If you are considering retiring or establishing long-term residence in the Philippines, the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa is one of the main options to explore. The rules changed significantly under the Expanded SRRV Program, so requirements you may have found online before September 2025 may no longer be correct. This is what you need to know about SRRV right now.
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, commonly known as the SRRV, provides qualified foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens with multiple-entry privileges and the right to stay in the Philippines indefinitely while the visa remains valid. The program is administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority, or PRA, with the visa issued through the Bureau of Immigration. Our local team will assist you with your application, ensuring all is correct and complete before applying..
Below we answer the most common questions about the current SRRV requirements, deposits, documents and practical implications of holding the visa.
What is the SRRV visa in the Philippines?
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa is a special non-immigrant visa for qualified foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who want to live long term in the Philippines.
It allows multiple entry and indefinite stay, which means SRRV holders do not need to repeatedly apply for ordinary extensions of stay. The program is managed by the Philippine Retirement Authority.
Who can apply for the SRRV?
Under the Expanded SRRV Program, the principal applicant must be at least 40 years old.
Qualified applicants include foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens. A spouse and qualifying dependent children can also be included in the application. Dependent children must be unmarried and under 21 years old when applying.
Applicants connected with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or Internet Gaming Licensees are excluded under the current program rules.
What changed under the Expanded SRRV Program?
The Expanded SRRV Program took effect on 1 September 2025. One of the most important changes was reducing the minimum age for new principal applicants from 50 to 40.
The program also introduced new deposit levels for applicants aged 40 to 49 and revised the structure of the current SRRV options. Anyone relying on older guides should therefore check that the information reflects the Expanded SRRV rules rather than the previous program. We are happy to answer any questions you might have.
What SRRV options are currently available?
The main options under the Expanded SRRV Program are SRRV Classic and SRRV Courtesy.
SRRV Classic is available to pensioners and non-pensioners who meet the applicable age and deposit requirements.
SRRV Courtesy is available to qualifying former Filipino citizens and certain categories of foreign nationals, including retired diplomats, qualified retired officers of recognised international organisations, certain retired military personnel and recognised high achievers in fields such as business, academia, arts, culture, music and sports.
Choosing the correct category matters because the eligibility requirements and required deposit can differ significantly.
How much is the SRRV deposit?
The required SRRV deposit depends primarily on your age, pension status and visa category.
For SRRV Classic:
- Age 40 to 49 with qualifying pension: USD 25,000
- Age 40 to 49 without qualifying pension: USD 50,000
- Age 50 and above with qualifying pension: USD 15,000
- Age 50 and above without qualifying pension: USD 30,000
Pensioners applying for SRRV Classic must provide proof of a lifetime pension of at least USD 800 per month for a single applicant or USD 1,000 per month when applying with dependents.
For qualifying foreign nationals under SRRV Courtesy:
- Age 40 to 49 with qualifying pension: USD 3,000
- Age 40 to 49 without qualifying pension: USD 6,000
- Age 50 and above: USD 1,500
For former Filipino citizens under SRRV Courtesy:
- Age 40 to 49: USD 3,000
- Age 50 and above: USD 1,500
These are visa deposits rather than simply application fees. The amount required for your case should therefore be confirmed before funds are transferred.
Where is the SRRV deposit placed?
The required visa deposit must be sent to a PRA-accredited bank in the Philippines.
PRA currently lists banks including the Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank, UnionBank, Bank of Commerce, BDO at designated branches, Shinhan Bank and KEB Hana Bank among its accredited institutions. Bank participation and individual branches can change, so the current PRA list should always be checked before transferring funds.
The deposit is generally remitted from abroad and a bank certificate or proof of inward remittance forms part of the SRRV application.
Can the SRRV deposit be used for an investment?
Under the SRRV program, qualifying visa deposits can be converted into approved investments subject to PRA rules.
Current PRA procedures permit qualifying investments including the acquisition of a condominium unit and certain long-term residential leases. For a long-term lease, for example, PRA currently requires a lease period of at least 25 years and a value of at least USD 50,000.
This is an area where the details matter. Do not purchase a property or enter into a lease on the assumption that it will automatically qualify for conversion of the SRRV deposit. The proposed investment should be checked against current PRA requirements first. Which is something we support our clients with.
What fees apply in addition to the SRRV deposit?
The deposit is separate from the fees charged for processing and maintaining the SRRV.
The current PRA processing fee is USD 1,500 for the principal applicant and USD 300 for each dependent applicant.
Annual PRA fees currently include:
- SRRV Classic: USD 360 for the principal applicant and up to two dependents
- SRRV Courtesy for foreign nationals: USD 100
- SRRV Courtesy for former Filipinos: USD 50
Additional annual fees apply when more than two dependents are included.
Can I include my spouse and children in my SRRV application?
Yes. A legally married spouse can be included as a dependent.
Children can also qualify if they are unmarried and under 21 years old when the application is made. They must be legitimate or legally adopted children of the principal applicant.
The standard visa deposit covers the principal applicant and up to two dependents under the current PRA framework. Additional deposit requirements may apply when more dependents are included, so family applications should be assessed before the deposit is arranged.
Do I need to be in the Philippines to apply for the SRRV?
Yes.
This is an important point because older information online can give a different impression. Current PRA guidance for the Expanded SRRV states that all applicants must be physically present in the Philippines for the whole duration of the SRRV application process.
You can prepare documents and have them pre-evaluated before travelling by our team, but the actual SRRV application process requires your presence in the country. Contact us to find out more.
What documents are required for an SRRV application?
The exact requirements depend on your category and individual circumstances, but current PRA requirements generally include:
- A valid passport with an eligible and convertible tourist visa
- Completed PRA application forms
- PRA medical certificate and medical results
- Police clearance or criminal record check
- Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate
- Certificate of visa deposit
- Recent ID photographs
- Proof of pension when applying as a pensioner
- Proof of relationship for accompanying spouse or children
Applicants who have already stayed in the Philippines for at least 90 days before filing may also need an NBI clearance.
Documents issued abroad may need to be apostilled or authenticated and translated into English where applicable.
The PRA can request additional documentation depending on the applicant and SRRV category, which is one reason it is useful to have your documents checked before filing.
What medical examination is required for the SRRV?
Applicants must use the PRA Medical Certificate/Form and provide the required medical results.
Current PRA guidance states that the medical examination can be completed at a hospital or clinic either in the Philippines or abroad. If the medical documentation is issued abroad, it must be apostilled or authenticated by the relevant Philippine Embassy or Consular Office and translated into English if necessary.
The medical certificate is valid for six months from issuance.
Do I need private health insurance to get an SRRV?
Private health insurance is not listed as a general basic documentary requirement under the current Expanded SRRV requirements.
This differs from some older SRRV information, particularly material relating to previous categories such as SRRV Human Touch.
Health coverage is still an important part of planning a move to the Philippines. Qualified foreign retirees with an SRRV can also participate in PhilHealth, subject to its current membership and contribution rules. PhilHealth continues to recognise PRA foreign retirees among its member categories.
How long does an SRRV application take?
PRA’s Expanded SRRV guidance states a processing period of approximately 30 to 45 working days from receipt of complete documentary requirements.
Actual timing can depend on your documentation, bank certification, immigration processing and whether further information is requested.
This is why preparing documents correctly before filing matters. Missing authentication, an incorrect visa status or inconsistencies between documents can create avoidable delays.
Can an SRRV holder work in the Philippines?
An SRRV does not automatically remove Philippine employment requirements.
If you intend to take gainful employment in the Philippines, you will generally need an Alien Employment Permit, or AEP, from the Department of Labor and Employment. PRA itself provides assistance to SRRV holders applying for an AEP, and DOLE guidance specifically includes SRRV holders among foreign nationals who may be required to obtain one.
Your employment situation should therefore be reviewed separately from your immigration status before starting work.
Can an SRRV holder start or run a business in the Philippines?
Holding an SRRV does not prevent you from engaging in business, but your business must comply with Philippine company, investment, tax and licensing rules.
Foreign ownership restrictions depend on the activity and structure of the business. PRA can also assist SRRV holders with obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number when setting up a business in the Philippines.
If business activity is part of your plan, it is better to consider the visa and company structure together rather than treating them as completely separate decisions.
Can an SRRV holder buy property in the Philippines?
Foreign nationals are generally restricted from owning land directly in the Philippines.
Foreigners can, however, own condominium units subject to the foreign ownership restrictions that apply to condominium projects. Current Philippine investment guidance states that foreign participation in a condominium project can be up to 40 percent.
SRRV rules can also allow a qualifying visa deposit to be converted into approved condominium ownership or certain long-term leases. These transactions have specific PRA requirements, so property eligibility should be confirmed before committing funds.
Do SRRV holders need to complete the Bureau of Immigration Annual Report?
One of the benefits currently listed by the Philippine Retirement Authority is exemption from the Bureau of Immigration’s Annual Reporting requirement.
SRRV holders are also exempt from the standard Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card requirement and Bureau of Immigration exit and re-entry permits.
There are still PRA membership requirements to maintain, including annual fees and relevant ID formalities.
Does the SRRV provide permanent residency or Philippine citizenship?
The terminology can be confusing. The SRRV is legally classified as a special non-immigrant visa, but it gives the holder multiple-entry privileges and the ability to stay in the Philippines indefinitely while the visa and PRA membership remain valid.
It does not grant Philippine citizenship.
You may therefore see the SRRV described as providing permanent or long-term residency because of its indefinite stay privileges, but that should not be confused with acquiring Philippine citizenship or changing the legal classification of the SRRV into an ordinary immigrant visa.
Do I have to renew the SRRV every year?
The SRRV itself provides indefinite stay rather than requiring a new visa application every year.
However, SRRV holders still have ongoing PRA obligations. These include paying the applicable annual PRA fee and keeping membership and identification details current.
If your passport, family circumstances, investment or other relevant information changes, additional PRA procedures may also be required.
Is it difficult to apply for an SRRV?
The SRRV requirements are relatively structured, but the correct route depends on your age, pension status, family situation, existing Philippine visa and plans for the required deposit.
The most common problems are often not the eligibility rules themselves. They are document issues, authentication requirements, choosing the wrong SRRV category or arranging the deposit before all the requirements have been checked.
Prism Philippines can help you assess which SRRV option applies to you, review the required documents, coordinate the visa deposit and manage the application with the Philippine Retirement Authority.
If you are considering the Philippines for retirement or long-term residence, start by checking your eligibility and the current requirements before making financial or travel arrangements.
Last updated: November 2026. SRRV requirements can change. We always confirm the requirements applicable to your individual case before filing when you choose Prism as your service provider.
