13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa Philippines: Marriage to a Filipino Citizen Guide
A complete field guide to the 13(a) non-quota immigrant visa under Section 13 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, covering who qualifies as the foreign spouse or unmarried child of a Filipino citizen, the Bureau of Immigration conversion process, the official government fees, and the path from probationary status to permanent resident.
Foreign national
Validly married to a citizen of the Philippines, with the marriage duly recorded.
Filipino citizen spouse
The Philippine citizen whose citizenship is the basis of the marriage visa.
Unmarried children
Unmarried children below 21 years of age may be included as dependents.
What the 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa Is
The 13(a) visa is a non-quota immigrant visa granted to the husband or wife of a citizen of the Philippines, and to the unmarried children under 21 years of age of a Filipino citizen. As a non-quota category, it is not counted against the annual numerical limit that applies to ordinary quota immigrant visas, so there is no 50 person per nationality ceiling to wait for.
Marriage or parentage is the basis
The qualifying relationship is a valid marriage to a Philippine citizen, or being the unmarried child under 21 of a Filipino citizen. The right flows from the family relationship, not from an investment or a retirement deposit.
Residence, not a visit
An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to reside permanently in the Philippines. It is the opposite of a temporary visitor or tourist entry, which is time limited and requires extensions.
Outside the annual ceiling
Quota immigrant visas are capped at 50 persons of any one nationality per calendar year. Non-quota visas such as the 13(a) sit outside that ceiling, which removes the waiting list risk tied to nationality.
Who Can Apply and Who Can Be Included
The Bureau of Immigration states the principal applicant is a foreign national on the basis of a valid marriage to a Philippine citizen. Dependent status is available to the spouse and to unmarried children below 21 years of age.
Principal applicant
- Foreign national spouseValidly married to a citizen of the Philippines, with the marriage subsisting at the time of application.
- Recorded marriageThe marriage is registered with the Philippine Statistics Authority, or otherwise provable by the documents listed on the current BI checklist.
- Valid admissionThe applicant is in the country on a lawful admission status, or is applying through the proper channel from abroad.
Dependents
- Dependent spouseA dependent spouse may be included on the same petition, subject to the separate dependent fee.
- Unmarried children below 21Unmarried children under 21 years of age who are joining or accompanying the applicant, upon sufficient proof of the blood relationship.
- Proof of relationshipBirth certificates and the marriage record are used to establish the qualifying relationship for each dependent.
The Application Packet
The Bureau of Immigration requires a completed Consolidated General Application Form together with its published checklist of documentary requirements. Treat the current BI checklist as the single source of truth, because it is the exact list the front line and the hearing officer will run through.
Consolidated General Application Form
The BI Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for an immigrant visa, secured from the Public Information and Assistance Unit at the BI Main Office or downloaded from the official BI website.
BI checklist of requirements
The official checklist that accompanies the application, listing the identity, civil status, and clearance documents the Bureau wants in the packet. Work from the current version only.
Marriage record
The Philippine Statistics Authority marriage certificate, or the foreign marriage record with the supporting authentication, establishing the valid marriage to the Filipino citizen.
Proof of Filipino citizenship
The Philippine Statistics Authority birth certificate, a Philippine passport, or the certificate of naturalization or reacquisition of the Filipino citizen spouse.
Additional information on children
Where dependents are included, the BI form for additional information on the applicant's children, with the documents that prove each child's age, status, and relationship.
Passport and admission records
A passport valid for the intended stay together with the current admission stamp or visa, plus any clearances the checklist names for the applicant's nationality and history.
The Ten Step Filing Sequence
This is the sequence published by the Bureau of Immigration for the conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage. The hearing, image and fingerprint capture, and the ACR I-Card application happen together at the Alien Registration Division.
- Petition and pre-screening
Secure the CGAF
Get the Consolidated General Application Form from the Public Information and Assistance Unit at the BI Main Office, or download it from the official Bureau of Immigration website.
