Below are the items generally required for your studies and daily life, as well as those required by the Philippine government. Please make sure to prepare the items marked in red below.
- Passport: Must have a validity period of at least 6 months remaining from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Please keep a copy of your passport for personal records.
- Round-trip Air Ticket: A round-trip ticket is mandatory regardless of your nationality or visa status. If you are not a Philippine national, you must have an outbound flight ticket when entering the Philippines.
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA): One that can be received from the school within one week of registration.
- Pickup Letter: One that can be received from the school 4 to 7 days prior to arrival at the Philippine airport. This pickup letter includes information such as who will be picking you up at the airport and emergency contact details (social messenger, phone number).
- Visa: In principle, a student visa is not required for admission to the ESL school. However, depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa-free entry (Japan, Korea,
- Vietnam, etc.) or a tourist visa (Taiwan, China, Indonesia, etc.) before arriving in the Philippines. Once you have entered the Philippines, you can apply for a Special Study Permit (SSP) at the immigration office. The school will handle this process for you upon your arrival.
- Travel Insurance: Please apply for travel insurance for your own safety.
- Local Currency: Please exchange your money into Philippine Pesos before arriving at the airport. An amount equivalent to approximately 50 to 100 US dollars is sufficient.
- Debit/Credit Card usable overseas.
- Laptop: Essential for classes and daily life.
- Tablet/iPad: Necessary for reading E-books. If you do not have a tablet or iPad, a laptop alone is sufficient.
- Earphones: To watch videos without disturbing your roommate.
- Water bottle, cup: Recommended for hygiene and convenience.
- Notebook, pencil, stationery, etc.
- Jacket: Classrooms are always air-conditioned, so it can be cold.
- Slippers, sunglasses, hat, umbrella (essential, especially from May to October).
- Shampoo, tissues, soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, hair dryer, etc.: Available for purchase at shopping malls in the Philippines.
English prescription and doctor’s note:
If you need to take prescription medication for more than 30 days to the Philippines, you must carry an English prescription and a doctor’s note.
Individuals with kidney, heart, or neurological conditions are advised to carry a doctor’s note in English just in case, even if symptoms are mild. Medication can be purchased in the Philippines if necessary.
*If this applies to you, please double-check with the airline to ensure there are no issues with carrying these medications on board.
Handling of Portable Power Banks, Adapters, etc.
Do not place unauthorized items such as power banks (lithium batteries), adapters, e-cigarettes, lighters, and flammable materials (spray, alcohol, paint) in checked baggage. Instead, carry them in your carry-on baggage and comply with the guidelines required by the airline.
In particular, an increasing number of airlines are cracking down strictly on power banks, and you must be aware that violating these guidelines may result in the cancellation of your flight boarding.
