Foreign citizens who intend to work in this country must obtain a permanent resident permit in the Philippines in order to do so. As follows, our company formation consultants in the Philippines present a few key aspects related to obtaining this type of permit here.
Table of Contents
Conditions for obtaining the permanent resident visa in the Philippines
Foreigners who are legally married to a local citizen can apply for a permanent resident visa, according to the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 in this country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who needs a residence permit in Philipines |
Individuals staying beyond 59 days need to obtain an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), also known as a residence permit. |
|
Types of residence permits |
Residence permits have different colors representing a different immigration status or category. |
|
Validity of residence permit |
1 year |
| Quota visa – characteristics |
Citizens from countries with diplomatic relationships with Philippines can stay indefinitely in the country; Only 50 visas are granted/year. |
| Residency for individuals married to Filipino citizens |
Indefinite stay as long as the marriage remains valid. |
| Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) – characteristics |
Allows foreigners to reside in the country as long as they meet the requirements for visa; To qualify, they must employ at least Filipinos in a company; This visa is recommended for those who wish to open a company in Philippines. |
| Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) – characteristics |
Grants permanent residency, as long as the visa requirements are met; Our team can detail the criteria for SRRV and help you move to Philippines. |
| Special Investor Residence Visa (SIRV) – characteristics |
Grants permanent residency, as long as the investment requirements are met; Applicants must be at least 21 years old. |
| Investment requirements for SIRV |
75,000 USD in Filipino companies (except in wholesale business and partnerships) |
| Citizenship in Philippines |
Permanently reside in the country for 10 years. |
| Types of work permits in Philippines |
– Alien Employment Permit (AEP), – Special Work Permit (SWP), – Provisional Work Permit (PWP) |
| Applying for a work permit |
The employer must submit an application with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before the employment begins. |
| Dual citizenship |
Permitted only under certain conditions |
| Advantages of Filipino residency |
– legal long-term stay, – employment opportunities, – investment opportunities, – easier access to buy property, – retirement options, etc. |
| Assistance and additional services |
Our team can help you immigrate to Philippines and obtain a residence permit, based on your traveling purpose. Additionally, we offer accounting and company formation services. |
Such applicants must present the following documents to the appropriate authorities:
- A notarized application letter written by the local spouse;
- A filled in and notarized general application form;
- A copy of the birth certificate of the local spouse, authenticated by the National Statistics Office or the Philippines Embassy abroad, if the applicant got married abroad;
- An immigration clearance certificate;
- A copy of the foreign citizen’s passport which displays the arrival date and the visa;
- A certification of a savings bank account with at least USD 10,000, proving that the applicant can financially support his or her family;
• Other documents: our company registration advisors in the Philippines can provide more information on what these other documents consist of. We can also help you open a company in the Philippines in 2025.
Other individuals who can qualify for the permanent resident visa in the Philippines
According to the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines, citizens of foreign countries who have diplomatic relationships with the Philippines and offer the same privileges can qualify for a permanent resident visa in the Philippines, in a limited number. Our Philippines company formation agents can offer more details on this matter.
These citizens have to meet the following criteria for their 2025 applications:
- Bring a filled-in application form;
- Provide a Consolidated General application form from the Public Information and Assistance Unit or from the website of the Bureau of Immigration;
- Submit other documents and certain fees: we can provide all the necessary information on what these consist of.
Foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to the Philippines can rely on our complete assistance during the process. We can answer essential questions before the start of the application process and are able to provide guidance for the applications submitted to the Bureau of Immigration. If you have questions about the quota immigrant visa based on your nationality, do not hesitate to contact us.
Philippines population statistics
- The mid-year population estimate for 2024 was 114,163,719;
- The projection for the 2025 mid-year population was 115,377,992;
- The most populated area remais the national capital region, with a projected mid-year population in 2024 of 14,396,579 people;
- The city of Manila had an estimated 2024 mid-year population of 1,946,482 individuals;
- The projected population in the middle of 2024 in Quezon was 3,151,858 in Quezon and 1,695,076 in Caloocan.
In case you would like to know more about obtaining a residence permit in the Philippines in 2025, or for help related to starting a business in the Philippines, please contact us.