APNTS International Student Visa Policy
1. Commitment to Integrity
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) is committed to maintaining the holiness, mission, vision, and integrity of the Seminary.
All international students are expected to act honestly in every visa-related matter. APNTS will not tolerate the submission of false documents, unauthorized transactions, bribery, misrepresentation, or any other dishonest or illegal activity connected with immigration processing.
When APNTS becomes aware of a possible immigration violation or dishonest transaction, the Seminary may take appropriate action, including:
- Reporting the matter to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration;
- Suspending or withdrawing the student from classes;
- Expelling the student from APNTS; and
- Taking any other action considered necessary by the Seminary administration.
As stated in the APNTS Student Handbook:
“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
Integrity is expected not only in academic work, but also in all immigration and visa transactions.
2. General Policy for International Students
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration requires APNTS to have an officially authorized Immigration Liaison Officer. The Liaison Officer must possess the appropriate clearance, certification, and identification issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
The APNTS Student Visa Officer serves as the main contact between international students and the Immigration Liaison Officer.
APNTS directly assists with the following:
- Conversion from an eligible tourist visa to a Student Visa;
- Extension of an existing Student Visa; and
- Preparation of required school documents related to these applications.
Other immigration transactions, including Tourist Visa Extension and Student Visa Downgrading, are the student’s responsibility. APNTS may provide the necessary school documents, but the student must personally arrange and complete the transaction.
Immigration rules, documentary requirements, processing periods, and fees may change. The final decision concerning any application belongs to the Bureau of Immigration or the appropriate Philippine embassy or consulate. APNTS cannot guarantee the approval or completion date of any application.
3. Visa Processing Fee
APNTS charges an immigration processing fee for services handled through the Seminary.
This fee covers only the services identified by APNTS. It does not cover all immigration-related expenses.
Students must pay the required amount by the announced deadline and submit the official receipt to the Student Visa Officer.
Payment of a processing fee does not guarantee that the Bureau of Immigration will approve an application.
4. Responsibilities of the Student Visa Officer
The Student Visa Officer is responsible for:
- Verifying and monitoring the visa status of international students;
- Checking the validity of passports, visas, and ACR I-cards;
- Gathering documentation required for APNTS reports to the Commission on Higher Education and the Bureau of Immigration;
- Preparing school documents required for Student Visa conversion and extension;
- Preparing other school certifications when appropriate, such as documents needed for passport renewal or extension;
- Receiving completed forms, supporting documents, and proof of payment from students;
- Coordinating visa processing schedules with the Immigration Liaison Officer;
- Informing students about requirements, deadlines, and procedures;
- Returning completed documents to students; and
- Facilitating refunds when applicable and officially approved.
The Student Visa Officer provides information based on the requirements communicated by the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines. Policies followed by Philippine embassies or consulates in other countries may differ and are outside the control of APNTS.
5. Responsibilities of the Immigration Liaison Officer
The Immigration Liaison Officer is responsible for:
- Coordinating with the Student Visa Officer;
- Submitting authorized applications, documents, and payments to the Bureau of Immigration;
- Receiving completed visas and ACR I-cards from the Bureau of Immigration;
- Accompanying students to the Bureau of Immigration when their personal appearance is required; and
- Providing updates to the Student Visa Officer concerning submitted applications.
Students should normally communicate through the Student Visa Officer rather than contacting the Liaison Officer directly unless instructed otherwise.
6. Responsibilities of International Students
Every international student is personally responsible for maintaining lawful immigration status in the Philippines.
Each student must:
- Keep his or her passport, visa, and ACR I-card valid;
- Know the expiration dates of all immigration documents;
- Contact the Student Visa Officer before enrollment whenever possible;
- Submit complete and correct documents by the announced deadline;
- Pay all required fees and provide the official receipt;
- Present the original passport and current visa during enrollment;
- Provide APNTS with copies of all new, renewed, extended, or updated immigration documents;
- Respond promptly to notices from the Registrar or Student Visa Officer;
- Attend scheduled appointments and personal appearances;
- Report to the Student Visa Officer soon after arriving in the Philippines;
- Inform the Student Visa Officer, Admissions Office, and Registrar before coming to APNTS for visa conversion; and
- Avoid making unauthorized arrangements with individuals or agencies claiming to process visas on behalf of APNTS.
Students must be proactive. APNTS may not be able to assist a student who arrives without prior coordination, submits incomplete documents, misses a deadline, or fails to respond to official notices.
7. Visa Requirement for Enrollment
An international student may enroll only when the student has:
- A valid visa appropriate for study; or
- Official documentation showing that an appropriate visa application has already been submitted and is being processed.
During enrollment, every international student must present the original passport and current visa to the Student Visa Officer for verification and approval.
A student who cannot show a valid visa or official proof of a pending application may not be permitted to enroll or continue attending classes.
8. Students Enrolled for More Than 45 Days
Any international student enrolled in classes for more than 45 days from the first day of the semester must obtain an immigration status that legally permits study.
Depending on the student’s situation, this may include:
- A Student Visa;
- A Special Study Permit;
- A Missionary Visa; or
- Another visa category that legally permits study.
A student may not remain enrolled for more than 45 days using only a Tourist Visa.
This requirement also applies to students enrolled only in English-language classes.
