If you study in the Philippines for more than 30 days, you need to extend your stay. We checked the limits and application rules with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and set out extension costs by number of weeks from schools’ official tables. Checked on 30 October 2026.
In short
Visitors admitted for 30 days first extend by 29 days to a total of 59, then by one, two or six months at a time. For a 12-week stay, extensions total 9,590 to 11,550 pesos in schools’ tables. Before you apply, check whether the school handles extensions and how it counts the cost.
Extension limits
According to the BI’s FAQs, foreign nationals admitted for 30 days can first apply for a 29-day extension. After that, extensions are granted for one, two or six months at a time.
Nationals who do not need a visa can extend up to 36 months from arrival, and those who need a visa up to 24 months, according to the BI. If you stay more than 59 days you also need an ACR I-Card (see the SSP and ACR I-Card).
Application rules
According to the BI, you apply at a BI office with your passport and the extension form (TVS-C-VE-2016), at least seven days before your stay expires.
With a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), a representative can file for you. If your school handles the extension, you pay the school after you arrive (CEGA, for example).
Extension costs by number of weeks
Below are total extension costs by number of weeks from schools’ official tables (in pesos). CEGA’s amounts include a handling fee. Well’s totals add up its per-extension prices.
Some schools cover extension costs for longer bookings. Well says it covers the first extension for students staying eight weeks or more.
- 4 weeks: Target 0, CEGA 0, HELP 0
- 8 weeks: Target 5,140, CEGA 4,830, HELP 4,940, Well 4,160
- 12 weeks: Target 11,550, CEGA 9,930, HELP 11,150, Well 9,590
- 16 weeks: Target 15,990, CEGA 11,430, HELP 15,390, Well 13,050
- 24 weeks: Target 24,870, CEGA 15,060, HELP 23,870
Another school’s table
B&D English School lists the first extension at 2,200 to 4,500 pesos for stays of five weeks or more, and later extensions at 2,500 to 5,500 pesos for nine weeks or more, depending on the length of stay.
Schools note that extension fees can change without notice under immigration rules. For all local fees by number of weeks, see local fees by length of stay.
Do not overstay
If your school handles extensions, still check your own expiry date against your passport and receipts. Overstaying can lead to fines when you leave, so keep track of each deadline.
Staying beyond six months
If you hold an ACR I-Card and stay six months or more, you need an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) before you leave. HELP lists the ECC at 500 pesos and a long-stay permit (CRTV) for stays over six months at 1,410 pesos.
What to check before you apply
Ask the school about these three points on extensions.
- Whether the school handles extensions and whether a handling fee is included
- The total for your number of weeks, and whether the school covers any of it
- When you pay (on day one or at each extension)
Next step
Check the extension costs for your number of weeks in your school’s local fee table. For the whole process, see our guide to studying English in the Philippines.
