QUICK SUMMARY- How To Apply For The 13A Spousal Visa In The Philippines
What is the Philippines 13a visa?
Foreigners who want to live in the Philippines long-term to enjoy the gorgeous beaches, friendly locals, and affordable prices have a few different visa options:
- You can play the renewal game with a tourist visa, which allows you to stay for up to 36 months.
- If you meet the age and financial requirements, the SRRV is one of the cheapest retirement visas in the world.
- If you are married to a former Filipino citizen who is now a naturalized citizen of a foreign country, the 13g Balikbayan Visa is ideal.
- However, the most popular long-term visa for foreigners moving to the Philippines remains the 13a Permanent Visa.
The main requirements of the 13s Alien Spouse Visa are:
- A Filipino national partner.
- A valid marriage certificate recognized by the Philippines.
- Proof you have the financial ability to support yourself and your family.
- Are a foreigner from this list of 82 countries that grant permanent residence and immigration privileges to Filipinos
In my previous article, I detailed the Philippines 13a Visa, the specific immigration laws that allow foreign nationals to live in the Philippines, and the requirements and steps of applying for the visa at the Philippine Consulate General in your country of origin.
Additionally, I recommended applying for the 13a Spouse Visa from your country of residence and why that method is cheaper and faster than processing the 13a in the Philippines. However, if your Philippine spouse is stuck in the Philippines, you cannot apply for the 13a abroad.
Your alternative is applying for your Probationary 13a Visa at a Bureau of Immigration Office (BI) in the Philippines (see the list here).
This post is meant for married foreigners currently in the Philippines with their Filipino national partners who want to convert their tourist visa to 13A Permanent Non-Quota Immigrant Visa. If you are applying for the 13a outside the Philippines, read Part 1 for the specific requirements.
Can You Help Me With My 13a Marriage Visa?
Yes. I have Visa and Immigration Specialist ready to remove the hassle, headaches, and complexity of the Marriage Visa Process. My Visa Experts are certified by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Philippine Retirement Association (PRA), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) who can handle the visa on your behalf. Chat with a Philippine Visa Specialist here.
Other Names For The 13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage
While you may hear the terms spousal visa, alien spouse visa, marriage visa, or foreign spouse visa, the official terminology is the 13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage. The 13a is named after Section 13 paragraph (a) of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 of the Philippine Immigration law.
INSIDER TIP : Unmarried Minor Children- While foreign spouses with Philippine citizen partners are the primary applications, the 13a also applies to foreign unmarried children under 21 years old with a Filipino parent.
Are there different types of Philippine Spouse Visas?
Yes, there are four: the 13a probationary and 13a permanent, the 13g for Returning Former Filipino Citizens (also dubbed the Balikbayan Visa), and the Spousal Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
RELATED POSTs ON Visas IN The Philippines
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| Visa Applicant's Country of Citizenship |
|---|
| Algeria* |
| Argentina |
| Australia |
| Austria |
| Belgium |
| Belize |
| Bolivia |
| Botswana |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Brazil |
| Canada |
| Cape Verde |
| Chile |
| Colombia |
| Costa Rica |
| Croatia |
| Cuba |
| Czech Republic |
| Denmark |
| Ecuador |
| Egypt* |
| El Salvador |
| Estonia |
| Finland |
| Fiji |
| France |
| Gabon |
| Germany |
| Greece |
| Guatemala |
| Honduras |
| Hongkong SAR |
| Indonesia* |
| Iraq |
| Ireland |
| Iceland |
| Israel |
| Italy |
| Japan |
| Latvia |
| Lesotho |
| Libya* |
| Lithuania |
| Luxembourg |
| Macau SAR |
| Malaysia* |
| Malta** |
| Marshall Island |
| Mexico |
| Micronesia |
| Monaco |
| Montenegro |
| The Netherlands |
| New Zealand |
| Nicaragua |
| Nigeria* |
| Northern Mariana Island |
| Norway |
| Oman* |
| Papua New Guinea |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Russia |
| Saudi Arabia* |
| Senegal |
| Serbia |
| Singapore |
| Slovak Republic |
| Slovenia |
| South Africa |
| Spain |
| Suriname |
| Sweden |
| Switzerland |
| Thailand |
| Trinidad and Tobago |
| Tunisia |
| Turkey |
| United Kingdom |
| Uruguay |
| USA |
| Venezuela |
| * Limited to male visa applicants married to female Philippine citizen partners ** provided that the marriage took place before 24 April 2001 or the couple has been married for at least 5 years. |
* Limited to male visa applicants married to female Philippine citizen partners
** provided that the marriage took place before 24 April 2001 or the couple has been married for at least 5 years
*Hint the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom ARE on the list.
