Special Resident Retiree's Visa
Indefinite residence from age 35 in exchange for a bank deposit held in the Philippines.
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
The SRRV is administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority and, despite the name, opens from age 35. In exchange for a deposit held in a Philippine bank, typically USD 20,000 for the Smile category or USD 10,000 for over-50s with a qualifying pension, you get indefinite multiple-entry residence with no extension paperwork, exemption from exit clearances, and the right to include dependants. For anyone planning several years in the Philippines it removes the entire immigration-office treadmill.
At a glance
Initial stay
3,650 days
Per entry, before extension
Entries
Multiple
Application fee
1,400 USD
Processing
20–60 days
Apply
Online and in person
Savings required
20,000 USD
USD 10,000 for applicants aged 50 and over with a qualifying monthly pension.
Other fees
- Annual PRA fee
- 360 USD
Who can apply
Broadly open, but consulates assess each application case by case.
Requirements
- Aged 35 or overRequiredThe Smile category opens at 35. Categories for applicants aged 50 and over have lower deposit requirements.
- USD 20,000 deposit, or USD 10,000 with a pensionRequiredA time deposit held in an accredited Philippine bank. Applicants aged 50 and over with a qualifying monthly pension deposit USD 10,000; others deposit USD 20,000.
- Clean criminal recordRequiredPolice clearance from your country of origin and an NBI clearance in the Philippines are required.
- Medical examination requiredInfoA medical clearance including standard screening is part of the application.
- No more extensions or exit clearancesInfoSRRV holders stop dealing with tourist extensions, ACR I-Card renewals and Emigration Clearance Certificates entirely, and can convert the deposit into a qualifying condominium purchase after a period.
Documents to prepare
- Passport
- Proof of the time deposit in an accredited bank
- Police clearance from your country of origin
- NBI clearance
- Medical examination certificate
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependants
- Pension certification if applying under a pension category
How to apply
Last verified 2026-07-27
Apply to the Philippine Retirement Authority
~14 daysSubmit the application and supporting documents through a PRA office or accredited marketer.
Place the deposit
~7 daysOpen the account and place the time deposit in an accredited Philippine bank.
Receive the SRRV
~21 daysThe visa is stamped and the PRA identification card issued.
Extending the stay
Extendable
Yes
Indefinite while the deposit stays in place and the annual PRA fee is paid.
Tax and health
Tax
SRRV holders remain taxed only on Philippine-sourced income, and the deposit itself is not taxed. Pension income from abroad is generally outside the Philippine net.
Insurance
Not required. Not mandated, though PhilHealth enrolment is available to SRRV holders.
Healthcare
Medical clearance for the application; PhilHealth enrolment available afterwards.
Immigration and tax rules change without notice and depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm with the official source below or a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.
Good to know
- The deposit is returnable if you later cancel the visa, so the real cost is the fees and the opportunity cost of the capital
- After a qualifying period the deposit can often be converted into a condominium purchase
- Spouse and dependent children can be added for an additional deposit per dependant
- Categories, deposit levels and age bands have been revised several times; confirm the current structure
- The visa does not confer the right to work for Philippine employers
Official source
low confidenceOther ways into Philippines