Visa path: Philippines

English courses on SSP

Study without a student visa: visa-free entry + school-filed Special Study Permit (Cebu/Manila)

Language study in the Philippines needs no student visa: visa-free entry (30 days, BI extensions) plus a Special Study Permit filed by an accredited school in ~5 business days (BI circular SBM-2015-007). No language, education or age requirements — beginners are accepted; Cebu is a global budget-ESL hub. The SSP is co-terminus with the course, up to 6 months per issuance, renewable; no work allowed (fine/deportation); study does not lead to PR. A year of "intensive + living" ≈ $14,500 (24 weeks of a school package + tourist-status extensions + six months of independent living); a bachelor's degree starts at ~$6,000/yr at UP Diliman.

Path — Philippines · updated 2026-08-30

1. 1

   Pick a BI-accredited school and book the course

   ⏱ Duration: 1–4 wk▸ Cost: about $100–200

   Conditions

   A school accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreigners — Cebu or ManilaA "tuition, room and board" package — about $1,200–1,800 per 4 weeksBudget benchmark: a year of intensive study with living costs — about $14,500

   The school’s deposit or registration fee

2. 2

   Arrive visa-free

   ⏱ Duration: 30 days per entry

   You'll need

   RF international passport valid for at least 6 moA return or onward ticket

   Conditions

   Visa-free entry for Russian citizens — Executive Order 408, since 2013
3. 3

   The school files the Special Study Permit (SSP)

   ⏱ Duration: ≈5 business days▸ Cost: about $140

   Conditions

   Only an accredited school can file — Bureau of Immigration circular SBM-2015-007The permit runs with the course, up to 6 mo per issuance

   Watch out

   Working on this permit is not allowed — a PHP 20,000 fine and deportation

   PHP 5,240 and $50 for the ACR card at the official tariff; schools charge about PHP 12,000 all-in

4. 4

   Extend tourist status as the course runs

   ⏱ Duration: up to 36 mo in total▸ Cost: about $50

   Conditions

   The first extension is 29 days (59 in total), then 1-, 2- and 6-month ones (LSVVE)The ACR I-Card is mandatory after 59 days of stayLeaving after a stay of 6 mo or more requires an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC)

   PHP 3,030 for the 29-day extension