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Quota Immigrant Visa

 IMMIGRATION | EMPLOYMENT | INVESTMENT | RELOCATION

/ Global Immigration Services / Philippines / Quota Immigrant Visa

What is a Quota Immigrant Visa?

This is granted by Bureau of Immigration to nationals or citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with the Philippines and grants the same immigration privileges to Filipinos under the principle of reciprocity.

This shall be granted to the principal’s dependents, including spouses or minor children who become lawful permanent residents of the Philippines. Only fifty (50) quota immigrant visas will be issued to any one nationality or without nationality per year.

Available also to applicants with special qualifications 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 Philippine economy or be of national interest.

The applicant may also own sustainable investments as approved by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration.

What are the Benefits of Quota Immigrant Visa?

1. Lifetime residence with minimal reporting:

  • The holder practically becomes an Immigrant as he is granted not only a lifetime stay in the Philippines, but also a lifetime work entitlement.
  • The holder obtains a 5-year validity ACR Card (it is then simply renewed).
  • The holder must pay for an annual report every year, however there are no other reporting requirements at all each time the holder leave the country (unlike other visas).

2. Rights of the holder:

  • It has the right to do business in sectors which are permitted under the laws of the Philippines without obtaining an Alien Employment Permit (AEP).
  • Upon exiting the country, the quota visa holder is automatically granted a re-entry permit.
  • Unlike with other visas, there is no requirement of exit clearance or associated fees no matter how long the holder has been staying in the Philippines.

Requirement Checklist

  1. Letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant stating:

    • That he/she is in possession of a valid passport (or equivalent document) with a valid visa at the time of filing the application;

    • That he/she does not belong to any class of excludible or deportable foreign nationals enumerated under Sections 29 and 37 of the Philippines Immigration Act of 1940;

    • That he/she possesses the qualifications, skills, scientific, educational or technical knowledge which will advance and be beneficial to the national interest of the Philippines or has sufficient capital for a viable and sustainable investment in the Philippines.
  1. Completed form CGAF (BI Form CGAF-001-Rev 2).
  2. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission that indicates valid authorized stay.
  3. Proof of applicant’s special qualifications such as:

    • Academic degrees, awards, certificates of recognition, and other documents attesting to the applicant special qualifications, skills or knowledge, or proof of financial capacity or

    • Investment, including but not limited to: bank certification of inward remittances amounting to at least US$50,000.00 or equivalent in other foreign currency;

    • Documents proving ownership/purchase of a condominium (condominium units acquired within four (4) years prior to filing the quota immigrant visa may be considered) with corresponding proof that the amount invested came or was inwardly remitted from foreign sources;

    • Documents showing ownership of or investment in an existing corporation, enterprise or business concern (shares of stock or other equivalent proof of ownership in a corporation or business concern acquired within four (4) years prior of filing the application may be considered) with corresponding proof that the amount invested came or was inwardly remitted from foreign sources.
  1. Stamp issued by the Bureau of Quarantine appearing in applicant’s passport or travel document, if required, and a certification from a government health institution that the applicant is physically and mentally fit.
  2. Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, if application is filed six (6) months or more from the date of first arrival in the Philippines.
  3. Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate.

Process of applying Quota Visa in the Philippines

The application process is more rigid as the Philippine’s Bureau of Immigration only issues 50 Quota Visas per year.

Those who are interested must complete all of the following steps:

  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

Checklist of Documentary Requirements for each Dependent

  1. Completed form CGAF (BI Form CGAF-001-Rev 2).
  2. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay.
  3. Proof of filiation with the applicant.
  4. Stamp issued by the Bureau of Quarantine appearing in applicant’s passport or travel document, if required, and a certification from a government health institution that the applicant is physically and mentally fit.
  5. Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate.