SRRV and residency requirement.

Dias, be careful with the Aust Gov if you are a resident (SRRV) in the Philippines.


The Aust Gov may consider you a non resident of Australia for taxation purposes and slug the taxation rate for a non resident on the income you make from Australia.  Or you may have to pay tax to the Philippines government.  There is a double taxation agreement.

I also know that once you are not a resident of Australia some work cover insurance does not apply.  Then you have medicare considerations and health insurance, etc etc.

Complicated it is, but for most it needs to be looked into.

Dias, why would you bother getting a retirement visa before you retire? Before you move there supposedly permanently?
Firstly it will cost you US 50K plus establishment fees of about 1.7 to 1.8k as you are under 50 and have no pension to offset this amount, nearly AU 70K do you want to have that sitting in a foreign bank earning nothing? What's the rush?
Spend your annual leave in the Philippines on a 30 day free visa or you can extend to 59 days when you arrive for about 70 bucks.

As to your question of not being in PH full time? No problem, you can come and go as you please as they have your US 50k.

There is no double tax as Australia has a tax treaty with PH, you only pay once in either country.

Could I suggest a little more research on this topic both on google and within this forum.

BTW, welcome to this forum.

Cheers, Steve.

Thanks for the responses guys,

I apologise for wasting your time, but I clearly didn't open my eyes, and somehow missed the option for over 50 without a pension option.

My concern was about not meeting the pension requirements at age 55, even though I would have plenty of savings. Obviously this isn't an issue after all.

Just a general reply here....

The SRRV has a special option that allows US Military with a DD214 and Honorable discharge to obtain this visa much lower than all of the others.  The same form is used (PRA-CR-FORM-0004) but the requirements differ.  This is called "SRRV Expanded Courtesy for retired personnel for 50 years old and above." 

The vet does not have to be retired or a twenty year+ vet and can be disabled.  Total cost is $1500 USD deposit + $1400 USD application fee, + $30 USD additional to allow for bank charges.  There will be a $10 USD/year reporting fee payable up to three years in advance.  There will never be a need to visit any immigration office after this. 

The break-even point will be reached in about 6.5 years vs. a tourist visa cost (excluding visa run costs every 3 years).  There is no need to be married nor to get married and even if married, it does not involve the spouse like the 13A visa.  This SRRV may not be for all but it works great for me since I own a van and wish to drive legally with a Phil license.

Thanks Calif,

That's some great information. Unfortunately for me I am (About to re-enlist for another 5) Ex-Australian Military, so it won't be an option for me.

Hopefully it will help others at some point though.

Calif-Native wrote:

Just a general reply here....

The SRRV has a special option that allows US Military with a DD214 and Honorable discharge to obtain this visa much lower than all of the others.  The same form is used (PRA-CR-FORM-0004) but the requirements differ.  This is called "SRRV Expanded Courtesy for retired personnel for 50 years old and above." 

The vet does not have to be retired or a twenty year+ vet and can be disabled.  Total cost is $1500 USD deposit + $1400 USD application fee, + $30 USD additional to allow for bank charges.  There will be a $10 USD/year reporting
fee payable up to three years in advance.  There will never be a need to visit any immigration office after this. 

The break-even point will be reached in about 6.5 years vs. a tourist visa cost (excluding visa run costs every 3 years).  There is no need to be married nor to get married and even if married, it does not involve the spouse like the 13A visa.  This SRRV may not be for all but it works great for me since I own a van and wish to drive legally with a Phil license.

Calif Native,

I was told by PRA the only way I could qualify for expanded courtesy was if I was actually receiving a U.S. Military pension.  I inquired to the fact that I have retired with an honorable discharge from the military, but could not draw my pension until I was 60 do to retiring from the National Guard.   

Thanks

@ grumpyguy,

There has been some confusion on the actual requirements for the "Expanded Special  Courtesy SRRV visa" vs. all the other visas offered at PRA.  I will just tell you what I did in the past two+ weeks and what I reconfirmed this past Monday at PRA. 

