Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is provided. The method includes (a) making a fiber preform by providing in an over-cladding tube: a core rod having an inner core and a cladding surrounding the inner core; at least one stress-applying part (SAP) disposed adjacent to the core rod along an outer periphery of the cladding thereof and having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the cladding; inner filler rods arranged along the outer periphery of the core rod at positions where the SAP is not disposed and having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the SAP; and a plurality of outer filler rods arranged adjacent the over-cladding tube between the over-cladding tube and inner filler rods, SAP and core rod, and consisting of a same material as the over-cladding tube; and (b) drawing the fiber preform to obtain the optical fiber.