Southeast Asia Student Visas

Students who attend the School's SEA-Philippines Progream are required by the Philippines government to acquire a Visa. The "type" of Visa will be defined by the students length of stay in the Philippines. Generally, students have two "types" of Visa options. 

Please make sure to consult with your local Philiipines Consulate for additional information. You may also wish to consult the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Republic of the Philippines website.

Option One- 9(a) Tourist Visa
Stay of less than 59 Days
The individual may apply for a 9(a) tourist visa at the Philippine Embassy in his country of origin for an initial stay of fifty-nine (59) days, which can be extended further by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines.

The Embassy will only issue tourist visas to students if the student-applicant submits to the consular staff a letter from the school in the Philippines clearly stating that the school is expecting the student and that the school will assist the student in converting his/her tourist visa into a student visa.

The student should prepare the following documents since the same shall be required in the conversion of status from temporary visitor to foreign student visa:

• Written endorsement from the school for the conversion of applicant’s status to student on the school’s official stationary signed by the school’s Registrar and stamped with school’s official dry seal
• Original copy of the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school’s official dry seal
• Proof of adequate financial support to cover expenses for the student’s accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses
• Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student’s country of origin or legal residence
• Police Clearance Certificate issued by the National Police Authorities in the student’s country of origin or residence duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction over the place for student who resided in the Philippines for less than 59 days. However, for student who resided in the Philippines for more than 59 days at the time he applies for the said change/conversion of his admission status to that of a student, he shall also be required to submit the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance.
• Quarantine Medical Clearance Certificate by the National Quarantine Office
• Copy of the student’s Personal History Statement signed by the student with a 2 x 2-inch photograph recently taken
• Xerox copy of the photo, data and stamp of the latest arrival pages of the passport of the student. The passport itself shall be presented to this office for verification.

Option Two - 9(f) Student Visa
Stay of greater than 59 Days

The individual may apply for 9(f) student visa at the Philippine Embassy in his country of origin, with the following procedures:

The foreign student shall communicate directly with the school and comply with the school's institutional requirements, which shall include the submission of the following documents:

• Five (5) copies of the Student's Personal History Statement (PHS) duly signed by him/her, both in English and in national alphabet accompanied by his personal seal, if any, and containing, among others, his left and right thumbprints and a 2x2 inch photograph on plain white background taken not more than six months prior to submission.
• A notarized affidavit of support including bank statements or notarized notice of grant for institutional scholars to cover expenses for the students accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses. (If student will get support from parents, the Affidavit of Support must be acknowledged at the Philippine Embassy in his country of origin. Personal appearance of parents and photocopies of their passports will be required).
• Transcript of Records/Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student applicant's country of origin or legal residence.
• Photocopy of data page of the student's passport showing date and place of birth, and birth certificate or its equivalent duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post.

If the student is accepted by the school, then the school will inform the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA will then give the Embassy the authority to issue the student visa. The Philippine Embassy shall notify, in writing, the student of the receipt of the authorization and require him/her to appear in person before a Consular Officer for interview and compliance with consular requirements.

In addition to the documents transmitted to the post of the DFA, the following requirements shall be submitted by the student to the Consular Office:

• Original copy of the school's Notice of Admission (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school's dry seal (The NOA shall be issued under the name of both schools (SNHU and SAIDI). To evidence the partnership between the schools, a copy of the MOA and the CHED recognition should also be attached.)
• Police clearance issued by the national police authorities in the student's country of origin or legal residence, authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction over the place
• Medical health certificate issued by an authorized physician including but not limited to standard-size chest x-ray, Hepatitis B clearance.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the foreign student shall report to the Bureau of Immigration Student Desk for registration and to the accepting HEI and shall enroll in the school which issued his Notice of Acceptance

The foreign student shall obtain Alien Certificate of  Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Student (CRTS) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI); and DFA shall send notice to accepting HEI on the issuance of student visa to the applicant, copy furnished CHED, BI, NICA and NBI.