What I did:
1. Presented NBI clearance from Manila only (since I have been in the PI 5+ years) & a Brgy letter stating my 5+ years of residency in this Brgy.
2. Presented Proof of pension, minimum of $1,500 per month (used my VA disability award letter). [this received the Red Ribbon treatment from DFA after a sworn notarized statement was executed at the US embassy]
3. Presented Medical Clearance (obtained from a local hospital in 2 hours for about P650).
4. My DD214 showing my honorable discharge. [this received the Red Ribbon treatment from DFA after a sworn notarized statement was executed at the US embassy]
5. Presented my passport showing my age as Over 50 years old.
6. Deposited in participating Philippine bank: $1,500.00 (wired from my BofA account in CA)
7. Presented 12 2x2 recent pictures.
8. I paid Application fee $1,420.00 cash ($1400 application + $10/year for the 2nd & 3rd year).

What I confirmed:

1.  All of the above is 100% legal and accepted by PRA without any US Military retirement status.  I am not retired from the US military but receive VA benefits based on my service connected disabilities (I'm still not 100% service connected yet and have two NODS in the works, another novel, another day).
2.  PRA does not want to talk about this program on the phone or via their website when most of the clients I observed in the 5 times I have been there are popping out $50K each.  Therefore, Do not expect any telcons to be detailed or filled with accurate details.
3.  Do not ask many questions just follow their guidelines and you should be fine. 
4.  There is no need to feel you need sit and review your DD214 with anyone at PRA.  Either it is good and blessed by the RED Ribbon process or it is not good (if it is not honorable).
5.  When you go in person, they will give you the printed guidelines for this "Expanded Special  Courtesy SRRV visa", if you request it.
6. Do not be shocked if they speak about the $$ details of your visa in a lowered voice when expats from China and or S. Korea are being processed in the same room (the typical $50K contributors).


Best wishes....

Calif-Native,

Thanks for your reply.  I just got confirmation from PRA via an email that what you told me was 100% correct and that my pension can be from any source as long as I'm 50 and have honorable discharge.

On another note what part of California are you you from North or So. Cal?

I'm pleased to hear you have confirmed positive info regarding PRA.  I am from Southern CAL (Laguna Niguel).

I am a little bit annoyed about this military service being restricted to US servicemen. I am an Australian Returned from active service in Vietnam to. We all did our bit to fight communism

Munchie wrote:

I am a little bit annoyed about this military service being restricted to US servicemen. I am an Australian Returned from active service in Vietnam to. We all did our bit to fight communism

Dias Windu appears to be from Australia. Perhaps others can chime in here, seems to me that military service is recognised no matter the country as long as all the criteria are met and not necessarily a U.S. citizen.

Cheers, Steve.

It is possible the PRA accepts other non US service members.  They are very firm in requesting DD214 and that defaults to a US service discharge form.  Please be aware that PRA statistics as published late 2018 are as follows:

"The PRA reports that they have issued 27,000 SRRVs so far to citizens of 107 countries. Of those new residents, 38% were Chinese, 27% were Koreans, 10% were Japanese, and 6.5% were North Americans." All other countries were below 6.5%.

With the above issued stats, there may be very little incentive to offer more discounts to other expats considering about $50K/person at normal rates. 

Special History and why the PRA does this - The following is my opinion only and is not meant to disregard/disrespect any vet from any country.

It is possible that the history during WW2 and  since 1947 where "THE ORIGINAL BASES AGREEMENT" granted the United States "the right to retain the use" of 16 bases in the Philippines is why there is this PRA policy (when no other country wanted to be bothered or invest in the PI since 1947).  Additionally, the WWII Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Fund is the only one of its kind (again, when no other country wanted to be bothered or assist the vets of the Philippines).

Again, please note I mentioned countries and not individual vets from a given country.   Best to all!

I am paraphrasing here,  but the PRA SRRV website says retired Armed Forces Officers of countries who have Military ties or agreements with the Philippines.

