Annual Quota and Nationality Restrictions
- Up to fifty (50) quota immigrant visas are available per nationality each calendar year.
- Stateless persons are also entitled to the same annual quota.
- Visa issuance follows the principle of reciprocity; visas are denied to nationals of countries without diplomatic relations or equivalent Philippine immigration privileges.
- Quotas expire annually, and unused quotas cannot be carried over.
Priority Classification in Allotting Quota Numbers
- Priority is given to applicants based on:
(i) Possession of qualifications or skills beneficial to Philippine national interests.
(ii) Possession of sufficient capital for sustainable investment in the Philippines.
Eligibility and Qualifications for Quota Immigrant Visas
- Applicants must present a valid passport and visa at application.
- Applicants must not be among classes of excludable or deportable aliens as defined in Sections 29 and 37 of the Philippine Immigration Act.
- Reciprocity between the applicant's country and the Philippines is required, though waived for stateless persons.
- Applicants must fall within preferred classes or, if non-preferred, be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis after preferred applicants.
Documentary Requirements
- Completion of all documents specified in the Checklist of Documentary Requirements for Conversion to Quota Immigrant is mandatory.
Screening Committee
- A Screening Committee under the Commissioner’s Office is established to process quota immigrant applications.
- Composition of the committee is determined by the Commissioner.
Application Processing Procedure
- Application fees must be fully paid prior to submission.
- Applications are forwarded to the Screening Committee for assignment to hearing officers.
- Hearing officers have 15 days to resolve applications and transmit recommendations.
- The Screening Committee Chair prepares a list of qualified applicants by nationality and priority.
- The Commissioner grants quota visas via an official order containing detailed issuance data.
- Approved applicants are notified by registered mail.
- The list of approved visas is publicly posted and available on the Bureau of Immigration’s website.
Registration and Issuance of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) Cards
- Approved orders are sent to the Chief of Alien Registration Division.
- Registration and ACR-I Card issuance for approved quota immigrants is mandatory.
- Required documents for registration include the Order of Approval, implementation stamp on passport, and official receipts for card fees.
- ACR-I Cards must be released within 24 hours of application.
Final Provisions
- Previous inconsistent circulars, orders, or instructions are repealed or amended.
- The memorandum circular takes effect immediately upon issuance.
- Copies are filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register for official record-keeping.