SRRV online orientation (17th Jun)

TY manwonder, good info and will be there.

Cheers, Steve.

Thank you Manwonder,

This may be an interesting event, for more than one reason.

The promises that come with the SRRV have been massively broken for months and overseas SRRV holders have been discriminated against shockingly by denying them to return.

Somebody here wrote that an immigration lawyer had said the SRRV was considered to be a tourist type of visa, thus I hope that PRA will unequivocally clarify the real status of SRRV holders.

Further, while legitimate SRRV holders were barred from returning, PRA had the guts charging them up to USD 750 yearly fee plus up to USD 85 courier cost.

Please do ask questions during that meeting, so that we may find out what SRRV really stands for.

Yup it will indeed be interesting (they however did not mention there would be any fireworks display  ...but who knows)
Btw **anyone can join the zoom meeting including :
a)SRRV applicant
b)Representative
c)Marketer
d)**Others

It would make sense that the SRRV is a type of tourist visa, since the PRA is a branch of the Department of Tourism.

emvaningen wrote:

Thank you Manwonder,

This may be an interesting event, for more than one reason.

The promises that come with the SRRV have been massively broken for months and overseas SRRV holders have been discriminated against shockingly by denying them to return.

Somebody here wrote that an immigration lawyer had said the SRRV was considered to be a tourist type of visa, thus I hope that PRA will unequivocally clarify the real status of SRRV holders.

Further, while legitimate SRRV holders were barred from returning, PRA had the guts charging them up to USD 750 yearly fee plus up to USD 85 courier cost.

Please do ask questions during that meeting, so that we may find out what SRRV really stands for.

carlisom78 wrote:

It would make sense that the SRRV is a type of tourist visa, since the PRA is a branch of the Department of Tourism.

OMO but an SRRV is clearly not a tourist visa but a retirement visa that gains permanent residency under this banner with the PRA and administered by immi. It also offers many benefits not afforded to tourists.
I see and hear the pain of the many expats on this retirement visa that are unable to return to this country while their houses sit empty or are vandalised/robbed. I agree that this visa should give the right to return no different to a Filipino national or a 13a visa holder (or the few SIRV holders that grease a few palms and return) as stated in their coloured glossy retinue and my 8 years of reading and research? Has honestly been turned on its head and sincerely makes many scratch their noodles.
With what you stated you are correct that it appears that SRRV holders are only tourists. But I don't see tourist locking up 10, 20 or 50K US for the ha, supposed privilege of being considered living here on a bonafide retirement visa only to be treated like cattle. Don't worry I saw the same thing recently in Australia with Indian nationals holding not only permanent residency but many Indian nationals with dual residency not being allowed to return, simply it's border control and obviously there is a pecking order no matter the country.

Perhaps the recent abuse of this system by a certain country and the oversight of the PRA has not helped,,,,, It's not difficult to distinguish a US, Euro national or Aussie passport holder from the perpetrators.
A double edged sword hit the Philippines, C-19 and the abusers of a system genuinely set up for those that wish to retire.

Fingers crossed because it will eventually be the path I take once the rubbish is removed,,,,, and a few more people focus.

Again only my lowly thoughts and opinion.

Cheers, Steve.

To all those interested? It will/could be interesting to see if we get an email response/registration  from our contact with the PRA, perhaps they will be swamped and reschedule, time will tell.
I have not received a response from my contact but then again it is the weekend and I'm not holding my breath into the following week.

Cheer, Steve.

carlisom78 wrote:

It would make sense that the SRRV is a type of tourist visa, since the PRA is a branch of the Department of Tourism.

It would make more sence if it DIDNT belong to Department of tourism      
because SRRV arent tourits, they are living there. Well suppoused to before they got stoped from reentering just because they HAPPENED to be away from their HOMES in Phils,  when covid started.

carlisom78 wrote:

It would make sense that the SRRV is a type of tourist visa, since the PRA is a branch of the Department of Tourism.

It does not.

Previously, PRA was attached to the office of the president, then to DTI and now it is a stepchild of DOT.

The system was setup per executive order and gives visa holders infinite residency and administrative
privileges In addition to the possibility to work. Tourists are not allowed to work. The latter privilege could well be reason of concern at the senate because of suspicion of widespread abuse by a group of young foreigners.

