Quota Visa (Immigrant Visa under Section 13) in the Philippines

Immigrant visas are designed for foreign nationals who intend to reside permanently in the Philippines without the need to constantly renew temporary stay permits or visas. 

Under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No. 613), as amended, these immigrant visas may be non-quota visas, which are typically issued based on specific qualifications such as marriage to a Filipino citizen or returning former natural-born Filipinos, and quota visas—which are subject to strict annual numerical limits per nationality.  

What is a Quota Visa?

A Quota Visa, officially known as a Quota Immigrant Visa under Section 13, is an immigrant visa in the Philippines offered to foreign nationals who do not qualify under specific non-quota categories but hold special qualifications and a desire to live permanently in the country. 

Under Section 13 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No. 613), as amended:

“Section 13. Under the conditions set forth in this Act, there may be admitted into the Philippines immigrants, termed “quota immigrants,” not in excess of fifty (50) of any one nationality or without nationality for any one calendar year, except that the following immigrants, termed “non-quota immigrants,” may be admitted without regard to such numerical limitations.”

Based on the foregoing, quota visas are subject to a strict annual limit of 50 issuances per nationality. Once the quota for a particular nationality is filled, applicants must generally wait until the next calendar year or pursue another visa category. Unused quota slots do not carry over to the following year.   

In allocating available quota numbers, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), under BI Memorandum Circular No. RPL-11-003, gives priority to applicants with specialized skills, or scientific, educational, or technical expertise that benefit the country, as well as those with sufficient capital to make viable and sustainable investments. 

Who May Apply for a Quota Visa?

Quota visa applicants must be at least thirty (30) years old, have stayed in the Philippines for at least 180 days before applying, be a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations and reciprocal privileges for Filipinos, demonstrate a meaningful contribution through specialized skills, professional qualifications, or investments, and provide a bank certificate showing an inward remittance of at least US$100,000.

What Are the Requirements for a Quota Visa?

Quota visa applications require the submission of personal, financial, and qualification documents, together with the required clearances.

Personal and legal documents include the duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF), the passport biopage with the latest admission stamp showing a valid stay, and recent photographs.

Qualification and financial documents include a notarized letter explaining the applicant’s qualifications and expected contribution to the Philippines, a bank certificate showing an inward remittance of at least US$100,000, and proof that the applicant’s home country grants reciprocal residency privileges to Filipinos.

Applicants must also submit the required clearances, including an NBI Clearance if they have stayed in the Philippines for six months or more, or a Police Clearance from their home country if they have stayed for less than six months, as well as a medical clearance from an accredited clinic or the Bureau of Quarantine and a Bureau of Immigration Clearance confirming the absence of derogatory records.

Documents issued abroad must be duly authenticated or apostilled before submission to the Bureau of Immigration. Any unresolved immigration issues may also affect or delay the processing of the application.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Quota Visa?

The quota visa application fee paid to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is Php 18,830 for the principal applicant and the dependent spouse each, Php 18,580 for a dependent child below 16 years old, and Php 18,080 for a dependent child below 14 years old. An additional US$50 is charged for a one-year ACR I-Card.

Apart from these fees, visa applicants should also expect to pay professional service fees if they engage an immigration firm or visa service provider to prepare, file, and monitor the visa application. These fees vary depending on the complexity of the case and the scope of services required.

How to Apply for a Quota Visa?

Like most visa applications, the required documents must first be submitted to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office for initial screening. The applicant must then attend a scheduled interview with a hearing officer and undergo biometrics capture. After approval by the Board of Commissioners, the applicant’s passport must then be presented for visa stamping, followed by the issuance of an ACR I-Card, the official residency ID. 

The entire process, from initial submission of documentary requirements to issuance of the ACR I-Card, takes about three (3) to four (4) months, but can be extended depending on the availability and completeness of documents and the workload of the agency. 

To maintain visa validity, the holder must participate in the Annual Report, which is conducted within the first 60 days of each calendar year (i.e., from January 1 to March 1) at the designated Bureau of Immigration (BI) offices or through authorized virtual platforms. 

Duran & Duran-Schulze Law (“DDS Law”) is a Bureau of Immigration (BI)-accredited immigration law firm that assists foreign nationals with Quota Visa applications, other Philippine visa applications, and related immigration matters. For visa consultations, call us at (02) 8478-5826 (landline) or +639171940482 (mobile), or email info@duranschulze.com.