Pathway

Philippines Retirement Residence Visa

Philippines Residency

Updated October 6, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

The Philippine retirement visa offers indefinite stay for eligible applicants aged 40 or older who maintain the required funds and annual fees. Deposit amounts depend on age, pension income, and eligibility for a special category.

Age: 40
Classic deposit: USD $15,000–50,000, depending on age and pension
Classic pension threshold: USD $800 monthly alone or USD $1,000 with dependents, for pensioner categories

Summary

The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) lets qualifying applicants aged 40 or older live in the Philippines indefinitely while maintaining the required deposit or approved replacement investment and paying annual fees.

The standard Classic deposit is USD $15,000–50,000, depending on age and pension income. Lower Courtesy deposits are limited to specific groups. The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) manages the program.

Eligibility

Choose the correct deposit category

You must be a foreign national or a former Filipino who has not reacquired Philippine citizenship. PRA’s Expanded SRRV rules exclude operators and workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).

Classic category	Required deposit
Age 40–49, with qualifying pension	USD $25,000
Age 40–49, without qualifying pension	USD $50,000
Age 50 or older, with qualifying pension	USD $15,000
Age 50 or older, without qualifying pension	USD $30,000

For the Classic pensioner categories, prove a lifetime pension of at least USD $800 a month if applying alone, or USD $1,000 a month with dependents.

Courtesy deposits are for specified groups

For foreign nationals, Courtesy is limited to qualifying retired diplomats; retired officers of international organizations recognized by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs; retired military personnel who provided aid or training to the Philippines under an eligible defense agreement; and recognized high achievers in academic, business, arts, culture, music, sports, or philanthropic fields. PRA must accept your evidence.

Former Filipinos can qualify separately with proof of their former citizenship, such as Philippine birth, passport, or naturalization records.

Courtesy category	Required deposit
Qualifying foreign national aged 40–49, pensioner	USD $3,000
Qualifying foreign national aged 40–49, non-pensioner	USD $6,000
Qualifying foreign national aged 50 or older	USD $1,500
Former Filipino aged 40–49	USD $3,000
Former Filipino aged 50 or older	USD $1,500

PRA’s guide also requires a foreign-national Courtesy applicant aged 40–49 to prove at least USD $1,000 a month in pension or similar benefits. Ask PRA how that evidence requirement applies to your category before relying on the deposit figure.

Family members

You can include a legally married spouse and qualifying children. Under PRA’s published criteria, a child must be unmarried and under 21 when applying, and be legally adopted or meet the program’s requirement for a child born within marriage.

The basic deposit covers you and up to two dependents. Each additional dependent normally adds USD $15,000 to the deposit; former-Filipino main applicants are exempt from that additional-deposit rule. Processing and annual fees are separate.

Records, current stay, and processing

Prepare:

Your original passport and tourist permission that can be changed to SRRV, with at least 30 days of valid stay during processing.
The PRA application, photographs, and a medical certificate and results issued within the previous six months.
Police or criminal-record checks issued within the previous six months from the country of origin or last residence abroad, for you, your spouse, and dependents aged 18 or older.
An NBI clearance for an applicant aged 18 or older who has spent at least 90 days in the Philippines before filing, plus a Bureau of Immigration clearance where required.
Pension or Courtesy evidence where relevant, and authenticated marriage, birth, adoption, and other family records.
Proof that the required US-dollar deposit was transferred from abroad to a PRA-accredited bank.

Foreign records must be in English or translated into English and apostilled or authenticated as PRA directs.

All applicants must be physically present in the Philippines throughout processing. PRA estimates 30–45 working days after receiving a complete application; that is not a guaranteed completion date.

Fees in addition to the deposit

PRA lists a USD $1,500 processing fee for the main applicant and USD $300 per joining dependent.

Annual fees covering the main applicant and two dependents are USD $360 for Classic, USD $100 for Courtesy foreign nationals, and USD $50 for Courtesy former Filipinos. Smaller additional annual fees apply to extra dependents. Confirm the exact assessment and payment instructions before filing.

Preparing a Philippine retirement visa application

Confirm the correct category and family costs Ask PRA to assess pension, age, and any Courtesy eligibility.
Prepare records and transfer the deposit Use the accredited banking process and apply with valid convertible tourist status.
Maintain the approved retirement residence Remain in the Philippines during processing and keep funds, fees, and conditions current.

The deposit is separate from fees, and any replacement investment needs PRA approval.

What This Route Allows

PRA describes the benefits as permanent residence, multiple entry, and indefinite stay, provided the required funds or approved investment, fees, and other conditions remain in place.

PRA also lists exemptions from the Bureau of Immigration annual report, foreign-resident registration card, exit and re-entry permits, Philippine travel tax, and tax on pensions and annuities. It lists a one-time customs exemption for household goods and personal effects worth up to USD $7,000.

Its published exemption from separate work or student visas or permits does not remove professional licensing, employer duties, foreign-ownership limits, or any required labor-department documents. Get written confirmation from PRA and the responsible agency for your planned work or study before starting.

Replacing a Classic deposit with an approved investment

PRA may permit an approved investment in place of the deposit. For a condominium, its checklist requires waiting 30 days after the SRRV is issued, a value of at least USD $50,000 in Philippine pesos, and the required accreditation, title notation, inspection, and approval. Other approved uses include qualifying long-term leases.

This is a controlled replacement of the deposit, not a free withdrawal. Condominium ownership remains subject to the relevant legal limits.

What This Route Is Not

SRRV does not grant citizenship or a Philippine passport. Former Filipinos should also consider citizenship reacquisition.

It does not give foreigners a right to own Philippine land, exempt all income or business activity from tax, or remove professional and business rules.

Next Steps

Confirm the right age, pension, and deposit category. Ask PRA to assess a Courtesy claim before relying on the lower amount.
Prepare current personal, police, health, and family documents, and check that your tourist stay can be converted and remains valid during processing.
Transfer the deposit through PRA’s banking process, apply in the Philippines, and remain there while it is processed.
Maintain the deposit or approved replacement, pay annual fees, and confirm the rules before working, studying, or changing the investment.

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