Just received acknowledgement of registration with the PRA for their online orientation, I pray the link works.

Cheers, Steve.

Me too; 

It read :
Dear Participant:
Thank you for your interest in the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).
We are pleased to inform you that your request to attend the Virtual SRRV Orientation has been approved.
The orientation will be on the 17th of June 2021 at 1:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

Here **were a few reminders to observe during the online orientation:
1.      Make sure to use your REGISTERED NAME/COMPLETE NAME in joining the meeting. Kindly change the name of your device to your complete name for proper recognition.
2.     Please mute your microphone to avoid unnecessary noise.
5.     ***Do not share the link with anyone. ***Only those who registered early for this meeting are given priority.
6.     A survey form will be given at the end of the meeting. Make sure to fill out and submit the form for program documentation.

I'm registered...but still need to source for a proper/stable internet source/connection here.

Change the name of my device? My MacBook pro to what Ferrari? They already have the registered details, an excuse when not all can listen in? Honestly.

Well manwonder I hope you can log in and inform those of us unwilling to rename our device,,,,,, what a load of crock. I have for near 20 years had online seminars, conference calls and never once had to rename any of my laptops or desktops.

It, I am sure will all come out in the wash, welcome to the Philippines. Perhaps the survey will be given to those that wished to name their PC Ferrari.

Anyway OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

BTW, at least some of us have a fighting chance to hear the latest spiel.

Cheers, Steve.

The meeting was the usual one hour spiel with everything said available on the PRA site including the tourism videos, the typical internet drop outs and freezes.

While the spiel was ongoing there was a dialogue box for questions and they certainly rolled in, mostly lame but a few good ones. After the intro they started answering some of these questions for another hour. It was noticeable that the questions answered were the easy ones with the answers available on the PRA site. More notable was the fact that all these questions, the simple ones were answered by 3 or 4 different people (their known area?) instead of one knowledgable individual.

Meeting ended with a promise that all the asked questions will be answered and emailed to the participants,,,,,,,,, nothing almost 2 weeks on. All I have received was an email thanking the people there, 5 PRA attachments with one being a questionnaire which I answered bluntly......... Nada.

It's a shame because there were some very pertinent questions asked delving into the nitty gritty of this program, also the exclusion of SRRV holders being allowed to return to PH. as permanent residents. As said no answers, maybe the questions were too hard.

If they ever get back to the participants I'll follow up.

Cheers, Steve.

Hi was this in person or on internet.?

Come on. Read the OP's post. Read the dialogue.

Cheers, Steve.

manwonder wrote:

Me too; 

It read :
Dear Participant:
Thank you for your interest in the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).
We are pleased to inform you that your request to attend the Virtual SRRV Orientation has been approved.
The orientation will be on the 17th of June 2021 at 1:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

Here **were a few reminders to observe during the online orientation:
1.      Make sure to use your REGISTERED NAME/COMPLETE NAME in joining the meeting. Kindly change the name of your device to your complete name for proper recognition.
2.     Please mute your microphone to avoid unnecessary noise.
5.     ***Do not share the link with anyone. ***Only those who registered early for this meeting are given priority.
6.     A survey form will be given at the end of the meeting. Make sure to fill out and submit the form for program documentation.

I'm registered...but still need to source for a proper/stable internet source/connection here.

Manwonder. Did you get the chance to attend the online meeting and if so what were your thoughts.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl wrote:

The meeting was the usual one hour spiel with everything said available on the PRA site including the tourism videos, the typical internet drop outs and freezes.

While the spiel was ongoing there was a dialogue box for questions and they certainly rolled in, mostly lame but a few good ones. After the intro they started answering some of these questions for another hour. It was noticeable that the questions answered were the easy ones with the answers available on the PRA site. More notable was the fact that all these questions, the simple ones were answered by 3 or 4 different people (their known area?) instead of one knowledgable individual.

Meeting ended with a promise that all the asked questions will be answered and emailed to the participants,,,,,,,,, nothing almost 2 weeks on. All I have received was an email thanking the people there, 5 PRA attachments with one being a questionnaire which I answered bluntly......... Nada.

It's a shame because there were some very pertinent questions asked delving into the nitty gritty of this program, also the exclusion of SRRV holders being allowed to return to PH. as permanent residents. As said no answers, maybe the questions were too hard.

