As I have explained a number of times in the past, one of the goals of the Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine Retirement Authority is to make it easier for expats to retire to the Philippines. The key word is easier, as I never said “easy.” Of course, there are requirements that must be strictly met in order to qualify for a retirement visa in the Philippines, however, the PRA is expanding the different types of special retirement visas.
Hot Off The Wire
Several Philippines RAO, Retiree Activities Offices, put up a notice several months ago about a new Courtesy SRRV that some veterans may qualify for. After engaging in my own investigation and research, I discovered all the answers!
If you are over 50 years old, have a pension or similar benefit of over $1,000 USD, served honorably in the military, have a DD Form-214 or retired military ID card, you may be eligible for this program.
You do not have to be retired military, just be a veteran. The cost is the $1,400 USD application fee and a $1,500 USD deposit in an authorized Philippine Bank. Also, all the documentation requirements must be completed. Concerning the annual fee, some will pay $10 USD and some will pay $360, depending on if you served 2 years in the Philippines, in some capacity.
To get a heads up on the New Courtesy SRRV For Veterans, I am going to tell you the name of the woman to see and tell you right where to go! See PRA Officer in Charge, Ms. Scarlet L. Lachica, at either the PRA Office in Angeles City or the PRA Office in Subic. Ms. Lachica is at the Angeles City PRA on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and she is at the Subic PRA office on Tuesday and Thursday. The PRA office email address is The office mobile phone contact number is 09179853715.
With the New Courtesy SRRV For Veterans, you are allowed to go in and out of the Philippines anytime you like, without additional costs, and you may stay as long as you desire. This is really fabulous, isn’t it?
No one seems to know for sure how long this new type SRRV will be available, so if you think you qualify, I would inquire and apply ASAP! Read the official circular announcing the special SRRV visa to learn more.
Update: October, 2015 – The rules have now been changed and the annual fee is a flat $10 for everybody. Also the requirement for a tour of duty in the Philippines is not mentioned. If you’ve been in the Philippines for 2 years and have served in the military you can apply. For the latest updates always check the official PRA website.
For more up to date information take a look at The Expat Guide to Visas for the Philippines
Wow, this is very cool, Gary. I will start checking into this. Thanks a million for the information.
You are welcome, Thom. I certainly hope you qualify for this visa.
Take care,
~ Gary ~
Are these visas available if I am under 50? I see all retirement visas seem to have a 50 year old minimum age requirement. I would like to retire now. What are my options?
I wrote to the PRA asking about this a few months ago and never got a reply. And could find nothing on their website that was updated with this info yet. Thanks for the email addresses. I certainly give it a shot!
Hi Tukaram,
You are welcome. No, you will not find this information on the PRA website and you need to contact the Clark-Subic Satellite PRA offices about the Courtesy SRRV for Veterans.
I wish you all the best!
~ Gary ~
Need to know the steps for me to retire in or around Subic Bay as outlined by the Philipino Goverment
gary always enjoy reading your articles, how about if my wife is Filipina, we are married here in the states, can I get a permanent Visa for phills? I don’t plan on living there right away, however in about 3 or 4 years plan on moving there, but will be divorced by then, another words should I get my visa now and have it in the case we divorce? We are not married in the Phills
Thanks, Dave. I am happy you enjoy Retiring to the Philippines.
Both the 13a and 13g Visas for foreign spouses are permanent but it is the citizen spouse, regarding the 13a, who files for those on their behalf. Those visas are for those planning on living in the Philippines full time, right away. If you divorce,either of the visas would be cancelled and voided.
I hope this helps.
~ Gary ~
Just try the Balikbayan Visa first. It’s free and it’s good for 1 year. The visa is given when you enter the country the same time as your wife. This is what I use. No cost, no hassle.
I went to the Philippines Retirement Authority on Paseo de Roxas in Manila today to inquire about the retirement visas available for U.S. citizens. I didn’t have to wait more than five minutes before a lovely, courteous woman brought out all the necessary forms and explained everything orderly and completely. But…she took the initiative to ask if I were a veteran. When I said, “Yes,” she said, “Well then you can forget about the $10,000 deposit. Does $1,500 sound better to you?” Ha ha Any gift of $8,500 sounds fine to me. She did think, though, that one had to be a retiree, but took my DD 214 (I was prepared) to her boss and came back with a thumbs up gesture. She did make clear that because I had not served in the Philippines, my annual fee would be the $360 instead of the $10 it would otherwise be. So you can add Naricris B. Sison to the list of PRA officers who are fully aware of the veterans’ eligibility for the SRRV Courtesy visa.
Now that I reread my message, I want to state explicitly that I am NOT a retiree, just a three-year veteran, and that she was thumbs-upping about my eligibility.
Paul Francis Miller
If I served on several deployments to NAS Cubi Point, RP would this count as serving in the Philippine?
They charge $10 per year for a Annual ID. The $360 is in reference to dependents. A spouse and up to two children which must be legally your child, unmarried, under 21 and not a brat. You are not allowed to own property unless you are married to a native Filipina and then you cannot own more than 40%. You can own 100% of a condo. Divorce does not exist in the Philippines. If you do get married, do it in the US, so if the relationship goes south, you can avoid ruining both of your lives.
There is a $1400 Application fee.
It’s best to get the Philippine Bank account in the US BEFORE you go to the Philippines. It helps incase of problems for whatever reason. Sometimes, keeping a physical address in the US will ease banks unease at issuing you a credit card if you no longer in the US. I want a Foreign Currency account with a bank that automatically issues me pesos in the Philippines and dollars at airports, hotels and everywhere else. It also allows me to withdraw which ever is more advantageous to use due to the exchange rate.
As far as eligibility, two years active duty with the US Military. It does not matter where you served. It does matter that you did not receive a dishonorable discharge or bad conduct (not sure about the BCD). A Filipino lawyer site recommended bringing your Honorable Discharge certificate as well as your DD-214, a Police Record check in your country of origin. You need to have a medical clearance stating that you are not a medical risk. 2 Forms of Government Issued ID, such as your Passport and Drivers License, an official government document that shows your pension, retirement, VA Disability payments. Bank documents will not be accepted as any form of proof. You should have your social security card. All documents must match each other or you will suffer harrowing delay. Have everything typed out including the Philippine Retirement Authority application. The last thing you need would be a Philippine Filipino lawyer to make sure everything is in order.
You cannot submit your application until you are physically in the Philippines.
This is the best kept secret in the world. I have been researching the SRRV deposits for months and I accidentally found you guys. Hope this is around in 10 years.
I arrived here in Bacolod City and am buying a house with a Flippin lady that we plan to wed. Any and all help would be appreciated. We are in Handumanan
Gary, Is the 50 year old age requirement for the military veteran SRRV fixed or can I get this courtesy SRRV at 44 yrs old?
Hello James,
The PRA Reps told me that a Vet must be older than age 50 to qualify for the Special SRRV for Veterans. Would age 50 years and 1 month qualify? It may be possible but the SRRV Reps make that call.
~ Gary ~
Hello, Gary,
This doesn’t address spouses of retired military who are NOT Filipino, but are American citizens. My wife and I are considering retirement in the PI. From your information, I would qualify for this Visa. What about my spouse of 35 years?
Thank you, Sir.
Hi Ersa,
All of the SRRV programs have provisions for non-citizen spouses and non citizen minor children, so not being married to a Philippines citizen will not pose a problem. Of course, there is an added deposit and fee for a spouse and/or minor children.
I suggest using the contact information in my article and contact one of the PRA Reps to receive the latest amount of the deposit and fees, as things can change in the Philippines overnight!
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Gary
I am soon to retire from the military, I have 18 months left, I plan on retiring in the Philippines, I have a filipino wife aand kids, a little guidance and assistance would be helpful. We have a home in Manila, I currently take leave every 4-6 months to go there (Home). I am over 50, with 32 yrs of service. I want to make this move as painless as possible. If you have POC’s and any other info you would like to share, it would be very appreciated. thank you (EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED FOR PRIVACY REASONS)
Scott
Hi Scott,
A very important question for you before I give you the best advice ad information. Is your wife still a Philippine citizen?
I look forward hearing from you.
Gary
This special visa category should cheer the heart of my cousin, a US veteran who has long been bitterly frustrated by the scandalous lengthy waiting period for badly-needed medical appointments with the Veterans Hospitals here in the US. I also read about the shameful ways those who retired even from the elite Navy Seals had been treated and left adrift.
From an Esquire article I read that the “Shooter” who delivered the first deadly shot to Bin Laden’s head during the 2011 raid to that infamous Pakistan hideout found that while those who profited from our recent wars had amassed ill-gotten billions, he and his family would have to live in constant fear of jihadi backlash and try to survive in near poverty. I’d say he and his family would be better off retiring to the Philippines; hospitals and clinics here would have given them much better medical care than what the US Veterans Administration could ever offer them.
A note about the VA Clinic in Manila. As directed by Washington, it can now only treat service related medical problems! A Vet told me that the Manila VA Clinic is the only one that has this policy and why they were singled out is beyond reasoning in my opinion since there are so many Vets who have retired to the Philippines.
The American Association of the Philippines is the only private organization in the world that is operated by Americans to assist other Americans! They are not receiving funding from the US Govt and they have been around since the 1940s. They are located in Makati, Metro Manila and they assist Americans and the survivors of Americans with a number of programs, including assisting with chemo therapy treatments.
Gary
Gary, thank you for telling your website addicts (I’m one of them) about the VA Manila Clinic and the American Association of the Philippines. They are lifelines to those US vets who have made the Philippines their home for many years now. I have two close friends, American vets who retired in Nabua, Camarines Sur, a bustling town south of Iriga City in the Bicol Region (there is a large number of retired US sailors there now). They both told me that their lives have been so much enriched by their choice to retire there, not only by how much their retirement dollars could be stretched to last, but by their warm interaction with the local residents there.
Over the years, I have not met many Americans in the Philippines who had ever heard of the American Association of the Philippines! They have fabulous social service programs, which help Americans in the Philippines, their Filipina spouse and their children who also reside in the islands. They are much more helpful than the US Embassy in Manila or the US Consulate in Cebu!
Gary
Hi Gary, all the posts seem to be old, ie 2014-2016. Is this program still in effect as of 2019 ? I’m moving to Cebu Nov. 15, 2019 and would like to know if there is an office in Cebu that I can get in touch with for the vets visa ?
Thanks, Jim
Jim – Thanks for contacting RTTP. Gary hasn’t written for us in years, but maybe I can help.
Yes, the SRRV program for veterans is still in effect and you can find out everything you need to know at the official PRA site of the Philippines.
Here’s the link – https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/
It throws loads of warnings for me in Google Chrome saying it’s dangerous etc. but it should be OK as it’s the official site, but as with all things, be careful and do your own due diligence.
Hope that helps.
Steve
Gary, I am married and my Asawa is Filipina. I understand that retiring there is different for us married to a PI Citizen. I am also retired Mil and will soon be retired Civil Service. Any insight on administrative requirements for those already married to a Filipino citizen?
thanks
Sal
Hi Sal,
I was married to my wife, who is a Philippine citizen, for 6 years before we retired to the Philippines. My wife filed for my 13a Visa in the Philippines and I received the 12 months probationary 13a Visa within 2 months. Your wife can file for your 13a Visa at the Philippines Embassy or Consulate in your area and once it is processed in the USA, it is permanent, without the 12 months probationary period. That is the way I would go if I were still in the States.
Best wishes!
Gary
im seriously considering retiring in the phillipines witth an SRRV courtesy visa can that be done here in the USA before I leave’
Hi Kenneth,
Unless something has changed during the last few months, the SRRV cannot be filed and processed outside the Philippines. It can only be done at an actual PRA office and they do not have branches abroad. It has only been several months ago that I had lunch with two of the highest ranking officials of the PRA when they were in Bacolod.
You can be in contact with the PRA while still in the USA before you leave, so once you arrive in the Philippines, you will have everything in hand to file for the SRRV right away.
Best wishes on your visa and your move.
Gary
Thanks for all the info Gary. Any recent updates on courtesy SRRV for retired US military? I am headed to Cebu city at the end of October and would like to apply while visiting. I am 52 years old with an Army retirement pension. I have just emailed the contacts you gave in the article. Just asking if you have heard this is still an active program and just the $1500 is required instead of normal 10k. I currently live in Orlando FL, should I just bring a police records check? Does it have to be stamped by consulate here in USA? Can I do the medical exam in the Philippines? Anything else you can think of so I can have necessary docs upon my arrival in country. Thanks again!
Hi Jeff,
You are welcome. Thank you for serving!
As far as I know, the information in my article is still current, however, I would suggest that you contact Carlo with an inquiry to make sure nothing has changed and that you bring everything you need from Stateside with you to avoid any delays. Carlo’s contact information is in this article and he will direct you properly.
I wish you all the best!
Gary
I have followed through with an email to Ms. Lachica , But obviously would like to know if this is current. Thanks Gary for the information and hopefully I will here something in the next couple days. I had started this process 2 years ago but unfortunately could not complete due to a 3 week requirement and my times were limited to 10 days. Hopefully I am not too late
.
Hello, I’m currently Stateside, getting my documents for the “Courtesy” visa you talk about. Also, getting annual medical check ups at VA in Seattle. Took 62 months to get full 100%, but no problems here with VA. I get checked for non-service related issues here, is why I don’t bother with VA Manila. I get almost a years supply of Rx’s. Thanks for info on American Assoc.
The PRA Visa you refer to($1500 deposit) ; My impression is it’s for 3 years, but extendable. Am I wrong? Is it really ‘permanent? Found out about this at VFW Angeles City.
Regards,
Byron
(USMC)
Hi. My dad has been living in the Philippines for more than 20 years after retiring, and I’m not sure if he has the retirement visa. He wants to go to the US asap. Is that okay? I mean, is there gonna be a problem for him to leave for US?
Melissa
Is he a US citizen? Is his US passport up to date. What RPH visa does he have now?
He is a US Citizen, his passport is expired, but will renew, and he said he thinks it’s a 13g visa? Does that expire?
Melissa,
If the 13g Visa is permanent and not the 12 month probationary, it will not expire. However,the ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years, as it does expire and must be kept up to date.
~ Gary ~
Does he have to pay something for not renewing it?
Melissa,
There may well be a fine because the ACR I-Card must be kept current and up to date with information. Change of address must be reported.
~ Gary ~
Sir I’m about to retire within the next few months what is the web site for the information I need to retire in the Philippines. any help in this matter would be worth more then gold. Also if I’m not going to move there until another four to five years should I start doing this now. thank you
For information about retiring to the philippines you’re already in a pretty good place 🙂 If you want more specifics then you should look at the PRA website which you would have easily found via Google. Just in case here’s the link for you…
http://pra.gov.ph/
As for how long you should be planning that’s entirely dependent on you and your personality.
I was planning for a grand total of two weeks before I moved here… and that was 11 years ago. Some people plan for 4, 5 or even 10 years. Some plan and plan and then plan some more… and never actually get round to taking the leap of faith.
Good luck with your plans and I hope it works out for you.
Steve
That’s my kind of planning, Steve.
I’m in the process of putting it all together now. Flying completely blind in this. I just know I am not happy here anymore and I’m not getting any younger. I’d like to be able to enjoy what I have left whether that’s 1 or 50 years.
Gonna take a few weeks to get my passport and stuff in order. Selling everything I own except clothes. Raising money for travel and any “deposits” I’ll have to pay the government there.
In the meantime, gotta figure out where I wanna live and how everything else there is gonna work for me.
Appreciate the info. Maybe we’ll see ya soon.
-Dennis
Hi Gary,read much of your good advise, I’m an English guy 73 living in Malaysia ,looking after my two children one7one4. Have sold my house here and buying house with my new wife in calvite, who is expecting our child . She is defenatly not a gold digger, but a very beautiful 31 year old,, she has been to Malaysia to my place many times, and just adores my two kids, any comments from you, Brian.
Congratulations, Brian. It is nice hearing you have found a very nice Filipina. I am happy for you.
I have been to Cavite a number of times in Luzon. There are some nice places there but there are also places to avoid in Cavite.
I wish you all the best.
~ Gary ~
After reading the comments about the Expanded SRRVisa, I just want to add that the new 2015 SRRV Guide now says that the Annual Report fee is now just $10, no longer $360 a year and no mention of the tour of duty in the Philippines for at least 2 years criteria to qualify for the lower annual report fee, hence now is just $10 a year.
Thanks for the update Art. I’d just noticed the new pdf update myself and am trying to download it to add to the article. Not having much luck so far but will keep trying 🙂
Steve
Im 24yrs served veteran and have a plan to visit PH next week as check and Prep. Can I get the address of PRA? Thanks
The PRA address is 29th Floor, Citibank Tower, 8741 Paseo De RoxasMakati City 1200, Paseo de Roxas, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Here’s a link to find them via Google Maps…
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9UXVDhKE4B2
Steve
I will be medically retiring from the military pretty soon and am also looking to take advantage of this, however im only 32. How would that affect my eligibility?
The minimum age for any type of SRRV is 35 so you’ve got a few more years to go. You could always try living here for a while on a tourist visa just to make sure you like the place. Then if you still want to go ahead in 3 years time you can apply.
Steve
Hello Gary, my Filipino wife and I will be retiring to the Philippines April 2017. We’ll currently purchasing a home now so it’ll be built when she’s retired. I’m already retired. My question is which visa do you think is easiest to get and cheaper long term between the 13A and 13G? Which would be cheaper at the airport for arriving and departing the Philippines? Thanks in advance and your articles are very thorough.
