Indefinite stay
The visa does not expire and there are no tourist visa extensions to keep track of.
Visas & immigration
Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV)
The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) lets foreign nationals and former Filipinos aged 40 and over live in the Philippines indefinitely. It is the Philippine retirement visa, issued through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), and allows unlimited entries and exits.
4.9 across 100+ Google reviews Offices in Cebu and Manila
Manila Cebu Work with us from anywhere
1,500+ happy clients since 2019
- Minimum age
- 40
- Deposit
- $1,500 to $30,000 Depends on your category and pension. Higher at ages 40 to 49
- Processing time
- 2 to 3 months
- Validity
- Indefinite, multiple entry
About the visa
Key Benefits of the SRRV
Instead of proving ongoing income every year, you place a one-time deposit with a PRA-accredited bank. The amount depends on your age, whether you receive a pension and whether you qualify for one of the courtesy categories. The deposit stays yours and is returned if you ever cancel the visa.
Multiple entry
Leave and return as often as you like without exit clearances or re-entry permits.
Your deposit stays yours
The deposit is held in your name and released when you cancel the visa. Under SRRV Classic it can be converted into a condominium purchase or a long-term lease.
Bring your family
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included as dependents on your application.
Duty-free household goods
A one-time exemption from customs duties and taxes on personal effects and household goods worth up to $7,000.
Low annual upkeep
One annual PRA fee keeps your SRRV ID valid. There is no yearly income test.
Who can apply
SRRV Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for an SRRV if you meet these basic conditions. The deposit you need is set out further down this page.
-
You are at least 40 years old. The lowest deposits apply from age 50.
-
You can remit the required deposit to a PRA-accredited bank in the Philippines.
-
You can provide an apostilled police clearance from your home country, issued within the last six months. Applicants aged 70 and over are generally exempt.
-
You pass a medical examination in the Philippines using the PRA medical form.
-
You are in the Philippines on a valid tourist visa with at least two months of authorized stay remaining when you file.
-
For the pension options, you receive a monthly pension of at least $800 if single, or $1,000 as a couple/family.
How it works
SRRV Application Process
The exact requirements and timing depend on your circumstances, but most applications follow these stages.
-
Choose your SRRV option
We confirm which category you qualify for, the deposit that applies and the documents you need to bring from home. -
Clearances and medical
You complete the medical examination and, if you have been in the Philippines for more than three months, an NBI clearance. The NBI clearance can take three to four weeks to be released, so we start it early. -
Apostilled documents
Your police clearance, and where relevant your marriage certificate, children's birth certificates and proof of pension, are apostilled in the country that issued them. -
Deposit remittance
You remit the deposit to a PRA-accredited bank, which then certifies the inward remittance. Allow up to three to four weeks for the remittance to be reflected and certified. -
Interview and filing
After a short PRA interview we file the complete application at PRA Cebu or PRA Manila together with your original passport. The PRA holds the passport while the application is processed. -
Approval and oath
Once approved you take your oath, the visa is stamped in your passport and your SRRV ID card is issued.
What the C&G SRRV Service Includes
Since 2019 we have helped more than 1,500 clients secure their Philippine visas. Our service fee covers everything below, from the first document to the final approval.
- Every document handledOur in-house attorneys draft and notarize every document your application needs, so nothing is left for you to figure out.
- Appointments arranged for youWe book your medical and NBI appointments and our staff are with you on site on the day.
- Clearances and medical includedNo surprise extras. The BI clearance certificate, NBI clearance, Bureau of Quarantine medical certificate and physical exam are all included in our service cost.
- Filing fees paid in personWe pay your SRRV filing fees at Landbank ourselves, so you never have to queue at a bank.
- Checked before it is filedWe pre-evaluate every document and make the final submission to the PRA, so your application goes in complete.
- Free tourist visa extensionsWhile your SRRV is processed we extend your tourist visa at no service charge. You pay only the government fee.
- Seen through to approvalWe follow up with the PRA continuously to make sure your SRRV is successfully completed.
In detail
SRRV deposits by age and category
The deposit depends on your SRRV category and on your age when you apply: applicants aged 40 to 49 place a higher deposit than those aged 50 and above. Everything else, including the documents, process and fees, is the same at any age. All amounts are in US dollars and are remitted to a PRA-accredited bank.
SRRV Classic with a pension
Age 50 and above: $15,000
Age 40 to 49: $25,000
Monthly pension of at least $800 for a single applicant or $1,000 for a couple/family
SRRV Classic without a pension
Age 50 and above: $30,000
Age 40 to 49: $50,000
Classic deposits can later be converted into a condominium purchase or a long-term lease of a house and lot worth at least $50,000.
SRRV Courtesy
For retired military officers of countries with existing military ties to the Philippines, retired diplomats and officers of international organizations, and recipients of prestigious awards or recognized high achievers.
