Permanent residency program
Philippines SRRV
The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) lets you retire to more than 7,000 islands, with no end date on your visa and a deposit you get back. If you're 40 or older and ready for Asia, this is your program.
- Minimum income
- $800/mo
- Processing time
- 1-2 months
- Citizenship path
- 10 years
- Presence required
- None
As featured in
Why the Philippines SRRV?
I grew up 90 miles from the Canadian border, in the middle of the Great Plains, and I have no appetite for that kind of climate anymore. Many of our clients feel the same way about the years ahead of them.
Your why determines your where. If yours is warm water, a slower pace, and a place where English works everywhere, the Philippines deserves a close look, and the SRRV is how you make it home.
You place a deposit you get back, and you can live there with no end date and no minimum days. If Asia is the missing region in your plan, start here.
James NuveenFounder of the Freedom Files
Benefits of the Philippines SRRV
Residence with no end date
The SRRV lets you live in the Philippines indefinitely, with multiple entries, for as long as you're a member of the program.
No minimum days
There's no presence rule. You can come and go freely, without exit or re-entry permits from the Bureau of Immigration.
Your deposit comes back
The deposit is your own money, in a time deposit at an accredited bank, and it's returned to you when you leave the program.
Pensions outside Philippine tax
Your pension and annuities are exempt from Philippine tax, and the Philippines taxes foreign residents only on Philippine income.
A household move, duty-free
You can bring in household goods and personal effects worth up to $7,000 once, free of customs duties and taxes.
Is the Philippines SRRV Right for You?
Right for you if
- Retirees 50 or older with a pension, including Social Security
- Anyone 40 or older who wants residence in Asia with no end date
- Applicants who'd rather place a deposit they get back than pay a fee
- Former Filipinos, who qualify for a much smaller deposit
Look elsewhere if
- You're under 40: The SRRV starts at age 40, and the deposit is lower from 50.
- You want to work for a Philippine employer: The SRRV is a retirement visa, and a job needs a separate work permit.
- You want a passport soon: Philippine naturalization is a court process after 10 years of residence.
- You'd rather not tie up any capital: The deposit remains in the bank while you're in the program.
Who Your Philippines SRRV Application Covers
Your deposit covers you and 2 dependents. Each person after that adds $15K to the deposit and $100 to the annual fee. Dependents can join with you or after your SRRV is approved.
| Family member | Condition |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legal marriage |
| Children under 21 | Unmarried, biological or adopted |
| A third dependent or more | Spouse or child |
Are You Eligible for the Philippines SRRV?
Answer 4 quick questions. In 2 minutes, you'll know whether you're likely to qualify, and what fits better if you don't.
SRRV Deposit Options
The SRRV Classic has 4 deposit levels, set by your age and whether you have a lifetime pension. The deposit is your own money, placed in a time deposit at an accredited bank and returned when you leave.
- Popular
Pension (50+)
$15K
How this route works
From age 50, with a lifetime pension of at least $800/mo, or $1,000/mo if anyone applies with you. Social Security can count. On top of the pension, you place a $15K qualifying deposit, and it can go toward a condo or a long-term lease where the program allows it.
Pension (40 to 49)
$25K
How this route works
From age 40 to 49, with the same lifetime pension of at least $800/mo, or $1,000/mo with dependents. On top of the pension, you place a $25K qualifying deposit.
No pension (50+)
$30K
How this route works
From age 50, with no pension needed. You place a $30K deposit, and that's the whole financial requirement.
No pension (40 to 49)
$50K
How this route works
From age 40 to 49, with no pension needed. You place a $50K deposit.
Philippines SRRV Cost
Estimated total for 4 people
$32,920
- Qualifying depositPension (50+)
- $30,000
- Application feePaid directly to the Philippine Retirement Authority
- $2,400
- First annual fee, you and 2 dependentsPaid directly to the Philippine Retirement Authority
- $360
- Criminal record checkPaid directly to your country's police authority
- $40
- Apostilles on your documentsPaid directly to the issuing authority
- $120
Later
- Annual fee, you and 2 dependents, each year$360
Government and official fees only. Every route requires a qualifying deposit, in addition to any proof of pension. The deposit is your own money, returned when you leave the program, and it covers you and 2 dependents; each person after that adds $15K, and $100 to the annual fee. The pension options need a lifetime pension of $800/mo, or $1,000/mo with dependents. The medical exam and any Bureau of Immigration charges aren't included. Freedom Files fees aren't included. All amounts are subject to change.
Get your numbers on the call. We price your route for everyone applying before you commit.
Philippines SRRV Costs at a Glance
| Deposit, returned when you leave | Pension, 50+: $15KPension, 40 to 49: $25KNo pension, 50+: $30KNo pension, 40 to 49: $50K |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $1,500 for you, and $300 per dependent |
| Annual fee | $360/yr for you and 2 dependents, plus $100/yr per added dependent |
| Added dependents | $15K more deposit for each person after the first 2 |
| Medical exam and translations | Depends on the clinic and the number of documents |
| The Freedom Files | A fixed quote in writing before you commit |
Philippines SRRV and Taxes
The basics below are for planning only, and each one is pending licensed review. Your own position depends on your income, your assets, and where you spend your time. Our team provides US and Philippines tax planning, so you can have your plan reviewed before you commit.
