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The Manila visa office asks Filipino students for more than the standard list, including an NBI clearance and an official fee schedule from the school. The proof of funds amount went up on September 1, 2026.
Written by NextMovePath editorial teamLast updated:
| IRCC processing time from Philippines | 5 weeks (Study permit (applying from outside Canada))IRCC's current estimate, as of September 28, 2026. Source: IRCC processing times |
|---|---|
| Living costs you must show (1 person, outside Quebec) | CAN$23,448 per year plus tuition and travel, about PHP 1.04 million at September 2026 ratesSource: IRCC: Study permit proof of financial support |
| Police certificate (applicants 18+) | Original NBI clearance issued within 3 months, with dry seal and thumbprintSource: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, study permit (IMM 5836) |
| Financial records (Manila checklist) | 6 months of bank records or fixed deposits, plus income tax documents and employer lettersSource: IRCC Manila visa office: Additional document checklist, study permit (IMM 5836) |
| Visa application centres | Manila and CebuSource: IRCC: Find a visa application centre |
For applications from September 1, 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 for one year of living costs, plus first-year tuition and travel. At about PHP 44 per Canadian dollar, living costs alone come to roughly PHP 1.04 million. Each family member who comes with you adds more.
Six months of bank records such as bank books and statements, or fixed deposits, for you, your spouse or parents. Add income tax documents with employment letters showing earnings, or proof of business income. If someone else supports you, include their letter, proof of relationship and the same financial records.
Yes, if you are 18 or older. The Manila checklist asks for the original NBI clearance issued within the last three months, with a dry seal and your thumbprint. A personal copy is not acceptable. You also need police certificates from any country where you lived six months or longer since 18.
An official fee schedule from the school covering tuition, housing, meals and other costs, a personal study plan linking the program to your background and career goals, and proof of all past and current education. Your passport should be valid for the whole program, since the permit cannot outlast it.
These are the grounds IRCC officers most often write in refusal letters for this kind of application. They are typical grounds, not statistics. Fix them before you apply, not after.
Tell us where you are in the process. A member of our team will tell you what is missing or weak in your Philippines application, before IRCC does.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and document lists change often. Confirm current requirements on canada.ca or with a licensed Canadian immigration representative (RCIC or lawyer) before you apply.