Age 50 and above: $1,500, with or without a pension
Age 40 to 49: $3,000 with a pension, or $6,000 without
SRRV Courtesy for former Filipinos
Age 50 and above: $1,500
Age 40 to 49: $3,000
Former Filipinos may also want to compare this with re-acquiring Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 or the 13G returning resident visa, neither of which requires a deposit.
Applying for the SRRV at 40 to 49
You do not have to wait until 50 to retire in the Philippines. The SRRV is open from age 40 with the same categories, documents, process and fees. Only the deposit is higher, as shown for each category above.
The lower deposits apply if you are 50 or older when you apply. If you are close to 50, we can compare the cost of applying now with waiting.
Dependents
The deposit covers you and up to two dependents. Each additional dependent requires a further $15,000 deposit, except for former Filipinos. Children must be legitimate or legally adopted, unmarried and under 21 when they join the program.
Not sure which option fits? Take our two-minute visa quiz.
In detail
SRRV document checklist
Principal applicant
PRA application form
Original passport with a tourist visa valid for at least two more months
Medical certificate issued in the Philippines on the PRA form
Apostilled police clearance from your country of origin, valid for six months from issue
NBI clearance, if you have stayed in the Philippines for more than three months
Eight 2x2 photographs
Proof of inward remittance of the deposit from a PRA-accredited bank
Payment of the PRA processing fee and first annual fee
If you are applying with a pension
Apostilled proof of pension
If you are applying under a courtesy category
Former military: apostilled DD214 or certificate of discharge from duty
Former Filipinos: apostilled naturalization document, an old Philippine passport or a PSA birth certificate
If you are bringing dependents
Apostilled marriage certificate for your spouse
Apostilled birth certificate for each child
Medical and NBI clearances for each dependent, as applicable
The PRA keeps your passport for the duration of processing. It can be withdrawn if you need to travel, but this delays approval.
In detail
SRRV fees and processing time
Government fees
PRA processing fee: $1,500 for the principal applicant
Each dependent: $300
PRA annual fee, SRRV Classic: $360, covering the principal and two dependents, plus $100 for each additional dependent
PRA annual fee, Courtesy: $100, or $50 for former Filipinos, plus $10 for each dependent in excess of two
NBI clearance: PHP 160
Medical examination: about PHP 1,400 in Cebu or PHP 1,800 in Manila
PRA fees are paid in pesos at the PRA's dollar rate on the day of payment. Government fees can change without notice, and the amount assessed at filing is final. Our service fee is separate and is quoted during your consultation.
How long it takes
An SRRV application typically takes two to three months from filing.
Applications can be filed any working day at PRA Cebu or PRA Manila.
In detail
After your SRRV is approved
Importing your household goods
SRRV holders receive a one-time exemption from customs duties and taxes on personal effects and household goods worth up to $7,000. The application goes to the Department of Finance through the PRA and should be made within 90 days of your oath-taking. You will need a notarized certificate of undertaking, a copy of your SRRV ID, your TIN, a packing list and the shipper's final billing. The tax exemption endorsement takes two to three working days, and the import exemption is filed once the shipment has left its country of origin.
Renewing your passport
When you receive a new passport, the SRRV stamp must be transferred to it. You will need both the old and new passports, the PRA service fee of $10 and the Bureau of Immigration fee of PHP 1,500. Allow two to three months through PRA Manila or three to four months through Cebu. If your nationality has changed, expect the process to take a year or more.
Keeping your visa in good standing
Pay the PRA annual fee to keep your SRRV ID valid, keep your deposit or approved investment in place, and apply for a work permit before taking up employment.
FAQs
SRRV Frequently Asked Questions
No. You do not need to be officially retired to qualify for the SRRV. You need to meet the age and deposit requirements. A pension lowers the deposit, but it is not required for every option.
For SRRV Classic with a pension, at least $800 a month for a single applicant or $1,000 for a couple/family, shown by apostilled proof of pension. For SRRV Courtesy, an applicant aged 40 to 49 who applies with a pension shows $1,000 a month.
Yes. The SRRV is available from age 40. Applicants aged 40 to 49 use the same categories, documents and process as older retirees, and the only difference is a higher deposit.
At 40 to 49 the SRRV deposit is $25,000 for Classic with a pension and $50,000 without. The SRRV Courtesy deposit is $3,000 with a pension or $6,000 without, and $3,000 for former Filipinos.
No. SRRV Classic without a pension is open to applicants aged 40 to 49 with a $50,000 deposit. A qualifying pension halves that to $25,000.
Yes. The lower SRRV deposit applies to applicants who are 50 or older when they apply. If you are close to 50, tell us during your consultation so we can compare the cost of applying now against waiting.
Yes, depending on your circumstances. If you are married to a Filipino citizen, the 13A marriage visa needs no deposit, and former Filipinos can look at dual citizenship.
