Philippine 13a Visa Requirements Explained

So you’ve moved to The Philippines, fallen in love and now you’re married. Welcome to the club!

It’s time to take care of the practical side of living here permanently, and one way to do that is to obtain a Philippine 13A visa. This allows you to live here in the Philippines indefinitely and puts an end to those monthly visits to the hot and bothersome immigration office once and for all.

So how do you go about getting the 13A via? Let us explain via this handy FAQ!

Q. Who’s eligible for a 13A visa?

A. Anybody married to a Filipino. If you’re married (either here or abroad), you’re eligible.

Q. Where can I find the relevant law at its source?

A. A quick Google search for ‘Philippine Immigration Act 1940, Section 13’ will bring up the exact law. You can see for yourself exactly what it says. Alternatively click here.

Q. Where can I apply for the 13A visa?

A. You can apply in Cebu, Manila, and Davao. While you can’t apply in any other city as of the time of writing you can ask for further information there and immigration officers will be happy to help.

Q. How long is the visa good for?

A. The first issuance is good for 1 year, after which you will need to renew it. The second issuance is good for 10 years, giving you a long and enjoyable decade of hassle-free living in the Philippines.

Q. Do I have to be married or can I apply while engaged?

A. You’ll need to be married to get the visa, as an authenticated copy of your marriage contract needs to be presented when applying. If you got married abroad this will have to be done in the Philippine embassy.

Q. How long will it take after I apply?

A. Generally, you can estimate about 1 month from the time of application. This can vary so give or take a week.

Q. What documents do I need to submit with the application?

A. You’ll need the following:

• A notarized letter of application from your Filipino spouse.


•  A notarized general application form (yes, it should be filled in).


• An authenticated birth certificate for your Filipino spouse.


•  A copy of your passport showing your current visa (date of arrival must be visible).


• Proof of savings of a minimum of $10,000 USD.


• A clearance certificate issued by the department of immigration.


• A barangay certificate attesting to the fact that you and your spouse live together as husband and wife.


• Police clearance from your own country if you have been in the Philippines less than 6 months. A clearance certificate from the NBI will also be required if you have been here more than 6 months. Source.


•  The appropriate fees, totaling around 20,000 pesos.

Q. What alternatives are there to a Philippine 13A visa?

A. If you’re willing to travel in and out of the country once per year with your spouse you can get a renewable Balik Bayan visa. This will not ever make you a resident of the Philippines but does entitle you to live here with your spouse for a year at a time.

While this is by no means to be taken as expert legal advice, it is a very good starting point information wise when it comes to applying for a Philippine 13A visa.

Whether you’re currently dating and doing your research or are already married and planning to stay we wish you the best of luck and a happy life in the Philippines!

Philippine 13a Visa Requirements Explained