The 13‑G Immigrant Visa in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Legal Guide
1. Overview
The 13‑G visa is a quota‑exempt immigrant visa issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) to natural‑born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship through foreign naturalization and who wish to reside permanently in the Philippines together with their alien spouses and/or minor unmarried children. It is grounded on §13(g) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended) and fleshed out by a long line of BI Memorandum Circulars, most recently the Consolidated Visa Issuance Guidelines (CVIG, 2021), which restate documentary requirements, fees, and procedural steps.
2. Key Features
| Feature | 13‑G Visa |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Natural‑born Filipinos who became foreign citizens |
| Quota | Not subject to the 50‑per‑country quota under §13 |
| Validity | Permanent (indefinite) residence once granted; only the ACR I‑Card requires periodic renewal |
| Dependents | Alien spouse and minor ( < 18 yrs) unmarried children qualify for derivative visas (also under §13) |
| Rights | Live, work, or study in the Philippines without need of additional permits; entitled to “native” ownership of residential land under certain conditions (see R.A. 8179) |
| Obligations | Annual Report (§10, Immigration Act); Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) prior to final departure; re‑entry permits for temporary travel; renewal of ACR I‑Card every 5 yrs (or upon turning 14 for minors) |
| Comparison | Distinct from: • 13‑A (spouse of Filipino citizen) – for foreign spouses; • Republic Act 9225 dual‑citizenship (re‑acquisition of Philippine citizenship) – restores Filipino status rather than granting immigrant residence; • Balikbayan privilege (R.A. 6768) – one‑year visa‑free stay for former Filipinos, not permanent. |
3. Detailed Eligibility Requirements
Natural‑Born Status Proof: PSA‑issued (or authenticated) Philippine birth certificate; or Report of Birth if born abroad.
Loss of Philippine Citizenship Typically evidenced by:
- Foreign naturalization certificate, or
- Foreign passport indicating nationality other than “Philippines.”
Good Moral Character & No Disqualifications Applicant must not be:
- Convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (§29(a)(9));
- Afflicted with a dangerous, contagious, or loathsome disease (§29(a)(2));
- Likely to become a public charge (§29(a)(5)); etc.
Financial Capacity While §13(g) itself sets no explicit minimum, BI requires a Bank Certificate or other evidence of support to satisfy the “not likely to become a public charge” standard.
Clean Immigration Record No overstays or derogatory hits in BI or NBI databases.
4. Documentary Checklist (Main Applicant)
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) – BI Form MCL‑07‑01 | 2 originals, notarized |
| 2 | Valid foreign passport (photocopy of biodata & latest arrival stamps) | Passport must have at least 6 months validity at filing |
| 3 | PSA birth certificate or Report of Birth | To prove natural‑born status |
| 4 | Proof of loss of citizenship (e.g., naturalization certificate) | Attach official English translation if foreign language |
| 5 | National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, or police clearance abroad if applicant has stayed < 6 mos in PH | Issued within 6 months |
| 6 | BI Clearance Certificate (to be secured in‑process) | Confirms no derogatory records |
| 7 | Bank certificate or pension/retirement statement | Optional but strongly advised |
| 8 | Bureau of Quarantine medical clearance (if required) | Only when deemed necessary |
| 9 | Two 2″×2″ ID photos (white background) | Latest |
| 10 | Sworn statement of eligibility and intent to reside permanently | Notarized |
Derivative Applicants must add PSA/foreign marriage certificate (for spouse), PSA birth certificates (for children), and consent affidavit if only one parent applies.
5. Step‑by‑Step Procedure
| Step | Action | Timeframe* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre‑screening at BI Main Office (Intramuros) or authorized field office; secure Order of Payment Slip (OPS). | Same day |
| 2 | Assessment & Payment of fees at Cashier. | Same day |
| 3 | Submission of CGAF and supporting documents to Visa Extension Section. | Same day |
| 4 | Interview by Visa Officer, biometrics capture for ACR I‑Card. | 1–3 days after filing |
| 5 | Endorsement to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) for approval. | 2–4 weeks |
| 6 | Issuance of Implementation Letter; passport stamped “APPROVED 13‑G,” ACR I‑Card released. | 1–2 weeks after BOC approval |
| 7 | Annual Report every January–March; subsequent ACR I‑Card renewal every 5 years. | Ongoing |
*Processing times are indicative; actual duration varies with BI workload and completeness of documents.
