The Special Retiree's Resident Visa -- 2026 Edition

expats 24-01-2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

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The Philippines is an excellent place for foreign nationals looking forward to retirement. The country is a value-for-money destination boasting of lot of beautiful places with low-cost living and the warm hospitality of its people.

The SRRV is a long-term residency visa issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). Despite the name, it’s not strictly limited to “retirees” in the traditional sense—many holders are under 50 and still actively managing businesses or investments abroad.

It’s one of the most stable and straightforward ways for foreigners to live in the Philippines long term.

This blog post is focused on US citizens documentation requirements, but I try to call out what would commonly be needed for citizens of other countries. It’s difficult to cover every possible scenario in a short blog post.

All details in this blog post are subject to change without notice by the Filipino government.

What The SRRV Allows You To Do

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With an SRRV, you can:

Exemption from:

You are not authorized to work for a Philippine employer unless you also obtain a work permit, but passive income, pensions, and foreign business activity are generally fine.

See the Philippine Retirement Authority website for more information.

SRRV Types

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Each type has different age, personal background, and financial requirements

The following SRRV types are available:

SRRV Smile – For active/healthy retirees who opt to maintain their SRR Visa deposit of US$20,000.00 in any of the PRA-accredited banks.

SRRV Classic – For active/healthy retirees, who opt to use their SRR Visa deposit into active investment such as the purchase of condominium unit* or long term lease of house & lot. The SRR Visa deposit is as follows:

*The value of the property must at least be US$50,000.00

**Required pension of at least US$ 800 for single / US$1,000 for couple

SRRV Human Touch – For ailing retirees, 35 years old & above, who need/require medical/clinical care. A monthly pension of at least US$1,500.00, a health insurance policy accepted in the Philippines, and an SRR Visa deposit of US$10,000.00 are required.

SRRV Courtesy – For former Filipinos, 35 years old & above. For foreign nationals, 50 years old & above, who are retired officers of International Organizations recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). An SRR Visa deposit of US$1,500.00 is required.

SRRV Expanded Courtesy – For foreign nationals, 50 years old & above, who are retired Armed Force officers of foreign countries with existing military ties and/or agreement with the Philippine Government. A monthly pension of at least US$1,000.00 and an SRR Visa deposit of US$1,500.00 are required. The SRR Visa deposit includes the principal applicant and 2 dependents. Additional dependent, entails additional SRR Visa deposit of US$15,000 each (except for former Filipinos). CHILDREN must be legitimate or legally adopted by the Principal Retiree, unmarried and below 21 years old upon joining the program.

Basic Eligibility

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Requirements vary by SRRV category, but generally include:

Required Documents

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Principal Applicant

You will need to collect the following documents in most cases:

All documents issued outside the Philippines must be translated into English (if not already in English), and either Apostilled by the appropriate government authority or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office.

Additional documentation

Pensioner:

Former Filipinos:

Retired military Officers / Diplomats from International Organizations

Supplementary Requirements:

Spouse Documentation

Spouse and Children can be included as dependents on the initial application or added after the Principal applicant has an approved SRRVisa.

Dependent Children Documentation

same as the spousal documentation requirements. See last section.

Spouse and Children can be included as dependents on the initial application or added after the Principal applicant has an approved SRRVisa.

Government Fees

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Fee DescriptionAmount
PRA Processing Fee$1500 (for principal applicant + spouse) + ($300USD for each joining dependent)
PRA Annual Fee$360 (for principal applicant + two dependents) + $100USD (each additional dependent)
Visa DepositClassic: US$10,000USD (50+ with qualifying pension), US$20,000USD (50+ without pension), US$50,000USD (35–49). Smile: US$20,000USD. Human Touch: $10,000USD. Courtesy: $1,500USD. Expanded Courtesy: $1,500USD (principal applicant + two dependents) + $15,000USD (each additional non-filipino dependent)

This information is based on published fee schedules on government websites. These fees may be updated without notice.

Process & Timelines

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  1. Choose the type of SRRV visa you wish to apply for. We can assist with walking you through that, if needed.
  2. Gather documentation (typically 1-2 months)
  3. Ensure all documents are complete, translated to English (if needed), and certified as needed.
  4. (2 weeks - 1 month) Submit the application.
  5. (1 week) PRA interview.
  6. (1 - 2 months) PRA sends approval to Bureau of Immigration (BI)
  7. BI issues your SRRV visa.
  8. Receive your SRRV ID card.
  9. Separate processes:
    • To open a bank account in the Philippines (makes daily life easier)
    • Setup local apps for online shopping, payments, taxis, etc.

Thinking of Moving to the Philippines? Get Reliable Guidance

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Online communities are helpful for general questions. For anything important, you still need accurate, professional, and updated information. E636 Expat Services helps foreigners with:

If you want to move with confidence instead of relying on random comments online, we can guide you every step of the way.

Book a consultation with E636 and start your journey the right way.

Photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash

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E636 Team

Expert guidance and practical solutions for your new life in the Philippines.
Founded by an American expat living there since 2019. Get in touch →

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