Philippines SIRV: Special Investor's Resident Visa Guide
The Special Investor's Resident Visa lets a foreign national live in the Philippines indefinitely, with multiple entry, by placing at least US$75,000 into a qualified Philippine investment. The Board of Investments administers the program and the Bureau of Immigration issues the visa.
A Resident Visa Tied to Real Philippine Capital
The Special Investor's Resident Visa is a special resident visa for foreign nationals who commit capital to the Philippine economy. It is governed by Book V of the Omnibus Investments Code, Executive Order No. 226 of 1987, as amended, including by Republic Act No. 8756.
The Board of Investments evaluates the investment, while the Bureau of Immigration issues the visa and the Alien Certificate of Registration. The status is built to reward long term capital, not a one time deposit.
Indefinite Stay
The holder may remain in the Philippines for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained. There is no routine renewal cycle for the stay itself.
Multiple Entry
The holder can leave and return to the country without filing a fresh application each time. This suits investors who travel between markets.
Business and Work
The holder may direct, manage, or be employed by the invested enterprise. Employment outside that enterprise needs a separate Alien Employment Permit.
What Counts as a Qualifying Investment
The program requires at least US$75,000.00 (about ₱4,715,000.00 / €65,420.00 / £56,140.00) to be inwardly remitted through the Philippine banking system and then placed in an eligible investment under Book V of Executive Order No. 226. The minimum must be maintained at all times.
What Qualifies
- Equity in a domestic enterprise engaged in BOI eligible or priority activities, newly formed or existing.
- Shares of corporations listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, subject to BOI rules.
- Other investment instruments approved by the Board of Investments under Book V.
- Reinvested income or dividends earned from the investment, when made within the prescribed window.
What Does Not Qualify
- Bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness.
- Stock options or stock warrants before they are exercised into actual shares.
- Idle cash that never becomes equity in a qualified enterprise.
- Activities on the Foreign Investment Negative List or restricted sectors.
| Stage | Where the Money Sits | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Inward remittance | A BOI accredited depository bank, such as DBP, Landbank, Security Bank, or EastWest Bank. | The bank issues the certification of inward remittance the Board of Investments requires. |
| Probationary placement | A special account or time deposit held while the target investment is finalized. | The funds are visible and intact as proof of capability during evaluation. |
| Actual investment | Equity in a qualifying enterprise or listed shares, with proof of purchase. | This is the event that supports conversion to the Indefinite SIRV. |
| Ongoing holding | The same investment, kept above the minimum threshold. | Sustains the visa and the yearly SIRV identification card renewal. |
From Probationary SIRV to Indefinite SIRV
Most applicants enter through a probationary stage that gives them time to stay, conduct due diligence, and complete the investment. Once the capital is actually invested and proven, the visa converts to the indefinite form.
Probationary SIRV
The investor remits at least US$75,000.00 and parks it in a BOI accredited bank account. The Board of Investments endorses a probationary visa so the investor can remain in the country and finish the target transaction.
Designed to bridge the diligence and deployment window, commonly around six months.
Indefinite SIRV
After the funds are deployed into an eligible investment and the proof is submitted, the Board of Investments endorses the conversion. The Bureau of Immigration then formalizes the indefinite visa.
Investors who already placed qualified capital within the prior twelve months may be granted the Indefinite SIRV directly, subject to BOI approval.
Who Can Apply, and Who Can Come Along
The core test is capability and clean standing, not age or retirement. The applicant must be at least twenty one years old, hold a tourist visa with at least one month of validity, and be medically fit with no derogatory record.
Principal Applicant
- At least twenty one years old.
- Willing and able to invest at least US$75,000.00 in an eligible form.
- Holder of a Section 9(a) tourist visa with at least one month of validity.
- Clean police or NBI record and a certified medical clearance.
Dependents
- Legally married spouse.
- Unmarried children under twenty one years old.
- Dependents aged fourteen and above need their own personal history statement and clearances.
- A child who ages out must secure an independent visa.
Nationals subject to foreign policy or security restrictions may be ineligible or require special clearance. Confirm your specific nationality with the Board of Investments before remitting funds.
The BOI Application Set
Prepare the file in three sets, one original and two photocopies, as the Board of Investments checklist requires. Documents issued abroad should be translated and authenticated through the Philippine embassy or consulate.
Forms and Identity
- Application form for the principal applicant (F-IS-NFID-008).
- Application form for each dependent (F-IS-NFID-009).
- Signed and notarized Deed of Undertaking for the principal.
- Passport with updated stay in the Philippines.
Clearances and Health
- Personal History Statement for the principal and dependents aged fourteen and above.
- Police clearance from abroad, translated and authenticated, or an NBI clearance (valid six months).
- Medical certificate validated by the Bureau of Quarantine (valid six months).
Civil Registry
- Birth certificate, family registry, or household registry, authenticated.
- Marriage contract if applicable, authenticated.
Money and Investment
- Proof of inward remittance from a BOI accredited bank.
- Letter of intent and endorsement to the depository bank.
- Evidence of the eligible investment once the capital is deployed.
How the Application Moves Through BOI and the Bureau of Immigration
The Board of Investments evaluates the documents and endorses the applicant, and the Bureau of Immigration grants the visa. The published internal processing time is short, but document preparation and banking steps drive the real calendar.
What the Government Charges
Government fees are separate from the investment itself. Amounts below are the published statutory figures and are quoted with approximate conversions, because rates move with the live currency switcher.
The Bureau of Immigration visa and Alien Certificate of Registration fees are charged separately, as are bank charges, medical examinations, notarization, and document authentication. The Board of Investments publishes about four to six working days for evaluation and endorsement once a complete file is accepted. Fees and rules change, so confirm current amounts with the Board of Investments before filing.
SIRV Against the SRRV Retirement Visa
The two special resident visas serve different goals. The SIRV rewards capital placed into enterprises and listed shares, while the SRRV rewards a retirement time deposit.
| Feature | SIRV | SRRV |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Board of Investments (BOI) | Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) |
| Core basis | An investment in a qualified Philippine enterprise or listed shares | A time deposit, and in some categories a pension |
| Typical capital | At least US$75,000.00 | Varies by category, commonly US$10,000.00 to US$50,000.00 |
| Age | Twenty one and above, with no upper limit | Generally fifty and above |
| Work | May direct or manage the invested enterprise | Not a work visa by default |
| Annual reporting | Bureau of Immigration annual report, plus BOI confirmations | PRA membership fee, generally exempt from the immigration report |
| Stay | Indefinite while the investment is maintained | Indefinite while membership is in good standing |
Read the full Philippines SRRV retirement guide for the retirement route, and the Invest in the Philippines hub for the wider program landscape.
Compliance Duties After Approval
The visa is only as durable as the investment behind it. A few recurring duties keep the SIRV and its identification card in good standing.
Maintain and Report
- Keep the investment at or above the US$75,000.00 minimum at all times, in Philippine peso equivalent.
- File the Bureau of Immigration annual report, usually between January and February.
- Submit the SIRV annual report and update the Board of Investments on any change to the investment.
- Renew the SIRV ID card, which is valid for one year and renewable yearly.
Transfers and Cancellation Risk
- Stock certificates are annotated, and shares cannot be sold, transferred, or conveyed without prior BOI approval.
- If you divest, reinvest the proceeds in another eligible placement within the period BOI sets.
- Failure to maintain the minimum investment can block renewal and lead to cancellation.
- Fraudulent misrepresentation, or placement on an immigration watchlist or blacklist, are grounds for denial or cancellation.
Regional Corridors for Investor Capital
Investors weighing where to place capital look closely at logistics and industrial infrastructure. In the Davao Region, two gateways anchor the trade story.
Davao International Container Terminal
DICT in Panabo City is Mindanao's modern international container port, with deepwater draft, reefer capacity, and direct trade links that support export manufacturing and cold chain investment.
Hijo Special Economic Zone
HSEZ in Tagum City is a PEZA proclaimed food terminal hub, anchored by Hijo International Port with a thirteen meter draft and two berths, cold chain facilities, food processing, and a clean energy grid.
Ask the investor desk for a current briefing on HSEZ incentives and site options.
Workwear and Corporate Apparel for New Operations
Once a factory, hotel, or office is set up in the Philippines, the workforce needs a uniform program. Our Tagum City production line supplies the apparel side of a new operation.
Factory and Industrial
Durable workwear, high visibility pieces, and department color coding for manufacturing floors and warehouses.
Corporate and Executive
Embroidered polos, dress shirts, and branded outerwear for management teams and front of house staff.
Corporate Gifts
Bundled welcome kits and branded merchandise for investors, clients, and staff milestones.
SIRV Questions From Foreign Investors
Direct answers to the questions that come up before a decision to remit capital.
What is the SIRV in the Philippines?
The Special Investor's Resident Visa is a special resident visa for foreign nationals who invest at least US$75,000 in the Philippines. The Board of Investments administers the program and the Bureau of Immigration issues the visa, which grants indefinite stay and multiple entry while the investment is maintained.
How much must I invest for an SIRV?
The statutory minimum is US$75,000.00 (about ₱4,715,000.00 or €65,420.00 or £56,140.00). The capital must be inwardly remitted through the Philippine banking system to a BOI accredited depository bank and then placed in an eligible investment.
What investments qualify for the SIRV?
Qualifying placements include equity in a domestic enterprise engaged in BOI eligible or priority activities, whether newly formed or existing, shares of Philippine Stock Exchange listed corporations, and other instruments approved by the Board of Investments under Book V of Executive Order 226. Bonds, debentures, notes, and stock options do not qualify until converted into actual equity.
Is there an age requirement for the SIRV?
The applicant must be at least twenty one years old and must hold a tourist visa under Section 9(a) with at least one month of validity. There is no upper age limit because the visa is tied to an investment rather than retirement.
Can my spouse and children join me on an SIRV?
The spouse and unmarried children under twenty one may be included as dependents with the required documents and clearances. A child who reaches the age limit must secure an independent visa, such as a study visa, an employment visa, or a personal SIRV.
How long does the SIRV application take?
The Board of Investments publishes about four to six working days for evaluation and endorsement once the complete set of documents is accepted. The full timeline depends on document authentication, bank remittance, and Bureau of Immigration processing, so plan for several weeks in practice.
What happens if I sell my SIRV investment?
The investment must be maintained at or above the US$75,000 minimum at all times. If you divest, you must reinvest the proceeds in another eligible placement within the period the Board of Investments requires, otherwise the visa and the SIRV identification card may not be renewed.
Is the SIRV the same as the SRRV?
No. The Special Investor's Resident Visa is administered by the Board of Investments and is tied to a US$75,000 investment. The Special Resident Retiree Visa is administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority and is tied to a time deposit for applicants who are generally fifty years old and above.
Continue Your Philippine Investment Research
Speak With Our Philippine Investment Advisory Desk
Ask about the SIRV pathway, accredited banks, eligible placements, and the workwear program for a new Philippine operation.
Please note: this guide is general information for foreign investors, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Program rules, fees, and thresholds change. Confirm the current requirements with the Board of Investments, the Bureau of Immigration, and qualified Philippine counsel before remitting any funds or making any filing.