If they ever get back to the participants I'll follow up.

Cheers, Steve.

Totally agree Steve...they have always avoided answering difficult questions/emails not just this once.
As always their only interest is getting new members to part with their USD$
I think all that was missing this time was their *bs zumba dance.
What a waste of time/effort & am not going to bother answering their questionnaire.
I'll just have to renew my card for another year in Jan'2022 & maintain status quo...which I still feel has been worth the effort for me; as I was already stuck here in the Philippines prior the covid outbreak & enjoying my ffffrrreeeeddddoooommm.

manwonder wrote:

bigpearl wrote:

The meeting was the usual one hour spiel with everything said available on the PRA site including the tourism videos, the typical internet drop outs and freezes.

While the spiel was ongoing there was a dialogue box for questions and they certainly rolled in, mostly lame but a few good ones. After the intro they started answering some of these questions for another hour. It was noticeable that the questions answered were the easy ones with the answers available on the PRA site. More notable was the fact that all these questions, the simple ones were answered by 3 or 4 different people (their known area?) instead of one knowledgable individual.

Meeting ended with a promise that all the asked questions will be answered and emailed to the participants,,,,,,,,, nothing almost 2 weeks on. All I have received was an email thanking the people there, 5 PRA attachments with one being a questionnaire which I answered bluntly......... Nada.

It's a shame because there were some very pertinent questions asked delving into the nitty gritty of this program, also the exclusion of SRRV holders being allowed to return to PH. as permanent residents. As said no answers, maybe the questions were too hard.

If they ever get back to the participants I'll follow up.

Cheers, Steve.

Totally agree Steve...they have always avoided answering difficult questions/emails not just this once.
As always their only interest is getting new members to part with their USD$
I think all that was missing this time was their *bs zumba dance.
What a waste of time/effort & am not going to bother answering their questionnaire.
I'll just have to renew my card for another year in Jan'2022 & maintain status quo...which I still feel has been worth the effort for me; as I was already stuck here in the Philippines prior the covid outbreak & enjoying my ffffrrreeeeddddoooommm.

Only a suggestion manwonder but as a participant and sitting through the pain wouldn't it be prudent to give/voice your opinion on the meeting/somewhat shoddy marketing and the fact that pertinent questions have not been answered,,,, you know the squeakiest wheel etc.

They have to be accountable @ US 1400 bucks (PHP 70K) for an application with transparent answers and facts for potential participants and not duck shoving the reality of the whole program as seen recently with unanswered questions. Welcome to the hypermarket.
Like pulling hens teeth to find the real facts that in actuality should be open and transparent on the PRA site,,,,,,,,. A little like trying to find the correct/factual info on using your deposit for purchasing a condo or long term lease,,,,,,,, digging and digging turns out that the PRA must be noted as an encumbrance on the title/lease,,,,,,,,, more costs to get in and more dire costs/time to get out. I have posted on this fact some years ago.

Give em your 2 bobs worth mate. Yep I'm enjoying my retirement that is turning out to be a lot of freedom.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

Yes the one I'm on is the SRRV SMILE visa.
There was nothing to SMILE about even back in 2013 when I first applied. I was then only 48 yrs young, gainfully employed back home & was visiting the Philippines max 1month per year & more importantly much less irritatable than I am now.
That plan is not being offered anymore & the initial deep frozen USD 20k deposit still sits with the PRA's DBP account...hopefully getting some interest which they CLAIM they wiil provide.
When I went through the application process I did it all by myself...as firstly I never trusted no one here especially the lawyers/fixers/agents/neighbours & the like   I was not aware of any agent doing any stuff for free.
But recently I have heard of other expats whom have gone thru the srrv application process with a person called mariarose mariarose.baranda@gmail.com & I myself have been asking her a few other questions & she sincerely seems to be a breath of fresh air....very prompt to the point replies.
I'm not too sure if her services are free as some other expats have claimed that she gets paid directly by PRA so maybe you can try her especially now that things are even more complicated/irritating to say the least.
As far as me/PRA are concerned... just fuxxing take my USD $360/year card renewal fee (I wish it was USD10/year which some other lucky expats are getting) & they don't fuxxing disturb my uncensored
ffffrrreeeeddddoooommm!

You know what? I'm going to bleat a lot more. While an SRRV sounds like a dream, the way to go for many I have personally re evaluated this program.

I'm paying say PHP 20/25K a year on a tourist visa, sure I have to visit my local immi office every 2 months but I am normally the first one there at 8:30/9:00 am  (They open at 8:00 am and for the last 12 months have always been the first to sign in) so in and out in 5/10 minutes, first punter in, see one or two people after I rock in. Visa renewal = shopping, lunch, family etc. day out. Honestly it's the total opposite to Intramuros from years ago,,,,,,,,, hours inline.

Yes I have to leave the country every 3 years, big deal, in Oz we went on O/S holidays every year, sometimes twice a year. Travel and the costs involved are and always have been part of our budget but the problem now is C-19 hence looking yet again at the SRRV program and the ability to stay in country after another 20 months on a tourist visa. But.

I look at it this way now, finally: So, and now we will talk in Aussie dollars and Pesos. The SRRV application fee of 2K = the equivalent almost of 3 years tourist visa, the 500 buck annual renewal fee (PHP 18.5K) and anything else. Three quarters of an annual tourist visa. The AU27K locked up earning nothing in PH. can earn me a minimum of 7% = AU 1890 or PHP 66K in Oz annually. Now that's @ 7%. our ASX rose this financial year by 27%, not always, so average safe the 7%. Leaving our money invested in Australia more than pays for living here on a tourist visa. the difference is some PHP 40K  in our pocket and not blowing PHP 70K on an antiquated application fee and an ongoing annual fee of of 18.5K and we have unfettered access and control of our money.

Only an opinion but perhaps in the 80's this program offered unrivalled retirement opportunities but into 2021? After personal reviewing? If I/we have to leave the Philippines we will have a blast and hang the expense. The PRA need to reevaluate what they are trying to sell and bring it into 2021, perhaps some thinkers wouldn't go astray.

Ahh, wrong country.

OMO.

Cheer, Steve.

(omo) I would feel a little more comfortable/less irritated which alone to me has a price tag...With the knowledge that I need NOT visit the local immigration ever again & especially that this is the Philippines that does stuff without the full understanding of the consequences. Just like not letting in SRRV holders which has since been rectified.
There is talk that the Immigration is bleeding as they have lost more than 40% their revenue in visa collection fees, who knows what they will do...raise those fees/fines? (I think a handfull of other countries have already started hiking prices) & then there are the airlines that are bleeding too, do they also start raising prices too?
I'm quite happy as I am with no need to go/rush anywhere or get irritated ever again with any new immigration ruling /airline price hike or being unable to visit/reside as I please in the land that provides me my fffffrrreeeeddddoooommm

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129004

Steve you are overlooking the free PRA newsletter and discounts to there selected merchants lmao. In US dollars to peso if you invested that 20k in the market and earn an average 7percent it will almost double to 40k in 10years. 20k off profit 2 k per year. One million pesos in 10 years 100k per year. The benefits from tourists visa vs srrv doesn't come close to tying up your money in the philippines. It's a no brainers 4 me until they can offer me enough benefits to compensate my potential earnings of keeping my money. I will have to pass on getting the srrv visa.

rodneypg3 wrote:

Steve you are overlooking the free PRA newsletter and discounts to there selected merchants lmao. In US dollars to peso if you invested that 20k in the market and earn an average 7percent it will almost double to 40k in 10years. 20k off profit 2 k per year. One million pesos in 10 years 100k per year. The benefits from tourists visa vs srrv doesn't come close to tying up your money in the philippines. It's a no brainers 4 me until they can offer me enough benefits to compensate my potential earnings of keeping my money. I will have to pass on getting the srrv visa.

& the free zumba dance performances.

Yes irritating indeed

Btw i did some further research...If you were to read the original invitation that we received they did include the below note right at the bottom corner.

