Republic of the Philippines
Office of the President
Commission on Higher Education

INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN STUDENTS (IACFS)
IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 285
RE: ENTRY AND STAY OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES IN THE ISSUANCE OF A
STUDENT VISA ABROAD

1. Student communicates with the Higher Education Institution (HEI) authorized to accept foreign enrolees and complies with the following required documents:

(5 copies each)

1. Student's Personal History Statement (PHS) duly signed by him, both in English and in his national alphabet accompanied by his personal seal, if any, and containing, among others, his left and right thumbprints and a 2x2 inch photograph or plain white background taken not more than six months prior to submission.
2. 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;
3. 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; and
4. 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.
   
   
2. Upon compliance of the required documents, HEI issues Notice of Acceptance (NOA).
3. For those desiring to enroll in Medicine and Dentistry their documents shall be submitted to the Office of Student Services (OSS), CHED for evaluation and if found in order, a Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) is issued to concerned foreign student.
4. HEI then submits documents including the certified true copy of the CEA of those enrolling in Medicine and Dentistry to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
5. DFA endorses the documents to the Philippine Foreign Service Post (PFSP) in the student's country of origin or legal residence for the issuance of the corresponding visa.
6. PFSP notifies student-applicant with instruction that he appear in person before the Consular Officer for interview and submission of required documents, as follows:
   
   
   1. Original copy of the school's Notice of Acceptance (NOA) containing a clear impression of the school's dry seal;
   2. Original copy of the Certificate for Admission (CEA) issued by CHED if enrolling in Medicine and Dentistry;
   3. Police Clearance issued by the national police authorities in the student's country of origin or legal residence duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction over the place; and
   4. Medical Health Certificate issued by an authorized physician including but not limited to standard-size chest x-ray, HIV, Hepatitis B clearance. The Consular Office shall not assume the task of determining the student's scholastic fitness for the program applied for and shall issue the student visa as soon as all the requirements are accomplished.
      
      
7. Foreign Student reports to the BI Student desk for registration and to the accepting HEI and shall enroll in the school which issued his NOA upon arrival in the Philippines;
8. Accepting HEI assists foreign student to obtain Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Student (CRTS) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI);
9. DFA sends notice of accepting HEI on the issuance of the student visa to applicant, copy furnished CHED, BI, NICA, and NBI;
10. OSS keeps on file submitted data on foreign students.

Note:  OSS provides secretariat services to the Inter-Agency Committee on
           Foreign Student