CHED, BI urged: Check students for visa, permits

CEBU, Philippines - With classes resuming across the country tomorrow, Councilor Edgardo Labella is calling on the regional office of the Bureau of Immigration and Commission on Higher Education to look into reports that some schools in Cebu City have accepted foreign students who do not have a visa or a study permit.

In a resolution, Labella said immigration rules and regulations require that foreign students who wish to enroll in elementary and high schools or those who want to take special courses such as language tutorials must first apply for a special study permit.

Foreign students who intend to get student visas and special study permits may have their applications evaluated with the BI Student Desks.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. himself has reminded schools that they must also seek accreditation from the bureau before accepting foreign students. Schools that violate the rule may be fined.

“Some concerned local school officials have commented that there is a need to monitor if, like them, all other schools and universities accepting foreign students for enrollment here in Cebu, have followed a legitimate process, particularly checking on foreign students’ qualifications and immigration requirements to enable these foreigners to enroll in the Philippines,” Labella’s resolution reads.

Labella said that the Local Government Code vests the city government to promote measures designed to protect locally-accredited schools within its jurisdiction, and foreign students enrolled therein. (FREEMAN)