Philippines Investor Visa: Permanent Residency in 5 Steps

Last Updated on 16 September 2024 by Brittany
philippines investor visa

The Philippines Investor Visa or FIV Program was officially launched in August 2024. As one of the cheapest golden visas available right now, applicants and their family members can obtain permanent residency in the Philippines through an investment of just $75,000. 

With gorgeous beaches, a thriving business economy, and an affordable cost of living, the Philippines offers an incredible opportunity to wealthy individuals, retirees, and entrepreneurs who wish to expand their global mobility through residencies and even citizenship. 

The Philippines is actively working to invite foreign individuals to come and live in the beautiful country. The Investor Visa is an exciting opportunity as we also wait for the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa.

In this article, we will review the eligibility requirements for the Philippines Investor Visa and the application process to help you decide if this is the right next step in your global lifestyle. 

philippines investor visa
via Unsplash

What is the Philippines Investor Visa?

The Philippines Investor Visa is officially known as the Philippines FIV Program. It requires applicants to invest $75,000 USD in an approved government fund after the application is approved. 

The application process is one of the fastest when it comes to golden visa processing times, taking just a week to review applications. All applications are reviewed and processed in the Free Area of Bataan (FAB), which is a free trade zone and offers great tax benefits to corporations. 

The Philippines Investor Visa offers plenty of benefits for applicants and their family members, including a path to citizenship and the opportunity to participate in the local business economy. 

philippines investor visa
via Unsplash

Benefits of the Philippines Investor Visa

Not only is the Philippines an ideal place to live, but when you apply for the Philippines Investor Visa, you’ll experience plenty of lifestyle and financial benefits and opportunities. 

Instant Permanent Residency

After application approval and making your investment, you will receive automatic permanent residency in the Philippines. This means you can come and go from the Philippines as you please, even during border closures and travel restrictions. 

With permanent residency, you can stay in the Philippines as long as you want. Whether you wish to make the Philippines your primary residence or only spend a couple of months out of the year in this gorgeous country, you are free to do so. 

Unlike other countries’ paths to permanent residency, there is no wait time when you apply for the Philippines Investor Visa. 

No Minimum Stay Requirement

After receiving your permanent residency, you never have to step foot in the Philippines again – but we definitely recommend spending some time in this beautiful and friendly country. 

With no minimum stay requirement, you can retain your permanent resident status without having to spend a certain number of days in the country with the Philippines Investor Visa. 

So this means you can travel freely worldwide without the obligation to visit the Philippines each year. 

Low Investment Requirement

The investment requirement for the Philippines Investor Visa is just $75,000 USD, making it one of the most affordable golden visas in the world. 

Typically, golden and investment visas require a purchase of property, government investment, or business establishment with amounts from $150,000 up to millions. 

Family Inclusion Allowed

Applicants can include a spouse and children under the age of 21 on their Philippines Investor Visa. This means applicants and their immediate family members can take advantage of all the benefits the Philippines Investor Visa has to offer!

Fast Application Process

The Philippines Investor Visa has one of the fastest processing times for investor visas. After submitting your application, you will receive an answer in just one week. 

After approval of your application, then you may make your required investment and obtain permanent residency. 

English-Speaking Country

One of the obstacles when moving to a new country is often a language barrier. We have some great news for you! The Philippines is one of two countries in Southeast Asia where English is an official language. 

If you speak English, Spanish, or Tagalog, then you will have no problem communicating or getting around this friendly and inviting country. 

This also means that when you apply for the Philippines Investor Visa, you can submit your documents in their original English!

Path to Citizenship

The Philippines Investor Visa offers more than just permanent residency – you can also put yourself on a path to citizenship. 

After ten years of living in the Philippines, proving good moral character, owning real estate worth at least 5,000 pesos or a lucrative business, and passing language tests, you may be eligible for citizenship through naturalization. 

Philippines Investor Visa Requirements

To be eligible for the Philippines Investor Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Valid Passport – You must have a valid passport 
  • Clean Criminal Record – You must show that you have a clean criminal record
  • Make Required Investment – You must make the required investment of $75,000 USD to an approved government fund 

If you meet these requirements, then you can apply for the Philippines Investor Visa! 

philippines investor visa
via Unsplash

How to Apply for the Philippines Investor Visa

As mentioned previously, the application process for the Philippines Investor Visa is quite straightforward and fast. One thing you should know is that you must submit your application through a registered agent. It is not possible to apply for the Philippines Investor Visa individually. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Philippines Investor Visa FIV program. 

Step 1: Schedule a Consultation

The first step in applying for the Philippines Investor Visa is scheduling a consultation with an approved entity to handle and manage this type of visa application. 

During this consultation, you will speak with a registered agent about your situation, ask questions about the visa and application process, and receive a breakdown of next steps and requirements. 

Step 2: Prepare and Sign Documents

After your consultation, you may begin preparing the required documents for your Philippines Investor Visa application. 

