Moving to Philippines
6 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
Keep your job, work remotely Rules need confirming paused citizens only
Philippines digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa, Executive Order No. 86 (2025)
Remote workers with foreign income, once open. Reciprocity rules may exclude US, Canadian and UK citizens.
- What you need
- Proof of sufficient income earned outside the Philippines; amount left to implementing guidelines. Figures such as USD 24,000 a year come from agencies, not official text.
- Applicant must be a national of a country that offers digital nomad visas to Filipinos and has a Philippine Foreign Service Post (reciprocity). Proof of remote work using digital technology; no employment in the Philippines.
- At least 18. (18)
- Health insurance valid for the stay.
- Clean criminal record.
- Not for
- Working for Philippine employers or running a local business
- Where you apply
- Online. Expected through the DFA e-Visa system once guidelines are live.
- How long it takes
- Unknown.
- First permit
- Up to 1 year.
- Renewal
- EO 86 says holders may renew; renewal terms left to DFA guidelines.
- Family
- EO 86 does not mention family members.
- Your passport
- Reciprocity required: US, Canada and UK do not offer a digital nomad visa to Filipinos, so their citizens appear ineligible. Not confirmed.
Legal basis is official, but implementation status, income figure and eligible nationalities are unconfirmed. Reciprocity may exclude US, CA and UK.
Retire or live on savings
Philippines retirement visa (SRRV)
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), Philippine Retirement Authority: SRRV Classic
Retirees aged 50+ with a pension of USD 800 a month and a USD 15,000 deposit (USD 30,000 without a pension); people aged 40-49 can join with larger deposits.
- What you need
- Principal must be at least 40. (40)
- Visa deposit inwardly remitted to a PRA-accredited bank. Age 50+: USD 15,000 with pension, USD 30,000 without. Age 40-49: USD 25,000 with pension, USD 50,000 without. Covers up to 3 applicants; USD 15,000 more per extra dependant. (USD 15,000)
- Pensioner option: proof of pension of at least USD 800 a month (single) or USD 1,000 a month (family), apostilled. (USD 800 a month)
- Police clearance from country of origin or last residence, apostilled, for everyone 18+; plus Bureau of Immigration clearance and NBI clearance if in the Philippines 90+ days.
- PRA medical certificate (valid 6 months).
- Not for
- People under 40
- POGO / internet gaming workers (disqualified)
- Applicants who cannot be in the Philippines for the whole processing period
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Apply in person at the PRA in the Philippines after entering on a convertible tourist visa or visa-free entry. Applicants must stay in the country throughout processing.
- How long it takes
- 30-45 working days from complete documents (PRA).
- First permit
- Indefinite-stay residence visa with multiple entry, kept while the deposit is maintained and annual fees are paid (reported).
- Renewal
- No visa renewal; ID card renewed and PRA annual fee paid yearly.
- Family
- Spouse and unmarried children under 21 included; USD 300 processing fee each.
A job offer Rules need confirming
Philippines work visa
Pre-Arranged Employment Visa, Section 9(g), with Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
People with a job offer from a Philippine employer who can pass DOLE's labour-market and economic-needs tests.
- What you need
- Alien Employment Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), then a 9(g) visa from the Bureau of Immigration, both sponsored by the employer. DOLE Department Order 248 (2025) added an Economic Needs Test.
- Not for
- Remote work for foreign employers
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Employer files with DOLE and the Bureau of Immigration.
- How long it takes
- Reported 3-5 months in 2026.
- First permit
- Reported 1 year initially (AEP up to the contract term).
- Renewal
- Renewable while employed.
- Family
- Dependants can get 9(g) dependant visas (reported).
Secondary sources only.
Invest Rules need confirming
Philippines investor visa
Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV), Executive Order 226 and EO 63
Investors aged 21+ who put at least USD 75,000 into qualifying Philippine investments.
- What you need
- At least USD 75,000 remitted from abroad and invested in qualifying Philippine companies or instruments, endorsed by the Board of Investments (BOI). (USD 75,000)
- At least 21. (21)
- No conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude.
- Not for
- Passive savers who want a simple bank deposit route (consider SRRV)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. BOI endorsement, then visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
- How long it takes
- Reported 3-4 months.
- First permit
- Indefinite stay while the investment is maintained (reported).
- Renewal
- Annual report to the BOI proving the investment remains (reported).
- Family
- Spouse and unmarried children under 21.
Only secondary sources read; official DFA/BOI pages were blocked.
Treaties and special cases
13(a) spouse visa
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage, Section 13(a), Philippine Immigration Act
Foreign spouses of Filipino citizens from countries that give Filipinos reciprocal residence rights.
- What you need
- Valid marriage to a Filipino citizen (PSA marriage certificate; apostilled if married abroad), Filipino spouse's PSA birth certificate, joint letter to the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner.
- NBI clearance (if in the Philippines 6+ months) and Bureau of Immigration clearance certificate.
- Applicant's country must grant Filipinos reciprocal permanent residence rights.
- Not for
- Unmarried partners
- Nationals of countries without reciprocity
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. At the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines, or as an immigrant visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate (personal appearance of both spouses usually required).
- How long it takes
- Not verified.
- First permit
- 1-year probationary residence.
- Renewal
- After 1 year, apply to convert to permanent residence.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 1 years.
- Family
- Children may qualify under related immigrant categories.
- Your passport
- Reciprocity required. US citizens are widely reported eligible; UK and Canadian eligibility was not confirmed on an official list.
Treaties and special cases
Philippines long tourist stay
Visa-free entry (30 days) with tourist visa extensions at the Bureau of Immigration
People testing life in the Philippines: 30 days visa-free, extendable in steps to a reported maximum of 36 months.
- What you need
- Visa-free entry for 30 days, then paid extensions at Bureau of Immigration offices; total stay reported capped at 36 months for visa-exempt nationals. (36)
- Onward ticket at entry; an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) is needed to leave after 6+ months.
- Not for
- Working, including remote work for foreign employers (no work authorisation)
- A permanent solution: extensions are discretionary
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Extensions at any Bureau of Immigration office or online where available.
- How long it takes
- Same day to a few days per extension (reported).
- First permit
- 30 days.
- Renewal
- Extensions of 1-6 months each up to the reported 36-month cap.
- Family
- Each traveller in their own right.