Philippine govt tightens screening for foreign students

Philippine has tightened its rules in screening applications for student   The Philippine government has tightened its rules in screening applications for student visas following reports on the alleged presence of "fake" foreign students, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said that he recently issued a memorandum order prescribing new guidelines in the issuance of student visa and special study permit (SSP) to foreigners enrolled in various schools of the country.
Student visa is issued to foreigners, at least 18 years old, who will be taking up a course higher than high school at a university, seminary, college, or school duly authorized to admit foreign students.
On the other hand, special study permits (SSPs) are issued to foreign students below 18 who will study in the elementary, secondary, tertiary levels and those who will enroll in a special course of less than one year.
David said the new rule was imposed after reports reached him that unscrupulous travel agents have been conniving with foreigners in submitting fake or fraudulent transcript of records/ school records for the student visa and SSP applications.
"We have to make sure that only foreigners actually studying in the Philippines are given these visas. This anomaly should be stopped because these fake foreign students are blatantly violating our laws," the BI chief declared.
David said he already ordered the investigation and identification of the fake alien students so that their visas can be canceled and they are arrested and deported.
The new rules also provide that only schools accredited by the BI, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Federation of Accrediting Agencies are authorized to accept foreign students.