Foreign nationals attending a language school in the Philippines need a Special Study Permit (SSP). The SSP is a permit issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), not a visa. If you stay more than 59 days, you also need an ACR I-Card. This page sets out who needs them, the steps, the fees and how long they last, based on the BI and schools’ official pages. Checked on 29 October 2026.
In short
Every language school student needs an SSP, and anyone staying more than 59 days also needs an ACR I-Card. The BI lists the SSP at 5,240 pesos in total, but schools list 5,740 to 12,300 pesos. Budget with the local fee table of the school you will attend.
Who needs an SSP, and who needs a student visa
According to the BI’s FAQs, a student visa is for foreign nationals aged 18 or over taking a course above high school level. The SSP is for foreign nationals under 18 or taking non-degree courses. English courses at language schools usually fall under the SSP.
Schools have conditions too. The BI says only selected schools accredited by the BI may accept and enroll foreign students.
| Purpose | Permit needed |
|---|---|
| Learning English at a language school (no degree) | SSP |
| Studying while under 18 | SSP |
| Aged 18 or over, taking a course above high school level | Student visa (9F) |
The SSP is issued under a visitor stay
The BI explains that the SSP is a permit, not a visa, and is issued under a temporary visitor’s visa. Your permitted length of stay is counted separately, under the rules for visitors.
Whether you can enter without a visa depends on your nationality. According to the BI, visitors admitted for 30 days can extend by 29 days first and then by one, two or six months. Check the day limits on the Philippines visa and entry page.
The steps for an SSP
According to the BI’s SSP page, you apply at the BI main office. You submit documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU) or to staff at another immigration office that handles this application. The steps are:
Some schools handle this for you. Well, for example, says on its official page that it files the application with the immigration office for students. Ask your school before you apply whether you need to go to the office yourself.
- Get the application form and gather the documents
- Submit them for pre-screening at the counter
- Receive the Order of Payment Slip (OPS)
- Pay the fees and submit a copy of the official receipt
- Have your photo and fingerprints taken and submit the ACR I-Card documents
- Once approved, collect your SSP and ACR I-Card
SSP fees: the BI’s charges and what schools list
The BI’s SSP page lists fees totaling 5,240 pesos. The table notes that fees were “updated as of 06 March 2014 and may change without prior notice”.
Schools list higher amounts, which may include handling fees. Some charge for the SSP alone and some combine the SSP with an E-Card. Budget with the amount your own school lists.
- SSP only: 5,740 pesos (Well), 7,000 pesos (Grandline), 7,800 pesos (Target)
- SSP with E-Card: 12,300 pesos (Target, Curious World, HELP Clark)
| BI fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | 2,000 pesos |
| Implementation fee | 1,000 pesos |
| Service fee | 200 pesos |
| Certificate fee | 500 pesos |
| Legal research fee | 40 pesos |
| Express fees (certification, filing, I-Card processing) | 500 pesos each |
| Total | 5,240 pesos |
| Additional I-Card fee | USD 50 |
How long the SSP lasts, and longer stays
Schools give the SSP’s validity as up to six months (Well), six months (HELP) or every 24 weeks (Grandline). If you study longer, you pay to renew it.
According to the BI’s SSP page, renewals reuse the photo and fingerprints already on file to print the new ACR I-Card. Applicants aged 10 and under are recaptured at every extension, and those aged 11 and over every five years.
The ACR I-Card for stays over 59 days
According to the BI’s FAQs, the ACR I-Card is a card-type ID issued to registered foreign nationals whose stay exceeds 59 days. The BI’s issuance page lists the fee as USD 50 plus 500 pesos.
Schools list 3,700 pesos (CEGA), 4,000 pesos (HELP Clark), 4,300 pesos (Target) and 5,000 pesos (Well). According to the BI, nationals who do not need a visa can extend their stay up to 36 months, and those who need one up to 24 months.
Before you leave: who needs an ECC
If you have stayed more than six months, you need an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) before leaving the Philippines. HELP lists the ECC at 500 pesos.
Keep every receipt from these procedures until you leave.
Next step: see all local fees
The SSP and ACR I-Card are only part of the local fees for studying in the Philippines. For totals including visa extensions, electricity and books, see our guide to studying English in the Philippines.
Compare schools’ conditions in the list of schools in the Philippines.
Sources
Government and public bodies
- Bureau of Immigration (Philippines): Special Study Permit (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Bureau of Immigration (Philippines): ACR I-Card issuance (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Bureau of Immigration (Philippines): FAQs (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Official information from each company
- HELP English Academy: Tuition and fees (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Target Global English Academy: Fees (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Well English Academy: Courses, rooms and fees (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Curious World Academy: ESL (checked 29 Oct 2026)
