NewLife International School of Midwifery: Student Information

Passports

A passport is obviously required for international travel. Passports must be current with a minimum of six months remaining until the date of expiration. If your passport is scheduled to expire while you are in the Philippines it can easily be renewed at the U.S. Embassy or the embassy of each student's respective country if their embassy/consulate is located in Manila.

Please make sure to photocopy the inside identification cover of the passport and keep it in a separate place in case of loss. This way, it is easy to replace it at the Embassy. It is also a good idea to photocopy your plane tickets in case of loss.

Visas/Immigration

It is NOT necessary to secure a visa from the Philippine consulate in the States or Canada prior to departure. An automatic 21-day tourist visa (9a classification) will be issued upon your arrival into the Philippines.

The necessary visa renewals or extensions beyond the initial 21 days can be secured in Davao City at the local Dept. of Immigration office once the initial visa expires. Each renewal cost money. Visa fees vary and the prices change according to the policies and fees mandated by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

It is the policy of Newlife School, in accordance with Philippine Bureau of Immigration laws, that each student must apply for a special 9g Missionary Visa after they arrive in Davao (including the husband and children if the student is married). Newlife School will guide and direct each student how to process their 9g visa once they are in Davao.

Each student should expect to pay approximately $800* for a 9g visa plus the fees to renew the 9a visa issued upon arrival until the 9g visa is finalized. Costs for a family will be higher. Typically, the process to apply for and receive a 9g visa varies between 6-9 months.

A 9g visa is valid for two years and once finalized an iCard will be issued the student. Afterwards, there are no additional expenses or Immigration needs involved related to the visa other than paying an exit tax upon departure.

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IMPORTANT VISA INFORMATION: Church Letters Required

A student's healthy relationship with their local church is vital since it is our belief that true missions is an extension of the local church body of believers.

It is our genuine hope that each applicant's respective home church will embrace the uniqueness of this school and consider that our students function very much in the capacity of an actual missionary; praying with their patients, language learning, cultural immersion, cross-cultural ministry, etc.

With this understanding, certain letters from the student's home church are required to help validate the 'mission' aspect of the student attending Newlife School of Midwifery.

Please click HERE for personal letter from the school directors.

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Banking

Each student needs to have access to funds for personal expenses. Most students use the local ATM machines to withdraw funds that are given in the local currency and drawn off the student's home bank in the States. Students may also open a bank account here in Davao by depositing their personal check drawn off their bank account in the States. Simply bring your checkbook with you and you may write yourself checks for deposit. The only drawback is that checks require a 30 day clearance time before those funds can be withdrawn. So you need to budget ahead. Please note: Philippine banking policies for processing Canadian checks may involve additional fees.

In the event of an emergency, and cash is needed quickly, there is the option of receiving an international wire transfer through the bank. A final option is to make a cash advance on a credit card. Please do not bring travelers checks since they are difficult to cash and receive low exchange rates. It is advisable to bring new crisp dollars in large denominations, preferably $100 bills. You may also use this money to open a bank account until your first check is cleared after 30 days. Credit and Debit cards are also becoming more widely accepted here in the country.

Visitors

We regularly receive visitors at our clinic and each student is certainly welcome to invite friends and family members from their home for a visit. Female visitors may be allowed to stay at one of the student dormitories if space is available. Please be advised they will be charged for room and board which is a minimal fee. There are several very nice hotels available as well as guest houses or apartelles that are reasonably priced. It is understood that guests of the students will abide by our Honor Code and School Policies and that students assume full responsibility for their visitors. It is also important that visitors do not infringe on the student's responsibilities related to her clinical schedule.

Vacation/Breaks

Each student will be given a one month leave of vacation after the first year of school is completed. Year-end breaks will be scheduled by the school director. Please check with the director prior to booking your return ticket from the Philippines to the States for your vacation plans.

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Legal Notification: Newlife School requires each student to sign a Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, Indemnity and Release upon arrival in Davao City. This document serves to protect the interests of Newlife School and fully releases the school from any liability or claim that may arise while a student is enrolled.

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*Actual visa fees and related policies are subject to change according to the policy of the Philippine Government. In addition, the U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuations can affect the overall cost to secure the appropriate 9g visa. Total cumulative 9g visa costs including iCard fees may be higher than the projected budget of $800. Total Immigration costs will of course be greater for married students.

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