ISSO: VISA CONVERSION

Links COMPLETING THE AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT | APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA ABROAD | VISA CONVERSION | COST OF LIVING & STUDY EXPENSES

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION OF A STUDENT VISA ABROAD

A. Accomplish the following documents required by ATS. Documents 1-10 below can be downloaded to your computer, printed, and filled out.

1. ATS Application Form Download PDF
2. Account of Conversion
3. Record of Christian Service, signed by your pastor or church/parish official
4. Church Board Endorsement
5. Why I wish to come to the Philippines for seminary training
6. Plans after I graduate from ATS
7. Character Reference Forms (from your pastor, church official/employer and a Christian friend)
8. Waiver signed
9. Signed Statement of Beliefs
10. Doctrinal Survey fully completed and signed
11. Three pcs. (2"x 2") and one pc. (1"x1") colored photographs of yourself
12. Photocopy of most recent official TOEFL or IELTS test score sheet(s) if you do not wish to take ATS's English Proficiency Test

B. You will need the following documents required by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration:

1. Written endorsement from the school (ATS) for the change/conversion of the admission status of the alien to that of a student enclosing the following supporting documents:
2. Original copy of the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) containing a clear impression of ATS's official dry seal;
3. A notarized affidavit of support including bank statements or notarized notice of grant for institutional scholars to cover expenses for the students accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses (For Cost of Living & Study Estimate, click here) ;
4. Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the student's country of origin or legal residence;
5. Police Clearance Certificate issued by the National Police Authorities in the student's country of origin or residence duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post having consular jurisdiction over the place.
6. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance.
7. Quarantine Medical Examination by the National Quarantine Office;
8. Copy of the student's Personal History Statement signed by the student with 2x2-inch photograph recently taken;
9. Photocopy of the picture, data and stamp of the latest arrival pages of the passport of the student. The passport itself shall be presented to the Bureau for verification.

The ATS International Students Services Office (ISSO) will help the foreign applicant in accomplishing items B 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9. Items B 4 and 5 must be hand carried for submission to the ATS Registrar's Office.

Since ATS operates out of a two-semestral period, the deadlines for accomplishing all the requirements of the application process, including securing a student visa to the Philippines, are:

• April 30th of the current year - in order to enroll for the 1st semester, which starts in June
• September 30th of the current year - in order to enroll for the 2nd semester, which starts in November

Please allow sufficient time for the processing and transmission of the various documents required for study in the Philippines and in Asian Theological Seminary.

For prospective students who are already in the Philippines on a tourist visa, please note that the Bureau of Immigration gives the applicant anywhere from 21 to 59 days in order to accomplish all requirements for the conversion of the tourist visa to student visa. If the applicant is unable to meet the requirements within the period granted by the Bureau, the prospective student must apply for an extension of his visa.