Best Country to Retire in Asia: How to Get a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines

Retirement doesn’t begin the moment you stop working. Rather it is a journey marked by milestones that arrive as you age. Along the way, you may find yourself wondering where you would like to spend this meaningful chapter of your life. If you haven’t yet decided on a retirement destination, you may want to consider the Philippines. 

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has lowered the minimum age requirement for Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) application to forty (40) years old. Before, only former Filipino nationals and foreign nationals aged fifty (50) and above were eligible. Additionally, the visa deposit amounts have been increased for certain applicants.

In this blog, beyond exploring the country’s natural beauty and diverse landscapes, you’ll discover why many former Filipino nationals and foreign nationals choose to retire in the Philippines and what steps you need to take to retire here legally. 

What is a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

A Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is a type of Philippine visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) upon endorsement of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). It allows former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals to spend their retirement in the country provided that the requirements are maintained. This visa is ideal for retirees, investors, and those seeking a new lifestyle. 

Different Types of a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) offers different types of SRRV to former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals, depending on their background and needs:

• SRRV Smile is issued to active and healthy foreign retirees who choose to maintain a deposit of US $20,000 in any of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-accredited banks.

• SRRV Classic is for active and healthy foreign retirees who prefer to use their SRRV deposit into active investment, such as purchasing a condominium unit or long term lease of house and lot. The required deposit for this option is US $15,000 to $50,000, depending if you are a pensioner or non-pensioner. 

• SRRV Human Touch is offered to ailing retirees who need medical or clinical care.  A health insurance policy and a deposit of US $10,000 are required for this option. 

• SRRV Courtesy is for former Filipino citizens and for foreign retired officers of International Organizations recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The required visa deposit for this option is US $1,500 to $6,000, depending if you are a former Filipino citizen or foreigner and with or without a pension. 

• SRRV Expanded Courtesy requires a monthly pension of at least US $1,000 and can deposit an amount of US $1,500. This option is offered to the following individuals:

1. Retired Diplomats from Foreign Services

2. Retired Officers from International Organizations that are recognized by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

3. Retired Military Personnel who provided military aid and training to the Philippine Government via a defense treaty or any other similar agreement

4. High Achievers in Academic, Business, Arts, Culture, Music, Sports and Philanthropists  

Qualified to Apply for a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Philippines

The following individuals are eligible to apply for SRRV in the Philippines:

• Individuals age forty (40) years old and above

• Legitimate spouse of the principal retiree

• Principal retiree’s dependent child who is unmarried and below the age of twenty-one (21) years old, must be legitimate or legally adopted

Please note that applicants who are operators or workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and/or Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL) are disqualified from applying for the SRRV, consistent with EO 74, s.2024, and other applicable rules and regulations. In cases where such involvement is discovered after the issuance of the SRRV, the visa is subjected to immediate cancellation. 

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Requirements in the Philippines

When applying for an Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), you are required to provide the following requirements:

Requirements for SRRV Applicants

• SRRV Application Form. The application must be duly accomplished and all required information must be filled out to initiate the process of your visa application. 

• Original Medical Certificate. This may be secured from any licensed physician, clinic or hospital in the Philippines. Note that it is only valid for six (6) months from the date it was secured. Your dependent/s also need to secure a medical certificate.

• Police Clearance. You need to secure this clearance from your country or your last residence abroad. It must be translated in English, if issued in another language, and authenticated by the Philippines Embassy/Consular Office at the nearest place where it was secured from or apostilled. Note that it is only valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance.

• NBI Clearance. This is issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and required since you will stay in the Philippines for more than thirty (30) days prior to your visa application. 

• Bureau of Clearance Certificate (BICC). An original copy of the certificate must be submitted and be cleared from BI derogatory check. 

• Bank Certification. A visa deposit must be sent from a bank abroad to any Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)-accredited banks, such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Philippine National Bank (PNB), Banco de Oro (Pacific and Cebu IT Park branches), KEB Hana Bank, Unionbank, Bank of Commerce, Malayan Bank, and Shinhan Bank.

• Original Passport with Valid Tourist/Balikbayan Visa. Your tourist visa must be valid for at least one (1) month while processing your visa application. In cases where your tourist visa expires while your SRRV application is being processed, you will be required to extend it.

• Eight (8) pieces of recent 2×2 pictures. Ensure to wear decent clothes since this will be used for your SRRV ID card. 

• PRA Processing Fee. An amount of US $1,500 must be paid by the principal applicant and $300 for each dependent applicant. 

• PRA Annual Fee (PAF). An amount of US $50 to $360, depending on the SRRV option, is payable upon joining the program and every year after that as long as you are an SRRV holder. This can also be paid in cash in either USD or PHP at the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) office. If you have a dependent/s, you must pay an additional US $100 for each dependent in excess of two (2).

Important Reminders for SRRV Applicants

• In most cases, the Embassy or Consular Office in the Philippines can’t issue the apostilled documents. Therefore, ensure that your documents have been apostilled or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in your home country before arriving in the Philippines. 

• If you have continuously stayed in the country for a minimum period of five (5) years, you may just present an original Barangay Certificate stating the length of your stay instead of a Police Clearance. 

