Permanent Residency In The Philippines

[Oorinara]

Fed up with Thai visa/registration regulations?

Consider the Philippines' permanent resident program called as

Special Resident Retirement Visa (SRRV), should you like.

http://www.pra.gov.ph/

Conditions (among otheres):

(1) Aged over 35 years old.

(2) USD Time Deposit of 20k for 50yrs old & up, and 50k for 35-49yrs.

- good for applicant, spouse and 2 children aged below 21.

- convertible into investments such as condo after 30 days.

Benefits (among others):

(1) Lifetime visa, outright.

- No need to renew (but need to renew ID card every 1 or 3 yrs).

- No need to have entry/reentry permits.

- No need to report your place of living (unless one change it).

(2) Can work.

- With Alien Employment Permit, easy to obtain.

(3) No need to live in.

- One can choose to live in or outside Phils.

- Renewal of ID card can be processed thru bank transfer and post mail.

Advantage of Phils. against LOS (IMO, of course):

(1) English speaking, mostly everywhere

- Formerly US colony. Still very good proficiency in English.

- Laws, regulations, documents, etc. are all in English.

(2) Acceptability/adaptability to foreigners.

- Less sensitivity to nationality. Many Filipino, of course riches,

have dual citizenship (US, HK, etc.).

- In Thailand, Farang is Farang forever.

Same Same with Thailand (IMO):

(1) Warm climate, year round.

(2) Hospitality.

(3) Vibrant nightlife (second to LOS in Southeast Asia).

(4) Living cost (depending on life style).

Disadvantage of Phils. against LOS (IMO, again):

(1) Less organized and governed. Hence(?), less safety.

(2) Lesser quality of medical services.

- Rich Filipino go abroad for medical operations.

(3) Fatty, sweet and oily foods.

- Which is why I plan to retire in LOS!

[wasabi]

I don't see much advantage to this vs the Thai Elite card at 1.5 Million (about 45k USD) Baht for the under 50 crowd.

I have my complaints about Thailand but so far have received excellent medical care, love the food and of course the women aren't bad to look at.

Edited June 21, 2008 by wasabi

[Oorinara]

I don't see much advantage to this vs the Thai Elite card at 1.5 Million (about 45k USD) Baht for the under 50 crowd.

I have my complaints about Thailand but so far have received excellent medical care, love the food and of course the women aren't bad to look at.

Well, Thai Elite Card's around USD 45k is outright payment and hence nonrefundable, though transferable with conditions.

The Philippines' SRRV, USD 50k for 35-49 yrs old, is time deposit, so one will receive principal and interest when he/she withdraws from the program.

Yes, there isn't much difference if you don't have family to come along and will be able to sell out Elite Card at par or premium.

[Farside]

I've never been to the Philipines before, What's it like price wise? Is it as cheap as Thailand? Is there a good nightlife there too like Bangkok / Pattaya / Phuket? Any tips on where to visit for my first time? I want somewhere where there are lots of clubs / nightlife,

Thanks.

[mikemellow]

Fed up with Thai visa/registration regulations?

Consider the Philippines' permanent resident program called as

Special Resident Retirement Visa (SRRV), should you like.

http://www.pra.gov.ph/

Conditions (among otheres):

(1) Aged over 35 years old.

(2) USD Time Deposit of 20k for 50yrs old & up, and 50k for 35-49yrs.

- good for applicant, spouse and 2 children aged below 21.

- convertible into investments such as condo after 30 days.

Benefits (among others):

(1) Lifetime visa, outright.

- No need to renew (but need to renew ID card every 1 or 3 yrs).

- No need to have entry/reentry permits.

- No need to report your place of living (unless one change it).

(2) Can work.

- With Alien Employment Permit, easy to obtain.

(3) No need to live in.

- One can choose to live in or outside Phils.

- Renewal of ID card can be processed thru bank transfer and post mail.

Advantage of Phils. against LOS (IMO, of course):

(1) English speaking, mostly everywhere

- Formerly US colony. Still very good proficiency in English.

