-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PXMYGiQC0CqcFdrJnM1ZwGxxFJ4xd7Dbp8YEx30/8A1xjI0xJDtELrso+r7NNEH/
 /XT7eThpv79kda8CB822UA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001191692-07-000003.txt : 20071005
<SEC-HEADER>0001191692-07-000003.hdr.sgml : 20071005
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071005165306
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001191692-07-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070917
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071005
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071005

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEVARES LA COSTA HECTOR M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191692

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14793
		FILM NUMBER:		071159935

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7877298141

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 9146
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908-0146

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST BANCORP /PR/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001057706
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				660561882
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1519 PONCE DE LEON AVE
		STREET 2:		SANTUREE
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7877298200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1519 PONCE DE LEON AVE
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-09-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001057706</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST BANCORP /PR/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>fbp</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001191692</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NEVARES LA COSTA HECTOR M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 9146</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JUAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00908-0146</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>PUERTO RICO</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-09-17</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>56700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.24</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>256700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Purchased pursuant to the settlement of reserve exchangeable notes under which the isuer of the notes has the unilateral ability to settle the notes in cash or common stock of First BanCorp.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Hector M Nevares</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-10-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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