Retirement Visa Best Posts in Thread: Special Resident Retirement Visa (SRRV)

There is a Little misconception along the way I feel, If you have been here for more that 6 months you only need a Current NBI Clearance,
Less than 6 months then yes, you will need a Home Police ( FBI) Clearance of course YMMV
We have had much Discussed here on this and maybe one of those going for this Visa will step in

 

I'm afraid you're right, Dave. I am lucky in that they only have $1,500 deposit from me. It would be so much worse if I had put up $10,000 or $20,000. If they were interested in returning the deposit, they would make it possible through an embassy or consulate. I have written several letters to PRA Cebu, but the response is always this is what you have to do. No concessions if one is incapacitated. I'm afraid if I send them my passport, I may never see it again. Plus all the other extras I must do, it is certainly quite burdensome.

 

Sorry to hear about your prostate cancer, Johncarson, but thanks for confirming that once they get our money its all but impossible to get it back. So it seems to be more of a fee than a deposit.

 

One thing that hasn’t, I believe, been mentioned in this thread: what if you have to leave the Philippines on short notice for medical or other reasons, and are not able to return? In my case, I was ill with what turned out to be Stage 4 Prostate Cancer for which I am receiving chemo therapy in the US. I will not be able to return to the Philippines. Since I am former military, my SRRV deposit was $1,500. I made the foolish assumption that I could go to the Philippine Consulate with my passport, SRRV id card, and letter of resignation, and that they could process my resignation so that the $1,500 could be returned to me. At the PH Consulate in LA, they had no idea what to do with my request, so they provided me with several worthless forms which I had delivered to PRA in Cebu. The bottom line is this: in order to complete the resignation, I must send my passport to PRA Cebu. They supposedly will submit it to Immigration for invalidation. I must designate an “attorney-in-fact” to retrieve my passport from the Cebu office and mail it back to me in the States. There is another requirement, that I must appear at a PRA office to personally sign my Exit Interview. If I were deceased, perhaps a family member could cut off a finger or toe, and send that to PRA. Sending my body there would be a costly and stinky process. In short, it is far easier to obtain an SRRVisa than it is to resign from it. I suppose I will send them my passport, and request a waiver on the Exit Interview, but it is a shame that a Philippine Consulate cannot handle this. If you are a holder of an SRRV and find you must leave the country, try by all means to stop by a PRA office on your way out. Below are the requirements for resignation the Cebu PRA office provided:

1) LETTER OF INTENT (state the reason for cancellation) & BANK INSTRUCTION (must be US Dollar account abroad) with the following details: Account Name, Account Number, Bank Name, Bank Branch, Bank Address, & Swift Code.


2) Affidavit of QUITCLAIM - NOTARIZED BY LAWYER (If done abroad, must be AUTHENTICATED by PH Embassy)



3) EXIT INTERVIEW Form (duly accomplished) - must be signed PERSONALLY at any PRA Office, if not possible, write a letter-justification


4) PRA I.D. cards - including members of the family, if any


5) Original PASSPORT/S where the SRR Visa is stamped (if Passport where SRR Visa was stamped is already expired, current valid Passport will be needed even if the SRR Visa is not stamped in the said Passport), including members of the family who are likewise issued the SRR Visa


6) FEES (for each member): PLEASE DEPOSIT YOUR PAYMENT TO LBP MAIN BRANCH CEBU CITY

a) P500.00 - Immigration Express Lane/Cancellation fee

b) P3,510.00 - 59 day Tourist Visa/Downgrading to Tourist Visa - ONLY IF RETIREE IS IN THE PH


c) US$10.00 - PRA Cancellation Service Fee

d) US$10.00 - PRA Downgrading Service Fee - ONLY IF RETIREE IS IN THE PH


e) Php150.00 - Courier Fee (only if the retiree is in the Philippines);
If not practical for the retiree to come at PRA Office, additional documents required for representative/agent to submit:
a) Notarized Special Power of Attorney executed by the retiree (In case SPA was executed abroad, it must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate).
b) Three (3) pieces of photo ID of representative/agent
c) Two (2) passport photos of representative/agent

 

This is the one I'll be applying for....was very glad to learn about it.

 

It is pretty obvious - for those familiar with the fact SRRV is not one but four similar Visas. A new person reading that blanket statement may then never bother to look at or know exactly what his options are. There is not one Visa that is a bad idea for Everyone, just like there is no Visa that is best for Everyone. Different backgrounds, different current circumstances, and living in different locations with different access to BI offices makes it a personal decision for everyone.

 

Sorry, SilverBullet, but i don't feel the SRRV is useless. I NEVER have to go to an Immigration office again, the PRA in Cebu will renew once a year by email (chatted with Jacquie at PRA two days ago in cebu).... I got my bank account with the SRRV card, get senior discounts at most places without the city document, it suffices EVERYWHERE as gummint ID, is one of two ID's needed to get an S&R membership, and costs the least, since i'm ex-Navy (kept the dd214). Exempt from taxes, exempt from exit visas, whatever that crap is. I know there are other advantages, but i'd have to dig too deep in the PRA website. If that's useless, sorry but what the hell is useful, other than having a FIRST cousin on Duterte's staff.