Hi Paul, I was one of your first 100 subscribers. I'm glad to see your channel growing so quickly. Great video, but you missed a couple of points unless I missed it. First, if you are a veteran of the military in MOST of the friendly countries, the SRRV required bank deposit is only $1500USD. That is a HUGE deal. Another advantage is, with approximately $400 in visa cost per year on the tourist visa, AND the requirement to leave the country every three years, you will actually make up for the SRRV application fee in just over 3 years. After that, I think the only expense is an annual SRRV recert that costs approximately $15, AND you never have to leave the country if you don't want to. And one other advantage is that you CAN legally work in the Philippines if you want to. You aren't really allowed to on a tourist visa.
Yes yes. Thanks so much for pointing that out. I didn’t realize I said 10k instead of 1.5k it is a big deal and very different. Thanks for that. I will try to correct in the next video. Great on the early support. 👍👍👍
I just looked at the PH web site and it says "retired Armed Force officers", I thought I read before that being a veteran was enough. But now it looks like maybe you have to had retired as an officer. Not sure what the actual requirement is.
@@MrWaterbugdesign You must have served honorably in a foreign military that the Philippines recognizes as friendly. You don't have to be retired. I am a SRRV holder.
You are correct Sir- $1500 Deposit and $1000 a month Pension/SSN income I believe after getting Your Military SRRV Courtesy visa it only costs like $10 a year (I believe $30 every 3 Years) And You can legally work in the P.I. also like You said....I'll have mine shortly
30 days on arrival, then 29 day extension so 59 days. SRRV courtesy for ex military is $1500 deposit and then $1400 processing fee, and proof of $1000 monthly pension and $360 annually. The SRRV is more expensive up front, but it saves hassle and if you can afford it then it might be worth it.
Hi James thanks for the information I am retiring at the end of July and I am going to the Philippines August 1-30 I am a Vet also so on day 30 I need to do a 29 day extension and Pay $1500 deposit and $1400 processing fee and proof of $1000 in retirement pension to get the process going if I want to stay there for good.
@user-um4wv1hn4p there are more steps than that . Make sure you have your dd-214 and proof of pension from the United States with you . There are clearances you need such as police clearance from your home country, medical clearance that is only 6 months old. NBI clearance from Philippines less than one year old. You can wait for medical till your in Philippines much cheaper here . I received my srrv Oct 2022 .
Awesome information. I’ve met a Filipina and just spent 3 weeks there and getting married in December and hoping to get a SRRV asap. Thanks for information.
Your first renewal is 2030 pesos if you don’t do the express lane so you can save 1000 pesos if you don’t need it urgently. Your 3-4 month extension is 6600 non-express with ACR card fee.
Good video. I would get military veterans srrv if I like it there. Planning on trip sometime this next year on tourist visa to scout retirement place. I plan to see Thailand too
I have begun to unsubscribe from most of the vloggers. However, your blogs are very informative and contain the type of information I need here. Thank you. In terms of timeframe, the SRRV can be done in about three months if you are organized. I have recently done the process. One obstacle I encountered was the criminal clearance. JRC Consultants helped me through the process and did a fabulous job. They recommended I do it through Interpol since I was already here. They also had one of their consultants take me for the photos, medical checkup and NBI for fingerprinting. This was completed in less than three hours the same afternoon.
Thank you for another informative video. I love that the Philippines does extras for seniors, most western countries discard elderly people. I saw that in canada the government suggested assisting a senior with medically ending herself rather than help pay for a medical device for her home! But that's to be expected from a klaus schwab/wef stooge like trudeau.
This was a good rehash for me but a few points were misspoken. It is better to have an agency work with you for your SRRV as their fee should come from your application fee. If you start the process with the PRA then you cannot use an agency. Point two the Military SRRV is for any country that assisted in the liberation of the Philippines from the Japaneses in WWII and are eligible. One does not have to be retired military but must have an honorable discharge and some sort of monthly pension over 1K. The amounts are 1400 for the Visa and 1600 for the bank escrow. There is also a 10 dollar fee annually for renewal. The ACR card has many benefits to include getting a driver’s license and opening a bank account. Yes many open a bank account at the whim of the bank but the law says ACR required. Good job sir. Regards Erik
Paul, Thank you for the information. I was just reading the Philippine Consulate's website today regarding visa requirements. I didn't know that 9A tourist visas are issued upon arrival. I was under the impression that I was facing another time consuming process of securing requisite documents. Daniel
Thanks so much for the info. I’ve been looking for a less expensive alternative to the Thailand elite visa. I visited the Philippines before but your information has been extremely helpful with my plan of bopping between the Philipines and Thailand for a couple of months on tourist visas. Thank you so much.
