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Philippines Travel Tips

Make the most of your trip to the Philippines with our useful Philippines travel tips, as well as our list of top-rated destinations, best attractions, and things to do while you are on a holiday in the country.

Permanent Visa in the Philippines

Permanent Visa in the Philippines

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When applying for a permanent residence visa in the Philippines, it is important to prepare a complete document. The Permanent Residence Visa can be granted to anyone who is either married to a Filipina or who is a "retiree". In principle everyone can get a permanent visa for the Philippines, only the requirements are different depending on the group of people.

It must be distinguished here between:

  • Permanent visa according to 13A for married persons and

  • A permanent visa for pensioners according to the SRRV program (for everyone)

Read on as we explain further how to secure a permanent visa in the Philippines based on the conditions above.

Permanent Visa according to Section 13A for Married Persons

If you are married to a Filipina (or a Filipino), you can apply for a permanent visa for the Philippines either at the Immigration Office in the Philippines or at the embassy in your home country.

The following are required:

  • Completed application form
  • 6 passport photos
  • about 20.000 PHP for fees
  • Letter of a request of the Filipino/Filipina spouse
  • Marriage certificate in English
  • Birth certificate of the Philippine spouse
  • Police clearance certificate, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in the home country
  • Certificate of health
  • Immigration Clearance Certificates (issued by Immigration)
  • Proof of sufficient funds to feed themselves and their family

Permanent Visa for Retiree - SRRV (Special Retiree Resident Visa)

Those who are not married to a Filipina can also obtain a permanent visa. A distinction is made between pensioners with a pension and pensioners without a pension.

Pensioners without a pension must deposit a certain amount of money in a fixed deposit account in the Philippines. Persons aged 35 to 49 years have to deposit 50,000 US$, persons older than 50 years 20,000 US$ into a fixed deposit account.

Pensioners with a pension must receive a pension of at least US$800 per month (applies to individuals) or married couples at least US$1,000 per month. Also, US$10,000 must be deposited in a fixed deposit account in the Philippines.

Alternatively, the indicated amounts can also be invested. The following options are available:

  • Purchase of a Condominium
  • long-term rent for a condominium, a piece of land with a house or a townhouse
  • Purchase of shares in a country club or golf
Check Philippines visa-approved stamp and Philippine passport

Benefits of a Permanent Visa in the Philippines?

These are the things that can be obtained by applying for a permanent visa here in the Philippines;

  1. An easier way to get loans and buy insurance.
  2. There is no need for an exit ticket when leaving the Philippines.
  3. The visa is permanent after a one-year trial and the ACR card must be renewed every five years.
  4. You are now complying with Philippine law.
  5. There is also no need to do visa tours.

Philippine Tax System

Moving to the Philippines would give you questions like your local tax system. In most countries, you are likely to pay income tax and other types of Philippine taxes. However, under various conditions, there is a tax deduction with varying rates for different categories of foreigners. It is best to inform yourself about the rates in advance.

General Principles of Taxes

General Principles of Taxes

Expats in the Philippines are resident foreigners who are not yet citizens of the country. Meanwhile, foreigners living in the Philippines are non-resident foreigners. You are considered a non-resident citizen if you are already a citizen of the Philippines but do not live in the country.

In general, the following principles apply in terms of individual taxes in the Philippines:

  • Citizens living in the Philippines are subject to tax on all income derived from sources inside and outside the Philippines;
  • Non-resident citizens and non-resident aliens are only taxed on their income earned in the Philippines; and
  • Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW) are only taxed on income earned in the Philippines.

Regarding companies:

  • National companies created in the Philippines are taxed on all income inside and outside the country; and
  • Foreign companies, whether engaged in trade or business in the Philippines or not, are only subject to tax on income earned in the country.