🇵🇭Visa options for Philippines
The Philippines offers 25 visa types across 8 categories — from the 9G work visa and PEZA/BOI special non-immigrant visa to SRRV retirement, SIRV investor residency, and Section 13 permanent immigrant pathways. 10 lead to PR; 19 don't require a job offer. Here's every Philippines visa tracked by VisaMatch.
25visa types
8categories
10PR pathways
19no job needed
Check which Philippines visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in the Philippines
All Philippines visa types
Work (4)
9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa
Foreign nationals with a Philippine employer-sponsored employment contract. Employer must first obtain DOLE Alien Employment Permit (AEP); minimum 1-year contract required.
9(D) Treaty Trader / Treaty Investor Visa
Nationals of USA, Japan, and Germany under qualifying bilateral treaties. Invest in or direct a Philippine enterprise under treaty terms; renewable annually.
Special Work Permit (SWP)
Foreign nationals on valid 9(A) tourist visa performing short-term work up to 6 months. Must have contract with a Philippine employer or principal.
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
Foreign nationals with approved DOLE AEP and pending 9(G) visa application. Allows work while 9(G) conversion is in process; valid up to 3 months.
Business (3)
PEZA/BOI Special Non-Immigrant Visa (47[a][2])
Foreign nationals employed by PEZA-, BOI-, AFAB-, or IPAS-registered companies. No DOLE AEP required; faster processing than 9G; indefinite stay while employed.
RHQ / ROHQ Executive Visa (EO 226 / RA 8756)
Senior executives, managers, or specialists employed in a qualifying Regional Headquarters or Regional Operating Headquarters. Multiple-entry, 3-year validity.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
Foreign nationals who own or manage a legitimate business in the Philippines employing at least 10 Filipino workers. Grants indefinite stay; leads to permanent residency.
Family (6)
13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (Spouse / Child of Filipino)
Foreign national legally married to a Filipino citizen (PSA-authenticated marriage certificate required). Grants permanent immigrant status; leads to PR.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — Non-Reciprocity Spouse
Foreign nationals legally married to a Filipino citizen where the applicant's home country does not grant reciprocal immigrant rights to Filipinos. Annual renewal; path to 13(A).
13(D) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (Former Filipino Citizens)
Filipino women who lost Philippine citizenship by operation of law or by marriage to a foreign national before RA 9225. Grants permanent immigrant status.
13(E) Returning Resident Visa
Foreign nationals who were previously granted Philippine permanent resident status and left the country. Restores prior immigrant status on return.
13(F) Dependent Child of Alien Resident
Unmarried child under 21 of a lawful permanent resident alien in the Philippines. Dependent immigrant status valid while parent holds permanent residency.
Balikbayan Privilege (Visa-Free / Extended Stay)
Foreign spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a Filipino balikbayan (OFW, dual citizen, or former Filipino). 1-year visa-free entry upon arrival with Filipino sponsor.
Study (2)
9(F) Student Visa
Foreign nationals aged 16+ with a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) from a BI-accredited school. Valid for the duration of the academic program; renewable annually.
Special Study Permit (SSP)
Foreign nationals on valid 9(A) tourist visa enrolling in short courses at BI-accredited schools. Duration matches course length; no full 9(F) visa needed.
Visitor (2)
9(A) Temporary Visitor's Visa
All nationalities for tourism, business visits, and short-term stays. Visa-free nations receive 30 days on arrival (extendable up to 36 months total); visa-required nations apply in advance.
9(B) Transit Visa
Foreign nationals transiting through a Philippine port of entry with confirmed onward travel within 72 hours. Required for nationalities that cannot transit visa-free.
Special (5)
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV Classic)
Foreign nationals age 40+ (or former Filipinos 35+). Pensioners 50+ with USD 800/month pension need USD 10,000 deposit; under 50 or no pension need USD 20,000–50,000. Indefinite stay, multiple-entry.
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV Courtesy)
Retired diplomats/officials of international organisations, retired military, notable former government officials. Reduced deposit USD 1,500–6,000 depending on age and pension status.
Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
Foreign nationals aged 21+ willing to remit minimum USD 75,000 into BOI-approved investments. Grants indefinite stay; leads to permanent residency; spouse and dependents covered.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) Coming soon
Proposed under EO 86 (2025) for foreign remote workers aged 18+ with min. USD 2,000/month income. Not yet operational as of May 2026; Bureau of Immigration implementing regulations pending.
9(E) Diplomatic / Official Visa
Officially accredited foreign government diplomats, embassy/consular staff, and international organisation personnel with courtesy diplomatic status. Issued by DFA; exempt from standard fees.
Permanent (2)
Section 13 Quota Immigrant Visa
Nationals of countries granting reciprocal immigration privileges to Filipinos. Annual quota of 50 per nationality. Grants permanent immigrant status with full residency rights.
13(G) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (Naturalized Citizens & Dependents)
Naturalized Philippine citizens and their accompanying unmarried minor children. Grants permanent immigrant status; no annual quota applies.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to the Philippines
How many visa types does the Philippines offer?
The Philippines offers 25 visa types across 8 categories — covering work, study, family, business, investor residency, retirement, and permanent-residency pathways under the Philippine Immigration Act (Commonwealth Act No. 613).
Can I move to the Philippines without a job offer?
Yes — 19 of the Philippines' 25 visa types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include the SRRV retirement visa (USD 10k–50k deposit), the SIRV investor visa (USD 75k investment), family-sponsored Section 13 immigrant visas, student visas, and the SVEG visa for business owners who create 10+ Filipino jobs.
Does the Philippines offer a pathway to permanent residency?
Yes. 10 of the Philippines' visa types lead to permanent residency. These include the Section 13 Quota Immigrant Visa, 13(A) for spouses of Filipino citizens, SRRV, SIRV, and SVEG. The 9G work visa does not directly lead to PR but holders may convert after meeting long-term residence requirements.
What is the easiest Philippines visa to get as a retiree?
The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV Classic) is designed for foreign retirees. Applicants aged 50+ with a pension of USD 800/month need only a USD 10,000 time deposit with a PRA-accredited bank; those without a pension or under 50 need USD 20,000–50,000. It grants indefinite stay and multiple-entry privileges with no annual renewal required.
How do I check my eligibility for Philippines visas?
Use VisaMatch's free eligibility checker. Enter your nationality, age, occupation, income, and education, then select Philippines. You'll see every Philippines visa you qualify for, with links to the official Bureau of Immigration source for each.
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