Core Service
Residency and Long-Term Status
Considering a long-term future in the Philippines? FIS helps you assess the residency and long-term status pathways that may be available, and manages the process from planning through to application.
There is not necessarily a single "residency visa" for the Philippines. The appropriate long-term pathway depends on your circumstances, including your personal and family situation, how long you intend to stay, whether retirement is part of your plans, and any relevant investment or business circumstances, together with your existing immigration position. Foreign Immigration Services assesses your circumstances, helps you identify the appropriate pathway, and manages the process from planning through to application.
Plan the Right Long-Term Pathway Before You Commit
Long-term immigration status is not simply a form to submit. It can shape your documentation, application process, ongoing obligations and future plans in the Philippines. FIS assesses your circumstances and long-term plans, helps you understand which pathways may be relevant and what they would involve, and coordinates the appropriate process on your behalf, where permitted, rather than treating your application as an isolated transaction.
How We Can Assist
- Assessing your circumstances and long-term plans for the Philippines
- Identifying the residency or long-term status pathways that may be relevant to you
- Explaining the requirements and practical process associated with the appropriate pathway
- Mapping the required documentation
- Helping you prepare and organise the required documentation, and reviewing it for apparent gaps before submission
- Coordinating with the relevant government authority or programme administrator, where applicable
- Submitting or lodging your application, where applicable and permitted
- Following up on your application and keeping you informed
- Explaining the ongoing immigration obligations associated with your status, where applicable
Common Situations We Handle
- Planning to make the Philippines a long-term home
- Retiring in the Philippines
- Relocating to join or remain with family
- A long-term status pathway connected with investment or business circumstances, where applicable
- Already living in the Philippines and considering whether a different long-term status may better suit your future plans
- A long-term immigration plan that involves connected requirements for family members
Retiring in the Philippines
Foreign nationals retiring in the Philippines typically do so through the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), issued through the retirement programme administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration. FIS assists with the immigration-side coordination of an SRRV application and the documentation surrounding it, working alongside the PRA's own process.
Bringing Your Family
Long-term status is often a family decision as much as an individual one. If your plans involve a spouse, partner, children or other family circumstances, FIS can help identify whether connected family immigration requirements should be considered as part of your broader long-term plan. See our Family & Spousal Visas service alongside this one.
Planning Beyond the Initial Application
Receiving a long-term status is not necessarily the end of your immigration responsibilities. Depending on the pathway, there may be ongoing documentation, registration, reporting or renewal requirements associated with maintaining your status. FIS can remain your point of contact for these requirements as they arise, rather than only for the initial application.
How the Process Works
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Tell us about your long-term plans
Tell us about your long-term plans for the Philippines, your current immigration status and the relevant circumstances.
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Circumstances and pathway assessment
We assess your circumstances and identify the residency or long-term status pathways that may be relevant, based on the information available.
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Requirements and document preparation
We map the applicable requirements and help you prepare and organise the required documentation.
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Application coordination and submission
Where applicable and permitted, we coordinate and submit your application on your behalf.
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Follow-up and next steps
We follow up on your application and keep you informed. You can track the progress of your transaction through the FIS Client Portal, and we help organise any relevant next steps.
What We May Need From You
- Passport and current immigration status
- Details of your long-term plans and circumstances
- Family information, where relevant to your pathway
- Financial, investment or retirement-related documentation, where relevant to the selected pathway
The specific documents required depend on the pathway that applies to you. We will confirm exactly what applies once we understand your situation.
Need More Hands-On Support? Depending on your circumstances, FIS can provide additional support alongside your residency or long-term status matter, including priority internal document preparation for time-sensitive matters, document collection and delivery, translation and certification coordination, and in-person assistance where available. Tell us what level of support you need when you enquire. Government processing times remain subject to the relevant authority.
Plan Your Long-Term Immigration Pathway
Tell us about your long-term plans for the Philippines. FIS can assess your circumstances, identify the pathways that may be relevant, and discuss how we can help you plan and manage the process.
Which long-term status option is right for me?
This depends on your circumstances, including your personal situation, plans and objectives in the Philippines. Tell us about your situation and we will assess which pathways may be relevant.
Does obtaining long-term status end my immigration requirements?
Not necessarily. Depending on the pathway, there may be ongoing documentation, registration or reporting requirements. We can remain your point of contact for these as they arise.
Can FIS help if my plans involve my family?
Yes. If your long-term plans involve a spouse, partner or other family members, we can help identify whether connected family immigration requirements should be considered as part of the broader plan, alongside our Family & Spousal Visas service.