Visas, Residency & Expat Life
A practical breakdown of your long-term stay options in the Philippines, updated for 2025–2026.
🏖️ Tourist / Visitor Visa (9a) Short-term
Up to 30 days initially, extendable to 36 months total at Bureau of Immigration offices.
- ✔ Most popular entry path
- ✔ No minimum deposit required
- ⚠ Extension fees apply (~$25–$60/extension)
- ⚠ Not a permanent solution for long-term residents
🏡 SRRV Retirement Visa Long-term
Special Resident Retiree's Visa. Age 40+ (as of Sept 2025). Permanent, renewable residency.
- ✔ Indefinite stay — no annual renewal
- ✔ Multiple entry, duty-free import of household goods
- ✔ Principal applicants age 40+ (expanded program)
- 💵 Deposit varies by SRRV category, age, and pension status — ranges from $1,500 to $20,000. Check PRA's current schedule
- 💵 Principal processing/service fee: US$1,400 (per PRA)
- ⚠ Deposit and fee requirements change — always verify with PRA directly →
💻 Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) EO 86 — 2025
Created via Executive Order No. 86 (signed April 2025). Designed for remote workers employed by or earning from companies outside the Philippines. Note: Some implementation details (income thresholds, exact application process) were still being finalized as of early 2026. Verify current status with the Bureau of Immigration before applying.
- ✔ Up to 1 year, renewable once (2 years max)
- ✔ Multiple-entry privileges
- ✔ Legal framework for remote workers (previously a grey area)
- 💵 Expected to require proof of sufficient foreign income, health insurance, and clean criminal record
- ⚠ May not engage in local employment. Check the Bureau of Immigration for the latest requirements and application status
💍 13a Spouse / Immigrant Visa Permanent
For foreign nationals married to a Filipino citizen. One of the most common long-term visa routes.
- ✔ Permanent residency after 2 years on probationary 13a
- ✔ No deposit requirement
- ✔ Work rights (unlike SRRV)
- ⚠ Requires valid marriage certificate, police clearances, medicals
🏢 SIRV / SRRV Investor Visa Investment
Special Investor's Resident Visa — for those investing $75,000+ in BOI/PEZA-registered enterprises.
- ✔ Permanent residency for investor + dependents
- ✔ Multiple entry privileges
- ⚠ Higher financial threshold
- ℹ Best with legal assistance
🎓 Student / Missionary / Other Special
Various long-term visas for students, missionaries, journalists, and others with documented purpose.
- ✔ Tied to enrollment, organization, or accreditation
- ✔ Extensions available through BI
- ℹ Visit Bureau of Immigration →
💡 Practical Tips from Long-Term Expats
Don't plan to work locally
Most professional jobs are restricted to Filipino citizens. Plan to work remotely, freelance, or have retirement income before moving.
Check internet before signing a lease
Fiber is excellent in cities, spotty in provinces. Ask neighbors — don't rely on landlord assurances. PLDT, Globe, and Converge are the main providers.
Foreigners can't own land
Foreign nationals cannot own land in the Philippines. You can own a condo unit (up to 40% foreign-owned building). Long-term leases (up to 50 years) are an alternative.
Electricity is expensive
Power costs are among the highest in Asia — about $0.18–0.22/kWh. Budget for AC usage carefully. This is often the budget-buster expats don't expect.
Get private health insurance
PhilHealth (government insurance) may be required for foreign nationals holding certain immigration documents (e.g., SRRV holders, ACR I-Card holders). Coverage is basic. Get international or supplemental private coverage for real protection.
Traffic in Manila is real
Metro Manila ranks among Asia's worst traffic cities. Most long-term expats choose to live in BGC, Makati, or Pasig to minimize commute, or move to Cebu/Davao entirely.
Build up a local emergency fund
Typhoon season runs June–November. Having 3–6 months of cash reserve locally is smart. Power outages and flooding can disrupt daily life in some areas.
Learn basic Filipino (Tagalog)
English gets you everywhere, but even 20 Tagalog phrases earns enormous goodwill. "Salamat" (thank you), "Magkano?" (how much?), and "Saan?" (where?) go a long way.
Budget serious time for any government paperwork
This one comes from firsthand experience. Getting IDs, registering documents, transferring titles, or handling anything at a Philippine government office is rarely a one-trip affair. Offices frequently don't share data with each other — so expect to visit multiple agencies, collect different sets of requirements from each, and in many cases be told to come back tomorrow.
The process is the same even for Filipinos. A Filipina navigating ID renewals or civil registry documents can easily make 3–5 trips across different offices for what should be a straightforward task. The cultural term is palakasan — things tend to move faster when you have a personal connection inside the relevant office. As an expat without that network, your main tools are patience, a complete folder of every document you could possibly need, and not booking any flights around a government deadline.
Travel & Health Insurance for Nomads & Expats
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