Can I get a permanent resident visa and live with my Filipina wife in Philippines

[MichaelD1980 3]

I can't find a co sponsor for my Filipina wife and I don't have a job, so if she can't get a U.S. visa to come live with me in the U.S. could I go live with her in the Philippines if I have $82,000.? We was talking about buying a small piece of land and building a small house and a small internet café. What are the requirements for an American citizen who is married to a Filipino citizen to move to Philippines? Thanks for your answers.

Edited March 30, 2014 by MichaelD1980

[Cathi 5,748]

this is a site for immigration to the US. You would have to find a site where people are familiar with immigration to the Philippines

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from Bringing Family Members of US Citizens to America to Philippines regional - topic not about bringing family member to US, but about going to live in the Philippines ~

[bendinlar 16]

It's possible. There are things you need to do to get the prem residency, like provide a police clearance authenticated by the Philippine consulate in the us, that's the biggest one. Depending on your age, you might be eligible for a retirement visa. Best to check with the Phil. embassy for details.

Or you could do what some do, and live here on a balikbyan stamp. Good for a year. Have your wife meet you out of the country, fly in together with a nso marrage cert, and request the stamp. Then just take a vacation every year.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I can't find a co sponsor for my Filipina wife and I don't have a job, so if she can't get a U.S. visa to come live with me in the U.S. could I go live with her in the Philippines if I have $82,000.? We was talking about buying a small piece of land and building a small house and a small internet café. What are the requirements for an American citizen who is married to a Filipino citizen to move to Philippines? Thanks for your answers.

Try this http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/WEB%20MATERIALS/Visa%2013A&13G-Checklist.pdf

[Greenbaum 12,259]

MichaelD1980, on 30 Mar 2014 - 02:36 AM, said:

I can't find a co sponsor for my Filipina wife and I don't have a job, so if she can't get a U.S. visa to come live with me in the U.S. could I go live with her in the Philippines if I have $82,000.? We was talking about buying a small piece of land and building a small house and a small internet café. What are the requirements for an American citizen who is married to a Filipino citizen to move to Philippines? Thanks for your answers.

From your post it's hard for me to ascertain your nationality. It sounds like you are a US Citizen (USC) and she is Filipino. If that is the case you may want to look at the following web pages to determine what works for you.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha006.html#Tourist

Remember also, that you as a USC in most cases cannot own property. You will want to do some more research on that issue if it will affect you.

Owning Land in the Philippines

Former natural-born Filipinos can own property in the Philippines, subject to limitations prescribed by Philippine Republic Act 8179 (residential property up to 1000 square meters of urban land or one hectare of rural land) and Batas Pambansa 185 (business property 5000 square meters of urban land or three hectares of rural land).

Philippines real estate law does not allow outright ownership of real property by foreign nationals. Filipinos and former Filipino citizens and Philippine majority owned corporations are permitted to own land, buildings, condominiums and townhouses.

Foreign nationals may buy condominiums units in Philippine condos (shares in condominium corporations) as long as not more than 40% of the units in a project are acquired by foreigners (Republic Act 4726, otherwise known as the Condominium Act).

http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/owning-land-in-the-philippines.html

[A and T 82]

Yes you can, because i have done the same. Once you are married to a filipina, you just need to apply for a 13a visa in the Philippines. Follow this guide for how to do it http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2010/08/my-13a-visa-experience/

[MichaelD1980 3]

Hi. You mean I can't buy a small house in the Philippines for me and my Filipina wife to live in? Even though I'm married to a Filipino citizen I can't own any property in Philippines?

From your post it's hard for me to ascertain your nationality. It sounds like you are a US Citizen (USC) and she is Filipino. If that is the case you may want to look at the following web pages to determine what works for you.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha006.html#Tourist

Remember also, that you as a USC in most cases cannot own property. You will want to do some more research on that issue if it will affect you.

Owning Land in the Philippines

Former natural-born Filipinos can own property in the Philippines, subject to limitations prescribed by Philippine Republic Act 8179 (residential property up to 1000 square meters of urban land or one hectare of rural land) and Batas Pambansa 185 (business property 5000 square meters of urban land or three hectares of rural land).

Philippines real estate law does not allow outright ownership of real property by foreign nationals. Filipinos and former Filipino citizens and Philippine majority owned corporations are permitted to own land, buildings, condominiums and townhouses.

Foreign nationals may buy condominiums units in Philippine condos (shares in condominium corporations) as long as not more than 40% of the units in a project are acquired by foreigners (Republic Act 4726, otherwise known as the Condominium Act).

http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/owning-land-in-the-philippines.html

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi. You mean I can't buy a small house in the Philippines for me and my Filipina wife to live in? Even though I'm married to a Filipino citizen I can't own any property in Philippines?

Yes you can own land, but it is limited to the size of the land, and other little things. Your name can be on the deed right along with your wife's name.

[MichaelD1980 3]

Oh ok thanks Hank for your answers. Me and my wife are planning to buy a small piece of land and build a small 2 bedroom house and we want to build a small building beside our house for an internet café.

Yes you can own land, but it is limited to the size of the land, and other little things. Your name can be on the deed right along with your wife's name.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Oh ok thanks Hank for your answers. Me and my wife are planning to buy a small piece of land and build a small 2 bedroom house and we want to build a small building beside our house for an internet café.

Well I was wrong on the name on the deed (initially) but there is an exception that does cover you in the event your wife dies; Acquisition through hereditary succession if the foreigner (spouse) is the legal heir, there is a 1,000 sqm restriction with this. It is only condos you can initially have your name on the deed. BUT you can own the building itself (home and internet cafe)

http://nreaphilippines.com/question-on-philippine-real-estate/property-ownership-requirements/

[Greenbaum 12,259]

As you can see there are many who say you can own property in the Philippines as a Foreigner, but in the end there are many that come with stipulations. If it were me, I would do enough research before making that decision. Here in the forum is not the place to ask for a "legal answer" to a very complex problem. You have many choices but some may work and others may not, therefore do your do diligence in locating the answer.

It's like I originally said "You will want to do some more research" on this issue and how it will affect you.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/Philippines/Buying-Guide

If you are looking to live permanently reside in the Philippines you can avail yourself to and SRRV for additional programs and benefits (there is a "possibility" that you can own land under this visa). More information here: http://www.pra.gov.ph/As_in_detailed_SRRV_Explanation_090613_2.pdf,

http://www.pra.gov.ph/

http://real-estate-guide.philsite.net/foreigners.htm.

http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program?page=1

http://www.philippine-embassy.de/bln/images/ConsularSection/VisaServices/pdf/special.resident.retirees.visa.srrv.info.pdf

http://myphilippinelife.com/philippines-retirement-visa-srrv/

Good luck.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Greenbaum

[merkin&regine 18]

A foreigner can't own a lot in the Philippines , the limitation of 1000 sq m is only for naturalized US who were Philippines born but this is obsolete already as the dual citizenship law passed already. If you are a Naturalized citizen and was Filipino by birth, or coz your parents are Filipino, then you are eligible for dual citizenship, this entitles you to buy as much land as you want in the Philippines.

Now, if you are a foreigner, you can buy a condo but can't own more than 40% of the condo unit in one project.

By the way, most of the realtors or license brokers in the Philippines already know these... So, even if you think you can buy a lot and decided to buy, realtors will tell you, you can't and suggest to buy a condo.

The only way a foreigner can own a lot is through inheritance.

Good luck!

Edited April 3, 2014 by merkin&regine

[G. Simoun 3]

You will also need to steel yourself for lots of bureaucratic red tape. Lots of long lines, requirements that don't make sense. Bring a book to read or some mobile games when you are actually there and trying to get all the documents you need. A good sense of humor is key!

Good luck!

I can't find a co sponsor for my Filipina wife and I don't have a job, so if she can't get a U.S. visa to come live with me in the U.S. could I go live with her in the Philippines if I have $82,000.? We was talking about buying a small piece of land and building a small house and a small internet café. What are the requirements for an American citizen who is married to a Filipino citizen to move to Philippines? Thanks for your answers.