Second post here however the best, researched medical insurance appears to be Pacific Cross. Retired military have their own through Tri-Care Overseas Program. Regards, Erik
Congratulations on your success. Great topic on the visas. Which led me to, if I may give a suggestion. I have two buddies (one in PHL) and one thinking of moving to PHL (USA). I asked them both how it is going and they said they are checking out vlogs but most speak to living in Phl on $1,000 or "living cheap" in Phl. They are both retired military and have a very good military retirement pension and VA disability compensation ($8-$10K a month). Wondering if you would consider some topics/vlogs for that demographic. Condo tours, local restos and attractions, buying and registerrong a car vs motorbike - just topics that maybe someone that is a little more financially liquid may have access to or have options that would be available to them that maybe are not being covered in other vlogs.
Looking forward to your health Insurance discussion. I am a Type 2 diabetic and a Right Below Knee Amputee with diabetic complications to my eyes. Mostly concerned about doctors or hospitals in the Angeles City Area that would be a good choice for my medical needs if needed. Mostly during a vacation or extended stay since we own a house in Angeles City already.
Are you in a wheelchair? Otherwise I don’t see any problems with diabetes or eye issue. Mobility in the Philippines is always an issue. Bad sidewalks and ramps or entry to stores. Doctors will be no problem. The remnants of US military presence in the area remains. That includes medical. Plus, diabetes in Philippines is an epidemic
@World Zoom No use a prosthetic, and I know they have people that can build or repair my prosthetic. Mostly worried about getting the injections in my eyes. Which used to be every 4 weeks, but is now at about 12 weeks or more. So a 2 or 3 month trip would be possible right now. But if I stay longer, I would need the injection for my eyes. And yes I have been there, so I know that access is poor at best on the streets and sidewalks.
Hi Paul, thank you for the info, but if I’m not mistaken, according to an attorney from the Philippines, you can have a retirement visa if you’re 50 with $10k and $800/month pension/social security OR $20k (not $20k and $800/month).
Thank you for this information. I will say I was surprised to hear about the need for a substantial deposit for an SRRV. I was not aware of this. This is a major item and logically should be included in your calculations for retirement affordability. I do have a pre-existing condition. What healthcare penalties will I incur (in general)? This is another major budget factor to consider.
@@PaulWorldZoom Thank you for the reply. I was just caught off guard by the SRRV deposit amounts. I wasn't aware the Philippines required that. The pre-existing condition is simply med-managed heart disease (Afib).
I believe you said the SRRV courtesy required a 10000 USD deposit. It requires a 1500 USD deposit and a 1400 USD application fee. All the PRA Visas require an application fee. Annually they require you to get a new SRRV card which cost me about 450 pesos. Some of the other SRRV visas pay a much larger renewal fee for the SRRV card annually. When I was there in September 2022 I talked with a SRRV member who paid around 500 USD because he has the non veteran SSRV. . If you have an SRRV you no longer need an ACR card. I have had my SRRV for over a year. My SRRV says it is good for an indefinite time. The SRRV is also a great ID Card in the Philippines.
@@PaulWorldZoom The SRRV can be a difficult visa to determine what is correct. An item for your next video on SRRV should include that there are people that help you with the SSRV and get paid by the PRA. I did tip mine when I got my SRRV. I was in the US during COVID19 and she was very helpful. I was one of those that had the privilege of getting a special 9A visa so I could come to the Philippines before it opened to finish my SRRV. I appreciate your videos as it aids those who are thinking about moving here. I live in the province about 130 km's southeast of Manila. It is awesome. 2 miles to the beach.
$1,500 if you are ex military, $10,000 if not, one thing to remember you can't live permanently in the Philippines on a tourist visa, I had this explained to me by an immigration officer, I am now married to a filipina so I am applying for the 13A permanent residency visa.
@@malcolmhenaughan6786 That is all true. The one caveat for the 13A is your wife can cancel your visa whenever she wants to. The filipina actually is the one applying for the 13A visa for you.
