Fiancé Visa Requirements for Foreign Nationals Marrying in the Philippines (Philippine Immigration & Family-Law Guide, updated to June 2025)
1. Does the Philippines Actually Issue a “Fiancé Visa”?
No. Unlike the U.S. “K-1” or the U.K. “Fiancé (Marriage) Visa,” the Philippine immigration system offers no dedicated fiancé category for foreigners who intend to marry a Filipino/a. Instead, you enter on one of the ordinary short-stay visas—most commonly the 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa (or visa-free entry under Executive Order 408 if your nationality qualifies)—and later convert to a long-term resident status after the wedding.
2. Entry Into the Philippines Before Marriage
| Path | Who May Use It | Initial Stay | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry (EO 408 list) | Citizens of 150 + jurisdictions (e.g., U.S., most EU, Japan, Australia) | 30 days | Passport valid ≥ 6 months; onward/return ticket; proof of funds |
| 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa obtained from a Philippine Consulate | Nationals not on EO 408 list or those wanting 59 days up-front | 59 days (extendable in-country up to 36 months*) | Confirmation of hotel/host affidavit; financial capacity; police or NBI clearance for some nationals |
| Balikbayan Privilege (RA 6768) | Foreign spouse/fiancé(e) entering together with a Filipino who has been abroad ≥ 1 year | 12 months visa-free | Present marriage certificate or proof of child + passports at immigration desk |
*90 days for visa-required nationals; cumulative extensions require paying BI fees and maintaining ACR-I-Card after 59 days.
3. Civil Law Requirements to Marry
Both parties appear at the Local Civil Registry (LCR) in the city/municipality where either lives, complete the Application for Marriage License (Family Code, Art. 11-21).
Ten-day posting period for public notice (waived only for a court-approved marriage in articulo mortis).
Certificate/Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (LCCM) – foreigners must obtain this from their own embassy/consulate in Manila or Cebu. If the embassy refuses to issue an LCCM (common for some EU states), the foreigner may execute an Affidavit in Lieu of LCCM and have it apostilled/notarized.
Passport & birth certificate (authenticated copy or apostilled).
Proof of civil status:
- Single — Affidavit of Singleness.
- Widowed — PSA-authenticated death certificate of prior spouse.
- Divorced/annulled — final decree + Philippine court recognition of foreign divorce (if Filipino party was involved).
Parental consent/advice if either party is 18-25 years old (Family Code, Art. 14-15).
Pre-marriage counseling (city health & DSWD).
The marriage license is valid nationwide for 120 days; unused, it automatically lapses.
4. Wedding & Registration
- Ceremony may be civil (judge, mayor) or religious (authorized solemnizing officer).
- Two witnesses aged ≥ 18.
- After the ceremony, the officiant files the Certificate of Marriage with the LCR within 15 days (30 days for religious).
- Secure PSA-issued Marriage Certificate on security paper ~2-3 months later; this is essential for immigration, banking, health-insurance updates, and foreign spouse’s future visa applications.
5. Immigration Options After the Wedding
| Visa/Status | Who Qualifies | Key Requirements | Validity & Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (Filipino spouse) | Foreign spouse of a Filipino citizen, married in the Philippines or abroad | PSA marriage certificate; joint letter request; BI Form MCL-07-01; NBI clearance (if ≥ 6 months in PH); medical exam; proof of financial capacity (combined household) | Probationary 1 year → after satisfactory BI evaluation → Permanent (indefinite, ACR-I-Card renewed every 5 years) |
| 13(g) Returning Former Filipino | Foreign spouse who was previously a Filipino (natural-born) & spouse/child | PSA marriage/birth cert; proof of old Philippine citizenship | Same progression as 13(a) |
| Visa-free Balikbayan (one-year) | Filipino spouse & foreign spouse enter together | Valid marriage cert; passports | May be extended once for 6 months; cannot work; convertible to 13(a) inside PH |
| Temporary Resident Visa under SVEG (Sec. 47(a)(2)) | Nationals of states with reciprocity (e.g., China) married to Filipino | Similar docs + proof of reciprocity | Renewable every year; converts to 13(a) after 5 years of marriage |
| Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) | ≥ 50 years old, USD 10k-20k deposit, spouse may be included | Marriage cert; investment proof | Permanent with multiple-entry; not strictly marriage-linked but practical for retirees |
6. Staying Legal During the Gap
- File a Visa Conversion Request (9(a) → 13(a)) with the Bureau of Immigration before the 9(a) or EO 408 stay expires.
