A Basic Guide to the Retirement Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines

The SRRV lets foreign retirees live in the Philippines indefinitely through a bank deposit. Note that the program was restructured in September 2025, raising the minimum age to 40 and ending the Smile and Human Touch options.

Are you looking for a good place to start your retirement? Or are you still caught in the middle of figuring out where to live for the rest of your life?

The Philippines is one of the most popular destinations chosen by many retirees around the world. The country is known for countless tourist destinations, cheaper living costs, and a moderate climate that anyone can enjoy wherever local spot he chooses.

The country also offers a retirement visa — the Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) — to cater to foreign retirees looking to move to the Philippines. If you are one of those researching how to do so, this guide can walk you through the different options for the SRRV and how to apply for one.

Benefits

There are plenty of benefits for SRRV visa holders based on the established guidelines of PRA. It’s especially helpful when you have decided to permanently move to the Philippines.

Some of these include:

• an indefinite stay in the country as long as your visa is active
• multiple entries and exits without limits
• exemption from exit clearances and re-entry permits
• exemption from customs duties and taxes when shipping personal items to the Philippines

In addition, you can also get additional discounts from hotels, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. Check out the PRA website for merchants for more information.

SRRV Types

The SRRV is a type of non-immigrant visa in the Philippines for retirees. There are two types on offer:

• SRRV Classic
• SRRV Courtesy

Both are open from age 40. What separates them is who you are. Classic is the general track. Courtesy is reserved for former Filipinos and a short list of special categories.

SRRV Classic

• Age Requirement: 40 years old and above
• Financial Requirement: a US$15,000 to US$50,000 deposit, depending on your age and whether you have a pension

This is the main track, and the one most retirees end up on. Anyone aged 40 or over can apply.

The deposit the PRA asks for comes down to two things: your age bracket, and whether you draw a pension.

• 50 and over, with a pension: US$15,000
• 50 and over, no pension: US$30,000
• 40 to 49, with a pension: US$25,000
• 40 to 49, no pension: US$50,000

To count as a pensioner, you need at least US$800 a month applying on your own, or US$1,000 a month if you are bringing dependents.

Classic also lets you put the money to work. You can convert the deposit into an investment rather than leave it sitting in the bank, a condominium purchase being the usual route.

SRRV Courtesy

• Age Requirement: 40 years old and above
• Financial Requirement: a US$1,500 to US$6,000 deposit

Courtesy is the cheap track, but you have to qualify for it. The PRA splits it into two groups.

Former Filipinos. This covers Filipinos who took citizenship in another country and have not reacquired it. The deposit runs US$1,500 to US$3,000.

Foreign nationals in special categories. Retired diplomats, officers of international organizations recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, retired military from countries with recognized bilateral ties to the Philippines, and high achievers in academia, business, the arts, culture, music, or sport. Philanthropists count as well.

For foreign nationals, the deposit is US$1,500 at 50 and over with a pension, US$3,000 at 50 and over without one, and US$6,000 for ages 40 to 49.

If your spouse is a former Filipino citizen, the former Filipino is the one who applies, and you go on the application as a dependent. Former Filipinos also have the option of pursuing dual citizenship through the Philippine dual citizenship program.

Discontinued Options

Three categories that still show up in older guides are gone. The PRA no longer lists any of them, so you cannot apply for them.

• SRRV Smile: the US$20,000 deposit option for ages 35 to 49
• SRRV Human Touch: the track for retirees with a pre-existing medical condition
• SRRV Expanded Courtesy: the track for retired armed forces personnel from partner countries

If one of those was your plan, Classic is where you land instead. And if you were counting on Smile at 35, you now have to wait until 40.

Required Documents

The first thing to do before pursuing the visa application is to gather all the required documents needed by the Philippine embassy. The following list includes all the basic requirements for an SRRV visa. These are:

• Passport – Make sure that your passport is still valid on the day of the application. The original copy will be needed for online or in-person submission. Moreover, please take note that your entry status in the country should also be indicated in the passport (e.g., temporary visa, tourist, etc.)

• PRA Application Form 

• Medical Certificate or clearance – This must be up-to-date, valid, and written/translated in the English language. The clearance is only valid for six months from its date of issuance.
  • If you are still in your home country, use the Medical Application Form No.11 issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy officer in your country.
  • If you are already in the Philippines, obtain a medical certificate from any licensed physician or any PRA partner clinic all over the country. 

• Police clearance issued from your country of origin and authenticated by the Philippine Embassy, or NBI clearance if you are already residing in the Philippines for at least 30 days. The NBI clearance is issued by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with a one-year validity. 

• If you have accompanying dependents such as children and spouses, additional documents are also required. These include marriage contracts/certificates written in the English language. Proof of relationship is also required for child dependents. 

• Photos – 8 pieces (2”x2”)

• Other documents may also be requested on a case-by-case basis and according to the SRRV visa type.

Costs of SRRV Visa

On top of the deposit, the PRA charges the following:

• A one-time processing fee of US$1,500 for the principal applicant, plus US$300 for each dependent
• An annual PRA fee of US$360, which covers the principal plus two dependents. Each extra dependent beyond that adds US$100 a year

Both are published on the PRA’s SRRV page.

Application

You can apply for an SRRV even if you are within or outside the Philippines. You may submit your application at the PRA office if you are in the country or to a Philippine embassy if you are located abroad. The application process is the same within and outside the Philippines.

To give you an idea regarding the procedures for visa processing, here is a simple guide to follow. 

1. Decide what type of SRRV to take based on your goals, needs, and funds.

2. Process the required deposit. Check the list of PRA-accredited banks in the Philippines. Also, you will need the PRA telegraphic transfer form to process the transaction.

3. Wait for a response from the bank confirming the remittance of the deposit.

4. Submit documentary requirements to the PRA or Consulate General for authentication.

Processing time for an SRRV visa takes around 15 to 20 working days. Applications processed through the PRA satellite offices in Baguio, Clark-Subic, Cebu, and Davao take 25 to 30 working days.

Cancellation

Apply for the cancellation at the PRA at least two months before the validity of the visa expires. You need to submit a request letter along with the required documents to the PRA office. The visa can then be canceled just by withdrawing the deposit. The processing time usually takes around 20 to 30 days on a case-by-case basis.

Renewal

Since the SRRV is a lifetime visa, there is no need to renew the visa. The retiree should only need to maintain the required bank deposit based on the visa type. With this, the individual is also privileged with multiple entries to the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I able to use the minimum deposit to purchase a property later on?

Yes. The foreign retiree can convert the deposit into an investment, such as purchasing a condominium. However, take note that foreign nationals cannot purchase land property.

Am I able to apply for NBI clearance/police clearance in the Philippines if I am already residing here under a different visa?

Yes. The purpose of both clearances is only to show that you have a good standing in the country where you are currently staying. You may also read the step-by-step procedure on how to get the NBI clearance to fully understand the requirements needed.

If I leave the Philippines while on an SRRV, will I be allowed to re-enter the Philippines?

Yes. The SRRV is a multiple-entry visa regardless of the type you choose. This means you have the perks to leave and return to the country multiple times without limit.

Now, on to You

With this information at hand, we hope you can now explore the best SRRV visa option that suits you. Just consider all the pros and cons of each type before deciding. Also, take note of the requirements, guidelines, and qualifications so you can properly manage your time and effort when applying. Prospective retirees in expat forums have flagged the higher deposits and the new age-40 floor as the biggest changes to weigh, with some now comparing the SRRV against a standard long-stay or investor route.