Notifications
Clear all
Visa and Immigration
2
Posts
1
Users
0
Reactions
19
Views
Topic starter
12/11/2025 12:11 am
If you’re planning to move to the Philippines, one of your first big questions is — how hard is it to get a visa?
There are several types, from the 13A spousal visa to the SRRV (retirement), and the process can vary depending on where you apply.
If you’ve already gone through it, please share your experience:
- Which visa did you apply for?
- How long did it take?
- What would you do differently next time?
Your story could help someone who’s just starting their move
Topic starter
13/11/2025 11:45 pm
When I was still in America planning my move to the Philippines — after a six-week visit to meet my girlfriend — I started researching visa options. My first plan was to apply for the SRRV (Special Resident Retiree Visa). Since I was single at the time, it only required a $10,000 deposit in a local Philippine bank, and it offered permanent residency with even the right to work.
So I applied for an eVisa, booked my flight, and began my new life here. I rented a house in Upper Dicayas, Dipolog, and started settling in.
A few months later, my girlfriend and I got married — which changed my plans completely. I could now apply for a 13A Marriage Visa, but that came with its own set of challenges and requirements. After weighing the options, I decided that for the short term, it would be easier to just extend my tourist visa every few months.
With these extensions, I can stay in the Philippines for up to three years, leave briefly, then return and start the process again. For now, I’m a temporary resident with an ACR card, and that setup works well for me.
What about you?
👉 What kind of visa are you on, and what challenges did you face getting it?
👉 Did you go through the 13A process or choose a different path?