What is the difference between the 13a Probationary and 13a Permanent?
Not much. Both are multiple entry visas allowing you to leave and re-enter the Philippines. Visa holders have the same rights and benefits with either visa, and the requirements and eligibility are nearly the same. The critical difference is the validity period.
13a Probationary
If you arrived in the Philippines under a different visa (tourist visa, work visa, etc.), the BI issues you a 13a Probationary valid for one year.
13a Permanent
As long as you maintain the Spousal Visa requirements, pass an NBI clearance, and have a clean BI derogatory records check, you can apply for an Amendment to Permanent Non-Quota Immigrant Visa By Marriage after one year.
How often do I have to renew the 13a Permanent Visa?
That is one of the essential advantages of a 13a Permanent Residence Visa vs. other visa categories. Once the BI approves your amendment from probationary to 13a Permanent, you can stay in the Philippines indefinitely without renewing your visa.
You still need to file an Annual Report with the BI, which costs 310 PHP or ~$6 and can be filed online. Additionally, you will need to renew your Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR-I Permanent Card) every five years.
General Instructions for BOTH the 13a Conversion and the Amendment to Permanent 13a
How To Apply For A 13a Conversion To Probationary Visa
- Complete a Consolidated General Application Form For Immigrant Visa (BI FORM CGAF CO-001-Rev 2)
- Submit the application form and required documents for pre-screening to the BOI Main Office Central Receiving Unit (CRU) or staff of another Immigration Office that processes Permanent Resident Visa applications (Here is a list)
- Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
- Pay the required fees. Note that the visa fee is non-refundable and only payable in cash or money order made payable to Philippine Consulate General. The BI will not accept a personal check or credit card.
- Wait for an Official Receipt that contains the schedule and location of the hearing and instructions for image and fingerprint capturing.
- Attend your scheduled hearing
- Proceed to the Alien Registration Division's (ARD) Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter and submit requirements for the ACR I-Card application
- Check the BI website for visa application status.
- If your 13a marriage visa application is approved, submit your original passport for visa implementation.
- Claim your ACR I-Card, when ARD completes the approval process.
How To Amend To 13a Permanent
The Amendment to Permanent steps are the same as above, except Step 7. You don't need to do another fingerprint scan. For your Permanent 13a, the ARD uses the previously captured biometric data from your visa conversion.
How Long Does It Take To Process A 13a Marriage Visa Application In The Philippines?
The BOI usually takes 1 – 2 months to process after receipt of application and the required documents.
INSIDER TIP : Legally Recognized Marriages Licenses - Philippine law must recognize the marriage contract as legal and valid . Unfortunately, same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships are currently ineligible for the 13a Spousal Visa.
Documentary Requirements for Conversion To 13a Probationary
The requirements for both the Probationary 13a and the Permanent 13a are nearly identical, except for a notarized affidavit required for the 13a Permanent.
- Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from you and your Filipino spouse
- Visa application form (BI Form CGAF-001-Rev 1) with your complete address, immigration status, and passport details
- A Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) authenticated Marriage Contract or Marriage Certificate
- The Filipino spouse's Birth Certificate or certified true copy of BI-issued Identification Certificate as a Filipino citizen
- Photocopies of valid passport bio-page and visa page showing the latest authorized period of stay
- A new National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Police Clearance
- Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate completed no more than six months before filing your visa application; and
- An original or certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if you are a citizen of Annex A countries
- Additional Requirements for 13a Permanent- Joint affidavit of continuous cohabitation signed by you and your Philippine spouse and potentially a Barangay certificate
- The immigration officer can request additional documents as necessary
| Annex A Countries Requiring Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance |
|---|
| Afghanistan |
| Angola |
| Bangladesh |
| Benin |
| Bolivia |
| Burkina Faso |
| Burundi Guinea-Bissau |
| Cambodia |
| Cameron |
| Central African Republic |
| Congo |
| Cote d’Ivoire Mali |
| Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Ecuador |
| Equitorial Guinea |
| Eritrea |
| Ethiopia |
| French Guiana |
| Gabon |
| Gambia |
| Guinea |
| Guyana |
| Iraq |
| Israel |
| Liberia |
| Mauritania |
| Myanmar |
| Niger |
| Nigeria |
| Pakistan |
| Papua New Guinea |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Senegal |
| Sierra Leone |
| Somalia |
| Sudan |
| Suriname |
| Trinidad |
| Uganda |
| Venezuela |
| Vietnam |
*Hint the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are NOT on the list.