@@Sarge57 Yes you are correct about the filipina being the one to apply, although I don't think many people are aware of it, including the filipina..lol, can't see why they would want to cancel it when they are getting someone to look after them but, I know that if you separate and the BI get to know, then they can cancel your visa.. Best to keep the asawa happy..😄
Maybe of interest to you. Went to get my extension for my 13A Spousal Visa (Post 1 year) and found out that the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), now has problems with previous online marriages. Mine was accepted by the Local Civil Registry Office and the Proof of Marriage was released, but the BOI still may not grant my permanent status. I will need to remarry in the Philippines (vows only) with video evidence, present the video, and my 13A visa process will begin again. We will see how this transpires. One other thing which I did not know and will now pay a penalty for, is that a foreigner must register with immigration every year? My visa service never informed me of this as well as many other issues. Beware fellow expats, nobody will hold your hand here. Watch your visa expiration dates closely.
Hi David, I have a Philippine driving license with a tourist Visa. I brought my ARC from Immigration, my address, and passport. No more questions. I got it a couple weeks later. I don’t know if that is unusual ?? Thanks
@@PaulWorldZoom lucky you.i live in San Jose anteque and they told me I can't have driver licence with tourist visa...been fighting about it for 4 years..
Robert, What is done with the $10,000 deposit? What if you do not have $10,000 or $20,000 deposit? I have social security of $2,100.00. Can you explain the deposit please? I plan on going to the Philippines next year around September.
Not an expert, but from what I've read, it's a deposit into a Philippines bank. I've read the Phil's immigration website for kicks, and it's pretty long, but pretty sure that's what I saw.
Coming from US I was told I need a round trip ticket. If I'm planning on staying for a year how do I get around the requirement to have a flight back to the US. Especially since airlines only put out schedules for one year. I'm looking to Travel into the Philippines mid April, 2024, but not leave until May, 2025 at the earliest. I can't buy a ticket returning to the US this for in advance.
Paul, I heard you talk about if you have a pension of $1,500 you can get a retirement visa. I have a pension but it's less than that, but I also have SSDI. Together it adds up over $1,500, is that good enough to meet that requirement?
That's a huge subject for sure. Gio in the Philippines just did a good video the other day on banking and he's been there for years. As far as "American" bank's, mostly International banks might have a couple of branches in and around Manila. Chase, Charles Schwab, HSBC, but it seems that not to many do. That's been my biggest question/concern, access to money from back home.
When you said "deposit" do you mean you gotta have $10,000 or $20,000 in your Philippine Bank or you pay that to the Philippine government and you cant get that money back.
If your coming to the Philippines you HAVe to have a “throw away” onward ticket. Like Manila -Singapore or Manila- Saigon to show immigration. It is cheap. Then just pitch it
Will give you a case with a higher difficulty. Married to Filipina for 30 years ( she was born there arrived on Filipino passport in Canada ) met in Canada, married in Canada she has Canadian citizenship currently. So far she refuses to go back and retire in the Philippines. What visa do can I get? Tricky question as she may stay for a few months in the Philippines, but not permanently.
Former Filipinas are eligible for all the SRRV without retaining Philippines citizenship. At least that is what I read. Of course, her Canadian citizenship would allow the same Tourist visa as other Canadian citizens regardless of ethnicity. Thanks Sir
I am still deciding on a country to retire to (been on a PH tourist visa past yr} but now out of country Question: the first 30 days is free then fees after that, is there a time frame that you need to be out of the country before you can come back and use the first 30 days free again
my ex is fujian chinese i met her after she divorced her chinese husband who brought her to usa in fremont california by san jose. anyhow me and her went to universal studios and in the city the night before we lost $7,000 of my cash in larry flints casino we were lucky enough to see larry flint in his suppposedly 24k gold wheel chair 🪑 with jis big body guard pushing him around. we then the next day went to universal studios which was costly with hotel and eating out 2 days and nights $2500 more so 3 days was basically $10,000 but to be honest ive had tons of “ spending adventures “ in my lfe it would take to long to list the 1000 things just sharing 1 for fun
Paul I have a question. If I come there on a tourist visa how do I work my plane ticket, are they not going to want to sell me a return ticket. I do not plane on coming back to my home country.
If there is a way to make something more complicate that in needs to be... then you can trust Filipinos will find that way ! 🤔 It is like cutting one's hair... and trying to cut it again in four separate pieces ... Why is the Philippines not so cheap to live ? Because of the cost of inefficiencies !