Philippines Reciprocity Schedule


Visa Classification Fee Number of Applications Validity Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 [1] None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 [2] None Multiple 60 Months
E-2 [2] None Multiple 60 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 [1] None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
Q-1 [6] None Multiple 15 Months [3]
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 [7] None One 1 Month
S-6 [7] None One 1 Month
S-7 [7] None One 1 Month
T-1 [9] N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
TD [5] N/A N/A N/A
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months [8]
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months [8]

Documents

Note

Local civil records in many localities in the Philippines have been destroyed due to war and natural calamities. When a specific document is unavailable, it is advisable to obtain a certificate of non-availability from the local civil registrar. Church records, while useful as secondary evidence, they are frequently unavailable for the same reasons. Local parishes usually issue similar certificates of non-availability. In the absence of primary and secondary evidence, substantiated by replies from civil or church authorities, affidavits from two persons who have personal knowledge of the birth, death, or marriage which is in question are generally accepted. Since fraudulent documents can be obtained easily in the Philippines, the consular officer may wish to consider referring suspect documents in doubtful cases to the Anti-Fraud Unit, U.S. Embassy Manila, for investigation.

Document Services to Other Posts

Manila’s immigrant visa branch can assist other posts with obtaining secure official records from the National Statistics Office (NSO).  This includes marriage index checks (certificate of marriage, certificate of no marriage), marriage certificates, birth certificates and death certificates.  Embassy Manila will prepare the official request and it will be delivered to the NSO by our contracted courier.  To cover fees charged by the NSO, the courier charges a small flat fee per person, not per document.  Applicants can make payments at the courier’s service desk in Manila’s consular waiting area or by bank wire.  Please contact the immigrant visa branch for more details.

Birth Certificates

Available. A certified copy of a birth registration can be obtained from the local civil registrar at the place of birth. Local Civil Registrar records are often incomplete and it is, therefore, necessary to accept baptismal certificates. If they too are unobtainable, then affidavits from two persons who have personal knowledge of the birth are acceptable.

Frequently, certificates for births occurring since 1946 may also be obtained from the National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO), Office of the Civil Registrar-General, Magsaysay Blvd., Santa Mesa, Metro Manila, Philippines. Certificates of birth before 1946 are maintained at the National Archives Division at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Issuance of a birth certificate takes approximately three to four working days, for which there may be a fee, plus an additional fee if issuance is to take place within 24 hours, or if the document is to be printed on special security paper.

Marriage Certificates

Available. Certified copies can be obtained from the local civil registrar of the place where the marriage occurred. When this record is unavailable, the same procedure is followed as in the cases of birth certificates. Certification of marriages occurring since 1946 may also be obtained from the National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO), Office of the Civil Registrar-General, Magsaysay Blvd., Santa Mesa, Metro Manila, Philippines. Marriage certificates before 1946 are maintained at the National Archives Division at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Issuance of a marriage certificate takes approximately three to four working days for which there may be a fee, plus an additional fee if issuance is to take place within 24 hours, or if the document is to be printed on special security paper.

Divorce Certificates

Available. Certified copies of the divorce certificate can be obtained from the appropriate court. Divorce was recognized in the Philippines between March 11, 1917 and August 29, 1950; since the latter date, courts have been empowered to grant legal separation but not divorce. Even during the period of legal recognition, divorces were rare in the Philippines because of limited legal grounds for granting divorces.

Death Certificates

Available. Certified copies can be obtained from local civil registrars. When unobtainable, two affidavits from persons having personal knowledge of the death are usually accepted. As in the cases of birth and marriage, certificates of deaths occurring since 1946 are obtainable from the National Census and Statistics Office. Death certificates before 1946 are maintained at the National Archives Division at T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Issuance of a death certificate takes approximately three to four working days for which there may be a fee, plus an additional fee if issuance is to take place within 24 hours, or if the document is to be printed on special security paper.

Police Records

Available and reasonably reliable. Philippine-born immigrant visa applicants are required to furnish certificates issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Foreign-born applicants who have resided in the Philippines for six months or more may be issued NBI clearances upon application either in person or by mail. Applicants should send requests for certificates together with certified checks or money orders for the fees and postage to the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation, Taft Avenue, Metro Manila, Philippines. The NBI has its own fingerprint charts and personal data forms that it will send to the requesting applicant for execution. Most applicants abroad find it more expeditious to have a relative or friend in the Philippines assist them in obtaining their certificates from the NBI. The applicant may also submit a copy of a prior NBI clearance to facilitate the processing of a new clearance. Posts are advised that not all arrests and convictions occurring outside of Manila are reported to the NBI. The Philippine criminal records database is not foolproof, and can be open to manipulation. Manila and major Philippine cities have computerized records. All other regions are scheduled to have computer accessible records by 2003. Fee: 100.00 pesos.

Prison Records

Available. Applications should be made to the Director, Bureau of Prisons, National Penitentiary, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Local police chiefs usually furnish details of jail terms upon request.

Military Records

Available. Certificate of Prior Service can be obtained from the Office of the Adjutant General, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of National Defence at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Special Clearance and Issuance Procedures

None.

Visa Issuing Post

Manila, Philippines
(Embassy)

Mailing Address:
Amembassy Manila
FPO AP 96515

Street Address:
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila City

Embassy Tel: (63-2) 523-1001

Consular Section Tel: (63-2) 528-6300

Fax: (63-2) 522-3242

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of the Phillipines and the areas listed below:

  • The Marshall Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Palau