- While the 13(a) application is pending, BI issues order of extension & Alien Certificate of Registration – I-Card (ACR-I).
- Working, establishing a business, or long-term missionary activity is not allowed until the 13(a) probationary approval unless you also secure an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) and a Special Work Permit (SWP).
7. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Overstaying a tourist visa – fines mount at ₱500/day plus ₱2,000/month penalty and may trigger an Order to Leave or blacklisting.
- Delayed LCCM – plan embassy appointments early; some embassies take 3-6 weeks.
- Unrecognized foreign divorce – if the Filipino spouse obtained a divorce abroad, a Philippine court recognition case is mandatory before any new marriage.
- Confusing “Balikbayan Privilege” with a resident visa – the Balikbayan stamp does not authorize work and lapses automatically after a year if not extended or converted.
- Same-sex couples – Philippine law does not yet recognize same-sex marriage; foreign same-sex spouses may enter as tourists but cannot convert to 13(a) on the basis of that marriage.
- Inaccurate birth or name details – errors on PSA certificates require civil-registry court/administrative corrections, delaying 13(a) approval.
8. Fees Snapshot (as of June 2025, subject to BI/LCR changes)
- Marriage license: ₱300–₱500 (city dependent) + seminar fees.
- Embassy LCCM/Affidavit: USD 50–150 (varies).
- ACR-I-Card: USD 50 + ₱500 express lane fee.
- 13(a) conversion & probationary: approx. ₱11,000–₱13,000 all-in (excludes ACR-I).
- Annual Report for resident aliens (January–March): ₱300.
9. Rights & Obligations After Obtaining 13(a) Permanent Residency
- Multiple-entry, indefinite stay in the Philippines.
- Work, establish business, or study without additional visas (except regulated professions).
- Must file annual report in person or via BI-accredited courier.
- Leaving the Philippines for > 1 year requires a Re-Entry Permit (RP) or Multiple Re-Entry Permit (MRP) (valid up to 5 years).
- Divorce abroad by the foreign spouse does not automatically cancel the visa; BI may require proof and initiate downgrade to tourist status.
10. Quick Timeline Example (U.S. Citizen Groom)
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Consular LCCM appointment & notarized affidavit | 1–2 weeks |
| Marriage license (incl. 10-day posting) | 12–14 days |
| Ceremony & PSA certificate release | 2 months |
| 13(a) application & probationary approval | 2–4 months |
| Probationary period | 12 months |
| Conversion to Permanent 13(a) | 1–2 months |
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we apply for the 13(a) while engaged? A: No. The marriage certificate is the core proof of eligibility; submit the application only after receiving the PSA copy.
Q: My tourist visa expires next week but PSA hasn’t released the certificate yet—what now? A: File a standard tourist-visa extension (29 days) or request a visa waiver; once the PSA copy arrives, proceed with 13(a) conversion.
Q: Do I lose my 13(a) if my Filipino spouse dies? A: No automatic loss, but BI may downgrade if the foreigner remarries a non-Filipino or commits deportable acts. Permanent residents remain subject to immigration look-back after five years.
Q: Can my children from a previous relationship join me? A: Yes, minor children (< 21, unmarried) of the foreign spouse may apply for 13(a) derivative status; adult children may consider student visas or SRRV.
12. Practical Tips
- Photocopy everything (at least three sets) and bring original documents for comparison.
- Dress smartly at BI; interview impressions matter.
- Maintain joint bank statements or utility bills to establish cohabitation—BI inspectors may conduct spot visits during probationary period.
- Keep receipts; BI occasionally asks for proof of paid taxes or income when renewing the ACR-I-Card.
- If planning to live abroad later, the Filipino spouse should apply for Recognition/Re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship to preserve benefits when naturalizing overseas.
13. Summary Cheat-Sheet
Before arrival: confirm visa-free eligibility or secure 9(a). Pre-marriage: embassy LCCM → marriage license (10 days) → wedding. Post-marriage: get PSA certificate → convert 9(a)/Balikbayan to 13(a) within authorized stay. Long-term: probationary 1 year → permanent 13(a) → annual reports & re-entry permits.
This article synthesizes Philippine statutes (Family Code, CA 613 as amended, EO 408, RA 6768, BI Operations Orders) & prevailing Bureau of Immigration practice up to June 21 2025. Immigration fees and processing times can shift without prior notice; always verify with the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Bureau of Immigration headquarters in Intramuros, Manila before acting.