Submit documents for pre-screening
File the packet with the Central Receiving Unit, or with the front line officer of another immigration office authorized to process this transaction.
Get the Order of Payment Slip
The receiving officer issues an Order of Payment Slip that itemizes the fees payable for the applicant and any dependents.
Pay the required fees
Settle the assessed fees at the cashier and keep the official receipt. The fee schedule is set out in the table below.
Submit a copy of the official receipt
Return the receipt copy to complete the filing. The receipt also carries the schedule and venue of the hearing.
- Hearing and biometrics
Attend the hearing
Appear on the date and at the venue printed on the official receipt, together with the original documents supporting the marriage and any dependent relationships.
Image and fingerprint capture
Proceed to the image and fingerprint capturing counter of the Alien Registration Division, and submit the requirements for the ACR I-Card application.
- Approval and registration
Check the approval status
Monitor the Bureau of Immigration website to confirm whether the visa application has been approved.
Submit the passport for visa implementation
Once approved, surrender the passport so the immigrant visa can be implemented and stamped.
Claim the ACR I-Card
When the alien registration card is approved, claim the ACR I-Card, which becomes the primary identification for the registered foreign national.
What the 13(a) Costs
These are the government fees published by the Bureau of Immigration for the conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage. They are payable to the Bureau, separate from any professional or courier cost.
| Applicant category | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant Foreign national married to a Filipino citizen | Php 8,620.00 |
| Dependent spouse Included on the same petition | Php 8,620.00 |
| Dependent below 16 Dependent child under 16 years of age | Php 8,370.00 |
| Dependent below 14 Dependent child under 14 years of age | Php 7,870.00 |
| ACR I-Card, 1 year Additional alien registration card fee | US $50.00 |
Fees as published on the Bureau of Immigration 13A page, updated 06 March 2014, and subject to change without prior notice. Government fees are assessed in Philippine pesos, with the ACR I-Card component carrying a United States dollar amount. Confirm the current assessment with the Bureau of Immigration cashier when you file, and treat the Order of Payment Slip as the authoritative amount for your case.
13(a) Compared With the Quota Immigrant Visa
The single most useful distinction for a marriage based applicant is the difference between a non-quota visa and a quota visa. The 13(a) is the marriage category, while the plain quota immigrant visa under Section 13 depends on nationality and reciprocity and is capped each calendar year.
| Point of comparison | 13(a) non-quota | Quota visa (13) |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | A valid marriage to a Filipino citizen, or being an unmarried child under 21 of a Filipino citizen | Nationality of a country that grants Filipinos reciprocal immigration privileges |
| Annual ceiling | None, the category is outside the quota | Up to 50 persons of any one nationality per calendar year |
| Where filed | BI Main Office or another authorized immigration office | BI Main Office |
| Principal fee | Php 8,620.00 | Php 18,830.00 |
| Dependents | Spouse and unmarried children below 21 may be included | Spouse and unmarried children below 21 may be included |
The quota visa fees shown are the figures published on the Bureau of Immigration quota visa page and follow the same 06 March 2014 schedule, subject to change without prior notice.
From Probationary Status to Permanent Resident
The Bureau of Immigration labels the initial grant as a conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage, probationary. The holder later moves from probationary status to permanent, and keeps the registration current while resident in the Philippines.
The first grant is probationary
The immigrant visa is implemented first on a probationary basis. After the probationary period, the holder files to convert to permanent non-quota immigrant status. Confirm the current probationary period and the conversion requirements with the Bureau of Immigration or the processing office, since the practical timelines can vary with the case.
Keep the registration current
An ACR I-Card holder is a registered foreign national. Registered aliens file an annual report with the Bureau of Immigration each year within the first 60 days, and must keep the ACR I-Card and the recorded civil status current. Report a change in name, civil status, or address promptly, and keep the card valid.
