Are you planning to spend your retirement years in the Philippines? However, you are not sure what type of visa you should apply for. The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) offers foreign nationals a unique opportunity to retire in the Philippines. It provides benefits, including indefinite stay, multiple-entry privileges, and access to investment opportunities.
Applying for this type of visa may require you to meet several requirements, including securing an NBI Clearance and having it apostilled. In this article, we’ll walk you through the benefits of having SRRV and the importance of NBI Clearance as a key requirement for granting this visa.
SRRV Philippines
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, also known as the SRRV Visa, is a long-term visa granted by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to foreign nationals and former Filipinos wanting to stay permanently or retire in the Philippines.
This visa provides several benefits, making it a more attractive and suitable visa option for retirees. This includes:
Foreign retirees can reside in the Philippines without needing to renew their visa.
This visa allows holders multiple entry privileges, which allows them to leave and re-enter the country without restrictions.
SRRV holders are granted a lifetime visa exempt from Bureau of Immigration requirements, allowing holders to work, study, or invest in the Philippines.
Discounts from PRA-accredited partners.
Free PRA newsletter subscription
Free assistance with government agency transactions.
Access to PhilHealth benefits and privileges.
Qualification for SSRV Visa
Foreign nationals who are at least fifty (50) years old and have no criminal record or any pending case. They should also not be deemed “restricted” or disallowed from entering the country by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
There is also a financial requirement for this type of visa, which may vary depending on the type of SRRV program chosen. The Philippine government offers two (2) available SRRV programs: the SRRV Classic and SRRV Courtesy.
Types of SRRV in the Philippines
SRRV Classic
This type of SRRV program is for active or healthy principal retirees who opt to use their SRRV deposit to real estate investments. This includes the purchase of condominium units or long term lease of house and lot. The required amounts of deposit are:
US$ 20,000 – For applicants aged fifty (50) years old and above without pension.
US$ 10,000 – For applicants aged fifty (50) years old and above who are currently receiving a monthly pension.
US$ 800 per month – For single applicants.
US$ 1,000 per month – For applicants with dependents.
SRRV Courtesy
This type of SRRV program is for both former Filipinos and foreign nationals who are fifty (50) years old and above and who served in the Philippines as ambassadors, diplomats, honorary consuls, retirees of international organizations, and former military retired officers.
Applicants who served as ambassadors and diplomats are required to deposit an amount of US$ 1,500. On the other hand, applicants under the SRRV Expanded Courtesy, which includes a group of individuals such as honorary consuls, retirees of international organizations, and former military officers, must be at least fifty (50) years old and receiving a monthly pension of at least US$ 1,000 and must remit a visa deposit of US$ 1,500.
SRRV Requirements
Here are the following documentary requirements that must be submitted by the principal applicant upon the application of SRRV:
Accomplished SRRV Application Form
Original Medical Certificate (valid for 6 months from the date it was secured)
Police Clearance from the country of origin or last residence abroad. It must be translated into English if issued in another country. It also needs to be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office where the Clearance was secured or apostilled by the issuing country’s competent authority, whichever is applicable.
Bank Certification from PRA-Accredited bank
Original Passport with valid Tourist or Balikbayan Visa in the Philippines
8 pieces of recent and high-quality 2×2 in pictures
PRA Annual Fee (PAF)
Additional required documents for Different SRRV Options
For additional dependents, a spouse and children must submit the following documents:
Accomplished SRRV Application Form
Application Form for Dependents
Original PRA Medical Certificate
Original Police Clearance (and NBI Clearance, if necessary) for Spouse and for children who are 18 years old and above;
Apostilled/Authenticated Proof of Relationship (ex. Marriage Certificate for the spouse and Birth Certificate for the child);
Original Passport with valid tourist visa in the Philippines; Photos
Application Fee
Applicants must submit the above original documents and 2 sets of photocopied documents in A4 size.
Additional requirements may be requested depending on the SRRV Option being applied for.
Why is the NBI Clearance Required for the SRRV Application?
The NBI Clearance issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) proves that the applicant has no criminal record during his/her stay in the Philippines. This serves as a background check, confirming the applicant’s good standing before being granted long-term residency.
For foreign nationals who have stayed in the Philippines for more than 30 days before the SRRV application, an NBI Clearance is required. Those who have not yet stayed that long may need to submit a police clearance from their country of origin or residence, which must be authenticated through an apostille.
Sounds Overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be!
FileDocsPhil can assist you in processing your NBI Clearance from application to getting it apostilled on your behalf. We can also assist you in your SRRV application in coordination with Duran & Duran-Schulze Law.
With FileDocsPhil, everything is made more convenient so you can focus on enjoying your future in the Philippines.
Let FileDocsPhil Do the Work!
Enjoy your retirement in the Philippines hassle-free with the right documentation provider and the right team by your side!