Some of the documents you will need to submit include:

  • Passport
  • Biometric photos
  • Resume or CV
  • Certified criminal background check
  • Proof of relationship to dependents (marriage or birth certificates)

Additional documents may be required based on specific situations. 

Documents issued by foreign governments, such as criminal background checks and marriage or birth certificates, must also have an apostille

During this step, you will also pay the service fee to your registered agent to assist you with filing your application and guiding you through every step. 

Step 3: Submit Your Application

After preparing your documents and filling out the necessary forms, you may submit your Philippines Investor Visa application through your registered agent. 

It will take about one week to receive a pre-approval of your application. 

Step 4: Make Your Investment

Once you have received a pre-approval of your Philippines Investor Visa application, you can make your $75,000 USD investment to an approved government fund. 

Step 5: Take Your Oath in the Philippines

After making your investment, you may then travel to the Philippines to take your oath and receive your permanent residency card. 

When working with your registered agent, they will organize your trip and 5-day/4-night itinerary in the Philippines. This may include a visit to the hospital for a medical exam, fingerprinting at the immigration office, and other essential relocation services. 

Once you take your oath in the Philippines, you will officially become a permanent resident and have access to the local business economy, medical care, education system, and thriving culture. 

philippines investor visa
via Unsplash

Increase Global Mobility with Nomads Embassy

Expanding your global mobility through multiple residencies and citizenships can benefit your lifestyle, business ownership, and even taxes. 

One of the easiest ways to do this is through investor or digital nomad visas. 

And Nomads Embassy is here to help with that!

We have partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers and registered agents to assist our members with their visa applications worldwide and help them increase their global mobility. 

Interested in learning more about how to apply for the Philippines Investor Visa?

Simply complete the form in this article to request our free eligibility assessment today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Even though articles like this are super helpful, you may still have some questions about the Philippines Investor Visa. 

What is the official name of the Philippines Investor Visa?

The official name of the Philippines Investor Visa is the Philippines FIV Program.

What is the investment requirement for the Philippines Investor Visa?

You must invest $75,000 USD in a government-approved fund. 

Does the investment requirement increase if you include family members?

No, the investment requirement does not increase if you include a spouse or dependents on your Philippines Investor Visa application. 

How long is the processing time for the Philippines Investor Visa?

It takes about one week to process your Philippines Investor Visa application. 

Do I have to make my investment before receiving application approval?

No, you can wait until your application has been approved to make your required investment. 

Can I include family members on my Philippines Investor Visa application?

Yes, applicants may include a spouse and dependent children under the age of 21 on their visa application. 

How much does it cost to apply for the Philippines Investor Visa?

Along with the $75,000 USD investment, you can expect application and processing fees of around $25,000 for the main applicant plus $2,500 for each additional dependent. 

Does the Philippines Investor Visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes! You will automatically become a permanent resident when you receive approval of your Philippines Investor Visa. 

Does the Philippines Investor Visa lead to citizenship?

Yes, you may obtain citizenship through naturalization if you meet the requirements after living in the country for ten years. 

Does the Philippines allow dual citizenship?

Yes, the Philippines allows dual citizenship. It is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that allow dual citizenship

Can I get my investment refunded?

After becoming a citizen, you may get your initial investment refunded to you. 

However, if you wish for a refund on your investment before becoming a citizen, you will lose your permanent residency. 

Do I have to go to the Philippines to apply for the Investor Visa?

Yes, the last step of applying for the Philippines Investor Visa is to take a trip to the country and obtain your documents and residence permit. Your registered agent will arrange your trip and all of the necessary appointments. 

Do I have to work with an immigration lawyer to apply for the Philippines Investor Visa?

While it is not required to work with an immigration lawyer, you do have to submit your application through a registered agent or approved firm. You may not submit your application on your own.

Brittany
Content created by
Brittany
When I’m not writing and teaching people how to achieve a location-independent lifestyle, you can find me globetrotting, experiencing new cultures, and working on my amateur photography skills.
At Nomads Embassy, we independently test and review digital nomad services and provide detailed insights on digital nomad visa applications and requirements using a detailed, multi-step methodology. When you use our affiliate links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our editorial process and read our full disclosure.
Nomads Embassy
Are you eligible for this visa?
Find out now

You may also enjoy

Can You Get Permanent Residency with Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Not only can you live in the top-rated digital nomad country in the world, but you can also get permanent residency with Spain’s digital nomad visa.  Yes, you read that…

11 September 2024
by Brittany
Read more
9 Greece Digital Nomad Visa Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

When deciding to apply for a digital nomad visa, gathering all of the important information is crucial. To make your application and plan for your relocation to Greece, here are…

6 August 2024
by Brittany
Read more
Updated List of Asia Digital Nomad Visas [2024]

Over the last few months, more countries in Asia have introduced digital nomad visas, allowing remote workers to temporarily live in the region. We’ve compiled a list of Asia digital…

31 July 2024
by Brittany
Read more