Indonesian and Vietnamese Students at Philippine Universities: Admission, Costs and English-Taught Programs

Why Indonesian and Vietnamese students look at the Philippines

Most degree programs at Philippine universities teach entirely in English, since English holds status as an official language of instruction across the country's higher education system. That removes the language barrier that pushes some regional applicants toward English-taught programs in Malaysia or Singapore instead of a domestic-language system closer to home.

Tuition and living costs in cities like Manila, Cebu, and Davao sit well below equivalent programs in Australia, the UK, or the US, and flight time from Jakarta or Hanoi stays under four hours. Universities such as University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, and Mapua University run dedicated international admissions offices that recruit actively across ASEAN.

Admission requirements

Each university sets its own entry requirements, so check the specific program page before applying, but most ask for the same core documents.

• Notarized or apostilled high school diploma and transcript of records

• A completed application form through the university's international office

• Passport copy valid for the length of your intended stay

• Proof of financial capacity to cover tuition and living costs

• Some programs ask for an English proficiency score even from English-medium applicants. Confirm this directly with your target university, since the requirement varies by school and program

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) oversees recognition and equivalency of foreign secondary credentials, and your university's international office guides you through this step rather than requiring you to deal with CHED directly.

Universities that actively recruit Vietnamese and Indonesian students

University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University in Manila run large international student populations across business, engineering, and health science programs. Ateneo de Manila University focuses on business, social science, and humanities degrees with a global exchange network. Far Eastern University and Mapua University offer engineering, IT, and nursing programs at a lower cost point than the older Catholic universities, a common choice for regional applicants working with a tighter budget.

Contact each university's international or global affairs office directly for a current program list and fee schedule, since offerings and English-taught options change between academic years.

English-taught programs and typical fields

Business administration, information technology, nursing, hospitality management, and engineering draw the largest numbers of Indonesian and Vietnamese applicants. Nursing and hospitality programs in particular carry a strong reputation across the region, since Philippine graduates in these fields have long worked internationally after graduation.

Tuition varies widely between a public state university and a private Manila institution, and between a general business program and a specialized health science degree. Get a written fee schedule directly from your shortlisted university's international office before you commit, since published estimates online go out of date quickly.

The 9(F) student visa

Citizens of Indonesia and Vietnam generally enter the Philippines visa-free as tourists for a set period, and most students convert this status to a 9(F) student visa from inside the country once their university confirms enrollment. Confirm your passport's specific visa-free entry terms with the nearest Philippine embassy before you travel, since rules differ by nationality and change over time.

The Bureau of Immigration issues the 9(F) visa to any foreign national at least 18 years old enrolling in a course above high school level at a university, seminary, or college. The application runs through these steps.

1. Get your Notice of Acceptance from the university and let their international office guide the visa filing, since most schools handle this alongside you.

2. Collect the CGAF (General Application Form) from the Bureau of Immigration or its website, and complete it with your documents.

3. Submit your application to the Central Receiving Unit for pre-screening.

4. Pay the visa conversion fee, PHP 9,720 total, plus a separate USD 50 fee for your ACR I-Card.

5. Complete biometric data capture at the Alien Registration Division.

6. Check your application status online, then submit your passport for visa implementation once approved.

7. Claim your ACR I-Card, your proof of registered alien status while you study.

Extending the visa each academic year costs PHP 4,020 plus the same USD 50 ACR I-Card fee. Keep your student status current every term, since a lapsed visa affects your ability to stay enrolled and to leave and re-enter the country.

Budgeting beyond tuition

Factor in the ACR I-Card fee, annual visa renewal, dormitory or apartment rent, health insurance, and a local phone plan on top of tuition. Manila costs more than regional cities like Cebu, Davao, or Baguio, so a campus outside the capital stretches a fixed budget further without a real drop in program quality at CHED-recognized institutions.

Common questions

• Working while studying: a 9(F) student visa does not include a general work permit. Any part-time work needs separate authorization from the Department of Labor and Employment, so check with your university's international office before taking on paid work.

• Medical exam: universities and the Bureau of Immigration commonly require proof of medical fitness as part of enrollment and visa processing. Confirm the exact requirement with your university's admissions office, since it varies by school.

• Switching universities: visa status ties to your enrolled institution, so transferring schools requires updating your immigration record. Speak to the Bureau of Immigration or your new university's international office before you transfer.