The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is ready for a possible influx of foreign students returning to the Philippines amid the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente assured that the process of converting to student visas remains smooth and seamless.
Before the pandemic, 35,000 foreign students were studying different courses in the country, many of whom were in the medical field. The majority of them were repatriated back to their home countries, following the nationwide closures and lockdowns during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Anthony Cabrera, the Chief of the BI’s Student Visa Section, said that they are expecting the return of foreign students to the country by the third quarter of this year when the schools start their school year, as some schools have already announced that they will be holding limited face-to-face classes and expresses their desire to resume accepting foreign students and encouraging them to come back and continue their courses.
Cabrera has already coordinated with the concerned parties and different agencies in charge of foreign students to ensure that they are ready to process the applications of those who will be returning.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that they are also marketing the Philippines as a destination for learners, particularly those who want to study English.
According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero De Vera III, 313 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide, with over 1,000-degree programs, have started implementing face-to-face classes.
admin (n.d.). BI ready for influx of foreign students. [online] Available at: https://metrosundaily.com/nation/bi-ready-for-influx-of-foreign-students/ [Accessed 3 Jun. 2022].
Manila Bulletin. (n.d.). CHED: 313 HEIs, over 1K degree programs now holding face-to-face classes. [online] Available at: https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/12/ched-313-heis-over-1k-degree-programs-now-holding-face-to-face-classes/ [Accessed 3 Jun. 2022].
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