A Complete Guide on How to Obtain a Retirement Visa in the Philippines
Foreign individuals who want to retire in the Philippines are required to obtain a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), the Philippine retirement visa that grants permanent residency and multiple entry privileges to qualified persons.
Who are qualified to obtain a retirement visa in the Philippines?
Foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens aged 35 and over that are able to remit an initial deposit of as low as US$1,500.
If qualified, they are entitled to bring their spouse and one child (under the age of 21) with no additional visa deposit. For those with larger families, they are required to provide an additional deposit per dependent.
Benefits of a retirement visa
- Live, work, and study in the country permanently
- Indefinite stay with multiple entry and exit privileges
- Pensions and annuities are tax-exempt
- Entitlement to health benefits and privileges
- Exempt from student visa/study permit
- Exempt from custom duties and taxes for one-time importation of household goods and personal effects (up to US$7,000)
- Exempt from travel tax (if retiree has not stayed in the Philippines for more than 1 year from last date of entry)
- Discount privileges from accredited establishments
- Assistance in transacting with government agencies
How to obtain a retirement visa
You can obtain a retirement visa by availing any of the five visa programs offered by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). Each program has a set of qualifications and requirements.
| Program | Who is it for? | Age Requirements | Deposit Requirements | Covered Dependents |
SRRV Smile | Healthy foreign retirees | 35 and above | US$20,000 (for retiree and two dependents) | Spouse and one child* |
SRRV Classic
| Healthy foreign retirees who would like to invest their visa deposit in real estate
| 35 and above
| 35-49 years old: US$50,000 50 years old and above: ● Without pension: US$20,000 ● With pension: US$10,000 | Spouse and one child*
|
| SRRV Human Touch | Foreign retirees in need of medical assistance | 35 and above | US$10,000 (for retiree and one dependent) | One (either spouse or child) |
SRRV Courtesy
| Foreigners and Former Filipinos who are retired officers of recognized international organizations
| 50 and above (for Foreigners) 35 and above (for Former Filipinos)
| US$1,500**
| For Foreigners: Spouse and one child*** For Former Filipinos: Spouse and one child (additional deposit waived for each dependent in excess of two) |
| SRRV Expanded Courtesy Visa
| Accomplished foreign retirees, such as diplomatic and military personnel, professors and scientists, philanthropists, etc. | 50 and above
| US$1,500**
| Spouse and one child***
|
*Requires additional deposit of US$15,000 for each dependent in excess of two
**Convertible to investment in real estate
***Requires additional deposit of US$1,500 for each dependent in excess of two
Documents Required for Submission on Visa Application
- Visa Application Form
- Medical Certificate
- Police Clearance
- Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
- Bank Certificate of Visa Deposit
- Original Passport with Valid Entry Visa
- 12 pieces of size 2×2 photos (for retiree and all dependents)
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate/Certificate of Legal Adoption
- Fulfilled Additional Requirements (per visa program)
*For a list of the additional requirements per visa program, you can scan the QR Code shown in the infographic to view the website link to the information using a QR Code Reader.
Fees
Application Fees
(for all visa programs)
- US$1,400 for retiree
- US$300 for two dependents
Annual Fees
(for all visa programs, except SRRV Human Touch)
- US$360 for retiree and two dependents
- US$100 for each dependent in excess of two
For SRRV Human Touch:
- US$360 for retiree and one dependent
I am Robert lee, I desire to be a full-time resident I’m retired in the US and I need your assistance I have a lot of questions. I want to be able to come over in 3 months but I like to get everything arranged I know I’m just afraid I’m going to forget something so please send me any information and I can send a deposit thank you so very much
Hi Robert,
We appreciate your interest in our visa services. I have already forwarded your inquiry to the team for further assistance.
Regards,
Maro