Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 423)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 423 is to amend the guidelines on the entry and stay of foreign students in the Philippines and to establish an Inter-Agency Committee to promote the Philippines as a center for education while addressing national security and other concerns.
The guidelines cover only aliens who seek to stay temporarily in the Philippines solely for the purpose of taking up a course higher than high school at duly authorized educational institutions, who are at least eighteen years old at enrollment, and who have sufficient means to support their education and stay.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is responsible for recognizing schools authorized to accept foreign students and prepares an updated list of such schools.
The accepting school must establish a foreign students unit, submit regular acceptance/enrollment and monthly status reports on foreign students to the Bureau of Immigration and CHED, and issue a Notice of Acceptance to compliant foreign students.
Foreign students must submit a Personal History Statement with identification details, documentary proof of financial support, and scholastic records authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post in their country of origin or residence.
Foreign students must secure their student visas from the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in their country of origin or legal residence, and conversion from other visa categories to student visa is not permitted.
Requirements include the school's original Notice of Acceptance, original CEA if applicable, police clearance authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post, and a medical health certificate including a chest x-ray.
The Committee promulgates implementing guidelines, monitors and coordinates execution of the Order, meets regularly to assess progress, invites other agencies when necessary, and submits semi-annual reports to the Office of the President.
Failure to submit required reports to the Bureau of Immigration and other agencies may lead to the cancellation by the CHED of the school's authority to admit foreign students.
Yes, exemptions include spouses and unmarried dependent children of permanent residents, holders of special resident visas, personnel of diplomatic missions and international organizations with certain conditions, among others.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students is tasked with promulgating simplified procedures including rules and regulations limiting school transfers and course shifting of foreign students within 60 days from the effectivity of the Order.
The Bureau of Immigration is authorized to investigate, apprehend and prosecute foreign students who violate immigration laws and regulations, which can result in cancellation of student visas and deportation.