Assuming that when they say Officer they also include ORs, then Australia is currently engaged in OP AUGURY, a training agreement with the Philippines. I would imagine that would make ex Aussie service pers eligible, however have not chased it up. I was not aware of this when I made my last post.

I have not looked into the requirements for proving pension status on a specific US form as mentioned by a previous poster

US pension status requires making a sworn statement that your U.S. documents are valid/true via the embassy in Manila and taking those document to DFA (near MOA) and getting a "Red Ribbon" ( a method of saying the Philippine Government accepts the foreign document) and submitting that to PRA.  This includes such documents like your VA award letter and or your SSA award letter.

Im attending a seminar in dumaguete on Saturday 30th March hosted by PRA. Bethal Hotel 9am if anyone else is interested. I will post my findings.

I attended this meeting and was told the SRRV courtesy visa is offered only to US Military. They advised me to send in my Australian Army credentials for evaluation. It could be possible to make it available to me. I did so 14 days ago to the Cebu branch office and to date, did not receive an acknowledgement

Munchie,

Sorry to hear it may not work for you. I also found it interesting that PRA told me I must present my DD214 and have it translated to English if it was in another language... LOL... A US Military discharge document requiring translation into English? 

I am clueless if this can work but, considering your service in VN as one of the US partners/ allies, have you considered the following:

Since the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) clearly served in South Vietnam, does your service record (already in English) reflect this?  By the time I served in 1969. it is my understanding that there were three-battalion sized Australian task forces based at Nui Dat and operated mostly in Phuoc Tuy Province.  Is it possible you were there/involved in those operations?

Source:  https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/event/vietnam

Since your country's war memorial website documents the VN participation as:

"Australian support for South Vietnam in the early 1960s was in keeping with the policies of other nations, particularly the United States, to stem the spread of communism in Europe and Asia. In 1961 and 1962 Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of the government in South Vietnam, repeatedly requested security assistance from the US and its allies."

...can a link or connection to your service be made? Perhaps so since you also severed in VN.

For some that may not understand the close and often "embedded" relationship with the US Military, the above article goes on to state:

"A third RAAF squadron (of Canberra jet bombers) was also committed in 1967, and destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) joined US patrols off the North Vietnamese coast. The RAN also contributed a clearance diving team and a helicopter detachment that operated with the US Army from October 1967."

Try to be careful with this topic at PRA as it has some long and tense history with the Philippines being compared to Australian participation in VN.  There was a very "testy" response given by US Sen. Fulbright, back at that time, on this topic which read in part:

"Senator Fulbright exploded after hearing additional testimony in the same vein. ‘This seems to be the ultimate in corruption for us to make deals like this in pursuit of an illusionary policy all designed to prove to the world that we have great support in Vietnam, which we do not…and no one except the Australians and New Zealanders pays for its own troops.’ "

Source:  https://www.historynet.com/the-philippi … am-war.htm

Imagine if the above approach works you will get an SRRV and enable your fellow VN era Australian vets to get the SRRV also.  Nonetheless, I hope you prevail with your SRRV application despite the history on this topic.  Good Luck

PS...   Do include that your country was one of the founding members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), 1954.

Interesting to note:  "September of 1954, the United States, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan formed the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO."

Calif-Native wrote:

@ grumpyguy,

There has been some confusion on the actual requirements for the "Expanded Special  Courtesy SRRV visa" vs. all the other visas offered at PRA.  I will just tell you what I did in the past two+ weeks and what I reconfirmed this past Monday at PRA. 

