Philippines 13a Visa- Eligibility, Steps, Marriage Visa Requirements, (2023)

FAQs

What is the requirements for marriage visa in Philippines? ›

Proof of Philippine citizenship of Filipino spouse (e.g. Philippine passport or Philippine birth certificate) PSA-issued Marriage Certificate, both the original and 2 photocopies. Original and two (2) photocopies of the applicant's Apostilled Birth Certificate.

The entire process for obtaining a CR1 Marriage Visa takes about 12-14 months from the date that you first file your CR1 Marriage Visa application. The application must first be filed with USCIS for approval.

A marriage certificate, a notarial agreement, a customary union certificate and a civil union certificate as proof that the applicant has been the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident for five years at the time of application.

If you are a U.S. citizen, once you file Form I-130, your spouse is eligible to apply for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa. This will entitle him or her to come to the United States to live and work while the visa petition is pending. To petition for this benefit, file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e).

Philippine law requires all foreigners to provide a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” before filing for a marriage license. This certification affirms that there are no legal impediments to the foreigner marrying a Filipino (i.e., that the foreigner is not currently married to someone else).

Your application can take 2-3 months total processing time. Typically, Consulates will take 2-3 weeks to review the 13a visa application form and required documents. The Consulate will contact the applicant and the Filipino spouse for an in-person interview once the 13a visa application is complete.

Bringing the Filipino Spouse to the United States

He or she must be petitioned by the American spouse and apply for a visa to enter the United States. The Filipino spouse may enter the United States on a K-3 nonimmigrant visa, CR1 immigrant visa or IR1 immigrant visa.

Spouses and family members who are considered to be in the immediate relative category usually obtain their visas within 5-12 months of submitting their applications. Those in the family preference category will experience a longer wait as it can take anywhere from 6 months to 6 years to obtain their visas.

What is 13a Immigrant by marriage Amendment? ›

13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage

The 13(a) Non-Quota Visa is issued to foreign nationals who have contracted a valid marriage, recognized by Philippine laws, with a Filipino citizen. The petitioner of the visa should be the Filipino spouse.

Many couples incorrectly assume that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically approve their marriage-based Green Card application. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Green Card applications are routinely denied for a myriad of reasons.

Joint bank account statements showing the names of both spouses. Titles or deeds for jointly owned property (real estate or vehicles) Mortgage or loan documents showing joint responsibility for payments. Joint credit card statements showing the name of each spouse as either account holder or authorized user.

Main Reasons For Getting Visa Denied are:

Lack of evidence or fraudulent evidence. Forms that are not signed. Legal obstacles such as the divorce process of the previous marriage. U.S. citizen income does not meet the criteria.

If an American is planning to get married to a citizen of the Philippines, a major requirement that must be produced is a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR). This is a document from the Philippines government certifying that an individual is single.

General Information. In order to register the birth, marriage or death abroad of a Filipino to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to the Philippines, it should be reported to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General having jurisdiction over where the vital event took place.

You do not need to annul your marriage in the Philippines in order to get married in the U.S. Instead, you can divorce your spouse in the U.S., which would constitute a valid termination of your first marriage, enabling you to enter into a second marriage.

This relates to both the CR1 visa interview and the USCIS adjudication. According to the USCIS Reports, statistically, 90% of the I-130 petitions are approved, but this number includes more than just spouses.

Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.

If you are not yet married and your fiancé is still in the Philippines, you can, if you are a U.S. citizen, petition for your fiancé to enter the U.S. on a K-1 visa in order to get married in the U.S.—and then your new spouse can stay in the U.S. to apply for a green card, if desired.

Can I get married in Philippine embassy? ›

The Embassy may only solemnize the marriage between two Filipino citizens who are both eligible for marriage under Philippine law. Both the bride and the groom must personally appear at the Philippine Embassy to accomplish and sign the Application for Marriage License and submit the documentary requirements.

The 13A Resident Visa is issued to (a) restricted nationals who are legally married to Filipino citizens; and (b) their unmarried children under 21 years old, to legally live in the Philippines for one year and extend for two years at the Bureau of Immigration.

The bank balance required for a Philippines visa is the minimum amount you will need in your bank to be able to apply for a visa. The Philippines embassy has set this amount to be at least $1000.

All you need is a valid ID, and a great internet connection, and within 48 hours you can get your marriage certificate.

Philippine law requires all foreigners to provide a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” before filing for a marriage license. This certification affirms that there are no legal impediments to the foreigner marrying a Filipino (i.e., that the foreigner is not currently married to someone else).

The 13a probationary allows you to stay in the Philippines for up to one year as the foreign spouse of a Filipino citizen.

Payment of Immigrant Visa Fee of $150.00 cashier's check if in person; if by mail cashier's check or US Postal Money Order. Proof of Philippine citizenship of Filipino spouse (e.g. Philippine passport or Philippine birth certificate) Marriage Certificate, both the original and a photocopy.

13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage

This visa will allow the Applicant to stay in the Philippines indefinitely provided the conditions of the visa are maintained, i.e. a valid marriage with a Filipino citizen, among others.

If you are not yet married and your fiancé is still in the Philippines, you can, if you are a U.S. citizen, petition for your fiancé to enter the U.S. on a K-1 visa in order to get married in the U.S.—and then your new spouse can stay in the U.S. to apply for a green card, if desired.

Bringing the Filipino Spouse to the United States

He or she must be petitioned by the American spouse and apply for a visa to enter the United States. The Filipino spouse may enter the United States on a K-3 nonimmigrant visa, CR1 immigrant visa or IR1 immigrant visa.

How long can my American husband stay in the Philippines? ›

Visitors who are admitted as balikbayan are given an initial stay of one (1) year. Their stay may be extended for an additional one (1), two (2) or six (6) months at the Visa Extension Section of a Bureau of immigration office.

You do not need to annul your marriage in the Philippines in order to get married in the U.S. Instead, you can divorce your spouse in the U.S., which would constitute a valid termination of your first marriage, enabling you to enter into a second marriage.

All you need is a valid ID, and a great internet connection, and within 48 hours you can get your marriage certificate.

Once the requirements are submitted, along with the application form for the marriage license, you will have to wait 10 business days or 2 weeks for the document to be issued. Once you have the marriage license, you can then proceed with the marriage ceremony.