📚 Visa 9FStudent (Higher Education)

Complete guide to the 9F visa for higher education in the Philippines, distinct from the standard student visa for advanced academic programs.

📋 Student Visa 9F (Higher Education)

What is the 9F Visa?

The 9F visa is specifically designed for international students pursuing higher education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) at recognized institutions in the Philippines, excluding short language stays.

Higher education only

Duration according to program

Part-time work possible

Multiple extensions possible

Difference from Standard Student Visa

9F Visa (Higher Education)

Advanced university studies

Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate

Long academic programs

SSP (Standard)

Language courses and short training

Language stays

Short training (< 6 months)

✅ Eligibility Requirements

Academic Criteria

Confirmed admission:

Acceptance letter from recognized institution

Study level:

Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate or equivalent

Academic prerequisites:

Previous degrees required for program

English level:

TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent test if required

Financial Criteria

Tuition fees:

Proof of payment or financial guarantee

Living funds:

Minimum 1,000 USD/month or equivalent

Financial sponsor:

Parents, scholarship or personal funding

Health insurance:

Mandatory medical coverage

📋 Required Documents

Academic Documents

Official acceptance letter

Previous transcripts (apostilled)

Previous degrees (apostilled)

Language proficiency certificate

Detailed study program

Financial Documents

Bank statements (last 6 months)

Funding certificate

Proof of tuition payment

International health insurance

Affidavit of support (if sponsored)

Important: All foreign academic documents must be apostilled and translated to English.

💰 Costs and Procedure

Visa Fees

Consular fees60 USD

Processing fees30 USD

ACR I-Card (on site)3,000 PHP

Extension (per year)2,830 PHP

Note: Fees may vary by consulate and study program duration.

Application Procedure

University admissionObtain institution acceptance

Document preparationGather and apostille documents

Consular applicationSubmit at Philippine consulate

Arrival and registrationACR I-Card and BI registration

Timeline: 2-4 weeks for consular processing, plus time to obtain university admission.

🏫 Popular Universities

Manila Universities

• University of the Philippines
• Ateneo de Manila University
• De La Salle University
• University of Santo Tomas

Cebu Universities

• University of San Carlos
• Cebu Institute of Technology
• University of Cebu
• Southwestern University

Other Cities

• Central Philippine University (Iloilo)
• Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro)
• Mindanao State University
• Silliman University (Dumaguete)

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