Applying From Abroad and Settling In
A foreign spouse who is still overseas can apply for the immigrant visa through a Philippine embassy or consulate before travelling, then complete the Bureau of Immigration formalities, the ACR I-Card, and any conversion after arrival. Applicants already in the Philippines on a lawful admission can file the conversion here.
Consular route
The petition and visa processing can begin through the Philippine foreign service post that covers your place of residence, which pre clears the immigrant visa before the first entry.
In country conversion
If you are already in the Philippines, the conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage is filed directly with the Bureau of Immigration at the Main Office or an authorized office.
Choosing a base
Tagum City in Davao del Norte is a calm, well governed base in Mindanao, close to Davao International Airport and well placed for families settling into long term residence.
Local Support for New Residents in Mindanao
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Community and club apparel
Custom moisture wicking shirts, embroidered caps, and sublimated jerseys for sports clubs, schools, and community groups.
Household and business uniforms
Housekeeping, driver, and security uniforms, plus signage and printed materials for a shop, office, or residence.
Direct factory pricing
Local manufacturing with official receipts, so resident families and small enterprises order from the source.
13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa, Answered
Direct answers to the questions applicants ask most often about the marriage based non-quota immigrant visa.
What is the difference between the 13(a) and the quota visa (13)?
The 13(a) is a non-quota immigrant visa based on a valid marriage to a Filipino citizen, or being an unmarried child under 21 of a Filipino citizen. The quota visa under Section 13 depends on nationality and reciprocity and is capped at up to 50 persons of any one nationality per calendar year. The marriage based 13(a) is outside that annual ceiling, so there is no quota wait for the qualifying spouse or child.
Can my Filipino spouse and our children be included?
Yes. The Bureau of Immigration allows the dependent spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age to be included, upon sufficient proof of the relationship. Each dependent carries a separate government fee, shown in the fee table above.
Where do I file the 13(a) application?
File at the Bureau of Immigration Main Office, or at another immigration office authorized to process this transaction. If you are still abroad, the immigrant visa can be processed through a Philippine embassy or consulate before you travel.
How much does the 13(a) cost?
The published Bureau of Immigration schedule lists Php 8,620.00 for the principal applicant and the dependent spouse, Php 8,370.00 for a dependent below 16, and Php 7,870.00 for a dependent below 14, with an additional US $50.00 for a one year ACR I-Card. The schedule was updated on 06 March 2014 and can change without prior notice, so confirm the amount on your Order of Payment Slip.
Is the 13(a) permanent right away?
No. The initial grant is a conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage on a probationary basis. After the probationary period, the holder files to convert to permanent non-quota immigrant status. Confirm the current probationary period with the Bureau of Immigration, since the practical timeline can vary with the case.
Do I need an ACR I-Card?
Yes. The application includes image and fingerprint capture at the Alien Registration Division and the ACR I-Card application. The card is the registered foreign national's primary identification and must be kept valid, with an annual report filed each year within the first 60 days.
Does the 13(a) lead to Philippine citizenship?
No. The 13(a) confers immigrant resident status, not citizenship. It is a residence visa. Naturalization is a separate legal process with its own qualifications, and being married to a Filipino citizen does not by itself make a person a Philippine citizen.
How is the 13(a) different from the SRRV, SIRV, or SVEG?
The 13(a) is based on marriage to a Filipino citizen. The SRRV is a retiree visa tied to a bank time deposit, the SIRV is an investor visa tied to a qualifying investment, and the SVEG is tied to employing at least ten Filipinos. If your basis is family, the 13(a) is the right category. If your basis is retirement, investment, or business, one of the other visas applies. See the related guides below.
This guide is general information about the 13(a) non-quota immigrant visa and is not legal advice. Requirements, fees, and procedures change. Confirm your specific case with the Bureau of Immigration or a qualified Philippine immigration professional before filing.
Questions About the 13(a) or Settling in Mindanao
Reach our Tagum City team through any of the four channels below. We answer questions from new and prospective residents, and we quote custom apparel and printing locally.