Philippines Immigrant Visa - Application and Requirements

If you are planning your reentry, to reunite with a family member, or to work in the Philippines, you may have to consider the Philippines Immigrant Visa depending on a few factors.

The Republic of the Philippines is a Southeast Asian country with a population of about 110 million. It is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants worldwide. There are currently more than 220,000 immigrants in the Philippines. Of course, the Philippines is well known for its plenty of fruits, beaches, islands, varieties of foods, and street food markets.

In this blog post, you will discover how to apply for the Philippines Immigrant Visa and the requirements and criteria to fulfill before applying.

Benefits of Holding a 13a Visa for the Philippines

The Philippines Immigrant Visa allows its holder to get numerous benefits.

Holders of the Philippines Immigrant Visa can partake in many fun activities by visiting any tourist attractions within the country.

These include the National Museum of Fine Arts, Chocolate Hills, Banaue Rice Terraces, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Malapascua Island, Rizal Park, Kawasan Falls, Taal Volcano, Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Manila Ocean Park.

You can work for a Filipino employer or company with an immigrant visa.
The Philippines Immigrant Visa allows its holder to have an extended period of stay in the country. Moreover, the country is safe and has low levels of crime.
Spouses and children of Filipino citizens can apply for this visa, which brings about family reunification.
You can get an immigrant visa to gain reentry into the Philippines, supposing that you have initially lost or denounced your Filipino citizenship.

What is Immigrant Visa in the Philippines?

The Philippines Immigrant Visa is a type of visa that authorizes entry of high-skilled foreign workers, former nationals, children, and spouses of Filipino citizens.

Eligibility criteria for the Philippines Immigrant Visa

To be eligible for this Filipino visa type, you must be under any of the categories listed below.

A spouse or child to a citizen of the Philippines. Supposing you are a Filipino citizen’s child, you must be less than 21 years old.
Former Filipino citizen
Quota immigrants, such as high-skilled foreign workers, can positively impact the Philippines’ economy. Moreover, you must be a citizen of a country in a Reciprocal Agreement with the Philippines.

Philippines Immigrant Visa Requirements

Here is a list of all the documents required to facilitate your immigrant visa application for the Republic of the Philippines.

A filled-out Philippines Immigrant Visa application form
A valid passport with not less than two pages left over for new visas. You must also provide photocopies of your passport’s biographical details page and the previous visas on your travel document.
A minimum of two recent photos of you (colored)
Your pay slips or account statements for the recent months – help to prove your sustenance.
A round-trip ticket for the Republic of the Philippines
Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable) – ensure that you verify the document(s) at the Philippine foreign mission in your home country.
Evidence of Philippines Immigrant Visa fee payment

NOTE: While applying for the Philippines Immigrant Visa, you should only submit documents that are in either English or Filipino language to the Philippine embassy in your country of origin. If any of the documents have a different language, you must request its translation from a certified expert.

Processing Time of the Philippines Immigrant Visa

The processing time varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence. However, it typically takes between two to three weeks for a Philippine embassy or consulate abroad to process a foreigner’s immigrant visa application.

How to Get the Philippines Immigrant Visa

The following are the steps to undertake in getting an immigrant visa for the Republic of the Philippines.

Put together your supporting documents
Fill out an application form for the Philippines Immigrant Visa
Pay the 13a visa fee
Visit a Philippine embassy or consulate to put forward your supporting documents
Wait for the Philippine diplomatic mission’s decision

Step 1: Put together your supporting documents

Before applying for the Philippines 13a Visa, you must gather all the required documents and prepare them for submission to the consular officer at the embassy or consulate.

At this time, you also need to procure the visa application form. Possible ways include the internet via the Philippine diplomatic mission’s official website or in person at its physical location.

Step 2: Fill out an application form for the Philippines Immigrant Visa

The second step involves filling each empty field on the Philippines visa application form with relevant information.

Step 3: Pay the 13a visa fee

Next, you are required to pay the application fee for the Philippines Immigrant Visa. You can know the exact amount and preferred payment method by contacting the Philippine diplomatic mission in your home country.

Step 4: Visit a Philippine embassy or consulate to put forward your supporting documents

This step demands you visit the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate to give all the required documents to a consular officer.

Take note the Philippine diplomatic missions overseas do not open on weekends and public holidays, to say nothing of attending to visitors on such days.

Step 5: Wait for the Philippine diplomatic mission’s decision

Until the Philippine embassy or consulate notifies you of its decision, you have to wait while hoping for a favorable outcome.

You can then arrange for your flight to the Republic of the Philippines as soon as your visa application gets approval.

RECOMMENDED LINK: How to Immigrate to Canada from the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Do green card holders need a visa for the Philippines?

Yes, green card holders, i.e., US permanent residents, must have a valid visa to legally enter the Republic of the Philippines for any purpose whatsoever. They can apply at the Philippine embassy in the United States, which is located in Washington, DC Besides, getting the visa is relatively easy provided you meet its requirements.

Can I get a Philippines Immigrant Visa on arrival?

No, there is no way you can get it at any of the ports of entry in the Philippines. Hence, you must complete the application at the embassy or consulate in your home country. Applying one month to your intended departure date is best to avoid any potential delays or complications.

Is it easy to get a Philippines Immigrant Visa?

Of course, getting a 13a visa for the Republic of the Philippines is relatively easy. However, the application process demands the submission of several documents to a consular officer at the Philippine embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

How long does it take to get an immigrant visa for the Philippines?

It usually takes at least two to three weeks to get an immigrant visa for the Philippines. However, if you submit only a few of the required documents, there will be a delay or rejection in your visa processing.

What are the documents required to apply for the Philippines Immigrant Visa?

A few documents are required when applying for a 13a visa to enter the Philippines. They are as follows.

A filled-out immigrant visa application form for the Philippines
Your original passport, which must have a minimum of two pages and should be valid
Not less than two colored photographs (recently taken
Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable)
Proof of sustenance, which can be a recent bank statement
A return travel ticket for the Philippines
Proof of visa fee payment

Can I work in the Philippines with a 13a visa?

Yes, you can work in the Republic of the Philippines with a 13a visa. However, it is equally important to possess adequate qualifications to secure employment in the Philippines.

Where do I apply for the Philippines Immigrant Visa?

To apply for this type of visa, your presence is required at the Philippine diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your country of residence. The Republic of the Philippines has up to 63 embassies and 26 consulates-general located in different countries worldwide.

What is the safest place in the Philippines?

The safest place to stay in the Philippines is the City of Davao, which is highly urbanized. Davao City is located in the Davao Region and has a total land area of about 2,450 square kilometers. Moreover, the City of Davao has more than 1.7 million residents.

Conclusion

In summary, the application process for the Philippines Immigrant Visa can be pretty confusing to foreign nationals. However, you need not hire an immigration lawyer or travel agency, as this blog post has wide-ranging resourceful information to guide you through.

If there are other things you long to know about the Philippines Immigration Visa application procedures, do not hesitate to contact our team for assistance.

Thanks for reading!