SRRV Expanded Courtesy and Tourist Visa questions

1. All you need is your DD214 for the Expanded Courtesy SRRV visa, your rank or duty stations aren't important. You will need to deposit $1,500 in a SRRV account and the cost to apply is $1,400. In order to set up the bank account for the PRA (Philippine Retirement Authority) deposit you will need a letter from the PRA agent who will walk you through all the procedures and there is no charge for their assistance. A lot of folks here use Mary Rose and that is who I used also for my Expanded Courtesy SRRV visa. It would help to have your DD214 and proof of income apostilled while in the states. You can have everything notarized at the US Embassy in Manila and maybe Cebu. I had my DD214 and SS benefit letter notarized in Manila and it was accepted. You will also need a police clearance I believe. I was exempt from the US police clearance because I was 70 and had been in the Philippines over 6 months so I only needed the NBI clearance. You will need proof of income of at least $1,000 per month. Contact a PRA agent and they will answer everything for you and give you the best advice because things often change.
2. You can extend up to 3 years. I arrived with the balikbayan privilege which gave me a year and then did three 6 month extensions before my SRRV was approved. You should be able to have your SRRV by that time. At some point you may have to start doing 2 month extensions but I was able to do all 3 of my extensions for 6 months at a time. After 3 years you will have to exit for a short time then come back and start all over again for another 3 years.

@Moon Dog

Nice!  Thank you very much for the prompt reply.  Not sure where I got the 16 months from, but 3 years should be more than enough time.  Still contemplating my path forward, but I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit to the Philippines.  The people I interacted with were friendly, the food was really good (thought I'd have an issue there), and I couldn't have asked for better weather.  I realize one 10-day visit isn't much exposure, but it was wonderful.  About the only thing I think I'll have to get used to is the traffic, but I don't expect to drive very much (I hope).

Hi Mati,

Moon Dog gave great info, I just want to add a couple details for clarity.  The 6 month extension he mentioned went away in January so now you have to do 2 month extensions at about P3000 every couple of months.  Do the extension at least 2 weeks before it expires and you don't get charged expedited fee.

After your first extension you apply for a ACR card.  You need this card  and your passport for all future renewals.  You can extend online... maybe.  Some people have no problem with this, others such as myself are always rejected online and told I must go to a BI office to complete the extension application.  I have chatted with many who have this issue?  Not sure why.

When you leave the country to reset the 3 year clock running again, you can leave and return in the same day I am told, however to be safe, make a vacation and visit a neighboring country for a few days. 

The Philippines is a very welcoming country.  There can be a lot of bureaucracy at times but respect it is their country and they get to create the rules.  We are guests and thank you very much Philippines for accepting us as long term guests.

Enjoy!

Donald

If you are going to merry your gf, you can apply for the 13a (marriage visa). This would allow you to work here and you have to renew it after 1 year initially and then every 5 years for 50 USD.

As a non-citizen you are not allowed to buy any land here in the Philippines. However, you can buy a condo if this is your dream. Of course you can found a company and the company buys the land for you or you give the money to your gf and she buys the land. In case the relation ends, the money is gone.

all the best

Andy

I have often wondered about this being ex military. My question is does the $1000 monthly pension have to be solely a military pension or can the $1000 be a combination of military, state, private and work place pensions?

I served in the UK Royal Air Force for 10 and a half years, I am 62 so do not get the state pension until I am 67, also have a small frozen private pension and a work place pension. The small military pension already kicked in from age 60 and at the moment pays around $400 dollars per month. I think a combination of all pensions would be sufficient but am not completely sure.

Cherry, go ask the PRA with all your ducks in a row.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@Moon DogNice! Thank you very much for the prompt reply. Not sure where I got the 16 months from, but 3 years should be more than enough time. Still contemplating my path forward, but I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit to the Philippines. The people I interacted with were friendly, the food was really good (thought I'd have an issue there), and I couldn't have asked for better weather. I realize one 10-day visit isn't much exposure, but it was wonderful. About the only thing I think I'll have to get used to is the traffic, but I don't expect to drive very much (I hope). -@mati_steve

I felt the same way on my visits to the Philippines beginning in 2006. We bought property in 2009 and began building in 2020 and in 2021 we sold everything and moved to the new 2 story house in the Philippines. It is a beautiful property with pool and the whole 9 yards. After 2 1/2 years our plans changed. My wife is adopting our nephew and would like him to grow up in the US. My wife was never in favor of moving to the Philippines permanently, she loves the US. I left the Philippines 10 months ago and bought a house in West Virginia. When the adoption is complete my wife and the little guy will join me here. I grew tired of the Philippines and I'm much happier on a mountain in West (by God) Virginia. Almost Heaven as the song goes.

I had no problem driving in the provinces and even in Tacloban city. I don't think I would try it in the larger cities. We had a Fortuner, Wigo, multicab, tricycle, a couple motorcycles and an electric bike. We're keeping the Wigo and multicab for when we visit. You do have to be careful, Filipinos don't have proper driver's education and they are all tailgaters. They will pass you on the left when you're turning left. I haven't been tailgated once in my 10 months of living in WV. Good luck

@AlbertaDonuts

Thank you for that valuable information, Donald.  Yea, one thing I need to get used to here (besides the traffic) is the change of pace.  My Filipina keeps telling me to just be patient and not to get in a rush.  At this point in my life, 'm more than happy to do so. 

@Andy_1963

Cool - thanks!  I am a bit hesitant on getting married - at least anytime soon, but will definitely keep that in mind.

@mati_steveI felt the same way on my visits to the Philippines beginning in 2006. We bought property in 2009 and began building in 2020 and in 2021 we sold everything and moved to the new 2 story house in the Philippines. It is a beautiful property with pool and the whole 9 yards. After 2 1/2 years our plans changed. My wife is adopting our nephew and would like him to grow up in the US. My wife was never in favor of moving to the Philippines permanently, she loves the US. I left the Philippines 10 months ago and bought a house in West Virginia. When the adoption is complete my wife and the little guy will join me here. I grew tired of the Philippines and I'm much happier on a mountain in West (by God) Virginia. Almost Heaven as the song goes.I had no problem driving in the provinces and even in Tacloban city. I don't think I would try it in the larger cities. We had a Fortuner, Wigo, multicab, tricycle, a couple motorcycles and an electric bike. We're keeping the Wigo and multicab for when we visit. You do have to be careful, Filipinos don't have proper driver's education and they are all tailgaters. They will pass you on the left when you're turning left. I haven't been tailgated once in my 10 months of living in WV. Good luck -@Moon Dog

Talk about a small world.  I grew up in West Virginia (north-central, Clarksburg/Fairmont area), so I can definitely relate.  Hard to beat the scenery in the fall there, but the winters can be a brutal every few years.  I'm glad you two have settled down there and best of luck to ya'll as well.

I'm excited to see what the Philippines has to offer.  My Filipina already has a home and a small AirBnB business, so I won't have to worry about finding a home (unless she kicks me out later).  Neither of us are itching to get married right now - just see where our relationship goes.  Her best friend lives in Austin, TX, so we'll likely come back to visit here in the future, although, she is not wanting to move to the USA permanently.

@mati_steve

Winters can be tough but spring, summer and fall is very nice down here in south WV.

I could be happy in the Philippines if we had chosen the property more wisely. When we bought it we were virtually the only house on the road. Now it is very crowded and noisy. If the property was more secluded I would be happy there. I would love a scenic mountain location.

Here is a video of my last walk around the property I put so much work into.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87dbHFoNJ0

@Moon Dog

Whenever I read these detailed descriptions of what it takes to get SRRV. (we used Maria/Mary Rose as well), I always know I will find something that didn't click with our own experience. For notary at the embassy, they would never notarize directly but make us add a statement that watered down the notary stamp but PRA accepted that as it was the best we could do. Also, you seem to agree that a USA police report is not needed if 1) Applicant is over 70 and 2) has been in Phils for 6 months. Anybody im the US reading this who is over 70 had best contact their marketer prior to moving here WITHOUT an apostiles police report, just to be safe. That looks like one of the unwritten policies that might go away the moment the director discovers it being used, for example.

Hello do you have contact details for Marie Rose ?

Hello do you have contact details for Marie Rose ? - @markya68

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@danfinn

Do you have contact details for Marie Rose please ?

Hi Marky and welcome to the forum.

Dan did post contact details but the moderators removed it. I would suggest you contact the PRA directly and ask for this lady to service your needs.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.