How Foreigners can get a 13a Marriage Visa in the Philippines (Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage)
In case you are married to a Philippine Citizen and want to live in the Philippines, you can get a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage. Here’s our guide on How Foreigners can get a 13a Marriage Visa in the Philippines.
Foreign nationals whose country also grants permanent residency and immigration privileges to Filipinos can be given a visa due to their marriage to a Philippine Citizen. Dependents can also be granted visas. This is under Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Read more about getting a 13(a) marriage visa and being a permanent resident in the Philippines.
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- Philippines Entry Visa for Foreign Spouses, Minor Children of Filipinos
- Foreigner’s Guide to Commuting Around Metro Manila’s Rail Stations with MRT
Table of Contents
Who are eligible for a 13a Marriage Visa (Immigrant Permanent Visa)
- Has a valid marriage with a Filipino
- Marriage is recognized as valid under Philippine laws
- No record of derogatory information by an enforcement agency
- Without a dangerous or contagious disease
- Has the financial capacity to support a family and will not become a public burden
- Allowed entry to the Philippines and authorized to stay
- Citizen of the following countries:
Two Types of 13a Marriage Visa
Probationary
This is good for one year; then, you will need to have your visa amended to permanent
Permanent 13a Marriage Visa (Amendment to Permanent)
You will be a permanent visa holder. Both their requirements and steps are the same. However, for the biometrics for the permanent are:
- Biometrics data previously captured shall be used
- For aged 10 and below, biometrics are captured every here
- For applicants 11 and above, biometrics are captured every after 5 years
Requirements for a 13a Marriage Visa in the Philippines
1. Consolidated General Application Form – Duly accomplished
2. Checklist – please read this ahead
3. Letter – addressed to the Commissioner from the Applicant and Filipino Spouse
4. Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract
5. Birth Certificate of the Filipino Spouse – proving that s/he is Filipino
6. Copy of Applicant’s passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
7. BI Clearance Certificate
8. For those who have filed this 6 months or more from the date of the first arrival – valid NBI Clearance (You arrived on January 1 but filed for 13a Marriage Visa on July 1)
9. Original or certified true copy of the Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if you are from the following countries:
If with Dependent:
1. Information on Applicant’s Children
2. Consolidated General Application Form – Duly accomplished
3. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
4. Proof of filiation with the main applicant – e.g., Birth Certificate or Adoption Papers
5. For those who have filed this 6 months or more from the date of the first arrival – valid NBI Clearance (You arrived on January 1 but filed for 13a Marriage Visa on July 1)
6. BI Clearance Certificate
7. Original or certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if the applicant is a national of any of the countries listed above
13a Marriage Visa Fees
Step by Step Guide in Applying for 13a Marriage Visa
STEP 1: Gather all requirements for your application.
STEP 2: Go to the BI Main office or any office to process this kind of visa. Submit it to the staff in charge of the pre-screening. You will receive an Order of Payment Slip.
STEP 3: Pay the necessary fees. Get an official receipt and note of the schedule to come back.
STEP 4: Attend a hearing during your scheduled date—Ready your requirements for the ARC I-Card Application. Go to the registration division so that your biometrics will be captured.
STEP 5: To know if your visa and ACR I-Card has been approved, you may check the BI’s Website. If you are approved, you need to submit your passport so that a sticker will be pasted.
STEP 6: Claim both your passport and ACR I-Card
BI Offices Accepting 13a Marriage Visa
Bureau of Immigration – Main Office
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
+632 8-547-3769, +632 8-465-2400
[email protected] or [email protected]
District Offices
- Cagayan de Oro – receiving only
- Cebu – receiving and implementation only
- Davao – approval in main, implementation in here
- Iloilo
- San Fernando, La Union
- Tacloban – amendment
Field Offices
- Angeles
- Baguio City – will be transmitted to the main office of approval; afterward, they process visa implementation
- Batangas – Receiving, payment, hearing, and implementation only
- Dagupan
- Santa Rosa
- Vigan – receiving for probationary only
- Zamboanga –probationary
Others
- Makati Extension Office – for Top 1000 Corporations
- PEZA Extension Office – must have endorsement from PEZA
I hope this guide is helpful for you in getting a 13a Marriage Visa in the Philippines. Probationary visas are good for a year and then can be converted to a permanent one. I hope you enjoy living with your family in the Philippines!
