I plan to retire in about three years at which time I will be 55. I will have enough savings to live of for at least 10 years by then. My plan is to do the tourist visa for the first 3 years, but after that I guess I will be forced into the SRRV system.
I plan to activate my private pension somewhere between 60 (earliest possibility) and 65. As I understand it, this means that 50k USD will be frozen for a period of 5 to 10 years. Is this correct? And will I be able to get 30k back out once my monthly pension payments kick in?
Thank you guys for an awesome forum 
Been here this time over 3 years, recently went to Singapore for a weeks holiday and start again on the 36 month visitor visa. Costs me around P 22K P/A (400 US bucks) while an SRRV initial application fee is US 1,400 bucks and an annual fee of 360 bucks, the simple math will give you the answer.
Good luck and hope you find what you want.
Cheers, Steve.
Not necessarily. Just do a visa run to Hong Kong or other nearby country, and start the 36 months over again.but after that I guess I will be forced into the SRRV system.
OR, by that time you may have been captured by a nubile young lady, and a 13A will be another way to go…as with myself. 🥴
Cheers, Steve.
I highly recommend the SRRV.
Everyone thinks their decision was the best…
If you have the money SRRV will allow carefree unlimited entry and exits from the country. No visits to immigration to extend tourist visa, no short trips to another country, returning to restart tourist visa process. Never needing a return flight ticket when flying to Philippines. No need for ACR card.
SRRV makes you a permanent resident.
Those who can’t afford it live as tourist.
For free help, questions, assistance, I recommend James Biron who is paid by Philippines government to help you for free.
WhatsApp number +63 927 784 1111
I believe ACR cards only state “Permanent Resident” for 13a visa, perhaps an SRRV holder here can confirm or correct.SRRV makes you a permanent resident.
Was not aware of the “reset” function for the tourist visa. Is there a requirement for how long you have to be out of the country to start a new 3 year visa period?
The SRRV card replaces ACR card.
“Special Resident”
A special type of permanent resident.
I had an extra 1 Million pesos to spend.
And then the guys married or procrastinating marriage but living here on the tourist visas found out the hard way if out of country, were also locked out about the same timeline, many married after returning. (Over the years and even now I tried to warn my fellow Expats not to live here on a tourist visa)
Immigration rules and procedures are tough in the Philippines and strictly enforced.
Many of my fellow Expats come here and of course they find out just how beautiful and attractive the women are and instantly meet one, (Expat women also I’ve seen this) actually they meet you and so there’s no way now that you want to leave.
And then the other painful issue happens, they don’t have a pension or live off a modest nest egg until they draw their pension sometimes it works, I wish you well “P” and welcome to the forum.
Note the expiration date is “indefinite”
And I get the money back when I buy a condominium.
Why would I stick US 20K in a hole earning little when I already have it invested earning 5% plus, so 1K per year in my bank and my immi fees as a visitor are US 400 bucks, golly I’m 600 in front then ad on the annual 360 buck fee so I’m 960 bucks in front, don’t forget to add on the US 1,400 application fee, I’m now 1100 bucks in front for 10 years. Going to immi every 2 months is painless and less than 10 minutes, we shop, eat and other things etc. while out (gets me out and about). ECC and flights/throw away tickets as we do that anyway for holidays every year (until Covid).
OMO but the PRA offer a reasonable service to aligned ex military personal on a recognized pension, that is a great option but the rest of us?
Think about it, 360 bucks a year, 1,400 application fee? I pay much less and my invested US 20K pays my dues and makes dollars in my bank account, not theirs.
As said only my opinion, do your math.
Cheers, Steve.
According to what I’ve researched, if you’re a U.S. Veteran with a DD214 the deposit is only $1,500 and $10 per year reporting. (SRRV)
Cheers, Steve.
I have been living here in the Philippines on tourists visas for 14 years. I am an American married to a Filipina. I could get a 13a residence visa but I see no need. I don’t need a Philippine driver’s license as my wife does all the driving. I don’t even go to the immigration office. When my tourist visa is about to expire my wife drives to the immigration office and takes care of it for me. The only time I ever go to the immigration office is when I need an exit visa which is every three years for a visa run. I usually fly to Taiwan, spend one night in a hotel, and fly back the following morning. This works for me, everyone’s situation is different.I know there are many threads on the subject so I hope you will bear with me on this question.I plan to retire in about three years at which time I will be 55. I will have enough savings to live of for at least 10 years by then. My plan is to do the tourist visa for the first 3 years, but after that I guess I will be forced into the SRRV system.
