Eligibility Quiz
Are you legally married to a Filipino citizen?
Application Process
The 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa is a two-stage residency process for foreign nationals legally married to Filipino citizens. You must first complete a one-year Probationary period before you can apply for Permanent status. This process is an "adjustment of status," meaning you typically enter the Philippines on a 9(a) Temporary Visitor's Visa (Tourist Visa) and convert it while physically present in the country.
Phase 1: The Probationary Visa (1 Year)
- Gather and Legalize Documents: Collect all required documents. Any document issued outside the Philippines must be Apostilled (certified for international use) in the country of origin. If your country is not a member of the Apostille Convention, the document must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate there.
- Report of Marriage: If you were married outside the Philippines, you must first file a Report of Marriage (ROM) with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through the Philippine Consulate with jurisdiction over the place of marriage. You cannot proceed until this is officially recorded.
- Pre-screening: Submit your complete documentary folder to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU) at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office in Intramuros, Manila, or at an authorized BI field office.
- Payment: Once your documents are accepted, you will receive an Order of Payment Slip (OPS). Pay the required fees immediately at the BI cashier.
- The Hearing/Interview: You and your Filipino spouse must both attend a scheduled interview with a BI legal officer. This is to verify that the marriage is bona fide (genuine) and not a marriage of convenience.
- Visa Implementation: If approved, you must surrender your passport to the BI for the visa stamp to be "implemented."
- ACR I-Card Issuance: Apply for your Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card). This is your official ID and proof of residency in the Philippines.
Phase 2: Conversion to Permanent Status
- Timing: You must file for conversion at least 90 days before your one-year probationary visa expires.
- Application: Submit a new application for Conversion to Permanent Resident Status at the BI Main Office.
- Final Approval: Once approved, your status is upgraded to Permanent. You will no longer need to renew the visa itself, though you must still complete the Annual Report (a yearly check-in) within the first 60 days of every calendar year.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Principal) | ₱8,620.00 |
| ACR I-Card Fee | $50.00 USD |
| ACR I-Card Express Lane Fee | ₱500.00 |
| General Express Lane Fee | ₱1,000.00 |
| Legal/Notary Fees (Affidavits) | ₱500.00 – ₱2,000.00 |
| NBI Clearance (if applicable) | ₱155.00 |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately ₱12,000 – ₱15,000 per person.
Note: This total does not include costs for Apostille services in your home country, PSA document requests, travel expenses to BI offices, or the monthly fines incurred if you miss the Annual Report deadline.
Processing Time
- Probationary Visa Approval: 2 to 3 months from the date of a complete submission and interview.
- Permanent Status Conversion: 2 to 4 months.
- ACR I-Card Issuance: 1 to 2 weeks after the visa is implemented in your passport.
- Document Validity: Most clearances, such as the NBI Clearance and BI Clearance, are typically valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. Ensure your PSA-issued marriage and birth certificates are recent (issued within the last year) to avoid delays.