Philippines to Boost Special Resident Retiree Visa Issuance

The Philippines announced plans to increase the Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRVs) it grants to 4,000 this year. This initiative targets travellers from Canada, Europe, and the United States who are at retirement age.

The SRRV is a non-immigrant visa that permits multiple entries and indefinite stays for eligible foreigners aged 50 and older.

Roberto Zozobrado, the General Manager and CEO of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), stated: “Our target now is really more Europeans and more from both the US and Canada.”

Zozobrado drew comparisons between the rising number of retirees moving to the Philippines and those heading to Thailand.

Since 1987, the Philippines has issued nearly 80,000 SRRVs, with about 60,000 currently in active status.

Active promotion of the SRRV program has been underway; around 3,812 foreigners enrolled last year, a rise from 3,108 in 2023. 40% of new SRRV applicants in 2024 are Chinese nationals, followed by US citizens, Indians, and Koreans. The PRA is taking part in various international expos aimed at retirees, including the Salon des Séniors 2025 in Paris last March, where they secured about a hundred leads.

Zozobrado remarked: “2024 was a very good year for us… We had cancellations, but despite that, we almost made our targets.” He also assured that strict vetting procedures are in place to ensure applicants genuinely intend to retire in the country, with security measures tightened due to challenges faced by Philippine off-shore gaming operators (POGOs).

Why retire in the Philippines?

Many retirees cite Filipino hospitality as a key reason for choosing the Philippines over other Southeast Asian locales like Indonesia and Thailand. According to Zozobrado, “Their number one reason is always, ‘I like the way Filipinos take care of old people… the hospitality of the Filipinos, English communication, lower cost of living, and the easy access to nature.’”

The PRA collaborates with around 400 hotels, restaurants, and wellness centers to provide discounts for SRRV holders.