I plan to activate my private pension somewhere between 60 (earliest possibility) and 65. As I understand it, this means that 50k USD will be frozen for a period of 5 to 10 years. Is this correct? And will I be able to get 30k back out once my monthly pension payments kick in?
Thank you guys for an awesome forum
What is the big deal about leaving the country every three years? Last September my wife and I flew to Kuala Lumpur for a week. I even got a balikbayan visa, good for one year, when we arrived in Manila. I keep my money, pension and SS, in a US bank and use Remitly to transfer funds using a debit card. My wife goes down the street to pick up the money. The funds are transferred instantaneously and the exchange rate on Remitly is very good. I am not breaking any laws by living here on a tourist visa. If you think that you have more “rights” than me because you have a 13a or SRRV visa you are kidding yourself. If you break the law you will be in the same boat as me, regardless of your immigration status.
Who wants to be tourist
Just pulling your chain mate. Been through all the tourist, Balikbayan visa run stuff during the past 33 years. Sort of feel more like I belong, with a 13A…but each to their own.
I imagine for someone who does not have a squeeky clean criminal record, then the only choice is extending the tourist visa.
We also adopted 3 kids and now all are grown up with families so good on you with your 14 year old adopted daughter.
And like you’ve mentioned money is not an issue, everything works fine and has been working well or you prefer as an option your tourist visa. awhitershadofpale, “Welcome to the forum”.
As for visas I will never be allowed to have a 13a (not married) and will eventually go over to an SRRV once I decide to draw a pension from my super account but that’s some years away and in the mean time will avail the 9a as it’s a good excuse for a holiday for us. A break from things that mostly don’t work.
Cheers, Steve.
We vacation outside of the Philippines twice a year, so the 3 year limit wont be any issue.
I’m also not married, so 13a is not an option.
So I’ve lived and worked here in the Philippines for the last 9 years.
If I chose to go the SRRV route, I’d be expected to bring USD20K into the Philippines from overseas, which just seems silly to me, as I already have savings here which far exceeds that amount.
I probably pay more income tax than 99% of the Filipino population, but there really is nothing to encourage me to apply for a “retirement” visa once I stop working.
Cheers, Steve.
Hi all,
I’m ex Britmil with 22 yrs service and left with an “Exemplary“ discharge.
My question is, how strict are they on the police record bit?
I have a conviction for gbh dated 1973 and never anything since, do I have a chance?
You haven’t said what visa you are thinking of applying for but as you qualify for the Expanded Courtesy SRRV with your military service and exemplary record, one assumes you would be going down that route. The PRA would therefore want to check out any convictions before granting approval. However, they would not make that decision themselves, but would most likely refer it to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).Hi all,
I’m ex Britmil with 22 yrs service and left with an “Exemplary“ discharge.
My question is, how strict are they on the police record bit?
I have a conviction for gbh dated 1973 and never anything since, do I have a chance?
The Philippines follows the US in many ways. For example, they use a phrase called ‘Moral Turpitude’ (not common in UK), when considering crimes. Check out this URL to get some info on the phrase. Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude: Meaning and Examples | Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C.
Whilst I didn’t see GBH on that list, aggravated assault is. Further down the page, it goes on to state that assault is usually only considered a crime involving moral turpitude if it was done:
- With intent to inflict harm
- To a protected class of people
So, what can you do? Step 1 may be to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate to see what’s on there. Based on the result, you could pre-empt the BI requirement and try to get hold of the court order. As the offence is quite old, the court order may not be available. Step 2 may be to approach a PRA marketer and ask them to submit a pre-approval request to the PRA. Just remember that your Police Clearance Certificate is only valid for 6 months so you want to be careful about applying for it too early.
In direct answer to your question, yes, the PRA are quite strict. Having said that, you still have a good chance. Moreover, the Expanded Courtesy SRRV, is the best ‘value for money visa’ available, so long as you can get over the GBH hurdle. Good luck!
Just read Grahamw57’s comments and there is some merit to what he says. There are two clearances you would have to consider: 1. Police Clearance (done from here), which is the Interpol check and 2. the NBI Clearance, which is mainly for offences in the Philippines. These clearances are certainly cheaper than what you have to pay in UK.
‘Suck it and see’… or go for the NBI clearance, once you’ve been here 6 months. I believe they check with Interpol….so unless you’re an international criminal mastermind…
(No need for British police clearance then). Very easy and cheap. I found it so, anyway. If it is there, look into having the offense expunged, erased from the record.
Inquire annonamousely to the PRA if this offense is a disqualifying deal breaker.
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