The courtesy SRRV covers retired military officers of countries with military ties to the Philippines, retired diplomats and officers of international organizations, and recognized high achievers. Military applicants submit an apostilled DD214 or certificate of discharge.
Yes. Your spouse and your legitimate or legally adopted children who are unmarried and under 21 can join your SRRV. The deposit covers you and two dependents, and each additional dependent needs a further $15,000, except for former Filipinos.
Yes. Dependents can be added to your SRRV after approval. Your spouse must be legally married to you and provide a clear police clearance, and children must be unmarried and under 21. Adding more than two dependents requires an additional deposit.
The 13A marriage visa needs no deposit, but it depends on your marriage and starts with a one-year probationary visa. The SRRV needs a deposit and stands on its own, whatever your marital status. We can compare both with you.
No. The deposit remains yours. If you cancel your SRRV, the deposit is released back to you.
No. The SRRV deposit must be remitted from abroad to a PRA-accredited bank.
A $1,500 processing fee for the principal applicant and $300 for each dependent, plus an annual fee: $360 for SRRV Classic, $100 for Courtesy and $50 for former Filipinos.
An SRRV application typically takes two to three months from filing. The NBI clearance and the bank's remittance certificate are the steps that most often add time.
Yes, in part. Documents from your home country, such as the police clearance, proof of pension and marriage or birth certificates, are obtained and apostilled before you travel. The SRRV application itself is filed in the Philippines, where you submit your passport, complete the medical examination and attend the PRA interview.
An apostille is a form of international authentication that makes a document valid in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilling a document in your home country means it is accepted as valid in the Philippines, which is why SRRV documents such as your police clearance are apostilled before you travel.
For the SRRV, the documents that need an apostille are your home-country police clearance, your proof of pension if you apply with one, your marriage certificate if your spouse joins, and birth certificates for children who join. Military applicants also apostille their DD214 or certificate of discharge. The police clearance is valid for six months from issue, so time it to your arrival.
The SRRV requires an apostilled police clearance from your country of origin, valid for six months from issue and not required from age 70. You also need an NBI clearance if you have been in the Philippines for more than three months before applying.
It can. A police clearance from your country of origin is a requirement for the SRRV, and a felony can lead to the application being denied.
To apply for the SRRV you need a tourist visa with at least two months of validity left when the application is submitted. We file at the PRA in Manila or Cebu.
The SRRV medical examination is done in the Philippines. The PRA requires a medical certificate issued here on its own form.
Yes. Your original passport stays with the PRA until your SRRV is approved. It can be withdrawn if you need it, but that delays the application.
Under SRRV Classic, the deposit can be converted into an active investment: buying a condominium unit or taking a long-term lease on a house and lot, with a property value of at least $50,000.
No. The SRRV deposit must still be remitted to a PRA-accredited bank first. It can be converted into a qualifying property afterwards.
The SRRV is a resident visa, not a work visa. If you take up employment you must apply for a work permit.
Whether remote work is allowed on an SRRV depends on the work you do and whether the Philippines is involved in your business activities. Book a consultation and we will look at your situation.
No. The SRRV has no minimum stay requirement, so you can come and go as you please. Stay in touch with the PRA or with us so that your SRRV ID is renewed on time, even while you are out of the country.
The SRRV is valid indefinitely and allows multiple entry. You keep it in force by paying the PRA annual fee, which keeps your SRRV ID valid, and by keeping your deposit or approved investment in place.
If you only need to leave for a while, nothing changes. The SRRV has no minimum stay requirement and you can return whenever you like. If you decide to give up the SRRV altogether, you cancel it and your deposit is released back to you.
Largely, yes. SRRV holders do not file tourist visa extensions, and they leave and return without exit clearances or re-entry permits. The SRRV is handled through the Philippine Retirement Authority rather than the Bureau of Immigration.
Yes. Your SRRV ID card is issued when your visa is approved and serves as your local ID. For driving, a foreign licence stops being valid after 90 continuous days in the Philippines, after which it is converted to a Philippine licence at the Land Transportation Office.
Yes. SRRV holders have a one-time exemption from customs duties and taxes on personal effects and household goods worth up to $7,000. It is applied for through the PRA, ideally within 90 days of your oath-taking.
The SRRV stamp is transferred to your new passport through the PRA. For a passport of the same nationality this takes around two to three months through the Manila office and three to four months through Cebu.
Written and reviewed by the C&G immigration team. Last updated . Government requirements and fees change, so confirm the details for your case before filing.
★★★★★
4.9 across 100+ Google reviews.
Read what clients say about working with our Cebu and Manila teams.
You may also need
Related services
Ready to get started?
The Philippines Made Easy
Get clear advice on visas, business setup, and your next steps in the Philippines.