Getting your study-abroad papers ready in Philippines
In short: 3 offices in Philippines verify, attest or issue the papers a student visa asks for. For each: what it does, the official portal, the steps, the fee as its official page prints it and its offices, read on 16 October 2026.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) - Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV)
Checks and certifies college and university records (diploma, transcript of records) from private and local colleges so the DFA can apostille them.
Ask your college registrar for certified true copies of your diploma and transcript of records (TOR).
Apply online at the CHED eCAV portal, or let your school registrar endorse your papers to the CHED regional office (older counter route).
Pay the CAV fee.
Receive the CAV on security paper (eCAV certificates carry a QR code and application number).
Take the CAV, in its sealed envelope, to the DFA for the apostille.
Appointment: No appointment for the online eCAV route. For the regional route your school registrar endorses the papers to the CHED regional office.
Fee, as the official page prints it: CAV: ₱80.00; CTC: ₱30.00 per copy (per CAO No. 04 s.2014, as printed on the CHED Caraga regional page) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Offices
Quezon City (CHED Central Office): Higher Education Development Center Building, C.P. Garcia Ave, Diliman, Quezon City. Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go.
Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office - CAV of school records
Checks and certifies elementary and high school records (Form 137, diploma, certificate of graduation), including ALS and PEPT, so the DFA can apostille them.
Get your Form 137, certificate of enrolment or level completed, original diploma and certificate of graduation from your school.
Bring two passport-size photos (and PAASCU accreditation, ALS or PEPT certificate if they apply to you).
Submit everything to the Records Section or the Office of the Regional Director of your DepEd regional office.
The regional director approves and signs the CAV.
Collect it (or receive it by mail/courier or through your division liaison officer), then take it to the DFA for the apostille.
Appointment: Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go. Some regions now use online booking instead of walk-in.
Fee, as the official page prints it: Elementary: Php 45.00; Secondary: Php 15.00 (DepEd Region VII citizen's charter) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Offices
Cebu City (Region VII): DepEd ROVII, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City (address used on the charter for letters to the Regional Director). Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go.
German Embassy Manila - Legalisation of Philippine documents
Legalises Philippine papers for use in Germany (PSA civil status papers, NBI clearance, university degrees), because Germany does not accept the Philippine apostille alone.
Get the DFA authentication certificate (apostille) on the paper first. It must be the physical paper: e-Apostilles and electronic documents cannot be legalised.
Book an appointment, either with VFS Global (visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/deu/legalizations, service fee extra) or directly with the Embassy (no walk-ins).
Go in person or send a representative with a signed power of attorney and a copy of your ID. Papers sent by post are not processed.
Pay the fee (cash in pesos or Visa/MasterCard at the Embassy).
Fee, as the official page prints it: The fee for legalization is EUR 36.00 per document (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Offices
Makati City, Metro Manila: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 25/F Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., 1200 Makati City, Metro Manila. General visits Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 to 9:30 am; phone Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Friday 7:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where to apply for a student visa from Philippines
United Kingdom
VFS Global (UK Visa Application Centres), after you apply online on GOV.UK · Official booking
Apply and pay for the Student visa online on GOV.UK (the earliest is 6 months before your course starts).
Follow the link to VFS Global to book an appointment at a centre.
Attend in person to give your fingerprints and photo, and bring your passport and papers.
Wait for the decision (usually within 3 weeks), then set up your eVisa in a UKVI account.
Manila (Makati): 6th Floor, Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two (as given in the VFS launch notice of 11 March 2024). Monday to Friday, 7AM to 4PM (VFS launch notice, March 2024)
Cebu: Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go.. Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go.
German Embassy Manila (study visas are submitted in person at the Embassy, not at VFS) · Official booking
Collect all papers first (admission letter, proof of money such as a blocked account, school/university records, language proof).
Book a national visa appointment for study on the Embassy booking system.
Go in person on your appointment day; the Embassy does not take applicants without an appointment.
Pay the visa fee (printed as 'Visa fee 75 Euro, payable in PHP').
Makati City, Metro Manila: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 25/F Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., 1200 Makati City, Metro Manila. Visa applications by appointment only: Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 2:30 pm, Friday 8:00 am to 11:30 am