• Retired officers and staff, aged 70 and above (including their spouse and dependent/s), of ADB and other DFA-recognized international organizations are exempted to provide a Police Clearance, pursuant to PRA Circular No. 23, s. 2014. 

Requirements for Dependent Applicants

• Valid Passport with a Philippine Tourist Visa

• Accomplished application form

• Original Medical Certificate issued within six (6) months prior to submission

• Original Police Clearance and NBI Clearance, if eighteen (18) years old and above

• Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate (BICC)

• Apostilled/Authenticated Proof of Relationship, such as Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificate

• Application fee of US $300 for each dependent

• Additional requirement depending on the SRRV option being applied for 

Please note that spouse and child/children can be included as dependents on the initial application or added after the principal applicant’s SRRV application has been approved. All documentary requirements issued outside the Philippines must be translated into English and apostilled by the appropriate government authority or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office. 

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Additional Requirements

There are additional requirements for different SRRV options, which are as follows:

SRRV Classic with Pension 

• Authenticated/Apostilled Proof of Lifetime Pension with at least US $800 per month for single applicants and US $1,000 per month for applicants with dependents. If it is issued in another language, it must be translated in English and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consular Office at the nearest place where the Clearance was secured from or Apostilled by the issuing country’s competent authority, whichever is applicable.

• Old Philippine Passport or Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

SRRV Courtesy – Foreign Nationals

• Certificate of Employment 

• Proof of Military Service, if retired military 

• Proof of monthly pension or any other similar benefits of at least US $1,000 per month

Please note that documentary requirements must be apostilled and authenticated. 

SRRV Courtesy – Former Filipinos

• Philippine Passport

• Certificate of Naturalization

• PSA Birth Certificate

SRRV Courtesy – Retired Diplomats in high-level positions who served in the Philippines

• Certificate of Employment indicating position held and duration of employment

SRRV Expanded Courtesy 

• Authenticated/Apostilled Proof of Qualification under SRRV Expanded Courtesy. It must be translated in English if issued in another language, and must be authenticated by the Philippines Embassy or Consular Office nearest to the place where the Clearance was secured from or Apostilled by the issuing country’s competent authority, whichever is applicable.

• Authenticated/Apostilled Proof of Lifetime Pension with at least US $1,000 per month. If issued in another language, it must be translated in English and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office nearest to the place where the documents was secured from or apostilled by the issuing country’s competent authority, whichever is applicable. 

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Application Process in the Philippines

For a smooth and hassle-free visa application, follow these procedures:

• Get Visa Assistance. Processing a SRRV application can be complicated and stressful. From preparing the required documents to filing the application, a visa service provider can help you and ensure that you have applied for the option that suits your needs. 

• Prepare the Requirements. To initiate your SRRV application, prepare the required documents and open a USD bank account with the required amount of your chosen SRRV type. You will also need to secure a police clearance in your home country or where you reside recently before you fly to the Philippines to process your application. 

• Apply for a Tourist Visa. A physical presence will be required when processing a visa application in the Philippines. To stay legally in the country, you need to get a tourist visa. This allows you to stay in the country for seven (7) to fifty-nine (59) days, and can also be extended. 

• File the Application. Once you have prepared all the documentary requirements and opened a bank account, submit your duly accomplished application form along with the requirements to the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) for pre-evaluation.

• Schedule an Appointment. Once your application has been evaluated and pre-approved, schedule an appointment with the PRA and pay the necessary fees. Additional fees may also be applied for dependent/s.
• Endorsement. Your application will then be forwarded and endorsed to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). It is advisable to make follow-ups on the status of your application with the PRA. 
• Oath of Affirmation. Once your application has been approved, you are required to attend an oath-taking ceremony, where you will also receive your Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) Certificate, Affirmation of Membership, SRRV ID card, and visa stamped passport.

Reasons to Retire in the Philippines

To help you decide whether to spend your retirement in the Philippines, here are some of the benefits given to former Filipino retirees and foreign retirees in the country:

• Permanent Residency. You can live in the Philippines permanently. When leaving the country, given that you are still a SRRV holder, you will not be required to provide an Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and a re-entry permit upon coming back to the country. 

• Investment Opportunities. There are a lot of different industries in the country which is a great advantage for investors. Under the Philippine Foreign Investment Act of 1991, you can set up a business in the country, giving you a business opportunity despite your retirement. 

• Property Ownership. Even though foreign nationals are not allowed to own land in the Philippines, you are still entitled to own a condominium unit, provided that at least 60% of the building is owned by Filipino citizens. 

• Medical Health Privileges. With a SRRV, you are entitled to have benefits and privileges from PhilHealth, which is a government agency responsible for providing affordable and accessible health care services to all citizens. 
• Discount from PRA-accredited Partners. The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is a local government responsible for developing and promoting the country as a retirement destination for former Filipinos and foreign nationals. They have a lot of partners, such as banks, marketers or agents, merchant partners, and retirement facilities that give discounts to SRRV holders in the country. 
• Access to Government Services. Even if you don’t have Filipino blood, you are entitled to access the government services in the country.

To avail these benefits, you must acquire a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines.