University of the Philippines Exchange Students Guide

Hello exchange students!

Welcome to the UP. The first time that I went through the whole process I was more than confused. This is a step by step guide on how to do “this”. It may not apply to everyone but it should be a good starting place. Good luck and once again welcome!

1)      Now that you have found Ms. Ester Mendoza, get her phone number, she is going to help you a lot

2)      Go to the photo copy center at the back of this building/complex and get 10 copies of your passport, 6 of your most recent entry stamp, and 5 copies of your letter of admission. I know it seems like a lot but you will want them. This is going to be around 15 pesos

3)      Next you will need to go to the shopping center that is located on Katipuan Rd. In there you will find several stores that will take your photo for you. You are going to want 15 2x2 photos and 5 1x1. This will cost you about 100 pesos. Once you have them, always have several with you, people will want your photo for every form.

4)      While at the shopping center it will be a good idea if you buy a folder of some sort to keep all of the papers you are going to collect in order

5)      Once you have all of this you can return to Ms. Ester and she will give you a permission to study form.

6)      Take your permission to study form to the OUR (the registration / admission office). There you need to ask a student helper if you can speak with Jenn in admissions.

7)      Jenn will tell you that you need to go to your college or program to register, but that first you need to go online and update your profile and print out form 5A. She will give you your student ID number and a pass word.

8)      There are internet cafes at the shopping center as well as in near the OSA(where you found Ms. Ester). Various other building may have internet available however these two places are your best bet. Internet on campus costs around 10 pesos every 30min

9)      Once you have done this go to where Jenn told you to register and register!

10)  After you register you will be given your form 5, this is your key to life over the next week, so try not to destroy it.

11)  You will most likely be informed that you need to bring your form 5 to Jenn for assessment of how much you will pay.

12)  Once assessed you can head up to the 3^rd floor of the OUR to pay your tuition, it is cash only, they will however give you change if you do not have the exact amount.

13)  While you are in the building get in line for miscellaneous fees, there you can pay about 150 pesos for your student ID

14)  After you have the receipt for your ID go down to the second floor to the ID room to have your photo taken

15)  Now you need to go to the informatory / university health services for a series of exams. This will be free and they will tell you to come back in a few days to pick up your x-ray.

16)  At this point you need to go to a store and buy a good plastic container.

17)  Return to Health services to retrieve your x-ray and completed health form

18)  In order to receive your student visa you need to go the Bureau of quarantine and international health surveillance. It is located in metro manila next to manila hotel. On 25^th and Delgado St in the port area. The phone number is 527 4655 or 527 4654.  You need to bring a stool (poop) sample with you for your exam as well as two photos, your passport and your chest x-ray. If you do not have your chest x-ray they will take one there for 300 pesos. You can take public transit however it will be easiest to take a taxi. A taxi from the university to quarantine will cost around 180 pesos. Once you are finished they will ask you to come back in a day or two

19)  In a day or two return to quarantine to receive your results, be sure to bring your passport.

20)  Go to the photo copy center and make a copy of your results, you never know when you might need them

21)  Take your results back to Ms Ester along with your form 5

22)  Ms Ester has a friend who will process your student visa for you or you have the option of doing it yourself.  You will need to get a security clearance that takes about two weeks before your student visa will be processed and issued. Most likely this process will make your tourist visa stamp expire and you will need to apply for an extension …. All in all if Ms. Esters friend does this for you it will cost around 10,000 pesos, which you will need to pay in cash.

23)  Now that you have your student visa on the way you can take your medical results to the place you registered

I know its a lot but I hope that following this will help eliminate the back and forth confusion that I faced with I did this for the first time! Have a great semester!