About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.
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I saw this question was ask before, but no reply given. How much money will be needed in a bank to get a approval.
Hi, I married Filipina on 2009. We are staying in Dubai right now. I will plan to settle in the Philippines after retiring. I am from Nepal, and I get a permanent visa.
Do 13a visa holders pay income tax in the Philippines? If so, at what rate?
I think you only pay the fees for renewal, for tax, it depends if you have a business, etc.
Yes they do on all income generated in the Philippines if they stay in the Philippines for longer than 182 days a year. On salary, freelancing, stocks held in the Philippines etc. Not however on dividends of a company outside of the Philippines or on foreign retirement pension or on investments abroad like revenue from renting something out or other forms of passive income.
Income tax progresses with the height of your income from 0% to 35%. It is also worth checking if you still have to pay taxes in your nation of citizenship and if this country has a double taxation treaty with the Philippines.
I like getting married in the Philippines in January but I find out that I have a criminal record will that stop me from getting married
Hi Lyza, Myself and wife (Filipina) are currently living in the UK, we intend to retire next year to the Philippines and shall be vacationing there next Nov/Dec for a couple of months, can I apply for my 13A while I am in the Philippines on vacation or should I apply here in the UK. Can you direct me to the requirements and Forms required for my application. Thank you.
Try this – One year Visa-free Balikbayan Stay in the Philippines for the Foreign Spouse/ Children of Filipino Citizens
Hi, ms Lyza. thank you for the article. My husband would like to apply for the 13-A visa while he is in the US. Can he do that? Do i need to do something besides send him the petition letter and PSA documents?
Thank you for the information, just a couple of questions do I have to renew my BI clearance certificate which I got before submitting my 13a probationary visa?, and when should I submit the amendment to permanent.
I have been married to a filipina for 37 years and we want to retire in P.I. My wife has her Dual Citizenship so I’m not sure how that works. The rules say that I have to be married to a filipina, but if she has dual citizenship, does that effect the application for my 13A visa?
Please contact the BI as they can give you right answers.
Even if it’s a dual cit, she is still recognized as Filipina. That alone should be your key to applying for a 13a.
You enter on a short visa first, then go about applying for a probationary 13a. After a year, you apply for permanent.
13a is for life, but remember that the ACR card that comes with any visa type needs to be renewed every 5 years.
I was married in the Philippines on March 12 2019, the information here is good but since I’m already married to a Philippine citizen. Can I join her and get my visa there?
PH is open now especially if you are visa-free. You can then apply for a 13a visa.
I am applying for the 13a probationary visa do I get the finger printing and photo before going to Davao office, I have been here now nearly 3 years (married to a filipina.
Not too sure on how BI in Davao operates, but I had all of mine done at the Main Office in Manila.
Best to call or email BI Davao.
Maraming salamat po Lyza. You do a better job explaining what the requirements are than BI website.
You mean to say, one does not have to wait a whole year of the Probationary period to up-grade to a Permanent Resident. They can even do it in less than six months? I would have been finished months ago if I had known. Financial requirements were not mentioned on BI website until you look to up-grade, but even than there is no guideline rules given. What are they looking for in final assessment interview? Great job, keep up the mabuti trabaho Lyza!
Can you get an NBI clearance for the 13A visa if staying under 6 months and have a foreign Police Clearance Certificate ?
I think you can get one – How to Get NBI Clearance Online [Guide to Online Application Registration for NBI]
how much financial capacity i need to proof to get 13 a immigrant visa?
Thank you for this article. I have known my fiancé for 12 years and tried to get married before Covid but could not. I am going through an agency for assistance but I am nervous they are charging us for a job that can be done if we do some research. We’re also concerned about missing a step or two, would you recommend one way or the other?
