This is another burden on foreign students, Eucon International School president Christian Wei said yesterday.
According to Commerce, the power of attorney or legal guardianship form must be signed, filed and recorded at the local court.
The special power of attorney designates a person as a legal signatory for the student, Commerce Secretary Michael Ada said.
This way, if a student needs permission to go somewhere or participate in an activity, the sponsor will have the legal authority to permit the student.
Wei said complying with the new rule “is not easy on the part of the students and it is an additional cost to them.”
He added, “This new rule may drive away potential edu-business clients.”
But Wei said Eucon will abide with whatever Commerce requires them to do.
He is, however, disappointed with the department’s denial of foreign student visa applications.
Many students who have already enrolled for three months or more are not given student visas and are forced to leave the island, he said.
According to Wei, Commerce must be clear in its own regulations.
He said the best way to attract more foreign students is to provide them the visa first before asking for more additional requirements.
Moreover, Commerce should not deny student visa applications.
But Wayne Pangelinan of Ladera International School of Saipan said they do not have any difficulties complying with the new rule.
“I don’t think it is a hindrance to our business,” the LISS director said.
According to Pangelinan, the guardianship regulation is already being implemented by LISS since the school serves as a guardian to minor students.
But he said the new regulation will affect adult foreign students.
Processing of their foreign student visa application will be much more difficult now, he added.
Only 43 foreign students were given student permits last month.