9. Students Auditing Classes
A student who is auditing classes does not normally earn grades or academic credit.
Because a Student Visa generally requires documentation of academic enrollment and grades, a person who is auditing classes must hold another appropriate visa, such as a Missionary Visa, Retiree Visa, or another lawful immigration status that permits participation.
The student must consult the Student Visa Officer before enrollment.
10. Deadline for Conversion to a Long-Term Visa
Every new international student who requires a Student Visa or another long-term immigration status must complete one of the following no later than 42 days after the first day of enrollment:
- Obtain the appropriate visa; or
- Submit the complete visa application to the Bureau of Immigration.
As a general guide, the deadline is:
- On or before September 15 for the first semester; and
- On or before February 15 for the second semester.
The official academic calendar and written notice from APNTS will determine the final deadline.
The student must provide proof that the application has been submitted. Acceptable proof may include:
- An official Bureau of Immigration payment receipt;
- An official acknowledgment or application receipt; or
- Other documentation accepted by the Student Visa Officer.
A verbal statement that an application is being processed is not sufficient.
The 42-day internal deadline allows APNTS to complete required government reporting by the 45th day of the semester.
11. Students Who Cannot Meet the Deadline
A student who expects difficulty meeting a visa deadline must speak with the Registrar and the Student Visa Officer before the deadline.
The purpose of the meeting is to:
- Explain the circumstances;
- Identify the remaining requirements;
- Establish a written action plan; and
- Set a final compliance date when permitted.
Speaking with the Registrar or Student Visa Officer does not automatically extend a government deadline or guarantee that the student may continue attending classes.
A student who misses the deadline and does not communicate with APNTS may be withdrawn from classes at the discretion of the Seminary administration.
12. Government Reporting Requirements
APNTS is required to submit reports concerning international students to the Commission on Higher Education and the Bureau of Immigration by approximately the 45th day of each semester.
International students must therefore provide all required visa documents before the reporting deadline.
Failure to submit the required documents may affect the student’s enrollment and may place APNTS in violation of government regulations.
13. Response to Official Notices
When a student receives an email or written notice from the Registrar’s Office or Student Visa Officer, the student must comply within the period stated in the notice.
When no deadline is stated, the student must respond within seven calendar days from the date of the notice.
When compliance is not possible, the student must contact the Registrar or Student Visa Officer within the same period to explain the situation and develop an action plan.
Ignoring an email, failing to read a notice, or being unaware of a deadline does not remove the student’s responsibility.
14. Student Visa Extension
Students must contact the Student Visa Officer at least two months before the expiration of their current Student Visa.
Visa extension processing may take three to four weeks or longer. Delays may occur because of additional documentary requirements, government processing, holidays, system issues, or other circumstances beyond the control of APNTS.
Submitting an extension application does not guarantee that it will be completed before the current visa expires. Students must therefore begin the process early.
15. Consequences of an Invalid or Expired Visa
Remaining in the Philippines with an invalid or expired visa may result in serious consequences, including:
- Fines and penalties;
- Cancellation of immigration privileges;
- Arrest or detention by government authorities;
- Deportation to the student’s country of origin;
- Blacklisting by the Bureau of Immigration;
- Difficulty returning to the Philippines; and
- Suspension, withdrawal, or dismissal from APNTS.
APNTS will not knowingly permit a student with invalid immigration status to enroll or continue attending classes.
The Seminary’s authority to accept international students may also be placed at risk if APNTS allows a student to study without the proper visa.
16. Transactions Not Covered by the APNTS Visa Processing Fee
The following are separate transactions and expenses and are not included in the regular APNTS visa processing fee:
- Tourist Visa Extension;
- Annual Report;
- Emigration Clearance Certificate;
- Emergency request for early release of an ACR I-card;
- NBI Clearance;
- Medical examination;
- Downgrading of a Student Visa;
- Transfer of passport or visa information to a new passport;
- Penalties, fines, overstaying charges, and other immigration violations;
- Transportation, courier, photocopying, notarization, and personal appearance expenses when not specifically included; and
- Other requirements imposed by the Bureau of Immigration.
For Tourist Visa Extensions and Student Visa Downgrading, the student is responsible for processing the transaction. APNTS will provide necessary school documents when appropriate.
17. No Guarantee of Approval
APNTS assists students by preparing school documents, checking requirements, and coordinating authorized applications.
However, APNTS cannot guarantee:
- Approval of a visa application;
- Approval of an extension;
- Issuance of an ACR I-card;
- Acceptance of documents by an embassy or consulate;
- Waiver of penalties or fines; or
- Completion within a particular processing period.
All immigration decisions are made by the Bureau of Immigration or the appropriate Philippine embassy or consulate.
18. Final Reminder
International students are expected to manage their immigration responsibilities with the maturity, honesty, and initiative appropriate to graduate-level study.
The basic requirements are simple:
- Know when your documents will expire.
- Communicate with the Student Visa Officer early.
- Submit complete and truthful documents.
- Pay the required fees on time.
- Keep copies of all receipts and immigration documents.
- Respond promptly to official notices.
- Never wait until the last minute.
- Never participate in an unauthorized or dishonest transaction.
Maintaining lawful immigration status is ultimately the personal responsibility of each international student.
08.05.2026 jcr