6. Fees (as of BI Schedule of Fees, CY 2025)
| Particular | Amount (PHP) |
|---|---|
| Filing & evaluation | 8 630 |
| CGAF | 1 010 |
| ACR I‑Card (new) | 2 700 + USD 50 (card production) |
| Emigration Clearance & Misc. (if departing) | 2 880 |
| Legal Research Fee (LRF) | Add 10 % of most items |
Exact fees change periodically; always verify the latest BI schedule.
7. Post‑Approval Obligations
- ACR I‑Card Renewal – every five years or whenever passport is renewed / personal details change.
- Annual Report – personal appearance at any BI office within Jan 1–Mar 1 each year; ₱300 + ₱10 LRF.
- Re‑entry Permit (RP) – for each departure; grants multiple re‑entries within six months (₱2 820) or one year (₱3 650).
- Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC‑A) – required if the stay is ≥ 6 months but < 1 year, or ECC‑B if ≥ 1 year; apply 72 hours before flight.
- Update Civil Registry – report marriage, births, adoption, divorce, or death within 30 days (BI M.C. No. 2020‑003).
Failure to comply can lead to fines, downgrading to visitor status, or deportation.
8. Tax, Land Ownership & Employment Considerations
- Income Tax – Resident aliens under 13‑G are taxed only on Philippine‑sourced income (NIRC §23(A)).
- Land Ownership – R.A. 8179 allows natural‑born former Filipinos to own up to 1,000 m² of urban or 1 ha rural land for residential purposes.
- Employment – No Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is required; however, registration with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG is mandated for employees.
- Business Ownership – Subject to Foreign Investment Negative Lists (FINL); ownership caps may apply to “former Filipino” investors (e.g., 40 % in land‑intensive businesses).
9. Frequently‑Encountered Issues
| Scenario | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Incomplete documents at filing | Obtain Reassessment Letter instead of abandoning application; return within 30 days to avoid forfeiture of fees. |
| Overstaying prior to filing | Settle extension & overstay fines first; BI will not accept 13‑G applications with pending overstays. |
| Criminal record abroad | Secure Certificate of Good Conduct from foreign jurisdiction and a Philippine embassy attestation; BI may still deny on discretion. |
| Dual‑Citizenship vs 13‑G | If applicant wants to regain Filipino civil & political rights (e.g., vote, practice professions, own unlimited land), petition under R.A. 9225 instead. 13‑G gives residence only. |
| Derivative child turns 18 | Child must convert to 13‑A (as adult child of Filipino) or another appropriate status within 30 days. |
10. Cancellation, Downgrading, and Re‑application
The BI Board of Commissioners may cancel a 13‑G visa for: falsified documents, subsequent criminal conviction, failure to maintain admissibility, or prolonged absence indicating abandonment (usually > 1 year without valid re‑entry permit). A cancelled 13‑G holder re‑enters as a temporary visitor and must start anew.
11. Practical Tips for Applicants
- Arrive on a 9‑A visitor visa with at least 59 days permitted stay; immediately apply for 13‑G to avoid extension costs.
- Prepare certified English translations of foreign documents and have them apostilled (Hague) or consular‑authenticated.
- Schedule medical tests (chest X‑ray, VDRL) in advance—BI may request them ad hoc.
- Track BI advisories on public holidays; filing windows can be disrupted without notice.
- Keep multiple photocopies; BI requires one full set per dependent plus an extra for its records.
12. Conclusion
The 13‑G visa is the principal mechanism by which former Filipinos can seamlessly resume life in the Philippines without fully re‑acquiring citizenship. While procedurally less onerous than quota immigrant visas, it still demands meticulous documentary preparation and continuous compliance with immigration reporting rules. For applicants who wish to restore full political rights, a parallel assessment under R.A. 9225 remains advisable. Consulting a Philippine immigration lawyer or a BI‑accredited liaison can streamline the process, mitigate compliance risks, and ensure the transition to permanent resident status is smooth and enduring.