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Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary
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International Student Visa Policy

Integrity of APNTS

  1. APNTS will maintain the holiness and the mission and vision of the Seminary
  2. APNTS will act if the school learns of an illegal transaction or dishonesty visas. Possible actions include:
    a. Reporting of the offense to Philippines Immigration
    b. Expulsion of the student from the school.

Policy for International Students

  1. “It is expected that students reflect Christian character and behavior that contribute to the fulfillment of the objectives and purposes of APNTS…” (Student Handbook 2024-2025, page 18, Student Conduct).
  2. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) currently requires that the school have a representative (Liaison Officer) to process student visas (conversion, extension, SSP & ACR I-cards). This person must have clearance, certification, and identification from the Bureau of Immigration.
  3. The school charges a semester fee for the processing of visas.
  4. The school’s Student Visa Officer will be the intermediary between the student and the Liaison Officer who goes to the Bureau of Immigration offices.
  5. The Student Visa Officer and the Liaison Officer will work together on a schedule for visa processing.
  6. The Student Visa Officer will provide students with information (via email, new student orientation, enrollment, or other) regarding the process and timeline for obtaining or renewing their student visa. Students are advised to contact the Student Visa Office prior to the enrollment period, if possible, in order to clarify requirements in advance.
  7. Each student is responsible to provide his or her documents and receipt indicating payment of fees to the Student Visa Officer at the designated time for the visa processing. If students do not provide these at the designated time for visa processing, they may forfeit their opportunity for that semester. If this results in not having a valid visa the student may have to withdraw from classes.
  8. Students need to keep their documents (passport, visa, ACR I-card) current (not expired).
  9. Students must provide the Student Visa Officer with copies of their documents (new documents, renewals, extensions, etc.)
  10. Each student must have a valid visa or documentation that his or her visa is in process in order to enroll.
  11. During enrollment, each international student must bring and present his or her passport and current visa to the Student Visa Officer for verification and approval.
  12. Any student who will be enrolled in classes for more than 45 days (from the first day of classes) must obtain a visa (student visa, missionary visa, Special Study Permit, or other). Students will NOT be allowed to stay and study with a tourist visa only.
  13. Students taking only English classes for more than 45 days must also obtain a visa (see No. 12).
  14. Students auditing classes only must have a visa (missionary, retired, etc.) other than a student visa. A student visa requires documentation of grades, which are not earned when auditing classes.

Deadlines for obtaining / converting to a long-term visa (non-tourist)

  1. No later than 42 days after the first day of enrollment (on or before September 15 and on or before February 15), each new student must have already obtained his or her visa or have submitted his or her visa application to the Bureau of Immigration. This needs to be proven by showing to the Student Visa Officer a receipt of payment from the Bureau of Immigration that the visa is in process or copy of the notarized letter from a travel agency stating that documents have been submitted.
  2. Students who are not able to comply with these deadlines must come before the deadlines arrive, to discuss their situation with the Registrar and the Student Visa Officer. The purpose of this meeting is to work out a solution and to develop an action plan to come into compliance as soon as possible/by the deadline.
  3. If students do not comply and do not come discuss an action plan, they may be withdrawn from their classes, at the discretion of APNTS administration.

Other Deadlines

  1. APNTS must submit reports to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) by day 45 of each semester. Therefore, all relevant documentation is required of the international students by this date.
  2. When a student receives an email or a notice from the Registrar’s office and/or the Student Visa Officer, he or she must comply with the request within the timeframe stated in the notice. If no timeframe is given, the student must respond within 7 days of the date on the request. If he or she are not able to comply, he or she must come discuss their situation with the Registrar and/or the Student Visa Officer to make an action plan together.

Purpose of Immigration Desk (or Student Visa Officer)

  1. Verify and monitor the validity of international student’s visa status.
  2. Gather visa validity documentation of international students for the CHED and BI reports.
  3. Prepare the documents needed from APNTS for processing visas (Student visa 9-F, and Special Study Permit only).
  4. Prepare other documents as requested (e.g. certificates for passport extension).
  5. Gather all items from the student for the processing of visas. These include completed paperwork, documents, receipt of fees paid, and any other items required.
  6. Coordinate the processing of the student or and SSP with the student and the school’s Immigration Liaison Officer.
  7. Return completed documents and paperwork and facilitate the refund of any money to the student.

Purpose of Immigration Liaison Officer

  1. Coordinate with the Student Visa Officer for the needs of visa processing.
  2. Submit documents and payments for visa applications and ACR I-card applications to the BI.
  3. Receive completed visas and ACR I-cards from the BI.
  4. Take students to the BI as needed.

Consequences of having an Invalid Visa

  1. Penalties and fines are possible.
  2. If a student is caught by police or any government authority, he or she may be
    a. Deported to country of origin for invalid visa.
    b. Black listed by the Bureau of Immigration for invalid visa / overstaying in the country.
  3. APNTS will not accept or allow to continue to attend classes any student with an invalid visa.
  4. APNTS could be closed if the Bureau of Immigration determines that the Seminary has accepted a student without the proper visa.

Not covered by the Student Visa processing fee. The following items are separate expenses:

  1. Tourist Visa Extension
  2. Annual Report
  3. Emigration Exit Clearance (ECC)
  4. Request for ACR I-card release in case of emergency
  5. NBI Clearance
  6. Medical Exam
  7. Downgrading of Student Visa
  8. Passport Data Transfer when a student gets a new passport)

04.15.2025 MLC