🎓 Special Study PermitMinor Students

Complete guide to the Special Study Permit (SSP) for students under 18 years old taking non-degree courses in the Philippines.

📋 What is the Special Study Permit?

Overview

The Special Study Permit (SSP) is a special permit for foreign students under 18 years old who wish to take short courses, exchange programs, or non-degree training in the Philippines.

Age: Under 18 years old
Duration: 6 months maximum
Non-degree courses
Guardian required

Program Types

Language Courses

English, Tagalog, other languages

Language immersion
Group classes

Exchange Programs

Short school exchanges

Cultural exchange
Host family

Important

The SSP does not allow obtaining an official degree or pursuing higher education in the Philippines.

🎯 Eligible Programs

Language Courses

  • • Intensive English
  • • Tagalog for foreigners
  • • IELTS/TOEFL preparation
  • • Practical conversation
  • • Cultural immersion

Duration: 1-6 months

Cultural Exchanges

  • • School exchange programs
  • • Host family immersion
  • • Cultural discovery
  • • Community activities
  • • Intercultural projects

Duration: 2-6 months maximum

Short Training

  • • Arts and crafts
  • • Sports and recreation
  • • Basic computer skills
  • • Music and dance
  • • Local cuisine

Duration: 1-4 months depending on activity

Social Programs

  • • Community volunteering
  • • Humanitarian aid
  • • Environmental protection
  • • Rural education

Duration: 2-6 months with supervision

Observation Internships

  • • School observation
  • • Career discovery
  • • Company internships
  • • Practical learning
  • • Career guidance

Duration: 2-8 weeks

Special Programs

  • • Summer camps
  • • Recreational activities
  • • Religious programs
  • • Artistic training
  • • Personal development

Duration: 1-3 months

✅ Eligibility Requirements

Student Criteria

Age:

Under 18 at time of application

Schooling:

Enrolled in home institution

Guardian:

Legal guardian designated in Philippines

Health:

Valid medical certificate

Finances:

Proof of financial support

Parental Consent

• Written consent from both parents

• Apostilled documents

• Official guardian designation

• Mandatory travel insurance

Guardian Criteria

Status:

Philippine citizen or permanent resident

Age:

Minimum 21 years old

Residence:

Fixed address in the Philippines

Responsibility:

Supervision commitment

Finances:

Ability to provide care

Guardian Responsibilities

• Daily supervision of student

• Housing and food

• Transportation to school

• Medical follow-up if needed

• Communication with parents

• Compliance with local laws

📋 Required Documents

Student Documents

Valid passport (6+ months)
Birth certificate (apostilled)
Medical certificate
ID photos (2x2 inches)
Recent transcripts
Letter from home school

Parental Documents

Parental consent (apostilled)
Parents' passports
Proof of income
Bank statements
Guardian designation
Travel/health insurance

Guardian Documents

Philippine ID
Proof of residence
Proof of income
Clean criminal record
Affidavit of support
Guardianship contract

💰 Costs and Procedure

Permit Fees

SSP fee6,500 PHP
Processing fee500 PHP
I-Card (if > 15 years)3,000 PHP
Extension (if needed)2,930 PHP
Legal fees500-1,500 USD

Note: Fees may vary by nationality and length of stay.

Application Procedure

1
PreparationGathering all documents
2
GuardianGuardian designation and validation
3
SSP applicationSubmission to Bureau of Immigration
4
EvaluationFile review and verifications
5
ApprovalSpecial Study Permit issuance

Timeline: 7-15 business days with complete documents.

🏫 Popular Institutions

Manila

  • • International School Manila
  • • British School Manila
  • • Brent International School
  • • Southville International

Cebu

  • • Cebu International School
  • • Woodridge International
  • • Sacred Heart School
  • • Bright Academy

Baguio

  • • Baguio City National High School
  • • Saint Louis University
  • • University of Baguio

💡 Practical Tips

Preparation

Start the process at least 3 months in advance.

Guardian

Choose a trustworthy and legally capable guardian.

Documents

Have all required documents apostilled.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact us for a free consultation and let us guide you through the Special Study Permit process.