Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Republic of the Philippines · family · Leads to settlement

13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Permanent-residence immigrant visa for a foreign national married to a Filipino citizen.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyProbationary for the first year, then permanent on conversion once the marriage is confirmed subsisting.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal.
Government fees
Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Probationary for the first year, then permanent on conversion once the marriage is confirmed subsisting.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage for Republic of the Philippines is a sponsor-led Philippines immigration route. Sources: official Republic of the Philippines government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/philippines/13a-marriage-visa#answer

What is the 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage in Republic of the Philippines?

13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage is a sponsor-led Philippines route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal; typical duration is Probationary for the first year, then permanent on conversion once the marriage is confirmed subsisting. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage is granted to a foreign national on the basis of a valid and subsisting marriage to a Philippine citizen, under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. It is a non-quota route, meaning it is not subject to the annual numerical limit. It is usually issued first on a probationary basis for one year before conversion to permanent status. As an immigrant visa it confers indefinite residence in the Philippines.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the marriage to a Filipino citizen is valid and subsisting and that any reciprocity condition is met.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather the marriage certificate, the spouse's citizenship proof, clearances and financial documents.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    File the 13(A) petition with the Bureau of Immigration at the main office or an authorised office.

  4. After approval

    Receive the probationary 13(A), then apply to convert to permanent status once the qualifying period passes.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Philippines

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Philippines. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for 13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage.

    Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) · verified

Also explored by

Indian Filipino Nigerian

Compare Republic of the Philippines with

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

Is the 13(A) visa permanent straight away?+

It is usually issued first on a probationary basis for one year, then converted to permanent status once the Bureau of Immigration is satisfied the marriage remains valid and subsisting. Confirm the current probationary and conversion rules on the official Bureau of Immigration page.

Does every nationality qualify for the 13(A)?+

The 13(A) can carry a reciprocity condition, meaning the foreign spouse's country must grant comparable rights to Filipino spouses. Check whether this applies to your nationality on the official Bureau of Immigration page.

What evidence do I need to prove my marriage to a Filipino citizen for the 13(A) visa?+

You typically need your marriage certificate plus proof the marriage is subsisting, proof of your spouse's Filipino citizenship, and a police clearance with supporting financial documents. Check the full current document list on the official Bureau of Immigration page.

What most commonly stops a 13(A) marriage visa from being approved?+

Common blockers are a marriage that is not valid or no longer subsisting, a disqualifying criminal record or excludable health condition, and failure of the reciprocity condition where it applies to your nationality. Confirm how these apply to your case on the official Bureau of Immigration page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Philippines

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Bureau of Immigration (Philippines)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

CompareFind visa options