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Lawdog
  1/16/2020 22:56 EST

Just retired from the Air Force and looking to obtain a visa. I’ve read back in the day where retirees could get visas but I’m not in the know now. Is that still true today please advise thanks?

TheIslandGeneration
  1/17/2020 01:19 EST

By far the best way to go if your retired US military with a DD 214 certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. That's your golden ticket.

Although rarely advertised the Philippine retirement authority has a visa called SRRV EXPANDED COURTESY. In my opinion it's probably one of the best visa programs in the world for retirees.

SRRV EXPANDED COURTESY
For foreign nationals, 50 years old & above, who are retired Armed Force officers of foreign countries with existing military ties and/or agreement with the Philippine Government. A monthly pension of at least US$1,000.00 and an SRR Visa deposit of US$1,500.00 are required. The SRR Visa deposit includes the principal applicant and 2 dependents. The renewal is $10 typically paid in three year increments at $30.

It has a bunch of other bennies like their other visa programs from the Philippine retirement authority like custom duty-free importing of a think $7000 worth of items items, assistance getting work permits in a whole array of other things.

There are some interesting points to this such as officers of foreign countries. However as far as I can tell you're required to have the DD 214 so since that's only issued by the US. And even though it says officers when I checked directly with the PRA agent they said regardless of time served as long as you have the DD 214... used to be this was only available to those US military that actually served in the Philippines however they change that rule a while back ago,

because this visa is for ever as long as you pay the yearly fee and you can leave PH as many times as you want is by far the most flexible visa you can get . You have to think of the $1500 as a throw away. because you must maintain that balance as a deposit and you don't get paid interest on it the PRA gets that interest. if you for any reason decide to leave the Philippines permanently you can apply to receive your deposit back however this takes some time because they allow hospitals and other possible debtors to make claims against the deposit if you skip out .

link to PRA https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/

Mark
www.TheIslandgeneration.com

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Lawdog
  1/17/2020 04:15 EST

Thanks for the reply mark. So waiting until I’m 50 is the smartest best route which is 7 years from now which seem like a good plan not a bad buy in thank you.

TeeJay4103
  1/18/2020 22:09 EST

The SRRV Expanded Courtesy will require the documents required that have been issued in the U.S. to be Apostilled for acceptance by the PRA when applying for the SRRV.

1. DD214 Discharge papers
2. Proof of income
3. Police clearance (FBI clearance)

Obtaining these documents while still in the U.S. can save you a lot of aggravation.

Your $1500 dollar time deposit must be made via wire from a state side account.

If you use an authorized PRA rep to assist you, they will charge you NO extra fee. They are paid from your $1400 processing fee for your SRRV.
Authorized reps are also listed on their website.

I found them to be helpful while going through the process of acquiring my SRRV expanded courtesy visa.

darkfader24
  1/19/2020 14:56 EST

TeeJay - I thought that I had read that one needed to deposit $10,000 into an RP Bank Account in order to obtain an SRRV. Please advise - and thank you in advance.

mattinnorfolk
  1/19/2020 18:45 EST

I am 63 and I serve but I am not retired, do you have to be retired qualify for this visa? Thank you

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DavaoDelSur1
  1/19/2020 19:01 EST

LawDog, you don't need to wait 7 years until your 50. There are other ways to stay for years. Just cost some money.

Robertdav298
  1/19/2020 19:40 EST

LAWDOG.......7 years is a lomgtime and I would not take to much credance that the way things are now will be the same in 7 years.....the RP political system is very unstable and things could change in the wink of an eye.

That being said.....are you married to a filipino? If yes then you have other options, if no then why the RP?

Lawdog
  1/19/2020 20:15 EST

I like the RP as well as Thailand I own a condo in both places and would like to stay versus having to fly out within the allotted time. I’m single and will stay single no headaches my way haha

DavaoDelSur1
  1/19/2020 20:34 EST

Careful rawdog.

TheIslandGeneration
  1/19/2020 23:00 EST

LawDog

You didn't exactly say what your age was but I think seven years until your 50 ? But the Philippine retirement authority has multiple plans. I think the thinking behind the plans have everything to do with the retirees ability to have a steady income .

For instance there's a plan for someone over 35 but requires like $50,000 deposit . The deposit amount goes down with age going up. The main concern is that someone younger who doesn't have a "retirement" income would be a greater risk and therefore holding a larger deposit allows creditors to make claims against that deposit.

I believe you said to you on a condo in both Thailand and the Philippines. You might want to look at another plan they have which allows you to roll out your deposit into an investment typically this is a condo you that is approved by the Philippine retirement authority. This allows your deposit to become active and more under your control. Again the concept here is that you are anchoring yourself into the country with a vested interest.

It really depends on your liquid cash assets as to how you might make this work. Interestingly enough even though you buy the condo doesn't actually say anywhere that I can find that you have to live in the condo. So this means you could rent the condo unit out and still fulfill the obligation and get a visa for life. Of course the monthly amount due under these programs cost more per year. Just think about it as a dollar a day to stay in the country.

Mark

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TheIslandGeneration
  1/19/2020 23:07 EST

TeeJay4103

TJ since you've gone to the process of getting a
SRRV expanded courtesy visa I have a question.

In the latest version of the website for the Philippine retirement authority it mentions the words officers can apply.

However when I emailed them directly and got in a correspondence with one of the official Philippine retirement authority personnel they said that all was required was the DD214 and the length of time served or what rank they served was irrelevant. This could be a mistake of the people writing the website versus the official rules.

However I will say one thing many of these rules are somewhat fluent. Would be interesting to get that clarified

Mark

TheIslandGeneration
  1/19/2020 23:18 EST

mattinnorfolk

you need the DD214 to use this plan It's by far the lowest cost. You can get other plans with the visa but they will cost much more in deposit and yearly fee. The one with the DD 214 as an example is only $10 a year paid in three year increments. But all the other I believe are $364 a year to me is just a dollar a day is the best way to think about it.

The other visas are much higher deposits compared to the one with the DD214 which is 1500. They are essentially in increasing increments depending on somewhat the risk factors for the government.

Interestingly enough I believe the last numbers show that only 4% of the total Philippine retirement visas issued are Americans the majority are Chinese and South Koreans. Who obviously don't use the DD214 version

Mark

TheIslandGeneration
  1/19/2020 23:25 EST

LawDog

You own a condo in Thailand and one in the Philippines and single. !

You dog, you... Maybe that's where the name comes from. A girl in every port.

My first wife was Thai and my second wife Filipina... Gotta say though I'd fly back to Thailand just for the food.

Mark

bbazor
  1/20/2020 04:17 EST

You do not need to be retired to get the SRRV.

gelynch52ph
  1/20/2020 06:50 EST

The normal SRRV does require $10,000 deposit, but the one being talked about for ex military is different.

ACEPoolPlayer
  1/20/2020 09:33 EST

Mark,
Since you have a lot of experience with both, I am just curious what differences do you find between Thai women and Filipinas? Since you married them I'm not asking about bar girls but of women from the two different countries. Women from the bars have a tainted prospective.

TheIslandGeneration
  1/20/2020 15:57 EST

ACEPoolPlayer

An interesting question....

I was with my Thai wife for 10 years before getting a divorce. We met in Washington DC. After two children she got major bipolar depression.
But I noticed this in a number of the Thai women and also some of the guys (her brothers is an example). Her religion being Buddhist did change your overall thinking of life. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) or in Thai "Mai pen rai" which means a lot of things but is deeper more flippant version is " It’s okay… everything is okay" when of course it's not.

Sort of a lackadaisical take on life and problems. But on the other hand quite bold about some things like fighting with a sales clerk.... (I don't know this woman..I'm not with her)
On the other hand as my business grew and was making money greed became a major issue with her. I noticed a constant listening to other people's advice had no idea what was going on. She would never work out problems together.

When I put together all her friends and people I met.....all a bit selfish as a group I think.

Extremely stubborn. Even to the point when she wouldn't take medicine for high blood pressure.
When she passed away from a stoke her Thai "friends" showed up in droves claiming she owed them money. Even though there was no evidence of that..... Greed, in my opinion, tends to run deep in the Thai culture although typically quiet.

Filipina. 350 years in the convent and 50 years in Hollywood.... An interesting combination.

Although raised Catholic my 2nd wife wasn't that religious. She had an opportunity to work in Manila and then Singapore. But her past was the farm life she knew the difference and knew she didn't want to be a full-time farmer. But always felt humbled by her experience and hard work.

We met online for over a year communicated back and forth before she left Singapore for a vacation back home. Owning my own company, in the states, it was easy for me to take off a few weeks and meet her there.

