Philippine Visa Options for a Foreign Fiancé—and How to Legally Marry in the Philippines

Updated for general guidance based on Philippine law and common Bureau of Immigration (BI) practice as of mid-2024. Immigration/consular rules change and local civil registrars (LCRs) can have municipality-specific requirements. Treat this as practical legal information, not a substitute for individualized legal advice.

Executive Summary

There is no Philippine “fiancé(e) visa.” Most foreign partners enter as tourists (visa-free or on a 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa) and marry while lawfully in the country.
After the wedding, the foreign spouse can pursue resident status—most commonly the 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage (probationary for 1 year, then permanent), or in select nationalities a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) by Marriage.
If you marry first (in or outside the Philippines) and arrive together, the foreign spouse may receive one year visa-free entry via the Balikbayan Privilege—not available to fiancés.
Marrying locally requires a Marriage License from the LCR, a 10-day posting period, and proof the foreigner is legally free to marry (usually a Certificate/Affidavit of Legal Capacity issued or notarized through their embassy/consulate), plus apostilled translations of foreign documents.
Tourist stay can be extended—often up to 36 months continuous stay for visa-exempt nationalities (and typically 24 months for visa-required nationals). At 59 days, an ACR I-Card is required. Stays ≥6 months generally require an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) to depart.

Part I — Entering the Philippines Before the Wedding

1) Visa-Free Entry (Executive Order No. 408 list)

Nationals of many countries may enter visa-free for 30 days if they hold a passport valid ≥6 months and onward/return tickets.
You may apply at BI for tourist extensions (see below).
Good fit if you plan to arrive, prepare documents, and marry within a few months.

2) 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa)

For visa-required nationals, or anyone who prefers to arrive with a pre-arranged stay beyond 30 days.
Issued by Philippine embassies/consulates; initial stay varies (often 59 days).
Extendable post-arrival at BI.

3) Extending Tourist Status (Both Visa-Free and 9(a))

First extension commonly 29 days, then 1-, 2-, or 6-month increments (Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension may be available).
Maximum continuous stay is commonly up to 36 months for visa-exempt nationals and up to 24 months for visa-required nationals (tourist classification).
Staying beyond 59 days requires an ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration).
ECC (Emigration Clearance Certificate) is typically required for tourists who have stayed ≥6 months before departing.

Important: You can legally marry while on tourist status. Tourist status does not authorize employment.

4) Other, Less-Common Pre-Marriage Paths

9(g) Pre-arranged Employment Visa (employer-sponsored) or 9(f) Student Visa—unrelated to being a fiancé, but possible if independently eligible.
SIRV/SRRV (investor/retiree) programs exist but are specialized and not fiancé-specific.

Part II — How to Legally Marry in the Philippines

1) Who Can Marry: Basic Capacity Rules

Minimum age: 18 for both parties. (Child marriage is prohibited.)
Marital status: Both must be single, divorced, annulled, or widowed (and able to prove it).
Parental involvement for younger applicants:
- 18–21: Parental consent required.
- 21–25: Parental advice required (license may be delayed if absent).

2) Where to Start: The Local Civil Registrar (LCR)

Apply for a Marriage License at the LCR where either party resides.
Posting period: At least 10 consecutive days after filing.
Validity: License is typically valid for 120 days nationwide.

3) Core Documentary Requirements

For the Filipino citizen:

PSA-issued Birth Certificate.
CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) from PSA.
If previously married:
- PSA Marriage Certificate with proper annotation and court decree if an annulment/nullity;
- Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce (and PSA annotation) if the divorce was obtained abroad by/for a Filipino;
- PSA Death Certificate if widowed.

For the foreign fiancé:

Passport (identity & nationality).
Proof of legal capacity to marry—commonly:
- Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage or Certificate/Declaration of No Impediment issued by your embassy/consulate or
- Affidavit in lieu (some embassies notarize an affidavit rather than issue a certificate).
Proof of civil status (single/divorced/widowed). If divorced or widowed, provide the divorce decree or death certificate.

Apostille & translation:

Foreign civil documents (birth, divorce, death, etc.) must usually be apostilled (or consularly authenticated if from a non-Apostille country) and officially translated if not in English/Filipino.

