Obtain a Residence Permit in the Philippines: Options

Do you want to obtain a residence permit in the Philippines in 2026? Our local team can check which residence option suits you and can guide you throughout the application.

Quick Facts
Who needs a residence permit in Philipines	Individuals staying beyond 59 days need to obtain an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), also known as a residence permit.
Types of residence permits	Residence permits have different colors representing a different immigration status or category.
Validity of residence permit	Linked to the visa: up to 1 year for temporary visas; 5 years for permanent residents
Quota visa – characteristics	Citizens from countries with diplomatic relationships with Philippines can stay indefinitely in the country; Only 50 visas per nationality are granted per year.
Residency for individuals married to Filipino citizens	Indefinite stay as long as the marriage remains valid.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) – characteristics	Allows foreigners to reside in the country as long as they meet the requirements for visa; To qualify, they must employ at least 10 Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise; This visa is recommended for those who wish to open a company in Philippines.
Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) – characteristics	Grants permanent residency, as long as the visa requirements are met; Our team can detail the criteria for SRRV and help you move to Philippines.
Special Investor Residence Visa (SIRV) – characteristics	Grants permanent residency, as long as the investment requirements are met; Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
Investment requirements for SIRV	75,000 USD in Filipino companies (except in wholesale business and partnerships)
Citizenship in Philippines	Permanently reside in the country for 10 years.
Types of work permits in Philippines	– Alien Employment Permit (AEP), – Special Work Permit (SWP), – Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
Applying for a work permit	The employer must submit an application with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before the employment begins.
Dual citizenship	Permitted only under certain conditions
Advantages of Filipino residency	– legal long-term stay, – employment opportunities, – investment opportunities, – easier access to buy property, – retirement options, etc.
Assistance and additional services	Our team can help you immigrate to Philippines and obtain a residence permit, based on your traveling purpose. Additionally, we offer accounting and company formation services.

What are the steps for obtaining a residence visa in the Philippines in 2026?

The procedure can vary depending on the type of residence visa, as each option has its own requirements.

Here are the steps you will have to follow:

choose the right visa (our specialist can help you in this phase);
prepare the documents needed;
submit the application;
complete the required immigration formalities.

Do you have any question about this process? Our immigration agents are here to guide you in obtaining the residence permit in the Philippines.

How can a foreign spouse obtain permanent residence in the Philippines?

Foreigners who are legally married to a local citizen can apply for a permanent resident visa, according to the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 in this country.

Such applicants must present the following documents to the appropriate authorities:

a joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner, signed by the foreign applicant and the petitioning Filipino spouse;
a duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF);
a copy of the birth certificate of the local spouse, issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
a BI Clearance Certificate;
a copy of the foreign citizen’s passport which displays the arrival date and the visa;
the marriage certificate.

Other documents: our company registration advisors in the Philippinescan provide more information on what these other documents consist of.

What is a Quota Immigrant Visa in the Philippines?

This visa, also known as a Section 13 Quota Visa, allows certain foreign nationals to obtain permanent resident status in the Philippines.

The Quota Immigrant Visa is available only to citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines and offer similar immigration privileges to Filipino nationals.

Availability is quite limited, as only 50 visas may be granted per eligible nationality each calendar year. Our local specialists can assess whether an applicant qualifies for this visa.

How can former Filipino citizens obtain residence in the Philippines?

If you are a former natural born Filipino citizen who later became citizen of another country, you can apply to return to the Philippines as a permanent resident through the 13G Non Quota Immigrant Visa.

For this type of visa, you will need to provide documents showing:

your former Filipino citizenship;
your current nationality;
your intention to establish permanent residence in the country.

What is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines?

This is a special non immigrant visa designed for foreign nationals and eligible former Filipino citizens who want to live in the Philippines on a long term basis.

Applicants start with process with the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), and the Bureau of Immigration grants the visa once they meet the applicable requirements.

Under the expanded SRRV program, the principal applicant generally needs to be at least 40 years old. To qualify, applicants also need to:

hold a valid passport and maintain legal immigration status in the Philippines;
provide the necessary medical and police clearances;
place the required visa deposit with a PRA-accredited bank;
show proof of pension if they choose an SRRV option based on pension oncome;
pay the applicable processing and annual fees.

What are the requirements for Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) in the Philippines?

This visa is designed for foreign nationals who want to establish residence in the Philippines by making a qualifying investment in this country.

To qualify, an applicant must generally:

be at least 21 years old;
be willing and able to invest at least USD 75,000;
place the funds in an investment that qualifies under the SIRV program;
meet the applicable character and health requirements.

Our local specialists can help investors obtain this residence visa in the Philippines and provide further assistance with company formation in the country.

In case you would like to know more about obtaining a residence permit in the Philippines in 2026, or for help related to starting a business in the Philippines, please contact us.