Gary is no longer associated with RTTP but I’m sure one of our readers can give you their feedback on the 13 a/g visas based on their personal experience.
Steve
Thank you very much Steve. I’ll await their response. ?
Just found out about this yippie. Thanks for this great info.
I’m a disabled vet on ssd $2100 monthly,can I live in the Philippines
Depend on your lifestyle, but yes you can live comfortably with this amount.
Yes just pick the place to live in and people you can trust
I am an old vet, and I am single at the present time, and plan to apply for the SRRV visa as a single person. I plan to stay single, however in life, one never knows what is around the next bend!!!! This is reality, even though I am a very grounded individual. If I happen to find myself in a romantic situation, and marry one of those beautiful Filipina pearls, will she have all the same privileges and benefits that the SRRV provides? Or does it even matters if you are married, and your wife just so happens to be a natural born citizen of the Philippines? Can you please answer both of these questions. I am now ready to retire and eventually die in the Philippines when I am 105 years of age !!!!!!
I am retired military and 50 years of age. I was stationed in the Philppines for three years from 1988-1991. I have been in the Philippines for two years.My wife and children are dual citizens. May I take advantage of the new SRRV not needing to deposit $10,000 for the Visa? Any information that you could give me will greatly be appreciated. Thank you.
Gary
I have a situation. I’m being offered a job as a tech rep to the PI Air Force, but need and work visa. I’ve lived in the Phils for over 8 years now, first as part of the VFA for 4 years then as a tourist, departing when necessary for renewal.
The company that is administering the job for the US manufacturer of the helicopter is dragging their feet.
1. After living with my girlfriend for over 5 years, are we married by common law? And if so, how and how long would it take to make this official?
2. I am a US Veteran discharged with a a General under Honorable conditions. Would this qualify me for the US Vets Special Retirement Visa?
I’m thinking if I already have a permanent visa, a work permit will be easier to obtain.
Any ideas would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!
Max – Gary is no longer with RTTP since he left to pursue his own ventures in October 2015. Hopefully one of our readers will be able to answer your questions.
Steve
Hello Gary, Im 53 yrs old an married an living in the Philippines also 100% service connected disabled US vet. I have been living here about 12 yrs now an have a permanent resident visa. Would this SSRV visa be better or worse to have or pretty much the same? The visa I have now have to report to the office here in Angeles every yr. But also have to report to the main office in Manila every 5 yrs.
Thank you.
Jay – Gary no longer writes or responds to comments on RTTP. One of our readers may have a response to your question about the SRRV. – Steve
OK thank you Steve.
Hi All,
I just received my New Courtesy SRRV from the Angeles office and it all went fine.. very nice and helpful people there. I qualified for the lower 1500 deposit and $10 annual fee by way of dd-214 and having served in Subic during Viet Nam War.
I had been using the balikbayan visa and am married to a Filipina. I am over 50 US citizen.
I was surprised to see that the SRRV is mostly used by Chinese and Koreans only 5% are USA.
Roy
Gary, you might add that there are PRA offices all over the Philippines. I did my courtesy visa in 2013 at the Cebu office. And the In-charge there is fantastic.
Is the SRRV Courtesy Visa for military veterans still available? I haven’t seen any recent information on it.
Do those who qualify for the SRRV Courtesy Visa still have to pay the $15,000.00 per dependent for more than two dependents?
I am a British war pensioner would I qualify for the courtesy ssrv
“pension or similar benefit of over $1,000 USD” Per month or per year, or….?
What is the difference between Retired Military and veteran?
If you receive a pension, whether military or otherwise of $1000/mo or more then you qualify. A veteran is somebody who served honorably in the U.S. military…see DD-214. A Retired Military is a veteran who served honorably and is in receipt of a military retirement pension and have a DOD Military Retired ID card (DD FORM 2 (RETIRED) This is a good deal if you qualify.
You don’t have to be retired… only a veteran with a DD214 showing my good conduct discharge. … that’s how I got mine.
Does anybody know if you have to be present to the PRA office to get your courtesy Visa can you present your paperwork pay everything by credit card and show your bank statement that you have deposited the required amount for your Visa
I put up $10,000 and am trying to cancel. I qualify for the $1,500 according to the Angeles PRA office. I have been waiting months for my money which despite cancelling my SRRV remains “for signature”. With my experience, any money you give the PRA is lost. What a scam. Buyer beware!
@ John J Casey
Seriously did you receive your deposited money from PRA or not yet ?
What’s the status
I can’t seem to find a list of approved militaries. Might someone have a link to an official PRA list? Many thanks.