Foreign nationals who are interested in immigration to Philippines can apply for an immigrant visa if they wish to remain in the country for long-term purposes.
Non-immigrant visas are also available, and they can be used by those who wish to open a company in Philippines, however, the time spent in the country would be reduced in this case.
Read below to find out more about the types of visas that allow a foreign national to move to Philippines.
Our immigration lawyers in Philippines provide personalized assistance according to nationality.
Visas permitting immigration to Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines allows foreign nationals to apply for the following types of immigrant visas:
- Quota visa: in case of nationals of countries who, through diplomatic relations, grant the same immigration privileges to Filipinos; this is an option for those interested in immigration to Philippines from certain countries;
- Immigrant visa by marriage: awarded to foreign nationals who are lawfully married to a Filipino citizen (the marriage needs to be recognized under Philippines laws);
- Visa for children: provided that they are born abroad or if they are born after the accompanying parent has received an immigrant visa;
- Visa for returning nationals: for a returning resident or a returning former natural-born Filipino citizen.
According to law, the permanent resident visa for those who immigrate to Philippines is awarded to those who are legally married to a Philippine citizen – see below the details for more information.
Our team specializing in company formation in Philippines can give you more details about these types of visas.
If you are a foreign investor interested in remaining in the country for long-term purposes, we can provide you with details based on your country of origin and whether or not a reciprocity agreement is in place so that you may start the process of immigration to Philippines – see below for more details.
The conditions for the permanent resident visa for Philippines
Foreign nationals who wish to move to Philippines for permanent purposes should be aware of the reciprocity agreement that allows them to apply for permanent residency only in those cases in which their country of origin has signed this agreement.
Applicants should keep in mind that:
- 82 countries have signed a reciprocity agreement with Philippines, effectively permitting immigration to Philippines for their citizens;
- examples include Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the USA;
- for 7 of the total number of countries the permanent residence permit is limited to the situation in which a foreign national is married to a Filipino citizen;
- Malta is subject to the reciprocity agreement that can effectively allow for immigration to Philippines in the case of those whose marriage took place before April 24 2001 or when married for at least 5 years.
Understanding these requirements is important before you start the application process. Our immigration lawyers in Philippines can give you more details.
In addition to the conditions related to the country of origin, an individual interested in immigration to Philippines needs to have sufficient financial means, no criminal record, and a clean medical record (not infected with dangerous or contagious diseases).
Moreover, those who apply for a visa will need to provide information on their children (if applicable) as well as pay the required fees and provide biometric details for the ACR-I Card, the Philippines identification card issued to those who spend more than 59 days in the country.
The ACR-I Card included embedded biometric security features and is subject to electronic updates. The following categories of this card are in place: Permanent resident, Special Non-Immigrant, Worker, Probationary Resident, Student, Tourist and others.
The card is color coded, meaning that each category has a different color, such as light yellow for permanent residents or blue for workers.
Permanent non-quota immigrant by marriage
One manner in which a foreign national can acquire permanent residence is when married to a Filipino national.
In this case, the applicant receives a single-entry visa, initially valid for one year, which can be renewed for another three years.
On the fourth year of having had the non-quota immigrant visa by marriage, the holder can apply for permanent residence.
It is important to note that this type of visa can be revoked if the spouses choose to divorce or if the marriage is considered null and void under Filipino law.
Muslim marriages are deemed valid under Sharia Law.
The marriage can also be annulled when the authorities determine that it was contracted simply for immigration purposes (in order to avoid the provision of the Immigration Act).
The following documents are required when applying for this type of visa that allows one to immigrate to Philippines:
- Proof of valid marriage to a Filipino citizen recognized according to the local laws;
- Proof of good health (not having any contagious disease);
- Proof of lack of records with a foreign law enforcement agency;
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support the family so as not to become a burden to society;
- Proof of not having been institutionalized for mental disabilities;
- Proof that the applicant has entered the Philippines with the approval of the immigration authorities.
In addition to the documents attesting to the fit and proper status of the applicant, the following documents are also required:
- Application form;
- Passport-size photograph and birth certificates for both spouses;
- Certified copy of the marriage agreement;
- Affidavit of the financial capacity;
- Documents attesting to the foreign spouse’s good medical condition, police clearance, Bureau of Investigation clearance (as per the conditions described above);
- The official receipt for the applicable fee.
After the application is approved, the foreign national will schedule a hearing with the authorities for the purpose of providing biometric data.
The ACR-I Card issued for the probationary resident by marriage (the first year of the visa) is a light purple one, followed by the Card for a permanent resident once it is renewed.
Our team can give you more information about the immigrant visa by marriage, one of the ways in which a foreign national is permitted to obtain permanent residency in the Philippines.
Acquiring citizenship in Philippines
The goal of foreign nationals who relocate to the Philippines is to remain in the country permanently and obtain citizenship.
The most important issue to take into account is that upon applying for citizenship in Philippines, the individual is required to renounce his or her former nationality.
There are two ways in which citizenship can be acquired:
- By birth: either of born in the territory (jus soil) or by descent, when the parents were Filipino nationals (jus sanguinis);
- By naturalization: by having lawfully spent sufficient years in the country and through compliance with the other requirements.
Former nationals born outside of the country to a Filipino parent (an individual who was a Philippine citizen at the time of the birth of the applicant) can receive Recognition as a Filipino citizen and they will not lose their current citizenship.
Those who apply for the retention/re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship will need to take an oath of allegiance.
For the recognition as a Filipino citizen, as well as for the affirmation of recognition as a Filipino citizen, the applicants will need to attend a hearing which will be scheduled accordingly.
All applications for citizenship as part of the process to immigrate to Philippines are subject to fees.
Contact us if you need assistance to relocate to Philippines.
If you are interested in tax matters concerning expats in the country, please reach out to our accountant in Philippines. We provide solutions for businesses or all sizes but are also able to offer tax counsel upon request, and assist freelancers or sole traders who require assistance or information on tax issues. You can reach out to us as soon as you have inquiries concerning your tax liability in the Philippines.
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