According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), an application for a visa downgrade entails the reversion of a foreign national’s visa to a temporary visitor or tourist to continue his legal stay in the Philippines.
Who Needs to Apply for Visa Downgrade?
To simply put, if you are a foreigner who has Pre-arranged Employee Commercial or Non-Commercial Visa, Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage or Temporary Resident Visa, 47(A)(2) Visa, Special Visas, or 9(E) visa, and you are no longer employed in the Philippines, you need to downgrade your visa to a temporary visitor or tourist visa.
How to Process a Visa Downgrade?
To process a visa downgrade, the applicant must follow these procedures as provided by the BI for Visa Downgrade:
- Letter of Request. Present the letter request for downgrading and other requirements to the office of the Bureau of Immigration.
- Reason for Downgrade. State the reasons for downgrading (i.e. resignation, termination, late filing of extension of visa or dissolution of the company, etc.)
a.) If filed by the applicant, indicate his/her address and contact numbers
b.) If filed by a petitioning company, firm or agency, a letter must be in the representative’s letterhead with address and contact numbers. - Get OPS. Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
- Pay Fees. Pay the required immigration fees.
- Get Receipt. Get the Official Receipt.
- Submit Requirements. Submit an official receipt with the other requirements for downgrading.
- Approval. If approved, present passport for implementation.
- Claim. Claim the passport stamped with the downgraded visa.
What are the Requirements for Visa Downgrade?
Additional requirements per visa:
Type of Visa | Requirements |
Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa and Non-Commercial Visa (Missionary) | Certificate of Employment/Certification of Missionary Work from the Petitioning Company/Congregation |
Non-Quota Immigrant (13G) Visa by Marriage or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) | Request must come from the applicant and/or spouse indicating their residential address and contact number/s, photocopy of Marriage Certificate or Contract |
47(A)(2) Visa or Special Non-Immigrant Visa | Department of Justice (DOJ) indorsement granting the visa and proof of downgrading from the DOJ |
Special Visa (CWV, SCWV, SCIV, FMW, etc) | Cancellation order from the Economic Zone Authorities |
9(E) Visa or Accredited Foreign Government Officials | Certificate of employment from the Embassy/Consulate/International Organization, Endorsement from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and copy of Embassy’s Note Verbale, if applicable |
Need further information and assistance regarding Visa Downgrade? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+632) 8478 5826 or +63 917 194 0482, or send an email to info@duranschulze.com for more information.
