Acceptance and Accreditation of Schools
- Only schools accredited by Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) or equivalent accreditation by CHED and BI may admit foreign students.
- CHED maintains and updates the list of authorized schools in coordination with BI.
- Authorized schools must establish a foreign student unit.
- Schools are required to submit regular reports to BI on enrollment, student status, and academic promotion.
- Failure to comply may lead to cancellation of authority to admit foreign students.
- CHED and DECS collaborate on educational equivalency issues.
- Advanced credits from foreign education are limited and subject to validation.
- Enrollment requires completion of prior educational levels; e.g., high school for tertiary admission.
- Schools allowed to conduct information campaigns and directly process applications with relevant agencies.
- Document requirements include Personal History Statement, affidavit of support, authenticated scholastic records, and passport/birth certificate copies.
- Schools issue Notice of Acceptance (NOA) and submit required documents to DFA for visa processing.
Visa Issuance Process
- Student visas must be obtained from the Philippine Foreign Service Post in the student's country of origin or legal residence.
- The student must appear in person for an interview and submit additional documents: original NOA, police clearance, medical certificate (including chest x-ray, HIV, Hepatitis B clearance).
- Visa issuance does not include scholastic fitness evaluation.
- DFA notifies relevant agencies and schools upon visa issuance.
Arrival and Stay Procedures
- Upon arrival, students must report to BI Students Desk for registration and enroll in the school which issued the NOA.
- Schools reassess competency and determine academic equivalency.
- Schools assist students in obtaining Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS).
- Initial authorized stay is one year, with renewal every semester or annually for cause.
- Procedures exist for pursuing subsequent degrees, course shifting, and changing schools, requiring clearances from CHED/DECS.
- Conversion from tourist visa to student visa or issuance of Special Study Permit is permitted with safeguards.
- BI establishes a Foreign Student Desk to handle visa conversions, extensions, accreditation of institutions, and monitoring.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Schools must submit enrollment, status, and promotion reports regularly to BI with copies to CHED, NICA, and NBI.
- Non-compliance risks losing authorization to admit foreign students.
- NICA and NBI monitor foreign student activities for national security concerns.
- Immigration violations lead to visa cancellation and deportation.
Exemptions
- Spouses and unmarried dependent children under 21 of permanent foreign residents, working permit holders (specific visa categories), diplomatic and consular personnel, accredited international organizations personnel, holders of specific special visas are exempt from student visa requirements.
- Children already enrolled prior to marriage or age 21 may complete studies and convert to student visa status.
- Spouses and children of diplomatic and international organization personnel may convert to student visa even if principals lose certain statuses.
Committee on Foreign Students
- An Inter-Agency Committee composed of CHED (Chairman), DFA (Co-Chairman), DECS, BI, NBI, and NICA is created.
- Duties: Develop simplified procedures, monitor implementation, assess program progress, invite other stakeholders, and submit semi-annual reports to the Office of the President.
- CHED serves as secretariat.
Penalties
- Schools violating reporting or compliance requirements face cancellation of their authority to admit foreign students.
General Provisions
- Repeals inconsistent orders or regulations.
- Provides separability clause ensuring unaffected provisions remain in force if parts are declared unconstitutional.
- Immediate effectivity upon issuance.