How to Apply for a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines (2026 Updated Guide)

Based on recent data from the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), the Philippines is host to approximately 60,000 global retirees under the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) program. This surge in interest—particularly from Chinese, South Korean, Indian, and American nationals—is driven by the archipelago’s signature hospitality, tropical climate, and highly competitive cost of living. 

Following major policy updates, navigating the SRRV application now requires a more nuanced approach. This comprehensive guide provides a definitive roadmap for the 2026 application landscape, covering eligibility tiers, financial requirements, and the latest documentary standards.

What is an SRRV Visa?

A Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is a special non-immigrant, multiple-entry retirement visa that grants holders the privilege of an indefinite stay in the Philippines. Issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) upon the endorsement of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), it is available to qualified visa applicants who wish to make the country their permanent residence, retirement haven, and investment destination. 

As an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is the lead coordinator between various government sectors mandated to develop and promote the country as a premier retirement destination and ensure that the Philippine Retirement Program remains globally competitive and supportive of the long-term needs of its international community. 

SRRV Eligibility Criteria

As the flagship retirement visa, the SRRV Visa is available to foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who meet the following residency and dependency requirements:

Principal Applicants

Under the latest PRA guidelines (effective September 1, 2025), the minimum age for principal applicants has been lowered to 40 years old. Principal applicants must also maintain the required deposit investment in the form of a dollar-denominated time deposit at a PRA-accredited bank.

Spousal and Child Dependents

Principal applicants may also include their spouse, provided they are legally married under the law of their home country or the Philippines. Equally, legitimate and legally adopted children may also be included as dependents, provided they are unmarried and under 21 years of age at the time of the application. 

SRRV Visa Options

The Philippine government, through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), offers different SRRV options to suit the needs and preferences of foreign retirees in the country. These include: 

SRRV Classic

This is the most flexible option for active retirees. For those aged 50+, the required deposit is US$ 15,000 (with pension) or US$ 30,000 (without pension). For the 40–49 age group, the deposit is US$ 25,000 (with pension) or US$ 50,000 (without pension).

Under this visa option, foreign retirees can convert their stagnant bank deposit into an active real estate investment, such as a purchase of a condominium unit or a long-term lease for at least 25 years.  

SRRV Courtesy

This is designed for former Filipino citizens and retired officers of international organizations or foreign militaries with ties to the Philippines. Deposit requirements vary by age and status: former Filipinos pay US$1,500 if 50 or older, and US$3,000 if aged 40–49; foreign nationals pay US$1,500 if 50 or older, and US$3,000–6,000 if aged 40–49, depending on pensioner status.

SRRV Visa Benefits and Privileges

The SRRV Visa serves as a vehicle for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the Philippines without renouncing their citizenships and while enjoying legal protections and fiscal incentives under the mandate of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA): 

Permanent Residency in the Philippines

The SRRV confers a special non-immigrant status upon the holder, granting the legal right to reside in the Philippines indefinitely or upon subsistence of the required qualifying investment. 

Multiple Entry and Indefinite Stay

SRRV holders are vested with multiple-entry privileges, which allow for unrestricted travel across Philippine borders without the necessity of securing additional entry visas or periodic visa extensions. 

Entitlements from PRA-Accredited Merchant Partners

Under the PRA’s promotional framework, visa holders are entitled to exclusive commercial discounts and preferential treatment from merchant partners that span various industries, including healthcare, hospitality, and leisure. 

PRA Newsletter Subscription

Retirees are integrated into the PRA’s information network through a complimentary subscription to its official newsletter to gain access to regulatory updates, amendments to immigration policies, and other announcements. 

Administrative Assistance in Government Transactions

The PRA also provides facilitated liaison services to assist SRRV retirees in their dealings with various government instrumentalities. This administrative assistance streamlines the acquisition of local permits and documents. 

PhilHealth Insurance Special Rate

Pursuant to existing memoranda of agreement, SRRV holders are eligible for enrollment in PhilHealth at specialized premium rates, granting them access to the national health insurance program. 

Fiscal and Documentary Exemptions

Lastly, the SRRV grants exemptions from several standard bureaucratic requirements, including annual reporting and exit or reentry permits. It also waives customs duties on household goods, pension taxes, and travel taxes.

SRRV Visa Application Requirements

As published on the PRA’s official website, the following are the basic documentary requirements for an SRRV Visa application. Please note that the authority may request additional documents or information to further evaluate the application.

For Principal Applicants

1. Original Passport with a valid Tourist Visa (Tourist visa (without restrictions) must be valid for at least 1 month while processing the SRRV. In cases where the tourist visa expires while the SRRV is being processed, the applicant must have it extended)
2. Accomplished PRA Application Form
3. Medical Certificate (issued within 6 months before submission)
4. Police Clearance from the country of origin or residence for the last 6 months (issued within 6 months before submission)
5. Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate (BICC)
6. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance (For applicants who have stayed more than 90 days in the Philippines prior to submission of application documents)
7. Photos (Eight (8) recent, high-quality, 2×2-inch pictures with a white background which must have been taken within three (3) months prior to submission of the SRRV Application)
8. PRA Processing Fee of USD 1,500.00 (or its equivalent amount in Peso)
9. Bank Certificate / Proof of Inward Remittance (The requisite dollar deposit must be sent as an inward remittance from any bank abroad to a PRA-accredited bank of choice)
10. PRA Annual Fee (This fee is payable upon joining the program and every year thereafter as long as the retiree is a holder of the SRRVisa. This must be paid in cash (in USD or Php) at the PRA office or deposited into PRA’s Land Bank of the Philippines account)

Additional Documents Under Certain Circumstances

1. For pensioners, Proof of Lifetime Pension – at least USD 800.00/month for single applicants and USD 1,000.00/month for applicants with dependents
2. For former Filipinos, Old Philippine Passport or Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
3. For retired military officers or diplomats from international organizations, Proof of Qualification under SRRV Courtesy Foreign Nationals (e.g. Proof of Military Service, Certificate of Employment from International Organizations recognized by DFA or other documents to be determined by PRA).

For Dependent Applicants

The principal’s spouse and children can be included as dependents on the initial application or added after the Principal applicant has an approved SRRVisa:

1. Original Passport with a valid Tourist Visa
2. Accomplished PRA Application Form
3. Original PRA Medical Certificate (issued within 6 months prior to submission)
4. Original Police Clearance (and NBI Clearance, if necessary) for Spouse, and for children who are 18 years old and above
5. Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate (BICC)
6. Apostilled/Authenticated Proof of Relationship (e.g. Marriage Certificate for the Spouse and Birth Certificate for the child)
7. Photos (8pcs, 2×2 inch)
8. Application Fee of USD 300.00 for each joining dependent

All documents issued outside the Philippines must be translated into English (if not already in English), and either apostilled by the appropriate government authority or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office, whichever is applicable.