That was 21 years ago and we have had a very good life. Working now to set up a retirement facility in the Philippines itself. I trust her completely we've been through thick and thin. Also looking at her Filipino friends. One of my friends liked my wife so much he was interested in a Filipina as a wife. Eventually, he found one online and when my wife was back in the Philippines had a chance to meet her. They have been married many years and although recently he got serious cancer and had to be hospitalized for six months. She was a side to side every day even giving up her managerial job she had built up here in the states. Her commitment goes beyond what any American girl whatever do.

I have met some greedy Filipinas but most have treated respectfully do not go that direction that I've seen.

But in dating a lot of it has to do with how many questions you ask. I asked my second wife a million questions some extremely personal but the point being is trying to understand every aspect. So for me, it's worked... So far (as my wife might add)

Mark

darkfader24
  1/21/2020 00:00 EST

Mark - That was a very interesting perspective from your personal experience. Thank you for sharing. I have heard about this "Thai" Greed thing over and over. Your's seems to be a somewhat common experience. And your "Filipina" experience also seems to be fairly common - although there are sometimes problems there too. I think that if one carefully develops a relationship with a Good Filipina - and doesn't rush things - and is thoughtful about "Vetting" the person - adding in true kindness and respect, they probably have a very good chance of finding a Gem.

TeeJay4103
  1/21/2020 07:02 EST

Mark,

When they say officers I believe it is simply their interpretation of the script from which they are reading.
In other words, RP English vs your English. Things get lost in translation.

To answer you question. No, you do not have to have been an officer, I was not An honorable discharge regardless of rank is what is needed when applying for the SRRV expanded courtesy visa. This visa requires only a $1500 dollar time deposit and a $1400 dollar fee payable to the cashier at the PRA office.

Others question the amount of the deposit. It varies according to age and income. The PRA website lays it out quite clearly, with only the SRRV expanded courtesy having a $1500 dollar time deposit and a yearly renewal fee of $10 dollars. This is payable 3 years in advance.

The PRA website also has a list of authorized PRA reps who will walk you through the process and answer your questions on a more personal level than simply calling the PRA or emailing their office.
These authorized reps DO NOT charge a fee and are paid from the PRA from the $1400 dollar one time fee.

If you talk with a rep who wants to charge you extra, walk away, they are scamming you.
One agency that claims to provide help for expats, wants 60k pesos for their service. They are NOT authorized reps.
The real deal will be able to answer your questions without delay, the cons will "have to get back to you".

Hope that helps.

TeeJay4103
  1/21/2020 07:10 EST

TheIslandGeneration

You do not have to have been an officer to apply for the SRRV expanded courtesy.
Your DD214 is all that is required and it show your length of service.

This version of the SRRV requires only a $1500 dollar time deposit and a yearly fee of $10 dollars.

The PRA website lays out the cost of other SRRV version and the requirements associated with each.
Age and income will determine the amount of the deposit required.

As another stated, you do not have to be retired to avail yourself of an SRRV visa. You only have to meet the requirements.

Regards

TeeJay4103
  1/21/2020 07:29 EST

darkfader24

For the SRRV expanded courtesy which is available to those with military service. A DD214 and a honorable discharge is required.
For this SRRV the time deposit is $1500 dollars with a one time fee of $1400 payable in cash to the cashier at the PRA office for processing. Yearly renewal fee for the SRRV is $10 dollars.

Other versions of the SRRV have varying deposits based on age and income.

The PRA website lays out the age and income requirements pretty clearly, with the exception of the verbiage relating to the expanding courtesy. The description is a little murky.

Regards

mootpoint20
  1/22/2020 13:40 EST

As an USAF vet, I would like to thank you for your service. As to details, you seem eager and enthusiastic, so simply ease up on the throttle. People both here and on blogs and others can help you. Write down all specific contingency questions, and alternatives. Commit when no alternatives, or time, is left. You will succeed.

Lawdog
  1/28/2020 08:17 EST

Thanks for all the help and answers I appreciate it. I’ll look into the visa route very shortly I still run my logistics company online so I’ll have income plus my retirement is great as well. Again thanks all your experiences is what I needed some sacarsm here and there but that’s to be expected by bloggers peace.

Lawdog
  1/28/2020 08:19 EST

Moot point I was simply asking about a visa is all nothing more nothing less. The ease of traveling in and out of a country is my speed!!

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