Philippines SIRV Visa -- 2026 Edition

Introduction

If you want Philippine residency without being married to a Filipino and without renewing tourist visas forever, the SIRV is one of the cleanest legal paths available.

SIRV stands for Special Investor’s Resident Visa. It’s a program that grants you permanent resident status in exchange for a qualifying investment in the Philippines.

It’s not as famous as the SRRV (retiree visa), but for the right person, it’s often more flexible, more practical, and less restrictive.

Here’s how it really works.

What the SIRV Gives You

With an approved SIRV, you get:

• Permanent resident status
• An ACR I-Card as a resident
• Multiple-entry privilege (come and go freely)
• No need for tourist visa extensions
• The ability to live in the Philippines indefinitely
• The ability to include dependents (spouse and children)

You remain a foreign national. This is residency, not citizenship.

The Core Requirement: A $75,000 Investment

To qualify, you must invest at least USD $75,000 into approved Philippine investments.

This is where many people get confused.

You are not donating money to the government.

You are placing money into specific, approved investment channels.

Where Your $75,000 Can Go

Your investment must be placed into any of the following:

• Publicly listed companies on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
• Companies engaged in priority industries listed by the Board of Investments (BOI)
• Manufacturing or service companies in approved sectors
• Existing corporations (not just starting your own shell company)

You cannot use the money to:

• Buy a condo
• Buy land
• Put money in a bank account
• Invest in small informal businesses
• Park the funds passively

The money must be actively invested and remain invested to maintain the visa.

Who Administers the SIRV?

The process is handled through:

• The Board of Investments (BOI)
• The Bureau of Immigration (BI)

BOI verifies the investment.

BI grants the visa.

Basic Eligibility

You must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be in good health
• Prove the legal source of your investment funds
• Make the qualifying investment

No marriage, no retirement age, no employment sponsor required.

Documentation requirements

• BOI Form SIRV-001A for Principal applicant / BOI Form SIRV-001B for Dependents
• Signed and notarized Deed of Undertaking (for Principal only)
• For Principal and for dependents who are 14 yrs. old and above:
  • Accomplished Personal History Statement Form - all spaces filled up
  • Police Clearance issued abroad translated into English and duly authenticated by Philippine Embassy/Consulate or Clearance from the Interpol Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued in the Philippines valid for 6 months
• Medical Certificate (Authenticated by the Bureau of Quarantine of the Philippine Department of Health) valid for 6 months
• Birth Certificate / Family Registry / Household Registry authenticated by Philippine Embassy/Consulate
• Marriage Contract (if applicable) authenticated by Philippine Embassy/Consulate
• Proof of inward remittance from Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)-Head Office or Land Bank of the Philippines- Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia) Branch
• Passport with updated stay
• BOI Processing fee of US$ 300 per person (in Php equivalent) OR No./Date:
• Bureau of Immigration (BI) fee:
  • Php10,110.00 per person (14yrs. old and above)
  • Php 9,360.00 per person (below 14yrs old)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Open a Philippine Bank Account (SIRV-specific)

You deposit the $75,000 into an accredited Philippine bank under the SIRV program.

Step 2 — BOI Endorsement

BOI verifies your eligibility and approves your investment plan.

Step 3 — Make the Investment

You transfer the funds into the approved investment vehicle.

Step 4 — BI Visa Processing

Once BOI confirms the investment, BI processes your SIRV and issues your resident status and ACR card.

Typical Timeline

Stage	Time
Bank setup & deposit	1–3 weeks
BOI processing	2–6 weeks
Investment placement	1–2 weeks
BI processing	4–8 weeks

Realistically: 2 to 4 months total.

The Big Rule: You Must Keep the Investment

If you pull the money out or sell the investment, your SIRV can be cancelled.

You are free to change investments, but the funds must always remain in an approved form.

This is not a one-time payment. It’s an ongoing qualifying investment.

Including Your Family

You can include:

• Your spouse
• Unmarried children under 21
• They receive dependent resident status tied to your SIRV.

Costs (Beyond the $75,000)

Expect additional costs for:

• Government processing fees
• ACR I-Card fees
• Bank charges
• BOI processing fees
• Legal or assistance services (if used)

These usually total several thousand USD depending on complexity.

Who the SIRV Is Perfect For

• Investors who already trade stocks or invest in companies
• Younger expats who don’t qualify for SRRV
• Entrepreneurs who want to be legally resident
• People who want residency without marriage
• People who want their money working, not sitting in a bank

Common Misunderstandings

“I can use the money to buy property.”

No. Not allowed.

“I can invest in my friend’s small business.”

Only if it qualifies under BOI rules.

“Once approved, I can pull the money out.”

No. That cancels the visa.

“This is faster than a spousal visa.”

Often, yes — and with fewer personal documents.

Ongoing Responsibilities

Like all residents, you must:

• Do Annual Reporting with BI
• Keep your ACR card valid
• Maintain the qualifying investment
• Update BI if your address changes

Final Thoughts

The SIRV is one of the most underused residency paths in the Philippines. It’s ideal for people who prefer to qualify through capital instead of marriage, employment, or retirement status.

If you’re comfortable investing $75,000 into Philippine companies or the stock market anyway, the SIRV turns that investment into something more valuable:

permanent legal residency.

Thinking of Moving to the Philippines? Get Reliable Guidance

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

• Residency and long term visas
• Bank account opening
• Health insurance guidance
• Real estate assistance
• Business setup
• Retirement planning
• A smooth and secure transition into life in the Philippines

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 charlesdeluvio on Unsplash