Republic of the Philippines · residence general · Leads to settlement
Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
The Philippines' numerically limited immigrant visa, capped per nationality each year, for applicants who can contribute to the country.
- 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
- Permanent residence once granted, subject to maintaining status.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13) for Republic of the Philippines is an unsponsored Philippines immigration route. Sources: official Republic of the Philippines government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/philippines/quota-immigrant-13#answer
What is the Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13) in Republic of the Philippines?
Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13) is an unsponsored 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 Permanent residence once granted, subject to maintaining status. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Quota Immigrant Visa under Section 13 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 is the country's only numerically limited immigrant class, with a fixed annual cap of visas per nationality. It is granted to applicants who can contribute to the economic, social or cultural development of the Philippines, often through qualifications, skills or investment. As an immigrant visa it confers permanent residence. Because of the annual quota, demand can exceed available slots for a given nationality.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Falling within the available annual quota of immigrant visas for the applicant's nationality.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓Ability to contribute to the economic, social or cultural development of the Philippines.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓Qualifying means, such as skills, qualifications or investment, as assessed.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓No disqualifying criminal record or excludable condition.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Common blockers
- !The annual quota for the applicant's nationality already being exhausted.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !Inability to show a meaningful contribution to the Philippines.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !A disqualifying criminal record or excludable condition.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Evidence of qualifications, skills or investment relied on.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Proof of means and, where relevant, financial standing.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Police clearance and medical clearance as required.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm a quota slot is available for your nationality and that you can show a qualifying contribution.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble evidence of your qualifications, skills or investment along with clearances.
Submit through the official channel
File the quota immigrant visa application with the Bureau of Immigration.
After approval
Receive immigrant status, settle in the Philippines and comply with annual reporting and status conditions.
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 guidanceApplicantUse official Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13).
Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) · verified
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Related routes
13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage
Permanent-residence immigrant visa for a foreign national married to a Filipino citizen.
Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
Resident visa for foreign investors who place qualifying capital in an eligible Philippine enterprise, endorsed by the Board of Investments.
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Special resident visa for retirees, administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority, offering indefinite multiple-entry stay.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this called a quota visa?+
Section 13 sets a fixed annual numerical limit of immigrant visas per nationality, which is why it is the only quota immigrant class. Once a nationality's annual allocation is used, further applicants must wait. Confirm current quota availability on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
What does contributing to the Philippines mean?+
Applicants are expected to show they can contribute to the economic, social or cultural development of the Philippines, typically through skills, qualifications or investment. The assessment criteria are set by the Bureau of Immigration, so confirm the current expectations on the official page.
Can I get Philippine permanent residence based on my skills without an employer sponsor?+
The Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13) is granted to applicants who can contribute to the country's economic, social or cultural development, often through skills, qualifications or investment, and it does not require employer sponsorship while conferring permanent residence. It is numerically capped per nationality each year, so a slot must be available; confirm current quota availability 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