| The Philippines offers multiple residency options, but not all programs are created equal. If you’re considering relocating, investing, or retiring in the country, it’s crucial to understand which visa best suits your needs. Here’s how the Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Visa (FIV) stacks up against the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and the Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV). |
| Philippines: one of the most sought after destinations for entrepreneurs and retirees |
| Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) 📌Best for: Business investors looking to invest in local enterprises – Investment Requirement: Minimum $75,000 in eligible Philippine businesses – Processing Time: Slow – lengthy application process, the slowest to process compared to the other two – Work & Business Rights: Allows work and business ownership (with a permit) – Residency Status: Indefinite residency ⛔ Downside: – Program has been through many controversies by allowing individuals with suspicious backgrounds to take advantage of the program — resulting in harsh reactions from the public and high scrutiny from the government. Many individuals lost their visas, and to this day, it’s a controversial program – Processing can take up to a year, your passport could be held for months during the processing, making you unable to leave during this period – Unreliable. Due to high scrutiny and a bad reputation, many lost their visas without any notice – The money is an investment that’s non-refundable. One cannot be sure how much yield it would bring Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) 📌Best for: Retirees looking for a long-term stay in the Philippines – Investment Requirement: $10,000–$50,000 deposit (varies by age and pension status) – Processing Time: Moderate – varies client by client, usually a couple of months – Work & Business Rights: Limited – SRRV holders cannot work or start a business – Residency Status: Indefinite residency ⛔ Downside: – Designed only for retirees (at least 50 years of age) – Working with this visa is not allowed – The investment requirement is a donation, no yield, and non-refundable – Limited number of dependents (only two are allowed) – Takes months to process Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Visa (FIV) 📌 Best for: Investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking for fast and flexible permanent residency ✅ Investment Requirement: $75,000 in a government approved project, fully refundable ✅ Processing Time: Only 5 business days – the fastest investment visa in the country, possibly the world ✅ Work & Business Rights: No restrictions – FIV holders can work, invest, and start businesses (with a permit) ✅ Residency Status: Immediate full residential rights ✅ Family Inclusion: Unlimited number of dependents allowed. Bring a spouse and children under 21 with no extra investment requirements ✅ No Minimum Stay Requirements: you can spend as little or as much time in the Philippines. Even if at some point you decide to move out, your visa will still be valid 🏆 Why FIV? It’s the most efficient, flexible, and business-friendly residency program in the Philippines today. Which Visa is Right for You? – If you’re over the age of 50 and looking to just retire somewhere, the retirement visa might be a good option for you. – If you want unrestricted work & business rights, fast processing, a fully refundable option, the FIV program is the clear winner. SIRV has proven to be unreliable and is not worth the risk. |
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