Local/LCR-specific add-ons (vary by city/municipality):

Government-issued IDs, residence or barangay certificate, community tax certificate (cedula).
Pre-Marriage Orientation/Counseling certificates (usually required).
For religious weddings (e.g., Catholic), church-specific clearances (e.g., pre-Cana) apply in addition to the marriage license.

4) Ceremony & Registration

Civil (judge, mayor) or religious (priest, imam, minister).
After the ceremony, the officiant registers the marriage with the LCR; the LCR then transmits records to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
You may request certified copies from the LCR shortly after registration; PSA-issued copies typically become available later.

Part III — After the Wedding: Immigration Options for the Foreign Spouse

1) 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage (Most Common)

Who qualifies: Lawfully married to a Filipino citizen, marriage valid under Philippine law.

Where to apply:

In the Philippines: apply at BI to convert from tourist to 13(a).
Abroad: apply for a 13(a) immigrant visa at a Philippine embassy/consulate, then enter as an immigrant.

Nature of the status:

Usually granted as probationary (1 year) first; if the marriage remains subsisting and you remain admissible, it is amended to permanent residence thereafter.

Typical documentary set (high-level):

Joint letter of application from both spouses.
BI application forms; passport; photos.
PSA (or certified LCR) Marriage Certificate.
Proof of Filipino spouse’s citizenship (e.g., Philippine passport or PSA birth certificate).
Police clearance from country of origin and NBI Clearance if you have stayed in PH for >6 months.
BI clearances/fees, ACR I-Card issuance.

Rights & obligations:

Residence and multiple entries.
To take employment, a DOLE Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is generally required (immigration status alone does not exempt you from labor permitting).
ACR I-Card is issued; Annual Report with BI is required each year (typically January–February).
Notify BI of changes (address, civil status, passport).

2) Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) by Marriage (Special Cases)

Available to certain nationals where reciprocity for permanent residence is not recognized under 13(a).
Similar documentary requirements; results in temporary residence tied to the marriage, renewable as long as conditions remain.

3) Balikbayan Privilege (After Marriage, Not for Fiancés)

If the couple is already married and arrive together, the foreign spouse may receive one year visa-free entry at the port of entry under the Balikbayan Program (show marriage certificate and spouse’s PH passport).
This is useful while waiting to file 13(a) or if planning extended family visits. (Not available pre-marriage, and issuance is at the discretion of the border officer.)

4) Staying in Tourist Status While You Wait

Many couples file 13(a) shortly after the wedding. If you need more time (e.g., waiting for PSA copy), you may keep extending tourist status (within BI limits) until your residency filing is ready.

5) Marriages Performed Abroad

If you marry outside the Philippines, file a Report of Marriage (ROM) at the Philippine embassy/consulate where the marriage occurred so it is recorded in Philippine civil registries.
With a foreign marriage certificate (apostilled/translated), you can:
- Enter with your Filipino spouse and request Balikbayan at the airport, or
- Apply for 13(a) at the consulate abroad or after entry at BI (conversion).

Part IV — Compliance, Travel, and Practicalities

1) ACR I-Card & Annual Report

Tourists staying beyond 59 days and resident visa holders must secure/maintain an ACR I-Card.
Annual Report to BI is required for ACR holders once a year (generally Jan–Feb).

2) Departing the Philippines

ECC (Emigration Clearance Certificate) is typically required for:
- Tourists who have stayed ≥6 months continuously; and
- Many resident visa holders before certain departures (check BI’s current ECC-A/B rules).
Airlines also enforce the onward/return ticket rule for tourists.

3) Overstay & Penalties

Overstays incur fines, visa fees, and possible blacklisting. Regularize promptly if you miss a deadline.

