Foreign students must get visas, permits–BI

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded foreign nationals intending to study in the Philippines to secure a student visa or study permit from the bureau before enrolling in a school.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. issued the reminder as classes are set to start on June 6.

The bureau expects foreign students to troop by the hundreds to the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila, to get their student visas.

David said schools may not admit foreigners without student visas or study permits.

“Also, a school must be accredited or authorized by the BI before it can accept foreign students, or the school will be fined for violating bureau regulations,” he said.

Lawyer Grace Lara, chief of the BI student desk, said those wishing to enroll in elementary and high schools, and those taking special courses such as language tutorials, must apply for a special study permit (SSP).

The BI student desks processes and evaluates applications for student visas and SSPs and forwards them to the commissioner’s office for approval.

The fee for a student permit application is P6,550, while an SSP application costs P4,740.

David advised foreign students to pay directly to the bureau’s cashiers to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous individuals.