Your choice now is to either get married in another country as the Philippines is not yet accepting tourists (even Fiances).
Just a quick question
How much is the Total fee for the 13 a include the acr ?
With the new process do you pay first or at the end of the process
Because before i remember after 1 month you paid
But i heard now you paid first.
And how long does it takes because I heard they change process so i think is a bit fast.
Thank you for replying.
What about Nepal? They don’t grant 13a?
they are not included in the list. perhaps Nepal doesn’t have the same reciprocity rule with the Philippines.
What if I already have wife and child I don’t have any options to get permanent visa or citizenship po?
As per the BI’s website po, you can’t have a 13A, but better message or e-mail the PH Bureau of Immigration if you have other options like the Quota Visa.
Okay po thanks ?
Hi,
How about Chinese? They don’t grant 13a?
they have a different type for chinese – PRV FOR PROC https://immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/immigrant-visa/amendment-to-prv/prv-for-proc#
Hello can asked, if Taiwanese already get married to the Philippines citizens, what requarments to apply 13A visa thanks you.
Hello Ms Paloma
I am an Australian married to a Filipina.
On 30 April 2021 I was granted by Temporary 13A Visa which expires on 30 April 2022
I need to go home to Australia to work for a while.
Immigration told me over the phone that I could leave but had to be back before 30 April 2022
The thing is that the Alien Regulation Division will not give that to me in writing.
Would you know where I can look up the conditions of this visa or know someone who can confirm
Thank you
Hello Stephen, you can try contacting the Bureau of Immigration through their Facebook page and check whether their answers match.
Hello Stephen,
I’ve been recently granted a 13A Probationary Visa. I have the same need to travel abroad as you Were you able to get a confirmation on re entry during the probationary period?
Hello PO I’m irene mansanido married to American citizen for 2 months.and my husband want to stay in the Philippines for good.I’m asking how can we get the form of the 13a visa? Thank you and god bless.hope to hear from you soon!
Contact the nearest Philippine Embassy.
Hi there, thanks for your post. My visa is already approved as per BI website, may I ask if I need to pay anything for them to put the visa on my passport and ACR icard? The agent told me that I have to pay 3500 for Implementation fee and 100 for trv card. I am not sure if that’s true? How’s your case? Thank you for your help!
Dear Sir/Madam
Immigration office
Philippines.
I am an Nepali citizen, married to Philippiana over 28 years with having 3 children’s age 26, 19 , and 17 .
living in Angeles city, Pampanga. worked in Middle east for past 40 years and now home with family due to Pandemic Corona Covid-19 crises. and wish to stay permanently here, so please advise where can I get application form and how can I apply on line or I have to present my self to Immigration branch office in Pampanga?
highly appreciated your kind advise.
Hello Ms. Paloma,
I am a Filipina and married to a US citizen. We just arrived here in Philippines October 20’th, and we are on our 6’th day of our quarantine. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about 13a visa. My husband is going to apply for 13a visa. I am wondering if you you happen to know a trusted agency that can help us with the process?
Thank you so much in advance for your answer.
we don’t have a partner for those po.
Hi Lyza, your work on Foreigners and the 13A visa is amazing. Easy to read and beautiful to look at. Do you also answer questions? It is so hard to get some specific information so I am reaching out wherever I can. Here are a couple of questions. If my Filipina wife and I have been married for 15 years and were married in Manila and have lived all these years in Manila, do I need an Affidavit of Cohabitation?
What is the difference between an NBI Clearence and an NBI Clearence Certificate? I already got Amy NBI multipurpose Clearance.
And the most important question is whether it is necessary to have an appoint for the first visit? I think they just look at your papers to see if you have everything. For reasons I don’t understand, the appointment process is very hard. You have to wake up at mid-night and try to grab one of the 2 slots for the next available day. This means we are all competing and losing sleep. Help! And thanks 😉
Hi,
Thank you for the information however, how about if the citizenship of the foreign spouse is not in the list? Are they not anymore entitled to the Immigrant Permanent Visa?
Regards,
Zainab
Great information! Thanks so much for this article.