Stay visas are a great option for foreign nationals who would want to retire and live in the Philippines with either their dependents or just by themselves permanently — you can extend your Stay Visa depending on the type you apply for. At Duran & Duran-Schulze Law, we provide legal assistance in obtaining stay visas and ensure that your Philippine journey begins with ease.
Stay Visa in the Philippines
If you are planning to reside in the Philippines, here are the visa options for you:
Spouse Visa (13A)
It is granted to foreign nationals married to Filipino citizens, and their child/children under twenty-one (21) years old. It allows them to live in the Philippines permanently. With this visa, the foreign spouse can also work in the country, but still required to secure a work permit.
To apply for a Spouse Visa, the following requirements must be submitted:
- Photocopy of Passport Arrival in the Philippines
- Original passport (both spouses)
- PSA Birth Certificate of Filipino spouse
- NBI Clearance of foreign spouse
- Barangay Certificate
- Curriculum Vitae
- Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
It is offered to foreign nationals married to a Filipino citizen, but whose country does not have a reciprocity agreement with the Philippines. Their unmarried child/children aged below twenty-one (21) can also apply for this visa. It allows them to stay in the country for one (1) year during probationary status and five (5) years if converted to permanent status and renewable for another five (5) years.
To apply for a TRV Visa, you must have the following documents:
- Passport with a minimum of six (6) months validity beyond the intended period of your stay in the Philippines
- PSA Birth Certificate of Filipino spouse
- Marriage Certificate
Note that if the marriage took place outside the Philippines, it must be apostilled by the issuing agency or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy.
Chinese National Spouse Visa (MCL-07-210)
It is issued to Chinese nationals married to Filipino citizens, and their legitimate children who are under twenty-one (21) years old.
To apply for a Chinese National Spouse Visa, the following requirements must be submitted:
- Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from you and your petitioning Filipino Spouse
- Duly accomplished CGAF (BI Form CGAF-001-Rev-2)
- Photocopy of passport bio-page, visa implementation page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
- Joint affidavit of continuous cohabitation of you and your petitioning spouse
- NBI Clearance
Non-Quota Immigrant (13G)
It is issued to natural-born Filipinos returning to the country after acquiring a different citizenship.
To apply for 13G Visa, you must acquire the following requirements:
- Proof of being a natural-born citizen of the Philippines (i.e. PSA Birth Certificate)
- Naturalization papers in a foreign country
- No record of any derogatory information against you in both local and foreign law enforcement agencies
Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)
It is offered to foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who are at least fifty (50) years old and wish to retire and reside in the country permanently.
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) offers different SRRV, which are as follows:
- SRRV Smile is offered to active and healthy foreign retirees and may deposit a US $20,000 in any of the PRA accredited banks.
- SRRV Classic is for active or healthy foreign retirees who would opt to use their visa deposit to purchase condominium units or use for long term lease of house and lot. The visa deposit under this scheme are as follows:
- US $20,000 – applicants aged 50 years old and above without pension
- US $10,000 – applicants aged 50 years old and above, and currently receiving pension
- US $800 per month – for single applicants
- US $1,000 per month – for applicants with dependents
- SRRV Human Touch is offered to ailing retirees who need medical or clinical care. They must have a monthly pension of at least US $1,500.00 and a health insurance policy accepted in the Philippines. They are also required to deposit a US $10,000.
- SRRV Courtesy is granted to former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals who have served in the Philippines as ambassadors and diplomats. They are required to deposit a US $1,500.
- SRRV Expanded Courtesy is issued to foreign nationals who receive a monthly pension of at least US $1,000 and can remit a visa deposit of US $ 1,500.
Quota Immigrant Visa (13)
It is granted to foreign nationals whose countries have diplomatic ties to the Philippines and grant the same immigration privileges to Filipino citizens.
Every year, this visa is offered to fifty (50) individuals who meet the following qualifications:
- High educational attainment
- Technical knowledge
- Unique experience, or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, professions, or business that will benefit the national economy or be of national interest
Additionally, you need to have sustainable investment authorized by the BI Commissioner.
Other Visas in the Philippines:
Invest Visas allow foreign nationals to invest in Philippine companies without needing to reside in the country permanently.
Work Visas allow foreign nationals to work in the Philippines temporarily. These types of visas can be used for travel, business trips, or even long-term employment.
Top Work Visa: 9(g) Visa | SVEG Visa | PEZA 47(a)(2) Visa
Note: Immigration laws in the Philippines can change unexpectedly. This means that eligibility for visas, required documents, processing times, visa validity, and other visa application information may be subject to updates. To stay informed, we advise consulting with our Immigration and Visa Specialists.
Duran & Duran-Schulze Law Can Help
Application Process Assistance
We handle the entire visa application process on behalf of our clients. If you also need assistance with renewing your visa, we can help you. We also offer assistance with citizenship applications and naturalization.
Offer Legal Counsel
We are committed to offer legal counsel and assist our clients by providing information about the visa application procedures and the necessary requirements. We also help our clients solve their problems to prevent any delays and assist them in exploring legal remedies.
Follow-Up and Monitor
We monitor the progress of our client’s visa application and follow-up with immigration authorities as needed to urge the process. We ensure that our clients will stay informed about their application status.
Resolve Visa Concerns
We are dedicated to answer our client’s queries and address their concerns promptly. Our goal is to keep our clients informed about potential risks and guide them on providing solutions.
