The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and grants qualifying foreign retirees indefinite, multiple-entry residence in the Philippines. Unlike a tourist visa you keep renewing, the SRRV is a settled-status visa: once granted, you can live in the country on an open-ended basis and come and go freely, with exemption from certain exit and re-entry formalities. It is squarely a residence-in-retirement visa, not a work permit — it lets you live here, not take up local employment.
The program was substantially reformed effective September 2025 — if you’ve seen older figures or option names, they no longer apply to new applicants. This page reflects the current rules.
The PRA options at a glance
Following the September 2025 reform, the PRA now offers the SRRV under two options: “Classic” and “Courtesy”. The previously available “Smile” and “Human Touch” options have been discontinued for new applicants (existing holders are grandfathered under their original terms). Courtesy remains reserved for specific categories — former Filipino citizens and certain foreign government or international-organisation retirees — at reduced deposit levels; confirm the current Courtesy figures with us, as they vary by category. For most applicants, Classic is the relevant option.
Deposit and age requirements (current, post-reform)
The minimum qualifying age dropped from 50 to 40. The headline requirement is a qualifying time deposit held with a PRA-accredited bank, scaling with your age band and whether you draw a qualifying monthly pension (broadly, at least US$800/month for a single applicant, or US$1,000/month including dependents):
| Age band | With qualifying pension | Without a qualifying pension |
|---|---|---|
| 50 and older | US$15,000 | US$30,000 |
| 40–49 | US$25,000 | US$50,000 |
Treat every figure here as indicative. Thresholds are periodically revised by the PRA, so the precise deposit for your situation should always be confirmed before you transfer any funds. We do that confirmation for you up front so there are no surprises mid-application.
Converting the deposit to an investment
For many retirees the deposit’s appeal is that it need not sit dormant. Under some options the required time deposit can be converted into an active investment — most often a qualifying condominium unit or a long-term lease of real property. This lets the same capital that secures your residence also house you or generate a return, instead of being parked in a bank account. The conversion carries its own minimums and conditions, so it is worth planning the property or lease alongside the visa rather than as an afterthought.
Dependents
The SRRV is designed to move a household, not just an individual. A spouse and qualifying dependent children can usually be included on the principal applicant’s visa. Beyond the standard allowance of two dependents, the reformed program adds roughly US$15,000 per additional dependent. If you are relocating as a family, factor the dependents in from the start so the deposit and paperwork are sized correctly the first time.
What else changed in the September 2025 reform
Beyond the age and deposit changes, the reform made Bureau of Immigration clearance mandatory as part of SRRV processing — an added step not previously required. Existing SRRV holders under any option, including the discontinued Smile and Human Touch, keep their original terms; the changes apply to new applicants going forward.
Who it suits — versus the SIRV or 9(g)
The SRRV is the right tool when your goal is to live in the Philippines in retirement with minimal renewals. It is the wrong tool if your real aim is to run a business or invest actively — there the Special Investor’s Resident Visa is a closer fit — or to take up employment with a local company, which calls for a 9(g) work visa. Not sure which fits? Try our visa quiz. Retirees who also intend to build a company here often pair residence with 100% foreign-owned company registration; our guide on how to set up a company in the Philippines in 2026 walks through that path.
Maintaining it
Holding the SRRV is straightforward but not passive: you must keep the qualifying deposit (or its converted investment) in place and stay within the PRA’s annual reporting and fee obligations. Let the deposit lapse and the visa is at risk.
How Chamberlain helps
We handle the PRA application, bank-deposit coordination, BI clearance, and dependent inclusion end to end, and keep you compliant after grant. Talk to an advisor to confirm the right option and exact figures for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for an SRRV?
Following the PRA's September 2025 reform, the SRRV is open to foreign retirees (and certain former Filipinos) from age 40, via a qualifying time deposit administered by the PRA. This is lower than the pre-reform minimum age of 50.
How much is the SRRV deposit?
Under the Classic option (current since September 2025): a 50+ applicant with a qualifying pension needs around US$15,000; without a pension, US$30,000. A 40-49 applicant with a qualifying pension needs around US$25,000; without a pension, US$50,000. Treat these as indicative — exact figures should be confirmed with the PRA before you transfer money.
Can I use the SRRV deposit to buy property?
Under some options, the required deposit can be converted into an active investment such as a qualifying condominium unit or a long-term lease, rather than sitting idle in the bank. The conversion has its own rules and minimums, so we map it against your plans before you apply.
Is the SRRV deposit refundable?
Yes — the required time deposit is maintained while you hold the visa and is generally refundable if the SRRV is later cancelled, subject to PRA rules and any investment you have converted it into.