Philippines Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV)

Overview

The Philippines Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is a multi-entry visa with indefinite stay, issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). It can include a spouse and dependents. The program was restructured in September 2025: the minimum age is now 40, and the former Smile and Human Touch categories were abolished for new applicants — only SRRV Classic and SRRV Courtesy remain open.

SRRV categories and deposits (September 2025 rules)

SRRV Classic — the standard category. The required time deposit in a PRA-accredited Philippine bank depends on age and whether you receive a pension:

ApplicantAge 50+Age 40-49
With pensionUS$15,000US$25,000
Without pensionUS$30,000US$50,000

Pensioners must also show proof of monthly pension remitted to the Philippines.

SRRV Courtesy — for former Filipino citizens and retired diplomats/international-organization staff: deposit of US$1,500-$6,000 depending on subcategory.

The Smile (US$20,000 flat) and Human Touch categories no longer accept new applicants — figures you may still see elsewhere for those categories are outdated.

Step-by-step process

  1. Enter the Philippines (US citizens get visa-free entry) and apply through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in Manila or a satellite office
  2. Open the time deposit in a PRA-accredited bank in the required amount for your age/pension category
  3. Submit documents: passport, FBI background check (apostilled), medical clearance, pension proof if applicable
  4. PRA processes the application and issues the SRRV — multi-entry with indefinite stay
  5. Pay the annual PRA fee and keep the deposit in place to maintain the visa

US tax obligations as expat

⚠️ Critical: as US citizen, you remain obligated to file US federal taxes.

  • Form 1040 annual with worldwide income
  • FEIE Form 2555: exclude up to $132,900 (tax year 2026) if you qualify — the IRS requires foreign earned income, a tax home in a foreign country, and passing the bona fide residence test or the 330-day physical presence test; residing abroad alone is not enough
  • Foreign Tax Credit Form 1116: avoid double taxation
  • FBAR FinCEN Form 114: if foreign accounts >$10K aggregated
  • FATCA Form 8938 — living abroad, the thresholds are higher: if you must file a US income tax return, file Form 8938 if your specified foreign financial assets exceed $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married filing jointly) on the last day of the year, or $300,000 / $600,000 at any point during the year. The $50,000 / $100,000 figures are the thresholds for filers living in the US.

See: US obligations abroad

Services and banking

As expat in Philippines, consider:

  • Local bank account (for daily expenses)
  • Maintain US account (for Social Security, Medicare)
  • International transfers: the 1% remittance excise tax (IRC § 4475, on transfers after December 31, 2025) reaches only transfers the sender funds with cash, a money order, a cashier’s check, or any other similar physical instrument (as determined by the Secretary). Section 4475(d) exempts transfers funded from an account at a US financial institution or with a US-issued debit or credit card — which covers an ordinary Wise or bank transfer.
  • Credit card: many US ones don’t work; get country one

Healthcare

Medicare generally does NOT cover in Philippines. Options:

  • Local insurance: country’s national coverage
  • International insurance (Cigna Global, AXA): worldwide coverage
  • Traveler’s private insurance (short term)

Last verified: 2026-09-10.

General information — not legal advice. Consult immigration attorney in destination country for specific cases.