Immigrant Visas
Immigrants are foreign nationals who opt to stay in the country permanently without renouncing their citizenship. In the Philippines, a foreigner may acquire immigrant status if his country reciprocally allows Filipinos to become immigrants in that country. For more information, check the BI Info Center for general information, or look here for instructions on specific types of immigrant visas.
Quota Immigrant Visa
See BI instructions for more info. For Americans who seek entry to the Philippines for permanent residence, but who do not qualify under any of the categories of for non-quota immigration, the Philippines admits as immigrants a quota of fifty (50) for any one calendar year
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa
See BI instructions for more info.
- Marriage . For the foreign spouse or the unmarried child under 21 years of age of a Philippine citizen, if accompanying or following to join such citizen.
- Returning Resident . For a foreigner who previously was lawfully admitted to the Philippines for permanent residence and who is returning from a temporary visit abroad to an unrelinquished residence in the Philippines.
- Returning former Philippine Citizen. For a natural born citizen of the Philippines, who has been naturalized in the US and is returning to the Philippines for permanent residence, including his spouse and minor unmarried children.
- Balikbayan Status. For former Philippine citizens who are visiting the Philippines (balikbayans). This entry is valid for one year; after one year, the balikbayan has to pay monthly extension fees on top of fees for Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), Head Tax, Certificate of Temporary Residence Visa (CTRV.) Extensions are granted on an ad hoc basis and the final decision for approval and length of extension are granted at the discretion of the BI official. Use BI form RBR 98-02 for extensions.