What is a Student Visa?【Philippine Study Visa Guide】

✅ What is a Student Visa?

A Student Visa is a long-term visa intended for foreign nationals who enroll in official academic programs such as universities or high schools in the Philippines, typically for one year or more. It is not applicable for short-term English language programs offered by ESL schools.

If you are planning to study English in Cebu, you do not need to apply for a Student Visa—in fact, you cannot apply for one for this purpose. Language students follow a different visa structure entirely.

✅ Can I use a Student Visa for ESL programs?

No. Student Visas are not valid for language schools (ESL programs) in the Philippines.

Instead, the typical visa setup for English learners is:

Tourist Visa: Automatically granted for 30 days upon arrival
SSP (Special Study Permit): Applied by the school upon enrollment
Visa Extensions: Required for longer stays, renewable up to 36 months

The Student Visa system is exclusively available to students formally enrolled in government-recognized high schools, colleges, or universities.

On the other hand, if you are already enrolled in a local academic institution (e.g., elementary school, high school, university) and have a valid Student Visa, you do not need to apply for an SSP. This is an important point to note.

✅ Application Process for a Student Visa

To obtain a Student Visa, applicants must follow a detailed and often lengthy procedure:

Be formally accepted by a school accredited by the Philippine government
Receive a Notice of Acceptance from the institution
Apply for the visa after entering the Philippines
Submit various documents, including a police clearance, medical exam results, and financial proof

The overall process is complex and can take 1 to 2 months to complete.

✅ Cost

The total cost of obtaining a Student Visa varies depending on the institution and program length.
Typically, it ranges between PHP 15,000 to 25,000, including:

Visa application fees
Document processing
Medical check-ups
Legal assistance (if applicable)

✅ In the case of 3D ACADEMY

All of our students enter the Philippines using a Tourist Visa, and we handle the SSP and visa extension processes accordingly.

However, if you already hold an SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) or an existing Student Visa from another institution, you can study at 3D ACADEMY without applying for an SSP.