Tax residency in Philippines
A foreign national living in the Philippines with no set date to leave is a resident alien. After 180 days in a year, a nonresident is treated as doing business there.
US income tax treaty
The US and the Philippines have an income tax treaty that lowers withholding on cross-border income. If you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too.
SRRV presence vs tax residency
The SRRV has no minimum days. The Philippines taxes foreign residents only on Philippine income, so time spent there doesn't bring your foreign income into Philippine tax, and your pension is exempt.
Special tax regimes
Foreign nationals, resident or not, are taxed only on Philippine income, so income from abroad is outside Philippine tax. SRRV pensions are exempt.
Philippines SRRV Document Checklist
Here's the typical file for the Philippines SRRV. Your country and your case can change the list, and we confirm yours on the call.
Main applicant
- Valid passport with a visitor visa valid for at least 30 more days
- SRRV application form
- Medical certificate on the PRA form, with test results
- Police clearance from your country of origin or last residence
- 8 passport photos, 2 by 2 inches, on a white background
Deposit and pension
- Certificate of your visa deposit
- Pension options: Proof of a lifetime pension of $800/mo, or $1,000/mo with dependents
Spouse and children
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate or adoption papers for each child
Prepared in the Philippines
- Bureau of Immigration clearance certificate, for you and your spouse
- NBI clearance, if you've been in the Philippines for 90 days or more
Philippines SRRV Process and Timeline
Total: 1-2 months from filing to your SRRV. You file in the Philippines, so plan 1 trip of a few weeks.
- 1
Freedom Consult
A call with our founder. We confirm the SRRV fits your age, your income, and anyone applying with you, or we point you to a better route. You leave with a clear plan and a quote in writing.
- 2
Engagement and document file
You sign the engagement and we send your checklist. You gather your police clearance, pension records, and medical exam, and we arrange the apostilles.
- 3
Your deposit
You wire the deposit to an accredited bank in the Philippines, which issues the deposit certificate for your file.
- 4
Arrival and filing
You enter the Philippines as a visitor. We file your application with the Philippine Retirement Authority, and you attend a short interview.
- 5
Approval and your SRRV
The Retirement Authority endorses your file to the Bureau of Immigration, which places the SRRV in your passport. You take the oath and receive your PRA ID card.
- 6
Settling in
If you'd like your deposit to work harder, we help you put it toward a condo or a long-term lease where the program allows it.
- 7
Annual fee and ID renewals
Each year, we pay your annual fee and handle your ID card renewals. Contact us to renew.
Milestones to residency and citizenship
SRRV issued
1-2 months
First annual fee
Year 1
Naturalization petition, if you choose
After 10 years of residence
“I love the way the Freedom Files team present themselves and show up for our family. I much prefer their honest, on-the-ground-experience approach than the suited-up lawyers with bookshelves of textbooks behind them.”
Philippines SRRV vs Alternatives
| Philippines SRRV | Malaysia MM2H | Thailand Privilege Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum financial requirement | $15K | $32K | $19K |
| Processing time | 1-2 months | 3-6 months | 1-3 months |
| Presence required | None | 90 days, none if 50yo | None |
| Time to citizenship | 10 years | Not a path | Not a path |
| Family included | Spouse, children under 21 | Spouse, children to 34, parents | Spouse, children, parents, from Platinum |
| Capital returned | Yes, the deposit is returned | Yes, the deposit is returned | No, the fee is non-refundable |
Undecided between these programs? We compare them for you on the call.
Other Routes into Philippines
How the Freedom Files Helps You with the Philippines SRRV
You get one team from your first call to your arrival in Philippines. We prepare, check, and file your application, and we're your single point of contact from start to finish.
- Clients served
- 200+
- years in investment migration
- 10+
- Americans educated
- 2M+
| This program only | Private Client Engagement | |
|---|---|---|
| An eligibility review before you pay a government fee | ||
| Your document file, assembled and optimized | ||
| We prepare and submit your application | ||
| Consular coordination and liaising | ||
| Qualifying investment vetting and due diligence | ||
| Your case manager | Through arrival | Long term |
| A global Plan B strategy across residency, citizenship, tax, asset protection, and more | ||
| Residency and/or citizenship in more than one country | ||
| US and foreign tax strategy, with introductions | ||
| Banking and asset protection strategy, with introductions | ||
| Healthcare, schools, and relocation, with introductions | ||
| Book a consult | Learn more |
Other Freedom Files Services in Philippines
We can take on each of these for you, alongside your application or on its own. Our Philippines team provides legal, tax, financial, immigration, and investment advice and services.