"Topic: SRRV Online Orientation
Time: Jun 17, 2021 12:45 PM Beijing, Shanghai"

So there was also a special Beijing ONLY zoom meeting @ 1245hrs (Beijing Time)
**Guess what they still have the previlage of applying for the SRRV visa for applicants >35yrs old but that would require them put a much larger USD $75,000 initial min 6mth deposit.
Guess there must be a huge demand from the many well heeled Chinese.
So that in itself would mean a "win" for me.  https://beijingpe.dfa.gov.ph/87-visa-le … -visa-srrv

Absolutely agree with you 100%. I've been here 10  years on  a Tourist Visa.....yes, sometimes it takes a while getting extensions at the Bi...but most of the time, its about 1 hour total.....then free to do shopping, and anything else before going back home.
I also calculated and compared US dollars and Ph Pesos.......SRRV benefits/costs with Visa extensions. It makes NO SENSE to waste so much money just for a little convenience....and to "lock up" money.
And every 3 years, get to take a vacation to another country.....I went to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand.............maybe go to your place, Aussie country next time.

Gregorio2020 wrote:

.SRRV benefits/costs with Visa extensions. It makes NO SENSE to waste so much money just for a little convenience....and to "lock up" money..

At least money in some of SRRV types are alowed to invest e g in condo so dont need to be locked.

Very true coach53 but have you looked into what's involved time and money wise and the fact that the PRA hold an encumbrance on the property/lease?
I did years ago and you have to jump through the hoops again if you want to get out or sell the property/lease.

https://pra.gov.ph/assets/citizen-chart … stment.pdf

Cheers, Steve.

I am not happy with PRA.
I spent hours emailing backwards and forwards regarding SRRV. Just be aware that, even if you are a rich foreigner, They will not accept pesos only US$.
Apparently they want you to pay the fees using an overseas bank account, which I do not have. They wanted their bank account to show that foreigners were making investments.
They suggested I should ask my family in the UK to  pay in US$, but I would not involve them in this matter.

All my money is with BPI and sadly I could not pay the expensive fees. 500000 deposit, 87,000 processing fee, Etc.

rglynn47 wrote:

I am not happy with PRA.
I spent hours emailing backwards and forwards regarding SRRV. Just be aware that, even if you are a rich foreigner, They will not accept pesos only US$.
Apparently they want you to pay the fees using an overseas bank account, which I do not have. They wanted their bank account to show that foreigners were making investments.
They suggested I should ask my family in the UK to  pay in US$, but I would not involve them in this matter.

All my money is with BPI and sadly I could not pay the expensive fees. 500000 deposit, 87,000 processing fee, Etc.

Welcome to the forum rglynn. I'm sure all hear your pain, I certainly do.
While I was considering/looking at this type of visa for years came to the realisation recently that it wasn't worth going there, for some yes, me no.

We went through a few figures in earlier posts and honestly? It makes no sense to tie up even US 10K (PHP480K) let alone all the rubbish to accomplish @ US 1.4K (PHP 67K) and the ongoing annual fees? US 360 or some PHP 17K, sure as an SRRV holder you can save a whopping PHP 2K on your Philhealth annual bill....... big deal.
For many the winner is not reporting to immi every 2 months or 6 months twice at a couple of offices in every three year period, never having to leave the country and yes a few other perks grossly outweighed by the costs.
Some, even myself have looked at the case of becoming infirm in later years,,,,,,, your better half can be your agent/rep at immi. Leaving the country every 3 years at that level becomes an issue,,,,, not thought too much about that yet, maybe in 10 or 15 years we will have to think about that.

As for paying in US dollars? Why can't you simply use an international broker, talk to your bank manager, advise what you are doing, pay the pesos to the broker that converts it to US dollars and pays those funds into the PRA accredited account? Just watch the fees and exchange rates,,,,,, shop it around.

Good luck and as always OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

Don't forget about the All Powerful IRS.............the total of all investments and accounts cannot exceed $10,000, unless you are prepared to file numerous and tedious other forms. If an American, anywhere in the world, fails to file appropriate and mandatory forms......ALL your accounts, banks, investments, retirement, can be FROZEN......until you satisfy the IRS.

Gregorio2020 wrote:

Don't forget about the All Powerful IRS.............the total of all investments and accounts cannot exceed $10,000, unless you are prepared to file numerous and tedious other forms. If an American, anywhere in the world, fails to file appropriate and mandatory forms......ALL your accounts, banks, investments, retirement, can be FROZEN......until you satisfy the IRS.

Agree, birth, death, taxes and having a great time between. Amongst all that comes responsibilities and follow the rules we do,,,,, well most. About to embark on my ATO (like your IRS) obligations so they don't audit me. Play the game and they generally leave you alone.

Sorry for off topic.

Cheers, Steve.