INFORMATION ON QUOTA IMMIGRANT VISA UNDER SECTION 13 OF THE

PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1940 AS AMENDED

Section 13 of the Philippine Immigration Act provides for the admission

into the Philippines of quota immigrants not exceeding fifty (50) annually of any
one nationality. Stateless persons shall also have a quota of fifty (50).

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must satisfactorily establish that:

1. He has lawfully entered the Philippines and remains under a lawful

admission status;
2. There is no record of any derogatory information against him in any
local or foreign law enforcement agency;
3. He is not afflicted with any dangerous, contagious or loathsome
disease;
4. He has not violated any law or ordinance;
5. He is possessed of qualifications, skills, scientific, educational or
technical knowledge which will advance and be beneficial to the
national interest;
6. There is a reciprocity agreement for a similar resident visa between his
country and the Philippines;
7. He has not been confined in any mental institution; and
8. He has sufficient capital for a viable and sustainable investment which
is approved by the Commissioner of immigration.
Quota Immigrant Visa

The Bureau of Immigration grants Quota Immigrant Visas to applicants who are national or
citizen of the country which have diplomatic relations with the Philippines and grants the same
immigration privileges to Filipinos under the principle of reciprocity.

Another preference of the Quota Immigrant Visa are the special qualifications of the foreign
national such as a high educational attainment, technical knowledge, special experience, or
exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, professions or business which will contribute to the
national economy or be of national interest. The applicant must also have a sustainable
investment which shall be approved by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration.

The Quota Immigrant Visa shall be granted to the principal’s dependents, including spouses or
minor children who are lawful permanent residents of the Philippines.

The Quota Immigrant visa is issued to fifty (50) of any one nationality per year. Any unused quota
visa allotment for the preceding calendar year shall not be carried over to the succeeding
calendar year.

Requirements

The requirements for obtaining a Quota Visa in the Philippines are as follows:

1. Original passport with valid entry visa

2. Letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant stating that passport is
valid, they have no criminal or deportation records, and have the qualifications, skills or
knowledge which are beneficial to the country
3. Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF)
4. Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, if application is filed 6 months or
more from the date of first arrival in the Philippines
5. Stamp issued by the Bureau of Quarantine certifying the applicant is physically and
mentally fit
6. Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Certificate
7. Proof of special qualifications, skills or knowledge, or proof of financial capacity or
investment

What is the process for applying Quota Visa in the Philippines?

Since the Philippine Bureau of Immigration only issues 50 Quota Visas every year, the application
process is tough. Those who are interested must fulfill all these steps in the process:

1. Secure CGAF from BI’s main office or website

2. Submit all required documents for pre-screening
3. Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS)
4. Pay the required fees
5. Submit copy of Official Receipt
6. Attend hearing (refer to official receipt for schedule and venue)
7. Proceed to Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter and submit requirements for ACR-I
Card application
8. Check website if visa application is approved
9. If approved, submit passport for visa implementation; and 10) If ACR I-Card is approved,
claim ACR I-Card