What I did:
1. Presented NBI clearance from Manila only (since I have been in the PI 5+ years) & a Brgy letter stating my 5+ years of residency in this Brgy.
2. Presented Proof of pension, minimum of $1,500 per month (used my VA disability award letter). [this received the Red Ribbon treatment from DFA after a sworn notarized statement was executed at the US embassy]
3. Presented Medical Clearance (obtained from a local hospital in 2 hours for about P650).
4. My DD214 showing my honorable discharge. [this received the Red Ribbon treatment from DFA after a sworn notarized statement was executed at the US embassy]
5. Presented my passport showing my age as Over 50 years old.
6. Deposited in participating Philippine bank: $1,500.00 (wired from my BofA account in CA)
7. Presented 12 2x2 recent pictures.
8. I paid Application fee $1,420.00 cash ($1400 application + $10/year for the 2nd & 3rd year).

What I confirmed:

1.  All of the above is 100% legal and accepted by PRA without any US Military retirement status.  I am not retired from the US military but receive VA benefits based on my service connected disabilities (I'm still not 100% service connected yet and have two NODS in the works, another novel, another day).
2.  PRA does not want to talk about this program on the phone or via their website when most of the clients I observed in the 5 times I have been there are popping out $50K each.  Therefore, Do not expect any telcons to be detailed or filled with accurate details.
3.  Do not ask many questions just follow their guidelines and you should be fine. 
4.  There is no need to feel you need sit and review your DD214 with anyone at PRA.  Either it is good and blessed by the RED Ribbon process or it is not good (if it is not honorable).
5.  When you go in person, they will give you the printed guidelines for this "Expanded Special  Courtesy SRRV visa", if you request it.
6. Do not be shocked if they speak about the $$ details of your visa in a lowered voice when expats from China and or S. Korea are being processed in the same room (the typical $50K contributors).


Best wishes....

Spot on.  My process is identical

Courtesy visa for vets applies only to US Vets..he is Australian. I am Australian with service in Vietnam. I asked for special consideration, PRA Cebu City didn't even answer my email. even though i attended their presentation in Dumaguete, and was told to present my papers for review.

Munchie wrote:

Courtesy visa for vets applies only to US Vets..he is Australian. I am Australian with service in Vietnam. I asked for special consideration, PRA Cebu City didn't even answer my email. even though i attended their presentation in Dumaguete, and was told to present my papers for review.

Munchie,

I passed your question onto my PRA authorized rep and this is her reply with regard to vets from countries other than the U.S. qualifying for the SRRV expanded courtesy with the $1500 U.S.  time deposit.  She was asked why vets from other countries do not qualify.

Her response:

"Hi,

It is not true. I have enrolled I think 3 Australian military people. One is living now in Bacolod.
Australian and British can apply. The British I always have to get approval from PRA but Australian is100% qualify.

Regards,
Mary Rose"

PM me for her contact information if you would like to talk with her.

Munchie wrote:

Courtesy visa for vets applies only to US Vets..he is Australian. I am Australian with service in Vietnam. I asked for special consideration, PRA Cebu City didn't even answer my email. even though i attended their presentation in Dumaguete, and was told to present my papers for review.

Munchie, you may want to re-try applying for the Military Courtesy SRRV visa, PRA changed their website and removed the specific requirement for a DD214.  It is now generic so you may need to contact the PRA and ask for the specific requirements for Australian Vets.

Hobbit112 wrote:

Munchie wrote:

Courtesy visa for vets applies only to US Vets..he is Australian. I am Australian with service in Vietnam. I asked for special consideration, PRA Cebu City didn't even answer my email. even though i attended their presentation in Dumaguete, and was told to present my papers for review.

Munchie, you may want to re-try applying for the Military Courtesy SRRV visa, PRA changed their website and removed the specific requirement for a DD214.  It is now generic so you may need to contact the PRA and ask for the specific requirements for Australian Vets.

Thanks for that mate..I went to a seminar in Dumaguete in about April. The PRA rep was Elma Cobeta. from Cebu office. She reckon I could probably get it and told me to email my records to her. I did so and later followed up  with another email, but she has never responded.

I've done a few numbers, $1500 bank $1500 enrollment fee and another $500 running around chasing things, Thats around 172,000 pesos. I can buy tourist visa and I cards for 12 years with that money. That puts me at 84 years old...(at today's rates) The three year departures don't bother me, I like to make a trip sometimes...so I don't reckon I'll bother with...but it's still on the table...

