Philippines SIRV

Summary

The Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) is the Philippines' investor residency program. In exchange for a minimum $75,000 investment in a Philippine corporation — in one of the sectors on the government's Investment Priorities Plan — you get indefinite residency with multiple entry privileges for as long as the investment stays in place.

The SIRV is administered by the Board of Investments (BOI), the Philippine investment-promotion agency, with visa issuance handled by the Bureau of Immigration. The threshold is notably lower than most investor visas in the region, and the visa covers the principal plus spouse and unmarried children under 21. Unlike the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) retirement program, the SIRV is specifically for people funding a real business — passive deposits and personal real estate don't count.

Eligibility

You qualify for the SIRV when all of the following are true:

• You are at least 21 years old.
• You invest at least $75,000 in a qualifying Philippine corporation (new or existing).
• The investment goes into a sector on the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) — manufacturing, tourism infrastructure, agribusiness, renewable energy, export-oriented services, and similar priority areas. Retail, sari-sari stores, and personal consumption ventures don't qualify.
• You have no conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude.
• You are not afflicted with a dangerous or contagious disease.
• You have not been institutionalized for a mental disorder.
• You can prove the source of funds and remit them inward through a Philippine bank.

What counts as a qualifying investment

• Shares in an existing Philippine corporation engaged in a preferred activity.
• Capital contribution to a new Philippine corporation that will operate in a preferred activity.
• Subscription to newly-issued shares in a publicly-listed company engaged in preferred activities (specific listings, not just any stock).

The corporation must actually operate in a preferred sector — parking money in a shell company doesn't qualify. The BOI reviews the investment structure before endorsing the SIRV to the Bureau of Immigration.

The probationary and indefinite phases

• You first receive a Probationary SIRV valid for 6 months, during which you must complete the $75,000 inward remittance and invest in the qualifying corporation.
• Once the BOI confirms the investment is in place (within 180 days of probationary visa issuance), you're converted to the Indefinite SIRV — valid for as long as you maintain the investment.
• If you withdraw the investment or the corporation ceases qualifying activity, the visa can be cancelled.

Family inclusion

• Your spouse and your unmarried children under 21 can join on dependent SIRVs.
• Dependents don't get automatic work rights — a dependent who wants to work needs a separate 9(g) visa with AEP.

Dual citizenship and the path to naturalization

The SIRV is a residency visa. It doesn't directly grant Philippine citizenship. Time on the SIRV counts toward the 10-year residency requirement under Commonwealth Act 473 naturalization, but ordinary naturalization is a judicial process and is not a typical exit for investor-visa holders. Filipino-Americans with any natural-born Filipino heritage should look at RA 9225 first — it's vastly faster and preserves dual status.

Land ownership caveat

Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. SIRV holders can own condominium units (subject to the 40% foreign-ownership cap per building) and take long-term leases on land (typically 25+25 years). The investment anchor has to be in a corporation, not in personal real estate.

Duration, Renewal, and Long-Term Path

• Duration: Indefinite residence while the qualifying investment is maintained.
• Renewal: Status depends on keeping the approved investment in place.

What This Route Allows

This route can allow you to live in the Philippines through the qualifying investment, business, or self-employment basis described above. The proof package should be concrete before filing: accepted investment or business activity, lawful source-of-funds records, corporate, property, or bank documents where relevant, background checks, and the government forms for this pathway.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a guaranteed approval just because money is available. Investment routes usually require due diligence, source-of-funds proof, and careful review of the exact investment rules.

Next Steps

1. Scope the target investment. Work with a Philippine corporate lawyer or consulting firm to identify a corporation in a preferred activity. The IPP list is updated periodically — confirm the current year's version.
2. Structure the funding. The $75,000 must be remitted inward from abroad through a Philippine bank, with documentation of source of funds. Plan the wire and KYC in advance.
3. File for the Probationary SIRV. The application goes to the Board of Investments (with supporting documents filed through the Philippine consulate if you're applying from the U.S.).
4. Complete the investment within 180 days. Subscribe to the shares or make the capital contribution in the qualifying corporation. BOI requires documentary evidence.
5. Convert to the Indefinite SIRV. Once BOI confirms the investment, the Bureau of Immigration issues the Indefinite SIRV and ACR I-Card, the Philippines' foreign-resident identity card.
6. Maintain the investment. Keep the capital deployed in qualifying activity; the visa runs indefinitely as long as the investment does.

Sources

• Board of Investments — SIRV Program — endorsing agency and IPP list.
• Bureau of Immigration — Special Investor's Resident Visa — visa issuance.
• BOI SIRV FAQ — official program Q&A.
• Department of Foreign Affairs — Consular Visa Services — filing routes from the U.S.