What is a Tourist Visa?【Visa & Permit for Studying in the Philippines】

✅ What is a Tourist Visa?

A Tourist Visa is the standard visa type for foreigners who wish to stay in the Philippines for short-term purposes. It is also the primary visa used by students enrolling in English language schools. For many nationalities, no advance application is needed—a 30-day stay is automatically granted upon arrival.

✅ Visa-Exempt Countries

Countries such as Japan, South Korea, the United States, and most European nations are granted a 30-day visa-free entry. On the other hand, citizens of China, India, Yemen, and several others must apply for a tourist visa in advance.

Some countries, such as Brazil and Israel, are granted 59 days upon arrival as a special exemption.

✅ Use for Language Study

Language school students in the Philippines typically do not use a student visa. Instead, they study under a combination of a Tourist Visa + SSP (Special Study Permit) + Visa Extensions. Students enter with a tourist visa, apply for the SSP upon enrollment, and extend their visa as needed.

At most English schools, including 3D ACADEMY, the student’s passport is securely kept by the school, and all visa-related processes (except for biometric appointments for the ACR-I Card) are handled by the staff. Students are not required to manage paperwork themselves.

✅ Entry Process (at 3D ACADEMY)

Here’s how the tourist visa process typically works at 3D ACADEMY:

Enter the Philippines visa-free (30 days stay granted automatically)
Apply for the SSP during the first week of enrollment
Extend the visa if staying more than 4 weeks (handled by school staff)

✅ Extension and Conversion Possibilities

The tourist visa can be extended up to a total of 36 months locally. It can be used not only for short-term study (1–8 weeks) but also for mid- to long-term courses (6–12 months). Students staying beyond 8 weeks will also need to apply for an ACR-I Card, and those staying more than 6 months will need an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

✅ Important Notes

Upon entry, you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket within 30 days.
In most cases, showing a round-trip ticket and a school admission letter is sufficient.
If an immigration officer insists on proof of departure within 30 days, you can book a ticket on the spot, and entry will still be allowed.
You can list 3D ACADEMY’s address as your place of stay on the immigration form.
Working or part-time employment is strictly prohibited under a tourist visa.
For stays longer than 6 months, exit clearance may be required when departing the Philippines.