Once you marry the woman you love you should begin the process of getting a permanent resident visa. The good news is that they are not difficult to get. The only restriction you might face is the wait time. It can take weeks to months to complete the process.
Before you apply for the visa, you need to gather the following:
- The completed and signed general application form
- A letter of application, signed by your spouse who is a citizen of the country
- A copy of your bride to be's birth certificate
- Your marriage contract
- A certificate that shows that you have a savings account, with a minimum of $10,000 deposited. This bank account is required to prove that you can provide for your new Filipino family.
- Your immigration clearance certificate
- A copy of your passport
The 13A visa is only valid for a year, but you can renew it and get a ten-year extension. But not to worry. The process of renewal is not as tedious as the process of getting the original visa. It's quite popular for many people to simply extend their tourist visas instead of applying for a 13A visa because of the long process.
If you're already married to a Filipino, you may also be able to stay indefinitely, without needing a permanent visa. All you need to do is make a quick trip outside the country every time your Balik Bayan Stamp expires. However, this strategy has a few limitations, like if you already have a family.