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Immigration Services in the Philippines
Handle Philippine immigration applications with clarity and full regulatory compliance. From document preparation and clearances to biometrics and visa implementation, every step is managed for efficiency and accuracy.
Types of Immigration Visas in the Philippines
Non-Immigrant Visa Options
Non-immigrant visas are intended for temporary stays in the Philippines for purposes such as employment, business, leisure, study, or transit.
- 9(g) work visa. commonly used by foreign nationals taking up long-term employment in the Philippines.
- 9(A) Temporary Visitor’s Visa. Suitable for short stays for tourism, business, or medical purposes.
Immigrant Visa
Immigrant visas are generally for foreign nationals seeking long-term or permanent residence. These applications often require careful review of personal documents, eligibility, and supporting records.
Quota Immigrant Visas:
- Designated for foreign nationals from countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines
- Granted based on reciprocal immigration privileges
- The Bureau of Immigration issues a maximum of 50 quota visas annually
Immigrant Visa
Immigrant visas are generally for foreign nationals seeking long-term or permanent residence. These applications often require careful review of personal documents, eligibility, and supporting records.
Non-Quota Immigrant Visas:
- Tailored for foreigners married to Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens looking to reacquire citizenship
- The 13(A) Marriage Visa is a common non-quota visa for foreign spouses of Filipino citizens with legally recognized marriages
- The 13(g) Visa is for previously natural-born citizens of the Philippines who have become citizens of another country and wish to return for permanent residence
Special Visa
Special non-immigrant visas are generally granted to foreign nationals who are employed by companies registered in the Philippines. The most common types in this category include:
- PEZA Visa. Issued to individuals working for organisations registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Board of Investments (BOI), or oil exploration companies.
- ROHQ/RHQ Visa. This visa is intended for foreign executives assigned to regional operating headquarters in the Philippines. It is typically valid for a maximum period of three years.
Non-Immigrant Visa Options
Non-immigrant visas are intended for temporary stays in the Philippines for purposes such as employment, business, leisure, study, or transit.
- 9(g) work visa. commonly used by foreign nationals taking up long-term employment in the Philippines.
- 9(A) Temporary Visitor’s Visa. Suitable for short stays for tourism, business, or medical purposes.
Immigrant Visa
Immigrant visas are generally for foreign nationals seeking long-term or permanent residence. These applications often require careful review of personal documents, eligibility, and supporting records.
Quota Immigrant Visas:
- Designated for foreign nationals from countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines
- Granted based on reciprocal immigration privileges
- The Bureau of Immigration issues a maximum of 50 quota visas annually
Immigrant Visa
Immigrant visas are generally for foreign nationals seeking long-term or permanent residence. These applications often require careful review of personal documents, eligibility, and supporting records.
Non-Quota Immigrant Visas:
- Tailored for foreigners married to Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens looking to reacquire citizenship
- The 13(A) Marriage Visa is a common non-quota visa for foreign spouses of Filipino citizens with legally recognized marriages
- The 13(g) Visa is for previously natural-born citizens of the Philippines who have become citizens of another country and wish to return for permanent residence
Special Visa
Special non-immigrant visas are generally granted to foreign nationals who are employed by companies registered in the Philippines. The most common types in this category include:
- PEZA Visa. Issued to individuals working for organisations registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Board of Investments (BOI), or oil exploration companies.
- ROHQ/RHQ Visa. This visa is intended for foreign executives assigned to regional operating headquarters in the Philippines. It is typically valid for a maximum period of three years.
Immigration Application Process
Our immigration application process provides clear, step-by-step support to help you manage visa requirements in the Philippines efficiently and compliantly.
Preparation of Required Documents
We assist you in gathering, verifying, and organising all necessary documentation relevant to your visa or immigration application. Proper preparation is crucial to preventing avoidable errors and ensuring compliance with current regulations.
Securing Appointments for NBI Clearance and BOQ Medical Examination
Our team arranges the required appointments with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) for your clearances and medical examinations. These preliminary checks are an essential condition for many types of visas.
Assistance with NBI Clearance and Medical Examination
We support you throughout the clearance and examination stages, providing guidance on procedures and documentation to ensure that this part of the process is completed accurately and efficiently.
Awaiting Issuance of NBI and Medical Clearances
We monitor the progress of both clearances, keeping you updated whilst addressing any issues that may arise. Timely receipt of these documents is a prerequisite for your application to advance.
Settlement of Required Fees
We provide clear guidance regarding fee schedules and payment channels, helping you fulfil all financial obligations promptly and correctly to avoid administrative setbacks.
Photograph and Biometric Capture at the Immigration Office
We coordinate your appointment with the Bureau of Immigration for image and fingerprint capture, a standard requirement for identity verification and the creation of official records.
Awaiting Approval or Further Action
We track your application's status, keep you informed of developments, and liaise with authorities to address any additional requests or queries until a decision is reached.
Securing Visa Implementation
Upon approval, we facilitate the final issuance and implementation of your visa, providing instructions on the next steps and formalising your immigration status.
Securing an ACR I-Card
For applicable cases, we ensure you obtain your Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), an official proof of registration for foreign nationals residing in the Philippines.
Why Choose Ascentium Philippines
We keep you informed and involved, explaining each step and providing clear timelines and expectations.
We take time to understand your unique situation, tailoring our advice and solutions to your specific needs.
Our team has successfully assisted hundreds of clients in securing work visas, residence permits, and special investor or retiree visas—many of whom return to us for future needs or refer friends and colleagues.
Visa Application Support By Experts
Our Philippine immigration services are provided by qualified consultants with direct experience in managing visa applications, immigration documentation, government clearances, and regulatory compliance.
Our Other Corporate and Advisory Services
Corporate Secretarial Services
Ongoing statutory compliance, SEC filings and corporate housekeeping.
Payroll Services
Payroll administration, statutory contributions, and employment compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The primary types are non-immigrant visas (for temporary stays), immigrant visas (for permanent residence), and special visas (for investors, retirees, executives, and other special programs).
In many cases, you can apply for a change of visa status while already in the country. However, eligibility depends on your specific situation and visa rules. Our consultants can advise on the right process for your case.
A quota immigrant visa is a limited, numerically restricted permanent residency visa for nationals from certain countries with reciprocal immigration agreements. The Bureau of Immigration issues only 50 quota visas per nationality per year.
Yes, certain visa types—especially immigrant and special visas—allow for concurrent or subsequent applications by immediate family members. We’ll help you determine the best approach based on your family structure.
Insights & Resources
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