INSIDER TIP :
Proof of 13a Permanent Visa- The Bureau of Immigration will issue you a Board of Commissioners (BOC) Order for Conversion to 13a Visa (Probationary) document as proof your probationary status was approved. Keep this document safe until your amendment to a Permanent 13A is complete.
The BOI will issue you a new document as proof you now have a Permanent 13A visa. Again, keep the record safe, as you will need to present the permanent BOC order for your Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR-I card).
Notarize Documents In The Philippines For Visa Applications
Thanks to a 2014 order by Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison reducing the processing time for the 13a Spousal Visa, the 13a application no longer requires a notary for letter requests or visa application forms. However, all sworn statements and affidavits still require notarization.
Do I need to notarize any documents for my 13a conversation application?
No. The documentary requirements for the 13a conversion (letter, application form CGAF-001, Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, etc.) do not require notarization.
Which documents require notarization when amending the Probationary 13a Visa to Permanent?
As mentioned above, sworn statements and affidavits used for the spousal visa application require notarization. Specifically, the Joint Affidavit signed by visa application and their Filipino citizen partner swearing continuous cohabitation needs a notary public to witness the signatures and verify the identity of the visa applicant and petitioning spouse.
What is the Bureau Of Immigration Clearance Certificate?
The BI issues a clearance certificate after completing a derogatory records check to verify the visa holder is not listed on the Hold Departure Order (HDO), Black List Order (BLO), Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO), or Watch List Order (WLO) databases.
Suppose you do not have any criminal cases pending or outstanding arrest warrants. You have not committed any crimes or violated any immigration laws, such as illegally staying in the Philippines. In that case, your BI clearance certificate will be clean.
What is an Alien Certificate Of Registration - Identification (ACR-I) Card?
An ACR-I card is a document that proves you are a legal residency in the Philippines. Failure to produce this document can result in deportation from the country. You must renew the ACR-I card every five years, at least one month before expiration.
Where do I apply for the 13a visa in the Philippines?
After arriving in the Philippines, you will need to submit your 13a application forms at a Bureau of Immigration (BOI) office. However, not every BOI office receives, implements, and approves every type of visa application.
You can submit your 13a applications forms at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your home country. Photo Credit
List of Bureau of Immigration Offices Accepting Permanent Residence Visa Applications
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION MAIN OFFICE
Address: Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines 1002
Direct Line: (+632) 8-524-3769
Email Address:
BI Offices Type of Office Services Offered Cagayan de Oro District Offices Receiving only Cebu City District Offices Receiving and Implementation Davao City District Offices Receiving and Implementation Iloilo District Offices Full service San Fernando, La Union District Offices Full service Tacloban District Offices Amendment Only Angeles City Field Offices Full service Bacolod City Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Baguio City Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Batangas Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Dagupan Field Offices Full service Santa Rosa Field Offices Full service Vigan Field Offices Receiving for probationary only Zamboanga Field Offices Probationary only
You can download the latest list from the Bureau of Immigration website.
How much does the 13a visa cost in the Philippines?
Since you go through the Spousal Visa process twice (Probationary and Permanent), you will pay double the visa fees.
Header | Visa Fee |
|---|---|
PRINCIPLE APPLICANT | PHP 8,620 |
DEPENDENT-SPOUSE | PHP 8,620 |
DEPENDENT-B16 | PHP 8,370 |
DEPENDENT-B14 | PHP 7,870 |
Additional Fee for ACR I-Card | 1 Year +USD $50 |
*Fees are updated as of 06 March 2014 and may change without prior notice. You can find the latest visa fees on the BI website. | |
Payment of Visa Fee
The BI only accepts cash payment for the visa fees. Personal checks or credit cards are not accepted.
RELATED POST ON COST OF LIVING IN The Philippines
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Important 13a Visa Terminology
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa for Foreign Spouse of a Philippine National
Officially, the Philippines Marriage Visa refers to the section of Immigration Law in Commonwealth Act No. 613, commonly known as The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 Section 13 (a).
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa- allows permanent residence in the Philippines under Section 13
Section 13 refers to allowing specific Immigrants into the Philippines
Section 9- refers to "Temporary Stay," such as a tourist visa (9a) visa or student visa (9f).
Immigrant- refers to permanent residence in the Philippines.
Quota Immigrants- the Philippines only admits 50 foreigners per year from countries that also allow immigration privileges to Filipinos
Non-Quota Immigrants- are foreigners exempt from the 50 person per year limit.
Alien Spouse- The wife or the husband with a Philippine citizen partner.
