Republic of the Philippines · family · Leads to settlement
13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Permanent-residence immigrant visa for a foreign national married to a Filipino citizen.
- 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
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
- ✓A valid and subsisting marriage to a Philippine citizen.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓The applicant's country grants reciprocal residence rights to Filipino spouses, where this condition applies.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓No record of a disqualifying crime or excludable condition.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓Ability to support the household without becoming a public charge.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Common blockers
- !A marriage that is not valid, or is no longer subsisting.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !A disqualifying criminal record or excludable health condition.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !Failure of the reciprocity condition where it applies to the applicant's nationality.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Marriage certificate and proof the marriage is subsisting.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Proof of the Filipino spouse's citizenship.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Police clearance and supporting financial documents.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the marriage to a Filipino citizen is valid and subsisting and that any reciprocity condition is met.
Build the evidence pack
Gather the marriage certificate, the spouse's citizenship proof, clearances and financial documents.
Submit through the official channel
File the 13(A) petition with the Bureau of Immigration at the main office or an authorised office.
After approval
Receive the probationary 13(A), then apply to convert to permanent status once the qualifying period passes.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse 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
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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 PhilippinesHow 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