Study & Work Rules in the Philippines 2026 — Complete Guide
A complete guide to student visa requirements and part-time work rules in the Philippines.
The Philippines is extremely popular among Japanese students as an affordable English study destination, with many schools offering one-on-one lessons for rapid language improvement.
Student Visa
Type: Special Study Permit (SSP) or Student Visa
Fee: PHP6,000–12,500 (initial SSP issuance fee; additional school processing fees may apply)
Processing: 1–3 weeks
Work Rules
Students on an SSP or 9(f) student visa cannot work without additional authorization. However, a Special Work Permit (SWP) can be obtained separately from the Bureau of Immigration, allowing part-time work for up to 6 months (renewable). SWPs are commonly approved for on-campus jobs, tutoring, and research assistantships. Requirements for SWP issuance were eased under new DOLE/BI guidelines effective August 2025. Unauthorized work can result in deportation and fines.
Use the MoveWorth.study simulator to estimate your total costs for studying in the Philippines.
References
The information in this article is based on the following official sources.
Simulate Your Study Abroad Costs with MoveWorth.study
Enter your destination, duration, and tuition to get a free estimate of your total study abroad budget.
Start Simulation