Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) Application Assistance in the Philippines

If you’re a Westerner, Manila and most parts of the Philippines will likely feel familiar, with the added excitement of a tropical twist that brings adventure to everyday life. You will encounter locals who are among the friendliest, happiest, and most English-proficient people in the world. You will also be surprised by how affordable the cost of living is. Outside of Manila, the country boasts some of the world’s best beaches. 

What makes the country an even more attractive destination is that you don’t need a boatload of cash to earn residency, unlike most countries in the region. For instance, you need US$ 1.3 million or even higher for a Hong Kong resident visa program. In Thailand, the minimum investment requirement for a Thai Long-Term Resident (LTR-Wealthy Global Citizen) visa is US$ 500,000. 

Now, in the Philippines, you can apply for an investment visa tied up with indefinite residency and other privileges for just US$ 75,000. Sounds interesting? Read on and reach out to us through the contact details below for expert assistance with your visa application. 

What is SIRV?

A Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) is a special non-immigrant visa that allows foreign investors, together with their qualified dependents, to stay indefinitely in the Philippines and enjoy multiple entry privileges as long as the required qualifications and investment requirements are maintained. It is issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) upon endorsement by the Board of Investments (BOI).   

Probationary and Indefinite SIRVs

There are two types of Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) in the Philippines, each offering different residency duration privileges and other conditions: 

Probationary SIRV

This is the initially issued SIRV, which comes with a 6-month validity. It may be enough if you just need temporary residency or want to explore the investment opportunities in the Philippines before committing long-term.  

Indefinite SIRV

This is the upgraded SIRV that grants you indefinite residency, multiple entries, and other attractive privileges. It is a perfect deal if you are seeking long-term residency and can maintain your investments in covered sectors.   

SIRV Benefits and Privileges

The Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) offers you a range of exclusive benefits designed to make your stay in the Philippines more convenient and rewarding.

Indefinite Residency

With an Indefinite SIRV, you can take advantage of indefinite residency. You need not to worry about your visa renewals and expirations, as long as you maintain your investment and meet other necessary conditions. 

Multiple Entry Privileges

You can also enjoy the convenience and maximum flexibility with the multiple entry privileges tied up with the visa. You are allowed to travel freely in and out of the country without the need to reapply for a visa each time.  

Exemption from Exit Clearance

As an SIRV holder, you are exempt from exit clearance and reentry requirements. You can then simplify your travel plans and save time when leaving or reentering the Philippines, as you don’t require a lot of paperwork. 

Importation of Household Goods

You can import used household goods and other personal effects tax-free and duty-free, making your relocation to the Philippines a lot smoother and more cost-effective. You can ensure that your personal belongings can be brought into the country without any extra costs.

Profitable Foreign Investment

With the SIRV, you can tap into the Philippines’ dynamic and growing economy. Whether you’re entering key sectors or diversifying your portfolio, the country’s thriving market provides numerous avenues for financial growth.

Who Can Apply for an SIRV?

To qualify for a Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) in the Philippines, you must be a foreign national (alien) at least 21 years of age, not a restricted national, have no derogatory record, be physically healthy (i.e., not afflicted with any contagious, dangerous, or loathsome disease), and be willing to invest at least US$ 75,000 in covered investments. Your legal spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may also be issued the same SIRV visa. 

SIRV Covered Investments

To fully benefit from an SIRV, you must put and maintain your investments in any of the following: publicly listed companies; companies engaged in areas listed in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) of the Board of Investments (BOI), and companies engaged in the manufacturing and services sectors. 

Probationary SIRV Application Requirements

To apply for a Probationary SIRV in the Philippines, you need to prepare and submit the following documentary requirements:

1. Duly accomplished and notarized application form;
2. Clearance from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), together with either of the following:
   • Clearance from the central government agency of the applicant’s place or country of residence, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); or
   • Clearance from the Interpol Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to ensure the applicant has not been convicted of any crime that involves moral turpitude.
3. Medical Certification, issued by any of the following:
   • Department of Health (DOH);
   • Any government hospital or health facility;
   • Any licensed or accredited hospital, laboratory, or medical center in the applicant’s home country
4. Certification under oath from authorized officers of any accredited depository bank in the Philippines regarding the amount of foreign exchange inwardly remitted by the application and its respective conversion to pesos through the said bank;
5. Certified true copy (CTC) of the Certificate of Peso Time Deposit with a maturity period of at least 30 days (the original copy will be kept at the depository bank for safekeeping);
6. Birth certificates of family/household registry duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate or Embassy in the applicant’s home country or in the Philippines;
7. For the spouse, a marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate or Embassy in the applicant’s home country or in the Philippines;
8. Original passport of the applicant;
9. Processing fee payment of US$ 300 and PHP 10,110 to the Bureau of Immigration 

Indefinite SIRV Conversion Requirements

To convert your Probationary SIRV to Indefinite SIRV, you need to prepare and submit the following documentary requirements:

1. NBI Clearance or Police Clearance valid within 6 months;
2. Lease Contract or proof of ownership of office or factory/plant site and its location map;
3. For investment in a new corporation:
   • Certified true copies of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation and By-laws;
   • Treasurer’s affidavit as to the amount of investment of the applicant;
   • Certified true copy of official receipt issued by the treasurer-in-trust;
   • Sworn certification of Corporate Secretary as to proposed star of commercial operation of the Corporation;
   • BIR Certificate of Registration (TIN/VAT)
   • BIR approved authority to print official receipts and invoices and copies of the company’s official receipts (if available)
   • Certified true copy of Business/Mayor’s permit valid for one (1) year and the corresponding official receipt (if available)
4. For investment in an existing corporation not publicly listed:
   • Business/Mayor’s permit valid for one (1) year and its corresponding official receipt (OR);
   • Certificate of Registration with the Board of Investments , if any
   • BIR certificate of registration of TIN;
   • Latest BIR approved authority to print receipts and invoices and copies of company’s official receipts;
   • Latest General Information Sheet (GIS) filed with the SEC reflecting the name of SIRV holder as one of the stockholders;
   • Resolution from SEC authorizing the issuance of shares from the unsubscribed portion and exempting said shares from registration (if the shares acquired came from the unsubscribed portion of the corporation’s authorized capital stock);
   • Deed of Assignment between buyer and the seller of the stock, if the shares acquired were purchased from existing stockholders (the purchase price per share shall not exceed 10% of its current book value)
5. For investment in shares in publicly listed corporations: 

• • Certified true copy (by the stockbroker) of official receipts and buy invoice;
  • Certification from the stock transfer office that the SIRV holder is a stockholder on record of the company where the investment was made;
  • Certified true copy (by the stock transfer office) of the Stock Certificate issued in the name of SIRV holder with the following annotation on the face thereof: “The shares of stock covered by this certificate shall not be sold, transferred, conveyed, disposed of, and/or encumbered without the prior written consent of the Board of Investments.” Such annotation must bear the signature of the Corporate Secretary.

6. Other supporting documents, as may be required by the BOI