- Laws, regulations, documents, etc. are all in English.

(2) Acceptability/adaptability to foreigners.

- Less sensitivity to nationality. Many Filipino, of course riches,

have dual citizenship (US, HK, etc.).

- In Thailand, Farang is Farang forever.

Same Same with Thailand (IMO):

(1) Warm climate, year round.

(2) Hospitality.

(3) Vibrant nightlife (second to LOS in Southeast Asia).

(4) Living cost (depending on life style).

Disadvantage of Phils. against LOS (IMO, again):

(1) Less organized and governed. Hence(?), less safety.

(2) Lesser quality of medical services.

- Rich Filipino go abroad for medical operations.

(3) Fatty, sweet and oily foods.

- Which is why I plan to retire in LOS!

What about buying land or houses and what about owning a business can those be done by a foreigner?

[Oorinara]

I've never been to the Philipines before, What's it like price wise? Is it as cheap as Thailand? Is there a good nightlife there too like Bangkok / Pattaya / Phuket? Any tips on where to visit for my first time? I want somewhere where there are lots of clubs / nightlife,

Thanks.

Prices in the Phils. are slightly cheaper than Thailand. Simply put,

prices in the Phils. come in same numbers as Thailand, more or less.

E.g., if something costs THB 500 in Thailand, them it is PHP (Phils. Peso) 500.

USD 1 = THB 34 = PHP 45. Implying 30% less expensive. Very rough argument, though.

Nightlife: Less vibrant than Thailand, but much active than Malaysia and Vietnam, for instance.

- Makati (Metro Manila's Central Biz. Dist.); Go gos, Karaoke and massage parlors.

- Gueson Avenue and Timog Avenue in Queson (northern part of Metro Manila); Go gos, bar biers and many massages.

- Angeles (former US base in Clark, 2 hrs drive from Metro Manila); Many go gos and bar biers. Phils' Pattaya.

Many info on the Phils. is in English, so just google out for more detail. Enjoy your trip.

Edited June 22, 2008 by Oorinara

[Oorinara]

What about buying land or houses and what about owning a business can those be done by a foreigner?

Land: Cannot. Even by company, similar restriction as like Thailand.

Business ownership: Can, unless otherwise specified as negative list.

For detail, check Board of Investment (BOI) of the Phils. at http://www.boi.gov.ph/

[robint]

Ok

fair comment, but remember that RP is vastly different to LOS in many fundamental ways, so dont get roe tinted glassey eyes

eg

Most of the pop especially rural are desperately poor and desperate. One extended family of 20-30 may exist on the remittance from one lucky member able to work overseas.

The weather can be atrocious, 10 -20 serious typhoons lash from the east every year

Infra structure is very crude

Law and order is what you are prepared to pay for

Guns are everywhere, armed guards on any business of any substance

Armed robbery is commonplace

The Philipine male is very much more in your face than in LOS

The philipina has only one goal in mind and that is to get out and get a foreign passport (UK US Euro) She will then work all hours and send every cent back to her family (so whats in it for you?)

IMHO they can be even more cunning and treacherous than LOS BGs

If ever there was a place that doesnt suffer fools its RP

But go take a look, it may suit you

[Patong Bob]

I used to sail to Batangas years ago, what other destinations would you suggest for retiremenr, giveen that Manila is a s,,,hole ?

[Whitey]

Infra structure is very crude

Law and order is what you are prepared to pay for

Guns are everywhere, armed guards on any business of any substance

Armed robbery is commonplace

The Philipine male is very much more in your face than in LOS

The philipina has only one goal in mind and that is to get out and get a foreign passport (UK US Euro) She will then work all hours and send every cent back to her family (so whats in it for you?)

IMHO they can be even more cunning and treacherous than LOS BGs

If ever there was a place that doesnt suffer fools its RP

But go take a look, it may suit you

About Filipinos, it all depends on the crowd you hang out with. It's wrong to generalize like you do because I find your statements dead wrong.

The Philippines does have a more progressive visa structure than LOS.

