We hope this information will be helpful to you as you make plan to come to AIIAS for your graduate studies. International students should not leave their homeland until they have received an admissions, invitation or acceptance letter, a valid passport good for a period of not less than 6 months, and sufficient funds to finance their studies.
All international students will need to obtain a 47(a)2 Scholar Visa to study at AIIAS. However, since applying for it prior to your arrival is expensive and time-consuming, you are advised to come on a 9A Visitor’s Visa, which is valid for a 59-day stay in the Philippines. This visa is obtained at the Philippine Embassy in your respective country of origin or residence. Upon your arrival, the Student Services Office (SSO) will help to process the change status from the 9(a) Visitor’s Visa to a 47(a)2 Scholar Visa. For this purpose, the admission to AIIAS must be completed immediately after arrival, so that the passport can be submitted to the Office of the Student Services for visa processing. However, some nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or the next port of destination. In another words, upon arrival at the Manila airport, these nationals will be given an EO-21 visa status in the country. Should you decide on this option, you can expect to spend additional visa extension fee. Students are advised to contact the Philippine Embassy or your travel agent if in doubt. Please visit this website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines.
For immigration purposes, students must present the following documents as applicable: 1. Students and their dependents’ passports with at least 12 months validity. 2. Original copy of Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificates of their dependents. 3. At least five copies, each certified as a true copy with an official English translation, should be attached to every original if the certificates are not in English. Students’ children aged 18 or above will not be covered under their parents’ 47(a)2 Scholar Visa. They need to contact the school or college where they intend to study. The college will have to apply for a separate visa for them.
After obtaining the visa, you are ready to come to AIIAS. On the other hand, you should make sure that your accommodation is being arranged for by the Student Services Office. The earliest time you can come is indicated on the 9A visitor’s visa you receive. Make sure you do not come later than the date stated on your visitor’s visa, and yet keep in mind that you should come about one week before classes begin.
If you encounter a problem, you may contact our driver on cell phone numbers 0918 801 6810 / 0918 801 6809 or AIIAS # 046 414-4300.
Passengers boarding an international airline carrier will proceed to Terminal I of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). After your luggage has been picked up and you have gone through the Customs checkpoint, you will proceed to the passenger pick-up area. Walk across the road and proceed down the LEFT ramp to the Passengers Arrival Extension Area. Wait at the bottom of the ramp (ground floor) under the appropriate letter sign of your family name. (e.g. Family name of Cruz will stand under the overhead sign of ‘C’)
Find out which airlines are currently being served by Terminal 1.
Passengers boarding Philippine Airlines for both international and domestic flights will proceed to Terminal II (Centennial Terminal). After your luggage has been picked up and you have gone through the Customs checkpoint, exit the terminal and proceed right towards the taxi booth where seats are available. Wait for our driver who will be carrying a placard with your name.
Find out which airlines are currently being served by Terminal 2.
Passengers boarding airlines arriving at Terminal 3, after going through Customs checkpoint can exit the terminal and wait at Bay 8 – 10 for our driver who will be carrying a placard with your name.
Find out which airlines are currently being served by Terminal 3.
As an AIIAS student, you have the privilege of living in one of our Student Housing (previously referred to as student apartments). A limited number of furnished units for AIIAS student families or single students are provided on the AIIAS campus and in the annex apartments a short distance from campus. Student housing is assigned by the Housing Committee according to the AIIAS housing priority policy. Students are expected to provide their own bedding, curtains, cooking utensils, cutlery, and dishes. Dual voltage of 110v, and 220v, 60-cycle electricity is available. Housing is assigned according to the housing priority policy after a student is academically accepted and financially cleared. Housing off-campus in the local community is available by private arrangement. Assistance in locating off-campus housing may be obtained from the Student Services Office. Student Housing Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
An International School, AIIAS Academy (Grades K-12), operates on the AIIAS campus for the benefit of the children of faculty, staff, and graduate students. School-age children who do not know English are strongly advised to attend summer school classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) before entering the regular school-year program. These summer classes begin during the last week of March. All foreign students who are not covered by an AIIAS scholar 47(a)2 visa are required to secure a Special Study Permit (SSP).
Students who plan to attend college in the Philippines are encouraged to attend Philippine high schools, such as Adventist University of the Philippines Academy or Lipa Adventist Academy, after sixth grade. Those wishing to attend AUP Academy (26 km away), may use the public transportation available at the AIIAS front gate. Those not wishing to commute may take advantage of one of several Adventist secondary boarding schools available in the Philippines.
Private arrangements must be made for tuition costs and/or for out-of-home care of preschool-age children. A playground for young children is central to the living quarters for married students on campus.
The Philippines is typically tropical, hot, and humid year-round. The average temperature is around 25°C. Usually, the dry season is from January to June, while the wet season is July to December. December to February is the ‘cool dry’ period, while March to May is the ‘hot dry’ period. You can expect rain from July to September. Students are advised to bring appropriate clothing that matches the climate here in the Philippines.
Imported goods are available for purchase with US dollars within 48 hours of arrival in the Philippines at the Fiesta Mall Duty Free Shop, which is located near the airport.
Public transportation to the nearby town of Silang (2 km) is readily available almost 24 hours a day. Fresh products can be purchased in Silang on any day of the week. Silang market days are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. In addition, an on-campus market is open every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
A small AIIAS canteen near the students’ living quarters offers basic food and supplies at a reasonable cost. Shopping can also be done in nearby malls in Silang, Tagaytay, Pala-Pala, and Dasmarinas using public transportation available at the AIIAS gate.
Under Philippine law, those who enter the country on student visas are not allowed to have gainful employment. Expenses of foreign students must be paid from abroad.
