The Special Investor Resident Visa (SIRV) allows the holder to stay in the Philippines indefinitely, with numerous entrance privileges, as long as his investments remain in the country. The SIRV is given by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) once the Board of Investments has approved it.
According to Book V of the Omnibus Investments Code, the SIRV program requires investors to deposit at least US$75,000 into the Philippines and invest subject capital in favorable economic activities (Executive Order No. 226, as amended). Any accredited depository bank in the Philippines, such as the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and/or the Development Bank of the Philippines, can accept the applicant’s investments (DBP).
Any foreign national over the age of twenty-one (21) years old who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply for a SIRV: (1) he has not been convicted of a crime involving moral injustice; (2) he is not infected with any dangerous or contagious disease; (3) he has not been institutionalized for any mental disorder or disability; and (4) he is willing and able to invest at least US$75,000 The applicant’s dependents, who can include his or her spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21, may accompany him.
Only investments/shares of stock in existing, new, or proposed firms shall be allowed/accepted as eligible forms of investment for the purpose of obtaining a SIRV:
Required Documents
- Fill out the application form and have it notarized, along with recent ID photos.
- Personal History Statement Form (PHSF) from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) has been completed (including dependents over 14 years old)
- Certification of no criminal culpability by the INTERPOL Division of the National Bureau of Investigation; or Police Clearance from the applicant’s nation or place of residency, competent to furnish information regarding the applicant’s criminal record, officially certified by the Philippine Embassy (NBI)
- A medical certificate from any government hospital or health facility in the applicant’s home country, or from any registered and accredited hospital or health facility, stating that the applicant is physically fit. For individuals whose applications are filed at the Board of Investments, the Medical Certificate should be confirmed by the Bureau of Quarantine prior to filing the SIRV application.
- The amount inwardly remitted by the applicant and its conversion to pesos must be certified by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
- Authenticated by the Philippine consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country or the applicant’s embassy in the Philippines on the applicant’s birth certificate, family registry, or household registry. Original birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office if the dependent kid was born in the Philippines.
- Marriage contract authenticated by the Philippine consulate/embassy in the applicant’s home country, if relevant, or the applicant’s embassy in the Philippines, if applicable.