1) If you are married to a local, then you can get permanent residence relatively easy.

2) You can stay up to 16 months just on tourist visa exemptions.

3) If you are married to a local, you get 12 months on entry, if you enter with the your filipina wife.

[Oorinara]

I used to sail to Batangas years ago, what other destinations would you suggest for retiremenr, giveen that Manila is a s,,,hole ?

Outside Metro Manila and part of Mindanao are not so unsafe, even though incomparable to Thailand or Malaysia.

I like Olongapo (Subic), Cebu, Bohol, Samal, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Camiguin.

Should you require better medical services, big cities such as Cebu and Davao might be better (again, incomparable to Bangkok or Pattaya).

Philippine-based low cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air is offering promotional fare now.

THB 795++ per way from Bangkok to Manila, Cebu or Davao.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/

[Lancashirelad]

I've never been to the Philipines before, What's it like price wise? Is it as cheap as Thailand? Is there a good nightlife there too like Bangkok / Pattaya / Phuket? Any tips on where to visit for my first time? I want somewhere where there are lots of clubs / nightlife,

Thanks.

Prices in the Phils. are slightly cheaper than Thailand. Simply put,

prices in the Phils. come in same numbers as Thailand, more or less.

E.g., if something costs THB 500 in Thailand, them it is PHP (Phils. Peso) 500.

USD 1 = THB 34 = PHP 45. Implying 30% less expensive. Very rough argument, though.

Nightlife: Less vibrant than Thailand, but much active than Malaysia and Vietnam, for instance.

- Makati (Metro Manila's Central Biz. Dist.); Go gos, Karaoke and massage parlors.

- Gueson Avenue and Timog Avenue in Queson (northern part of Metro Manila); Go gos, bar biers and many massages.

- Angeles (former US base in Clark, 2 hrs drive from Metro Manila); Many go gos and bar biers. Phils' Pattaya.

Many info on the Phils. is in English, so just google out for more detail. Enjoy your trip.

have you checked out the price of a beer in P Burgos st. go go bars recently?

[Lancashirelad]

Philippine-based low cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air is offering promotional fare now.

THB 795++ per way from Bangkok to Manila, Cebu or Davao.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/

but, horrible middle of the night times.

[grahamhc]

Consider the Philippines' permanent resident program called as

Special Resident Retirement Visa (SRRV), should you like.

http://www.pra.gov.ph/

Conditions (among otheres):

(1) Aged over 35 years old.

(2) USD Time Deposit of 20k for 50yrs old & up, and 50k for 35-49yrs.

- good for applicant, spouse and 2 children aged below 21.

- convertible into investments such as condo after 30 days.

Benefits (among others):

(1) Lifetime visa, outright.

- No need to renew (but need to renew ID card every 1 or 3 yrs).

- No need to have entry/reentry permits.

- No need to report your place of living (unless one change it).

(2) Can work.

- With Alien Employment Permit, easy to obtain.

(3) No need to live in.

- One can choose to live in or outside Phils.

- Renewal of ID card can be processed thru bank transfer and post mail.

Benefit for BRITISH CITIZENS, is that if you are "Resident" in the PI, your UK PENSION is index linked back home, whereas if "Resident" in Thailand, it freezes until you go back and live in the UK for SIX MONTHS OR MORE

See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/osc.htm#3 and page down to "Reciprocal Agreement countries"

In effect, the "once off 20K USD" is cheaper than the 800,000 (22,700 USD) a year needed in your bank for a retirement visa in Thialand.

Philippine-based low cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air is offering promotional fare now.

THB 795++ per way from Bangkok to Manila, Cebu or Davao.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/

Now have flights from BKK to Clark (AngelesCity). But the total cost is in reality far higher than quoted above. Just booked a flight and the official Price was 990 BKK-CLK + 1190 CLJK-BKK, but in reality, with taxes and fuel surcharges, it was 8,000 Baht for the (5 day) round trip. (Thai were charging 16,000 Baht to Manila). The flights are afternoon and 3 times a week.