| This is one of the first questions asked by someone | | | | country must hold a passport that is valid for at least |
| considering retirement in the Philippines. The Philippines | | | | six months beyond the period they plan to stay. They |
| is very visitor friendly, and permits a citizen of just | | | | are permitted to stay for up to 21 days provided they |
| about any country to enter the country and stay for 21 | | | | hold tickets for onward or return journeys. Visas and |
| days without a visa. For those intending to stay longer, | | | | special permits may be obtained from Philippine |
| in particular those intent on semi or full time retirement | | | | embassies or consular offices overseas. |
| in the country, the following 3 options are available. | | | | Visitors intending to extend their stay from 21 days to |
| 1. The Special Resident Retiree Visa (SSRV) | | | | 59 days should contact the Immigration Office for an |
| Although not widely known, the Philippines has a | | | | extension and pay a nominal fee. |
| foreign retiree program. It is called the Special Resident | | | | By this method, you can stay indefinitely, provided you |
| Retiree Visa (SSRV) program. It entitles the holder to | | | | leave once a year, for at least one day. Most people |
| multiple-entry privileges with the option to reside | | | | using this option fly over to Hong Kong, Thailand, or |
| permanently in the Philippines. The younger you are, the | | | | Singapore for a few days once a year and then |
| higher the financial requirement, but anyone over 35 | | | | re-enter as a tourist for another year. |
| can join. | | | | 3. Balikbayan Status |
| With a pension:o 50 years old and above: $10,000 time | | | | This visa status is designed for former Philippine |
| deposit in a Philippine bank for the duration of your | | | | citizens, and their spouses, who are visiting the |
| stay. Single applicants need a monthly pension of $800; | | | | Philippines (referred to as "balikbayans"). This entry is |
| $1,000 for couples. Note however that the time deposit | | | | valid for one year. After one year, the balikbayan (and |
| can be converted into equity in a real estate | | | | his/her spouse) has to pay monthly extension fees, on |
| investment, and this can be counted at the required | | | | top of fees for Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), |
| deposit. | | | | Head Tax, and Certificate of Temporary Residence |
| Without a pension:o 35 to 40 years old: $50,000 time | | | | Visa (CTRV). Most Balikbayans and their spouse enter |
| deposito 50 years old and above: $20,000 time deposit | | | | the country with their one year status, and then leave |
| 2. Tourist Visa | | | | the country once a year for a weekend trip to Hong |
| Provided you have no plans to obtain employment or | | | | Kong, Singapore, or Thailand, or to their home country, |
| to own/operate a business in the Philippines, it is also | | | | and then re-enter for another year of stay. This |
| possible to retire on a tourist visa. Many Expats follow | | | | method avoids having to continuously extend one's |
| this course; especially those who do not qualify for a | | | | tourist visa, and run the risk of forgetting and then |
| retirement visa. | | | | being in an "overstay" category, which could get you |
| This is how that process works. All visitors to the | | | | deported. |