Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)

Application Process — Step by Step

1. 01

   Identify qualifying investment category and meet USD 75,000 minimum

   home country

   The Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) requires a minimum investment of USD 75,000 in qualifying Philippine investments. Eligible categories: (1) shares of stock in a Philippine company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE); (2) government securities (treasury bills or bonds); (3) condominium units (Philippines allows foreign condo ownership up to 40% building foreign ownership limit). Investment must be maintained throughout SIRV validity. Contact the Board of Investments (BOI) or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for eligible investment vehicles.

   Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗

2. 02

   Make the qualifying investment and obtain documentation

   destination

   Transfer USD 75,000 (minimum) to the Philippines via BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) inward remittance documentation. Open a Philippine broker account or purchase government securities or condominium title. Obtain: stock certificates or bond certificates, condominium title, or broker confirmation of purchase, and BSP Bangko Sentral registration of the inward remittance.

   Typical duration: 4-8 weeks

3. 03

   Apply at Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) or Philippine embassy/consulate

   destination

   SIRV can be applied for at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila or through a Philippine diplomatic post abroad. Submit: completed BI Form, valid passport, investment documentation, NBI/police clearance, medical certificate, and proof of funds. Pay SIRV application fee. Processing typically 1-3 months at BI due to document verification requirements.

   Typical duration: 4-12 weekssource ↗

4. 04

   Receive SIRV and ACR I-Card

   destination

   Upon approval, receive SIRV immigrant stamp in passport and apply for Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) at Bureau of Immigration. SIRV is renewable as long as investment is maintained. Conduct annual report to Bureau of Immigration (BI Annual Report requirement for immigrant visa holders).

   Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗

Documents Required

Realistic Costs

~ Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high, health_insurance_first_year.

Minimum USD 75,000 investment is the primary cost. Investment is in your assets (stocks, bonds, condo) and can appreciate or depreciate. BI visa fees approx. USD 300-600. ACR I-Card approx. PHP 5,000 (~USD 90). Annual BI report fee approx. PHP 310 (~USD 6). Lawyer/agent fees for application support: USD 1,000-3,000.

Realistic Timeline

• Consulate wait2–8 weeks
• Decision → arrival4 weeks
• Residence card issuance4 weeks
• Total to residence card12–24 weeks

Bureau of Immigration in Manila can have significant backlogs; 2-4 months total is realistic. Investment documentation verification adds time. An immigration lawyer familiar with BI processes is recommended to avoid delays.

Renewal

First renewal after

24 months

Subsequent cycle

24 months

Renewal fee

$300USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Requirements

SIRV is renewable as long as qualifying investment is maintained at USD 75,000+ and Annual Report filed with BI. If investment drops below threshold, SIRV may be cancelled. Investment can be rebalanced between eligible categories without losing SIRV status as long as USD 75,000 remains invested.

Path to Permanent Residency — Details

Years required

0

Integration test

Not required

Path to Citizenship — Details

Years required

10

Language test

No

Civic test

Not required

Oath

Required

Dual citizenship

Allowed

Tax Residency

Trigger

180 days/year of presence

Taxation scope

Territorial (in-country only)

Exit-tax country

No

Health Insurance

Mandatory

No

Examples: PhilHealth (voluntary), Pacific Cross, Cigna Global, AXA Philippines, Maxicare

Family Specifics

Spouse work rights

Dependent spouse admitted under SIRV does not receive work authorisation. Employment requires separate AEP from DOLE.

Child school enrolment

Dependent children can enroll in Philippine schools. International school options in Metro Manila: International School Manila, Brent International School (Baguio, Subic, Manila) — tuition USD 8,000-22,000/yr.

Parent inclusion

Not eligible

Sibling inclusion

Not eligible

Gotchas — Things to Watch For

• ⚠SIRV does not grant work rights — employment requires a separate Alien Employment Permit from DOLE
• ⚠Foreign land ownership is prohibited in the Philippines regardless of visa type — investment must be in PSE stocks, government securities, or qualifying condominiums (not land)
• ⚠Annual BI Report must be filed every January — missing this is a common mistake that leads to fines
• ⚠Investment value can fluctuate — if Philippine stock market falls and your holding drops below USD 75,000, you may need to top up to maintain SIRV
• ⚠Condominium investment: 40% foreign ownership cap per building — confirm unit is in a building below the cap before purchase
• ⚠BSP registration of inward remittance is crucial — without it, you cannot repatriate proceeds when you exit

What This Visa Does NOT Allow

• ×Employment for a Philippine employer without separate Alien Employment Permit
• ×Land ownership (constitutionally prohibited for foreign nationals)
• ×Investment in land-based assets as qualifying SIRV investments

Common Rejection Reasons

• •Investment below USD 75,000 or not in an eligible investment category
• •BSP remittance documentation insufficient or investment not properly registered
• •Criminal record — NBI or foreign police clearance shows disqualifying offence
• •Investment in land (foreigners cannot own Philippine land, land-based investments do not qualify)
• •Medical certificate shows active contagious disease
• •Investment documents not authenticated or apostille chain incomplete

Recent Legislative Changes

• 2023-06-01

  Philippine Bureau of Immigration reaffirmed SIRV qualifying investment categories. Government securities and PSE-listed stocks remain eligible. BI updated processing procedures for SIRV applications to require BSP registration documentation as mandatory submission to reduce fraud risk.source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions