Special Study Permit and Visa Extension: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students
To study English in the Philippines you need two things: a valid tourist visa for the length of your stay, and a Special Study Permit (SSP). Many nationalities get a free 29-day tourist visa on arrival, which you extend if you stay longer. The SSP costs about $200 and every student needs one. At Paradise English, our office prepares the paperwork and organises visa help every week, and there is an immigration office right here on Boracay. This guide explains each step.
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change. Always check the current rules for your nationality before you book your flight. This article explains how it usually works for our students; it is not legal advice.
The two documents at a glance
| Tourist visa | Special Study Permit (SSP) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your permission to stay in the Philippines | Your permission to study while you are here |
| Who needs it | Every visitor (free on arrival for many nationalities) | Every student taking a course in the Philippines |
| Length | 29 days on arrival, then extensions | Covers your studies |
| Cost | Free on arrival; first extension about $85 | About $200 |
| Who arranges it | You, with help from our office | Our office prepares the documents |
Step 1: before you travel, check your passport's rules
Many nationalities receive a free tourist visa on arrival, valid for 29 days. Some nationalities need to apply for a visa before they travel. Check the rules for your passport with the Philippine embassy or consulate in your country, and make sure your passport is valid for your whole stay.
Plan your course length at the same time. A 1- to 4-week course usually fits inside the first 29 days. If you want to stay longer, that is no problem: you simply extend your visa on the island (step 4).
Step 2: book your course and tell us your dates
When you book, tell us your arrival date and how long you plan to stay. That lets our office plan your SSP and any visa extension in advance. Not sure which course fits? Compare them on our 2026 price list or take the free level test.
Step 3: arrive and get your Special Study Permit
All students in the Philippines must have a Special Study Permit, whatever their course and however long they study. It costs about $200 and is paid in addition to your course.
You don't need to work out the paperwork alone. Our office prepares the documents and helps you through the process. You will need your passport; our team will tell you if anything else is required for your case.
Step 4: extend your tourist visa if you stay longer than 29 days
If your stay is longer than 29 days, extend your visa before it runs out. The usual pattern is:
- First extension: another 29 days, costing about $85.
- Further extensions: every 60 days after that.
- Maximum: you can keep extending for up to one year.
Here is the good news for Boracay students: there is an immigration office on the island, so you don't need to leave Boracay. Our office organises visa assistance every week, so extensions fit around your classes.
Keep an eye on your dates. Each student is responsible for having a valid visa and documents during their stay, so note when your visa ends and talk to our office in good time.
Step 5: keep your documents safe
- Keep your passport somewhere safe, and carry a copy or a photo of the main page when you go out.
- Keep the receipts and papers for your SSP and visa extensions until you leave the country.
- If your plans change and you want to stay longer, tell our office early.
What it costs: a quick example
Say you book 4 weeks of General English with a shared dorm room. You pay the registration fee ($130) and the SSP (about $200) on top of your course and room. Together that comes to $1,439 in 2026. If you arrive a few days early or stay on to travel, add the first visa extension of about $85.
For a full budget, including meals, extras and what's not included, read what a month of studying English in the Philippines costs.
Long stays: 3, 6 or 12 months
Many students stay for several months, and the longer you stay, the less you pay per week. After the first 29-day extension, you extend every 60 days, up to one year in total. Each extra week of General English after the first 4 weeks costs $205, and a shared dorm room $77 per extra week.
Tips from our office
- Check before you fly. Visa rules differ by country and can change.
- Tell us your exact dates when you book, so we can plan your paperwork.
- Don't let your visa run out. Extend in good time, before the last day.
- Ask us. Our office handles SSPs and extensions every week and can answer your questions.
Planning the rest of your trip? Read how to get to Boracay, what to pack and is Boracay safe for students, or see more answers in our FAQ.
FAQ
Do I need a student visa to study English in the Philippines?
Language students usually study on a tourist visa plus a Special Study Permit. Many nationalities get a free 29-day tourist visa on arrival, which can be extended on Boracay. Check the rules for your passport before booking.
How much does the Special Study Permit cost?
About $200. Every student in the Philippines needs one, and our office prepares the documents for you.
Do I have to leave Boracay to extend my visa?
No. There is an immigration office on the island, and our office organises visa assistance every week.
How long can I stay?
After the first 29 days, you extend for another 29 days, then every 60 days, for up to one year in total.
Have a question about your own visa situation or dates? Write to us and we'll reply within one working day, together with a free personal quote.
