Philippines · Retirement
Special Resident Retiree's Visa
The programme was reformed effective 1 September 2025 under the Expanded SRRV Programme. The minimum age dropped from 50 to 40. The SRRV Smile and Human Touch categories were abolished. Bureau of Immigration clearance is now mandatory for all applicants, and the principal application fee rose from USD 1,400 to USD 1,500. The deposit figures below come from the Philippine Retirement Authority's own published schedule.
For USD 15,000-50,000 refundable and no minimum stay, the SRRV is the cheapest indefinite residence in Asia. The Philippines is genuinely territorial for foreign residents. Resident aliens are taxed only on Philippine-source income. The September 2025 drop to age 40 opened it to a materially younger cohort. For a family wanting a cheap, low-obligation Asian residence, nothing competes on price.
Qualifying routes
USD 15,000 deposit. Applicants must show proof of a lifetime pension of at least USD 800/month if single, or USD 1,000/month with dependants.
USD 30,000 deposit.
USD 25,000 deposit. This age band opened on 1 September 2025.
USD 50,000 deposit.
USD 1,500 for age 50+. USD 3,000 for age 40–49, or USD 6,000 for non-pensioner foreign nationals in that band. This applies to former Filipinos, retired diplomats, international organisation officers and military personnel.
The facts
- Minimum
- $15k
- Total landed cost
- The deposit runs USD 15,000–50,000 depending on age and pension status. On top of that, expect a USD 1,500 one-time processing fee, USD 300 per dependant, and an annual fee of USD 360 for the Classic tier. The deposit itself can be converted into qualifying Philippine investments.
- Route type
- Pension requirement
- Timeline
- 1–4 months (Historically fast. The new mandatory BI clearance may extend this timeline.)
- Physical presence
- None. The SRRV has no minimum stay requirement and remains valid indefinitely as long as the deposit is maintained.
- Family
- SpouseChildren under 21, with an additional deposit required per dependant beyond the first two
- Permanent residency
- The SRRV is itself an indefinite resident visa with multiple-entry privileges. In practice, it functions as permanent residency for as long as it is maintained.
- Citizenship
- Philippine naturalisation is possible, but it requires 10 years of residence, reducible to 5 in defined cases. Few SRRV holders pursue it.
- Language test
- English or Filipino, plus other conditions, for naturalisation
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Requirements
- Minimum age 40, reduced from 50 with effect from 1 September 2025A visa deposit at the applicable level, held in an accredited Philippine bankFor pensioner rates, proof of a lifetime pension of at least USD 800/month if single, or USD 1,000/month with dependantsBureau of Immigration clearance, mandatory for all applicants since 1 September 2025A medical examination and a police clearance
- SRRV Smile, the USD 20,000 no-conditions option, and Human Touch were abolished on 1 September 2025. Anyone quoting SRRV Smile is working from stale material.
- The deposit must remain with an accredited Philippine bank. You carry Philippine bank credit risk, and the funds are only released on visa cancellation.
- The PRA has changed the programme's terms repeatedly. Deposits were raised in 2013, the programme was closed to ex-military categories, and it was restructured again in 2025. Existing holders have generally been grandfathered, but this is not guaranteed.
- Philippine estate tax is only 6%, but it applies to the worldwide assets of residents. A wealthy family taking Philippine residence should confirm whether that 6% reaches their global estate before committing. The rate is low, but the base may be larger than expected.
- The SRRV confers residence, not work rights. Working requires a separate Alien Employment Permit.
- The mandatory BI clearance introduced in September 2025 adds a step, and a failure mode, that did not previously exist.
- Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. They can hold condominium units, subject to a 40% foreign quota per building, or long leases.