4) Special Situations & Edge Cases

Same-sex marriages: As of this writing, Philippine law recognizes marriage only between a man and a woman. A foreign same-sex marriage is generally not treated as a valid marriage for a 13(a) or Balikbayan spousal benefit (other visa categories may still be available if independently eligible).
Dual-citizen Filipino partner (RA 9225): If the Filipino partner reacquires/retains Philippine citizenship and holds an Identification Certificate or PH passport, they are treated as Filipino for marriage/immigration purposes.
Foreign fiancé with minor children: Unmarried children under 21 of the foreign spouse may often apply as dependents under spousal residency once the principal 13(a)/TRV is granted (document each child’s identity, custody/consent, and civil status; apostilles/translations apply).
Prior marriages/divorce:
- Foreigners: provide apostilled divorce decree/court orders.
- Filipinos: a foreign divorce normally needs Judicial Recognition by a Philippine court (and PSA annotation) before an LCR will issue a new marriage license.
Name changes: Update your ACR I-Card, bank, and immigration records if the foreign spouse changes name after marriage.

Part V — Step-by-Step Roadmap (Typical)

Plan entry:
- Check if visa-free; otherwise apply for 9(a) at a consulate.
- Prepare onward ticket and complete eTravel pre-arrival registration.
Gather marriage papers in advance:
- Foreign partner: legal capacity document from your embassy/consulate; apostilled divorce/death records if applicable; translations.
- Filipino partner: PSA birth certificate, CENOMAR, and—if previously married—annotated PSA records and court decree / recognized foreign divorce.
Apply for marriage license at the LCR (10-day posting; finish required seminars).
Get married (civil or religious) and register the marriage.
Post-wedding status:
- Keep tourist status current while preparing your 13(a)/TRV package.
- File 13(a) at BI (or abroad at a consulate), obtain ACR I-Card, and complete any NBI/police clearances.
After approval:
- Observe Annual Report, maintain AEP if employed, and keep records updated.

Quick Reference: Options Matrix

Situation	Best Entry	After Wedding	Notes
Visa-exempt fiancé, wedding soon	Visa-free 30 days → extend as needed	Convert to 13(a) at BI	ACR I-Card at 59 days; ECC if stay ≥6 months before departure
Visa-required fiancé	9(a) tourist visa	Convert to 13(a)	Similar extension rules; lower max continuous stay as tourist
Married abroad, traveling together	Balikbayan (1 year) at airport	Apply 13(a) at BI; or 13(a) at consulate before travel	Bring marriage certificate (apostilled) and Filipino spouse’s PH passport
Nationality without 13(a) reciprocity	Tourist entry	TRV by Marriage	Check if your nationality falls under TRV regime
Working in PH (pre-marriage)	Employer sponsors 9(g)	After wedding you may still prefer 13(a) for residence	Employment generally requires AEP from DOLE

Practical Tips

Timing: The 10-day posting + scheduling a ceremony + getting certified copies often means 3–6 weeks from license application to having documents ready for immigration.
Documents: Bring extra originals and notarized photocopies. Apostille/translation rules are strictly enforced.
Names & forms: Use the exact spelling across passport, certificates, and forms to avoid BI/LCR mismatches.
Local variance: LCRs add local requirements (seminars, IDs). Ask the LCR where you’ll apply for their current checklist.
No work on tourist status: Even unpaid “work-like” activity can cause issues; wait for proper status + AEP.
Keep receipts: BI and LCR receipts matter for later filings and audits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign fiancé marry while on a tourist visa? Yes. Tourist status is fine for marrying; it just doesn’t authorize work.

Do we need a fiancé visa? No—there is no Philippine fiancé visa. Enter as a tourist, then marry and adjust status.

What if the Filipino fiancé has a foreign divorce? A Philippine court’s Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce (and PSA annotation) is typically required before the LCR will issue a marriage license.

Is the Balikbayan Privilege available to fiancés? No. It is only for spouses (and certain family of former Filipinos) arriving together.

How long can a tourist fiancé stay while we prepare? Subject to BI rules/approvals, visa-exempt nationals often up to 36 months continuous tourist stay; visa-required nationals often 24 months—with timely extensions and ACR at 59 days.

Final Note

Because rules and internal BI/LCR practices evolve, verify current checklists, fees, and caps with the Bureau of Immigration, your local civil registrar, and your foreign partner’s embassy/consulate—especially for legal capacity to marry, apostille/authentication, and 13(a)/TRV filing requirements.