It has changed. I just got this back from the service I was dealing with....Unfortunately, I have already been in the Philippines since 2012, travelling back just to get a dumb letter apostilled is not practical or affordable. I'm already out of pocket 170,000p for this SRRV.


US Authentication Services
Mon 3/1/2021 11:02 PM
To:

• Hello Bob,

Unfortunately the US Department of State requires three things on any federal document; signature, printed name and title. Unless it has all three it gets rejected. Unfortunately there is a disconnect between the State Dept and the SSA. SSA does not want to sign the letters and the State Dept requires it. Most people go to a SSA field office to get this done, and sometimes they have to go to three or four.

 

Thanks all for the responses, but really, I just want to hear from expats in the philippines that have been successful in getting there SS statement accepted by PRA.

 

It is rea and it is actually fairly easy to apply. I'm in the process of completing my application now... I'm flying into Manila on the 23rd where I will get my "Physical", pay my $1400 at Land Bank and provide all the rest of the documentation and pictures to the PRA agent that I'm working with. Supposed to take 30 to 45 days to process and they will send all the final documents to me.

 

Nr-1: I was told by PRA a few years ago that just the old fashioned "Military Service", Drafted, was acceptable from any country, and not jussss the "DD-country". Even just 12 months, if that was the applicable legal requirement!
Keep in mind people, that the minimum pension is MORE than the common USD 800. Geee.

Nr-2: I'd like some references of Customs Brokers who have specific SRRV experience in bringing in people WITH their belongings. I need details on how to pack etcetc.

Cheers

Christian

 

I shipped a 20ft container from UK 11 years ago. My UK shipping agent used a company called Goetz based in Manila to handle the customs and trans-shipment to Dumaguete. They were excellent - no problems at all.

 

I did the Military SSRV, easy and not expensive. Total cost of application and bank deposit was less than $3K. I did it 2015 and have more than made up the money for the SSRV compared to keeping up a visitors visas. Also the convenience of no annual reporting. The SSRV ID card works like the ACR card for getting bank accounts and drivers licenses. It is also makes entering the country a snap. Highly recommend if you are eligible.

 

I'm curious how a person who had a 401k which provided enough income, but was too young for Social Security might be able get an SSRV. How would one prove an income stream if you were living on the 401k.

 

Beware. There are extreme delays at the PRA in processing the refund of the deposit. The information on their website about refund time is not accurate.

In my opinion, only retired military should get the SRRV. (They have a low deposit.)

Another issue is the inheritance of the deposit by your heirs.

Make sure the deposit is not put into the PRA account at the DBP Bank. This is what happens if you just give them the money without asking the options.
Choose another one of their accredited banks (Bank of Commerce, BDO)

 

This is what the website shows:
https://pra.gov.ph/srrv/

SRRV SMILE
For active/healthy retirees, who opt to maintain their SRR Visa deposit of US$20,000.00 in any of the PRA Accredited Banks.

SRRV CLASSIC
For active/healthy retirees, who opt to use their SRR Visa deposit into active investment such as the purchase of condominium unit* or long term lease of house & lot. The SRR Visa deposit is as follows:

•50 years old & above: US$ 10,000.00 (with a pension)**

US$ 20,000.00 (without pension)

*The value of the property must at least be US$50,000.00

**Required pension of at least US$ 800 for single / US$1,000 for couple

I'm not sure what the value of having a long term lease is if the deposit is the same for someone without a pension. If the wife has a house paid for by me that is 5m php, does that provide any relief from the deposit? The other question is how do they define healthy. Is a person with Type 2 diabetes (controlled), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc healthy?