Non-Immigrant Visa- For a temporary visit to the Philippines for tourism (9a), transit (9b), business meetings (9d), or university education (9f).
Key Takeaway: Applying For The 13a Spousal Visa In The Philippines
Completing the 13a application in the Philippines requires going through the process twice, first for the Temporary and again for the Permanent and paying double the fees.
However, the 13a Temporary to Permanent Visa remains the best way for a foreign national to immigrate to the Philippines IF your Filipino spouse cannot join you in your home country. Otherwise, applying for the marriage visa outside of the Philippines will save you time and money.
NEXT STEPS
If you liked this story on Philippines safety, you will enjoy these other posts on living in the Philippines
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FAQs: Applying For A 13a Permanent Visa In The Philippines
Hi! My husband is a Lebanese national and holds a valid TRV and ACR I Card. He is currently in Lebanon right now and will travel back to the Philippines next week. The TRV will expire this month and we are planning to renew it as soon as he’s in the Philippines. Can he enter the country as long as his TRV is valid?
Hi Anne,
Thanks for reaching out. To address your specific situation, we strongly recommend scheduling a personal consultation appointment with one of our Visa Specialists accredited by the Bureau of Immigration. With Lebanon being a visa-restricted country not covered by Executive Order 408, a consultation is the most effective way for us to fully comprehend your requirements and provide customized solutions that meet your needs. We look forward to assisting you.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
Cheers,
Marco
Can a 13A applicant on probation leave the Philippine for temporary travel?
Hi John,
Yes. You can travel while you have the probationary 13a.
Hi Sir,
My Fiancée is planning to stay for good in the Philippines we will getting married as soon he arrived the question is he still need to have a tourist visa because he will stay long here more than 30 days and after that we will apply a permanent visa is that possible because he said he wants to stay for good here in the Philippines after we married he will sale his house his car and stuff and move out, can we apply a permanent visa as soon as our marriage registered already or do we need a temporary visa and do you have any idea how much amount of money for financial support needed as proof of him to be able to stay for good in the Philippines. Thanks
Hi Chat,
Depending on his nationality, you may not need formal tourist visa. The Philippines allows 157 countries visa-free entry into the Philippines. If he arrives visa-free, he can apply to a 13a temporary once you guys get married.
If you read my Foreigner’s Guide To Getting Married In The Philippines, you can find all the requirements.
Additionally, if you want someone to handle your 13a visa application or if you have any questions about the process, we have a 1 hour visa consultation available.
Cheers,
Marco
Marco i am married to a Filapina and we have been together here in the UK since JAN 2019 we married April 2019.
Unfortunately my health is not great and my wife and i will arrive in Philippines September 1 .
The next day i will see the renal specialist Charito Malong at ST THOMAS UST hospital Manila and be tested and hopefully permitted to follow the medical advice of this respected physician.
The climate and natural food in Philippines certainly improves my health statistics , so even if a cure is not possible i intend on ending my days at a little residence we have access to at the beach in Kota Kelaurga Batangas.
So i feel the 13 a visa is essential .
Last year when we travelled to Manila my passport was stamped with a 1 year visa .
Upon producing our marriage certificate.
We are travelling on a one way flight because we have no idea how long we will stay because of medical treatment .
it says if i go out from the UK on a one way flight i need to show a ticket to another country before the visa expires.
Do i need to do this if my intent is to obtain a 13a temporary visa initially before securing a permanent 13a ?.
Would any proof of intent to apply for this visa allow me past immigration at Manila ?.
Finally i am interested in the 1 hour help you mention.
But most of all a informative list and criteria for supporting documents i would need to carry with me before we take our flight out of the UK August 31.
Can you please advise sir .
Charlie ,husband of Marissa Amosco
Hi Charles,
Thanks for reaching out.
If you are traveling with your wife and she was or is a Philippine citizen (Balikbayan), then you are exempt from the onward departure ticket requirement.
For long-term visas, you have the option of
Both are long term visas, but the timeline, requirements, and costs differ.
If you would like to understand all your options, we can provide a one-hour Philippines visa consultation.
Let me know if we can help.
Cheers,
Marco
Hi Marco,
I have no idea on how to start the process for my husband’s visa in the Philippines. By the way I am a Filipino citizen and my husband is British national, we are planning to settle down in the Philippines we are currently living/working abroad in Saudi Arabia. We got married in Georgia 🇬🇪 and I still didn’t register our marriage papers in the Philippines. How can I start getting him a visa permanently or probationary when we will arrive.
Thank you.
Hi Elie, I would be happy to help you out with the Philippine visa process. I feel your frustration. Spending hours researching the web for outdated answers or getting contradictory information from different sources is infuriating. I have Visa and Immigration specialists ready to help cut through the government red tape, simplify your immigration process, and make obtaining your visa easier.
There is lots of free information on the site, you can start with the 13a Probationary How-to process.
If you would like some personalized assistance, there are two options:
1) Do-it-yourself Visa Application with our help- This option is for the DIY-type that doesn’t mind the paperwork and dealing with government bureaucracy. A Visa Specialist will provide a one-hour consultation where you can ask questions, learn the pitfalls to avoid, and get a personalized plan on how to apply for the visa yourself.
2) Concierge Full-Service Visa– Have a Visa Specialist handle the filing and paperwork on your behalf. They handle the heavy lifting and deal with Immigration authorities to save you the headaches.
Both options have the same starting point. Please complete this onboarding form to begin.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
On Sun, Oct 8, 2023, 9:58 PM David A Brown wrote:
Hi and thank you for your information. I’ve been living in the Philippines almost 2 years and just completed my 13a visa to permanent. I’m living on a menial Social Security and was curious if your site also has information as to how I can travel back to the US with my wife so she can see America with her own eyes and we both will be there as tourist. Your site for 13a conversion to 13a permanent is excellent and wish I had seen it sooner. Thanks again
Hi David, Thank you for the kind words and congratulations on getting permanent residency in the Philippines. At the moment, we focus on helping US citizens retire abroad, so I don’t currently have any information on how to help your new wife get a tourist visa to the United States. Good luck.
How much does it cost A13 my wife is filipino
Hi Julian, you can find the breakdown of the 13a visa costs here. Remember, if you apply for the marriage visa in the Philippines, you will need to pay twice: once for the temporary, then another time for the permanent.
Hello,
I have a question about the Permanent
Residence visa.
I am from the US and living here in Manila.
I will marry soon to a Philippine citizen.
One of the requirements is proof I have
the financial ability to support myself
and my family. I have seen that I
need to have $10,000 US dollars
in a bank account. I have a bank
statement from two months ago
showing it. Will that be ok?
Also, I have two pensions that
that I receive monthly. Will
that work for
proof of income?
Hi Virgil, are you considering the 13a Marriage visa or a different permanent residence visa, like the SRRV, which requires a bank deposit?
It will be for the 13a Marriage visa for Permanente Resident. Now I can’t open a bank account with a 6-month visa and ACR I card.
Hi Virgil, you can open a Philippine bank account with an ACR I card, but it will depend on the branch manager. Ask to speak with the manager directly, as they have leeway that lower rung employees do not. Also, if you just are trying to show proof of “sufficient financial means," a US account and notarized “Proof of Benefit" letter from your pension provider. Also, it is important to note that if you apply for a 13a in the Philippines, financial documents are not required. However, if you apply for a 13a outside the Philippines, the Consulate or Embassy does require “Proof Of Financial Capacity." If you have any additional questions, we can help with your 13a visa application.
The 13A requires of cause an applicant to be financially viable to stay here, how much do I need in a bank here or overseas to be approved? I don’t currently have an income as I am a few years from retirement age in Australia (67l
Hi Scotty, The financial requirements for the 13a depend on where you apply from. Applications in the Philippines don’t have a financial document. However, for 13a applications outside the Philippines, Consulates and Embassies can ask for financial documents as “Proof of financial capacity.” The hard part is the Consular officer has leeway on determining “sufficient funds.” Basically, they want to restrict what the law describes as “Medicants" in the PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1563 Mendicancy Law of 1978
Hi
I’m a UK citizen, planning on marrying my filipino fiance in June. I will then apply for 13a Spouse visa, but I’m confused at how I can stay in the Philippines while my application is processed. Can you advise how I can stay there while I apply?
Many thanks
Hi Matt, UK citizens get visa-free access to the Philippines for 30 days. After the initial 30 days, you can extend your visa online or at a local Bureau of Immigration branch. If you have any additional questions about your visa extensions or the 13a visa application, give me call.
Hello I have to apply for a 13a visa in the Philippines as my Philippines wife is living there can I enter the Philippines with a one way ticket as I’m not intending to return back to the UK
Hi Geoffrey, As silly as it sounds, no. Blame it on the Bureau of Immigration’s bureaucracy, but you must have an onward ticket, until you have a permanent visa (like the 13a or the SRRV). However, most expats just rent an onward ticket for about $16. You can use this link to get an onward ticket in about 2 minutes. The logic by the BOI is that without a permanent visa (you only plan on applying, you haven’t received one), there is no proof that you will leave the country before your tourist visa expires.