Immigration Support

Asia Pacific College welcomes international students to its academic programs, providing dedicated structural and administrative support for foreign nationals pursuing higher education in the Philippines. Through the Registrar’s Office and its Liaison Officer, APC facilitates the entry, enrollment, and visa processing of international applicants, ensuring a smooth transition into the college community.

The Registrar’s Office serves as the central hub for assisting international students with academic documentation and standard immigration processes. From initial inquiry to active campus life, the Office is equipped to handle visa applications, provide institutional guidance, and offer student-centered support throughout the applicant’s academic stay.

Admission Requirements for Foreign Students

Prior to initiating the student visa application or conversion process, prospective international students must qualify for college admission. The Registrar’s Office requires the submission of the following institutional documents:

  • Academic Credentials: Authenticated Senior High School Credentials, High School Report Card, or Transcript of Records.
  • Certificate of Good Moral Character: An authenticated certificate verifying the applicant’s conduct.
  • Proof of Identity: An authenticated Birth Certificate (or its equivalent) alongside a clear photocopy of the Passport Bio Page.
  • Photographs: A recent 2×2 colored identification photograph with a white background.
  • Financial Capability: A notarized Affidavit of Support, accompanied by certified bank statements or a notice of institutional grant, demonstrating sufficient means to cover tuition, accommodation, and subsistence.

Document Authentication Standards:

  • All application documents must be officially translated into English.
  • Documents must be authenticated/apostilled by the Philippine Foreign Service Post (Embassy or Consulate) located in the student’s country of origin or legal residence.

Student Visa (9F) Processing Pathways

International students may secure a 9(f) Student Visa through one of two pathways:

Pre-Arrival Application (Offshore Applicants)

For foreign nationals currently residing abroad who intend to travel to the Philippines for academic purposes:

  1.  Upon satisfactory evaluation of the admission requirements, APC will issue a formal Notice of Acceptance (NOA).
  2. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will endorse the documentation to the appropriate Philippine Foreign Service Post in the applicant’s country of legal residence.
  3. The applicant must appear in person for an interview and present the original dry-sealed NOA, a localized national police clearance, and a medical certificate (inclusive of a standard chest X-ray and Hepatitis B clearance).
  4. Mandatory Post-Arrival Registration: Within seven (7) days of arrival in the Philippines, the student must report to APC for final enrollment and proceed to the BI Student Visa Section for Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card processing.

In-Country Conversion from a Tourist Visa (9A)

For foreign nationals already inside the Philippines under a valid 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa who intend to convert their admission status:

  1. Prerequisite Documents: The applicant must provide an authenticated police clearance from their country of origin and a valid affidavit of support.
  2. Medical Clearance: The student is required to undergo a medical examination at a local Level 3 hospital to secure a “Fit to Study” certification.
  3. Institutional Endorsement: The APC Liaison Officer will hand-carry the completed Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) and supporting credentials under an official school endorsement to the Bureau of Immigration for processing and implementation.

Institutional Support and Services

The Registrar’s Office provides structured operational support to maintain the lawful status of enrolled international students:

Official Bureau Representation: The Liaison Officer serves as the sole conduit for all document submissions and official visa transactions with government agencies.
Visa Extensions: The Registrar’s Office assists students in processing their mandatory annual student visa extensions, subject to regular scholastic evaluation and derogatory checks by the BI.

Housing Assistance: Practical guidance is provided to help students locate suitable residential housing during their period of study, if requested.

Regulatory Compliance: The college enforces systematic reporting to CHED, BI, and national security agencies regarding enrollment status, terminations, or academic deficiencies.

Internationalization and Transnational Higher Education in the Philippines

The Philippine higher education landscape is increasingly shaped by a national commitment to global engagement. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) envisions internationalization as a means to enhance academic quality, develop globally competitive graduates, and foster innovation through collaboration with higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide. This strategic direction seeks to position the Philippines as a hub for transnational higher education in Asia: one that produces skilled, adaptable, and globally aware professionals contributing to the country’s sustainable development.

Republic Act No. 11448: Transnational Higher Education Act (2019)
Republic Act No. 11448 institutionalizes the framework for Transnational Higher Education (TNE) in the Philippines, enabling foreign and local higher education institutions to collaborate through joint degrees, twinning arrangements, and other cross-border academic partnerships. The law aims to make quality international education accessible to Filipinos within the country, while ensuring that foreign programs align with national development priorities and academic standards. By creating a clear regulatory environment for TNE, RA 11448 supports academic mobility, capacity building, and the global competitiveness of Philippine higher education.

CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 55, s. 2016: Policy Framework and Strategies on the Internationalization of Philippine Higher Education
CMO 55 articulates the national framework for internationalization as a key quality assurance mechanism in higher education. It promotes the integration of international,

intercultural, and global dimensions into the teaching, research, and service functions of HEIs. The policy emphasizes partnerships, mobility, benchmarking, and curriculum enhancement as pathways toward a globally competent academic community. Through this CMO, CHED encourages institutions to build sustainable linkages, participate in global networks, and strengthen governance systems that support international engagement.

CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 62, s. 2016: Policies, Standards, and Guidelines on Transnational Education
CMO 62 provides the operational guidelines for the implementation of transnational higher education in the Philippines. It defines the types of TNE arrangements permitted under Philippine law and establishes quality assurance standards to safeguard academic integrity. The policy ensures that foreign education provision in the Philippines complements national goals, promotes mutual recognition of qualifications, and fosters institutional collaboration grounded in academic excellence and shared accountability.

Together, these policies form a coherent national strategy that empowers Philippine higher education institutions to participate meaningfully in the global academic community. They reflect the country’s aspiration to not only send Filipino learners abroad but also bring world-class learning opportunities to the Philippines by bridging global perspectives with local relevance and ensuring that internationalization contributes directly to national growth and competitiveness.

Search

SIGN IN

Quickly access your grades, registration forms, student info, and more!