Munchie wrote:

Hobbit112 wrote:

Munchie wrote:

Courtesy visa for vets applies only to US Vets..he is Australian. I am Australian with service in Vietnam. I asked for special consideration, PRA Cebu City didn't even answer my email. even though i attended their presentation in Dumaguete, and was told to present my papers for review.

Munchie, you may want to re-try applying for the Military Courtesy SRRV visa, PRA changed their website and removed the specific requirement for a DD214.  It is now generic so you may need to contact the PRA and ask for the specific requirements for Australian Vets.

Thanks for that mate..I went to a seminar in Dumaguete in about April. The PRA rep was Elma Cobeta. from Cebu office. She reckon I could probably get it and told me to email my records to her. I did so and later followed up  with another email, but she has never responded.

I've done a few numbers, $1500 bank $1500 enrollment fee and another $500 running around chasing things, Thats around 172,000 pesos. I can buy tourist visa and I cards for 12 years with that money. That puts me at 84 years old...(at today's rates) The three year departures don't bother me, I like to make a trip sometimes...so I don't reckon I'll bother with...but it's still on the table...

That's an interesting observation Munchie and very valid, something I have weighed up myself over the years. I myself not being a vet have the 10 or 20 K option with the SRRV depending on if I draw a pension from my superannuation to meet the 10K scenario. While I like the benefits that go with that visa I was being lazy. After renewing my visa time and again in Manila many moons ago I got sick of the waiting in line and go to this window, now go upstairs and wait at that window, go downstairs to this window as I'm sure others have been through. A trip to Intromuros from San Lazero, immi and home would be 3 and a half to 5 hours and was something I never relished.
Hence looking at the SRRV option, even the SRIV. Now after moving to our house in Bacnotan and dealing with immi in San Fernando City? An hour or so round trip, 15 minutes in immi and done, the only problem is they cannot do the 6 month visa so every 59 days,,,,,,,, hey I will be retired so plenty of time so makes the choice even easier and as you suggest Munchie the dollars are better in my bank/investments where the returns are better.
Good post Mate.

Cheers, Steve.

Hey boss, can you send me some more information about this type of SRRV program please. I've been in the Philippines for 4 years May 25 2021, married for 2 years February 22,2021. Honorably Discharged Veteran DD214, and I'm disabled 64 senior citizen. Are there any programs that can assist me in the filling out the documents? And do you know if PRA will work with me on the bank account amount? Send to my email address @ makeajoyfulnoisemmm@gmail.com,  thanks buddy I appreciate your support 🙏

Jazz14mg wrote:

Hey boss, can you send me some more information about this type of SRRV program please. I've been in the Philippines for 4 years May 25 2021, married for 2 years February 22,2021. Honorably Discharged Veteran DD214, and I'm disabled 64 senior citizen. Are there any programs that can assist me in the filling out the documents? And do you know if PRA will work with me on the bank account amount? Send to my email address @ makeajoyfulnoisemmm@gmail.com,  thanks buddy I appreciate your support 🙏

The SRRV visa has many options depending on age and income.  Mine is the SRRV expanded courtesy. 
In my case it was available using my honorable discharge from the U.S. military.  The deposit required was $1500 .  The one time fee for processing and payment to your accredited PRA representative (should you choose to have one), was $1400.   The medical exam is now about $14 U.S.  and other associated fees for an NBI clearance, etc., including 3 trips to Makati added about $200 to the overall costs which included transportation.

The documents needed to apply for the SRRV such as your (U.S.) DD214 military discharge papers,  proof of income,  Social Security retirement income, other pension or other source of income, a police or FBI background clearance. 
These documents need to be apostilled through the state or federal secretary of states office depending on whether they are federal or state level documents.
There are services that obtain the documents with the apostille stamp for you, though a friend recently paid about $1200 to have it done for him. 
Apostille stamps are just a confirmation that your document is valid and issued by the agency shown on the document. 

