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The 13G Visa was added to the Section 13 visa series of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 by RA 4376 which was enacted in 1965. It states that:
"(g) A natural born citizen of the Philippines, who has been naturalized in a foreign country, and is returning to the Philippines for permanent residence, including his spouse and minor unmarried children, shall be considered a non-quota, immigrant for purpose of entering the Philippine."
Just like in the case of 13A visa, the 13G visa is also based on marriage. If the 13A visa is available to a foreign national who is married to a Filipino citizen, the 13G visa on available to a foreign national who is married to a former natural-born Filipino citizen who is returning to the Philippines for permanent residency.
The 13G Visa, which is also known as the Balikbayan Visa, presupposes that the former Filipino spouse is also applying for the visa and the alien spouse is included in the application.
And just like the spousal visa, the 13G is dependent also on the subsistence of the marriage between the former Filipino and the alien spouse, such that the termination of the marriage also provides a ground for the termination of the visa.
You can apply for 13G Visa from your home country by submitting your application and requirements to the Philippine Consulate situated in your country. Or you may opt to apply for this visa while you are in the Philippines, maybe on a visa-free entry if you are from an EO 408 country or on a temporary visitor’s visa if you are not from an EO 408 country.
The basic requirements are the following:
• Report of Marriage if the marriage was contracted outside the Philippines. If the Report of Marriage was filed over a year from application or if the marriage was solemnized in the Philippines, you need to submit the Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA.
• Two copies of duly accomplished application form which is F.A. Form No. 3. Bear in mind that application forms that are incompletely filled-out will be returned to the applicant.
• Valid passport whose validity must extend at least one (1) year beyond the length of proposed stay in the Philippines. The original passport and two photocopies of the passport must be submitted.
• Four 2″ by 2″ size photographs taken within the last six months. The applicant’s signature must be affixed on the front side of the picture.
• Medical Certificate which is F.A. Form No.11, accomplished by a local physician. All supporting documents must be submitted in triplicate or three copies. A Chest x-ray in CD must accompany the certificate, together with the results for the following tests: 1) stool (ova or parasite and occult blood); 2) urinalysis; and 3) complete blood test (blood serology and chemistry).
• Apostilled Local State Police clearance obtained within the last six months. The original copy and one photocopy must be submitted.
• Proof of financial capacity such as travellers’ cheques, latest print out showing statement of credit card account or accounts, latest print-out of bank account statements, ownership of real estate properties, and other documents showing the applicant’s capacity to financially support himself or herself during his or her stay in the Philippines. You will need more than one type of proof of financial capacity.
• Personal appearance of the applicant for an interview by the consular officer.
• Payment of Immigrant Visa Fee of $150.00
• Proof of former Philippine citizenship of the balikbayan spouse such as the expired Philippine passport or Philippine birth certificate.
• And the naturalization papers of the balikbayan spouse.
The Visa officer may possibly request additional documents to determine whether an applicant can be issued a visa. Just be aware of that.
You may also be required to submit a self-addressed enveloped for the mailing of your passport back to you. In the US for instance, the Philippine Consulate requires the applicant to submit a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope or Box if you have thick documents. It should be self-addressed and postage prepaid as the return envelope.
I strongly suggest that you visit the official website of the Philippine Consulate or embassy in your country of residence for the specific instructions on how to proceed with your visa application.
20 авг 2024
