complied with the admitting school, the authorized representative, and the foreign national:

1. Only schools with accreditation by the CHED and BI shall be authorized to admit international students;

2. Foreign nationals must secure and present a valid issued Student visa or SSP before their enrollment. The validity of Student visa and SSP shall be co-terminus with the length of study as issued in his or her NOA; provided that SSP shall not be more than six (6) months or exceeding six (6) months but with extension in co-terminus of the remaining period of the course;

3. Foreign nationals granted a student visa, or SSP shall not be allowed to engage in any form of employment. Thus, a Student visa and SSP is granted solely for the intention of using educational facilities and or be admitted in an academic institution;

4. No International students must transfer to any school without the express authority from the Commissioner of Immigration or his or her designated authorized representative; and

5. Foreign nationals with on process Student Visa Conversion/Extension or SSP must not leave the Philippines until their visa memorandum order is released.  Moreover, International students filing for new or renewal of their ACR I-CARD must not leave the Philippines until their ACR I-CARD release. 

Exemptions

Foreign nationals that are holders of the following visas shall be exempted from securing Student Visa or SSP:

1. A permanent foreign resident; 

2. Foreign nationals with valid working visas under Section 9 (d), 9 (g) and 47 (a) (2) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended;

3. Personnel of foreign diplomatic and consular missions residing in the Philippines;

4. Personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines;

5. Holders of Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) and Special Retirees Resident Visa (SRRV); and

6. International students coming to the Philippines with 47(a) (2) visas issued pursuant to existing laws

Note: The principals, spouses, and unmarried dependent children below twenty-one (21) who wish to access educational facilities in the country may enjoy the exemption privilege. More so, children of the said admission categories who are officially enrolled before marriage and or before reaching the age of twenty-one (21) shall be allowed to convert their admission category to Student Visa as long as principals will remain in the country. 

Dual Citizenships

Dual citizens are considered Filipinos as long as they provide documents to prove their citizenship. Kindly present and submit a photocopy and present the original versions of any of the following documents:

1. Valid Philippine passport

2. Certificate of Recognition

3. Certificate of Naturalization

4. Certificate of Re-acquisition of Citizenship

Note: Birth Certificates are not considered valid documents for proof of citizenship and will therefore not be accepted.

Annual Report

BI requires all valid visa and ACR I-CARD holders (with the exemption of Temporary Visitor’s Visa, Tourist Visa, and SRRV visa holders) to submit Annual Reports to their office every January the last day of February of the current year.

The Process Coordinator will collect annual report submissions. Thus, international students shall secure the following checklist items as requirements:

1. Filled-out Application form with 2×2 picture (white background)

2. Photocopy of passport (1 copy of each)

– Biodata page

– Visa Stamp

– Latest arrival stamp

– Re-stamped visa for RA7919 holders

3. Photocopy of ACR I-CARD (1 copy each)

– Front and Back portion

4. Photocopy of ACR I-CARD claim stub for NEW APPLICANTS and those who

If they RENEWED their ACR I-card, then these additional requirements are applicable:

5. Fees

– ₱310.00 for the Annual Report

– A monthly fine of ₱200.00 for delayed Annual Report

6. Original Passport

7. Original ACR I-CARD

Submissions handed on March 1 and beyond the current year will begin accumulating the penalty of at least ₱200.00/month.

Special Return Permit

The BI issues ECC-B to non-immigrant or immigrant visa holders with valid ACR I-CARDs (ECC-A for temporary tourist visa holders). The single-use receipt is issued to evidence their Special Return Permit (for Non-Immigrants) or Re-entry Permit (RP) (for Immigrants), which is usually valid for one (1) year. Applicants may apply to BI Main Office, BI District Offices, or the airport upon departure.  

Secure the following checklist items and submit them to the Process Coordinator for checking: 

1. Accomplished Form 

2. Photocopy of Passport details (Passport Bio page, Latest Arrival, Implementation stamp)

3. Photocopy of ACR ICARD (front and back portion)

4. Photocopy of a confirmed flight schedule 

5. One (1) 2×2 picture

6. Original Passport

7. Original ACR ICARD

8. Payment (to be assessed by the BI Registration Officer)

 

Change of Address 

Suppose the international student changes their residence here in the Philippines from what they registered at the Bureau of Immigration. In that case, they must process their Change of Address application.

Secure the following checklist items and submit them to the Process Coordinator for checking:

1. Application form duly accomplished and signed by the applicant

2. Barangay Certificate indicating date of transfer

3. Affidavit of Change of Address indicating date of transfer

4. Photocopy of passport (1 copy each)

– Biodata page

– Visa Stamp

– Latest arrival stamp

5. Photocopy of ACR I-Card (1 copy each)

6. Fees

– Php 510.00 Amendment Fee

– Php 200.00 Fine per month or fraction thereof from the date of transfer

– Php 500.00 Lane Fee

Change of Address must be filed 24 hours before the intended transfer.