Tax strategy and filing
Bank account opening
Investment vetting
Real estate and accommodations
Healthcare enrollment
Residency renewals
“We came in with a complicated global setup and needed special attention. What we got from the Freedom Files team was direct, honest, and personal responsiveness at every turn. Exactly what we needed! Very impressed.”
Mike · New York“The Private Client Engagement has been perfect for our unique situation. James is the total quarterback of our whole Plan B strategy.”
Kenneth · Illinois
Why Philippines?
More than 7,000 islands
Limestone lagoons in Palawan, the white beaches of the Visayas, and surf towns in Siargao, with warm water all year.
Spanish, American, and Asian heritage
Centuries of Spanish rule and decades of American ties left stone churches, a love of fiestas, and a culture that feels familiar from the first day.
English everywhere
English is an official language, used in business, government, schools, and hospitals, so daily life and paperwork are easier than almost anywhere in Asia.
Cool mountains and rice terraces
The terraces of the Cordillera and the pine hills of Baguio offer cool mountain air, a short trip from the coast and the cities.
Philippines SRRV FAQs
Cost and qualifying routes
How much is the SRRV deposit?
From age 50, it's $15K with a lifetime pension or $30K without one. From 40 to 49, it's $25K with a pension or $50K without. The deposit covers you and 2 dependents, and it's returned when you leave the program.
What counts as a pension for the SRRV?
A lifetime pension of at least $800/mo for 1 person, or $1,000/mo if anyone applies with you. Social Security and most government and company pensions can count. We review your pension letter before you file.
Can you use the SRRV deposit to buy property?
The program allows the deposit to go toward approved investments, such as a condo or a long-term lease of a house and lot. We confirm the current rules for your file before you commit.
What fees does the SRRV have?
An application fee of $1,500 for you and $300 per dependent, and an annual fee of $360/yr for you and 2 dependents. The fee calculator adds them up for anyone applying with you.
Timeline and presence
How long does the SRRV take?
Plan on 1-2 months from filing. The Retirement Authority processes a complete file in about 10 working days, and the Bureau of Immigration then issues the visa.
How much time do you need to spend in the Philippines?
None. The SRRV has no minimum days, and you can come and go without exit or re-entry permits. You need to be in the Philippines to file and to receive your visa.
Citizenship
Does the SRRV lead to Philippine citizenship?
Not directly. Naturalization is a court petition after 10 years of residence, with language and other requirements, and it means giving up your other citizenship. Most of our clients choose the SRRV for residence alone.
I'm a former Filipino. Is there an easier option?
Yes. The SRRV Courtesy option for former Filipinos needs a deposit of only $1,500 from age 50, or $3,000 from 40 to 49. If you qualify, we compare it with reacquiring your Philippine citizenship on a Freedom Consult.
Family, tax and living
Who can join your SRRV?
Your spouse and your unmarried children under 21. Your deposit covers 2 dependents, and each person after that adds $15K. Dependents can join with you or later.
How does the Philippines tax SRRV visa holders?
Your pension and annuities are exempt from Philippine tax, and foreign residents are taxed only on Philippine income. The US and the Philippines have an income tax treaty, and if you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too. We review your position before you move.
Is it right for you?
Philippines SRRV vs Malaysia MM2H: Which is better?
The SRRV costs far less, starts at age 40, and has no minimum days at any age. Malaysia MM2H gives a longer fixed pass and covers parents too, but also requires a home purchase. We compare both on a Freedom Consult.
Documents and approval
What documents does the SRRV require?
Your passport, a medical certificate, an apostilled police clearance, photos, your deposit certificate, and proof of your pension if you take that option, plus civil records for anyone applying with you. The document checklist on this page lists each one.
Working with the Freedom Files
What does the Freedom Files do on your application?
We review your eligibility, assemble and check your documents, and optimize your application for approval. We have a 100% approval rate so far. We prepare and file your application, liaise with the government, coordinate your consular appointments and communication, and support you through your arrival in Philippines, when your residency or citizenship is formalized. We're your single point of contact from start to finish.
Who does the legal work?
Our Philippines team can provide any legal, tax, financial, immigration, or investment advice and services you need. You work with one team from your first call to your arrival.
What does the Freedom Files charge?
Prices differ by program, because each program has its own costs and its own currency. You get a fixed quote in writing before any work begins. Government fees and third-party costs are listed separately, and you pay them directly.
How does the Freedom Files get paid?
We accept card, wire or ACH transfer, Bitcoin, USDC, and most other payment methods. You choose whether to pay for our services up front or monthly through the end of your engagement.
What if you need more than one country, or help with tax and banking?
That's what the Private Client Engagement is for. A long-term case manager with global expertise, always reachable on WhatsApp, manages your whole Plan B: Residency and citizenship in more than one country, tax strategy, banking and asset protection, and introductions for your move.
What if this program is the wrong fit?
Compare it with the alternatives on this page. Then book a Freedom Consult: If you're ready to move forward, we tell you which programs are best for you.
How do I start?
Book a Freedom Consult. There's no charge.
Start Your Philippines SRRV
If Philippines is the wrong fit, we tell you on the first call.