The SRRV is permanent, allows you to work, allows you to come and go from the Philippines as you please, does not require any interaction with the Bureau of Immigration and in my case the yearly fee is $10, payable 3 years in advance.  Other versions have a considerably higher yearly fee.
It does not require you to be married to a Filipina and your deposit is refundable should you decide to cancel the SRRV. 


Link to the PRA website:
https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/#options

The 13a permanent resident visa is available to those married to a Philippine citizen.  The visa is permanent (for the duration of the marriage) and requires only an annual report to the local BI satellite office. 
The 13a can be applied for in your home country (if your married to a Filipina with Philippine citizenship), before going to the Philippines and will be issued as a permanent visa without probationary status.
If you apply for the 13a in the Philippines, your first year will be probationary. Before the years end you will then re-apply for the visa and if approved, you will then be given permanent resident status.
The ACR-I card comes as part of the 13a package and is good for 5 years, at which time it must be renewed.
The overall costs are less than the SRRV  and require only the annual report and the once every 5 year ACR-I card renewal.

The choice is yours to make.

Blessed morning to you...so I hate to be a bother but 13a you said is cheaper but can I get the privileges to go in and out of the Philippines without the hassle of going through the normal public lines? I'm not able to stand in line for long or short period of time due to my disability. I don't mind paying for someone who can professionally accomplish this legally without having any back lashes for not filling out the documents correctly. I'm closer to Cebu than Makati in case you can share information with me brother...thanks 😊, GBY!

Jazz14mg wrote:

Blessed morning to you...so I hate to be a bother but 13a you said is cheaper but can I get the privileges to go in and out of the Philippines without the hassle of going through the normal public lines? I'm not able to stand in line for long or short period of time due to my disability. I don't mind paying for someone who can professionally accomplish this legally without having any back lashes for not filling out the documents correctly. I'm closer to Cebu than Makati in case you can share information with me brother...thanks 😊, GBY!

I'm in northern Luzon but here there are services that will process everything for you (for a fee of course)

Are you close to Cavite? I'm going to try and visit my nephew and possibly we can do brunch and guide me with this nightmare of unnecessary stress and get it done the right way the first time. Anyway, do you know approximately how much it costs for this service?

Jazz14mg wrote:

Are you close to Cavite? I'm going to try and visit my nephew and possibly we can do brunch and guide me with this nightmare of unnecessary stress and get it done the right way the first time. Anyway, do you know approximately how much it costs for this service?

sorry i do not know how much the service costs as where i live the immigration office is almost never crowed and the officers are very friendly so i did it all myself...cost me a little over 11000 pesos...I'm about 150 miles north of Cavite in the province of La Union

My nephew wants to take me to San Fernando La Union area where he grew up and said that I would be safer living around other expats. Maybe by then we can meet up and get all this crazy stuff done ✔ send me your cellphone number so I can call you when I'm in San Fernando La Union Maybe sometime in April or May...thanks for your friendship ❤

Jazz14mg wrote:

My nephew wants to take me to San Fernando La Union area where he grew up and said that I would be safer living around other expats. Maybe by then we can meet up and get all this crazy stuff done ✔ send me your cellphone number so I can call you when I'm in San Fernando La Union Maybe sometime in April or May...thanks for your friendship ❤

Not sure if they allow me to send you my number but i can try...my name's Lee Zimmermann and you can probably look me up on FB...***

Zeke1 wrote:

Not sure if they allow me to send you my number but i can try4

I believe forum want to avoid such published in the forum, but ok through personal messages the forum has too.

Jazz14mg wrote:

I'm not able to stand in line for long or short period of time due to my disability. !

I don't know if it's available now because of covid, but earlier it was possible to be transported by wheelchair by the airport person at the airport e g to get to flight connection.   (I don't know any details, just remember a foreigner told he had got such. I suppouse he had asked for it in advance.)