2025-07-12

More and more people in Japan are choosing to live in countries with a lower cost of living after retiring from their companies. In particular, Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and the Philippines are attracting a lot of attention. Here, we will explain the “Permanent Resident Visa” that can be obtained to live in the Philippines.

Permanent Resident Visa for the Philippines

In order for a Japanese national to obtain the right to live permanently in the Philippines, it is necessary to obtain a “Permanent Resident Visa” (permanent residence visa).

In most countries, a Permanent Resident Visa must be renewed after a certain period of time. In addition, the conditions for renewal are often stricter than those for the previous application, which may make it impossible to renew. The residency requirement after obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa is also strict, requiring the applicant to stay in the country for at least half of the year, or 184 days.

On the other hand, the Permanent Resident Visa in the Philippines is less expensive, easier to obtain, and more convenient than Permanent Resident Visas in other countries.

For example, the mandatory stay requirement is only 30 to 40 days at the time of acquisition and a short period of time for renewal, so it is quite possible to hold a permanent residence visa in the Philippines while holding a job in Japan. Also, while many countries do not allow permanent residence visa holders to work, a Philippine permanent residence visa holder can work by obtaining a work permit.

Next, the Philippines has several permanent residence visas, the most representative of which are introduced below.

Special Resident Retired Visa

The “Special Resident Retired Visa (SRRV)” is issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority, a Philippine government agency.

Characteristically, it is intended for foreigners aged 50 and over, and allows them to obtain multiple-entry (multiple-entry) visa privileges and permanent residency in the Philippines.

To obtain this visa, a time deposit (deposit) must be made in a designated Philippine bank. In the case of the “SRRV Classic,” the deposit is $20,000 for non-pensioners and $10,000 for pensioners. In addition to the individual, a spouse and two unmarried children under 21 years of age (total of two children) are also eligible. The required period of stay to obtain the certificate is 30 to 40 consecutive days, and the residence must be a purchased or rented real estate in the Philippines with a local domicile.

There is no limit to the number of days of stay, and there is no mandatory length of stay, and the applicant is free to enter and leave the country. An annual membership fee of $360 is required each year. An additional annual fee of $100 per person per year must be paid for the third member of the accompanying family. The deposit will be refunded if the visa is confirmed.

Special Allocation Migrant Visa

The “Special Allocation Migrant Visa” is called a “Quarter Visa” and, like the “SRRV” mentioned above, it is a visa that allows permanent residence. Like the SRRV, this visa can be used to obtain permanent residence. However, only 50 people per year are issued for Japan, the U.S., and Germany. Moreover, it is a very difficult visa to obtain because of the complicated acquisition procedure.

In addition, if you ask an agency to obtain this visa, they will charge you a larger fee (over 4 million yen) than the “SRRV” visa. However, even if you fail to obtain this visa, the fee may not be refunded, so you should check with the agency before applying.

The first feature of this visa is that it can be obtained by those who are at least 20 years old. The time deposit (deposit) required to obtain this visa is $50,000, but it can be withdrawn freely after obtaining the visa.

The required period of stay to obtain the visa is 30 to 40 consecutive days, and the residence must be a purchased or rented real estate in the Philippines with a local domicile. There is no limit to the number of days the visa holder may stay in the country, and the visa holder is free to enter and leave the country with no mandatory length of stay.

Summary

Compared to other countries, the Philippines has less stringent requirements for obtaining a “permanent residence visa” and the cost is relatively low. However, if you do not research the contents beforehand and ask a proper agency, you may end up wasting your time and money.