Republic of the Philippines · investor · Leads to settlement

Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)

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Resident visa for foreign investors who place qualifying capital in an eligible Philippine enterprise, endorsed by the Board of Investments.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyProbationary on issue, then indefinite stay for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal.
Government fees
Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Probationary on issue, then indefinite stay for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) for Republic of the Philippines is an unsponsored Philippines immigration route. Sources: official Republic of the Philippines government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/philippines/sirv-investor#answer

What is the Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) in Republic of the Philippines?

Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) is an unsponsored Philippines route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal; typical duration is Probationary on issue, then indefinite stay for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Board of Investments (Philippines) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) entitles a qualifying foreign investor to reside indefinitely in the Philippines for as long as the required investment is maintained. The applicant remits and invests qualifying capital in an eligible Philippine enterprise, and the visa is endorsed by the Board of Investments (BOI) and issued by the Bureau of Immigration. It is typically issued first on a probationary basis before conversion to indefinite status. It is an investment-based residence route rather than an employment visa.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm your intended investment and enterprise qualify and that you meet the personal eligibility requirements.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Remit and place the qualifying deposit and assemble investment, enterprise and clearance documents.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply through the Board of Investments, which endorses the SIRV to the Bureau of Immigration for issuance.

  4. After approval

    Receive the probationary visa, convert the deposit into the qualifying investment within the required period, then move to indefinite status.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Philippines. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV).

    Board of Investments (Philippines) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Who endorses and issues the SIRV?+

The SIRV is endorsed by the Board of Investments (BOI), which administers the investment side, while the Bureau of Immigration issues the visa. Confirm the current process and investment requirements on the official Board of Investments page.

How much do I need to invest for the SIRV?+

The route requires a minimum qualifying investment in an eligible Philippine enterprise, converted from an initial deposit within a set period. The exact amount is set by the authorities and may change, so confirm the current threshold on the official Board of Investments page.

What is the difference between the SIRV and the SVEG for an entrepreneur in the Philippines?+

The SIRV is an investment-based route where you remit and invest qualifying capital in an eligible Philippine enterprise endorsed by the Board of Investments, whereas the SVEG is awarded for actually employing a qualifying number of Filipino workers in a sustainable business rather than for passive investment alone. Confirm which fits your plans on the official Board of Investments and Bureau of Immigration pages.

Is the Philippines SIRV permanent as soon as it is issued?+

No. The SIRV is typically issued first on a probationary basis and then converts to indefinite stay for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained, with the deposit converted into the qualifying investment within the required period. Confirm the current timelines on the official Board of Investments page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Philippines

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Board of Investments (Philippines)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology