Confused and Dazed

[markpa]

Ok, I bet I hear a lot on this subject. I read this stuff and reread this. I go to the government site on immigration. All IK want to do is retire there on that Srrv visa. Ok $50 K bank deposit. Have all the paperwork madeout, copies made, I say $50K because its just me,am I right? Just how long before I get the dam Visa? No backdoor, stiff, no going every 6 months and getting a extension, Do you get a temporary card or Visa while waiting? I think I might just hire a lawyer to get this all done for me, might lower the stress on this one issue I do have. Oh to make things a little more fun, I don't fly. I have

Perilymph Fistula. So I been looking up Cruises to the P.I. And yes you can cruise, Now, One is US to Japan, 3 day lay over, Then Japan to The P.I. Then here is Us to Australia, 4 day lay over, then on to the the P.I. There is also 4 cruise ships that leave the us to the P.I. Now be aware all of there ships are ships that are on worldwide cruises, so to board one you have to pay for aa full Suite for the entire cruise. So, $3,500 or more will get you a Suite. They will drop you off in Manila home port, after that your on your own. Its my way of getting where I have to go.Mark

[Jollygoodfellow]

It tells you depending on which one suits you and I dont think it is 50k for someone your age,

http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program?page=1

From my understanding you get a case worker. Are you sure the Philippines is for you? 

[robert k]

7 hours ago, markpa said:

Ok, I bet I hear a lot on this subject. I read this stuff and reread this. I go to the government site on immigration. All IK want to do is retire there on that Srrv visa. Ok $50 K bank deposit. Have all the paperwork madeout, copies made, I say $50K because its just me,am I right? Just how long before I get the dam Visa? No backdoor, stiff, no going every 6 months and getting a extension, Do you get a temporary card or Visa while waiting? I think I might just hire a lawyer to get this all done for me, might lower the stress on this one issue I do have. Oh to make things a little more fun, I don't fly. I have

Perilymph Fistula. So I been looking up Cruises to the P.I. And yes you can cruise, Now, One is US to Japan, 3 day lay over, Then Japan to The P.I. Then here is Us to Australia, 4 day lay over, then on to the the P.I. There is also 4 cruise ships that leave the us to the P.I. Now be aware all of there ships are ships that are on worldwide cruises, so to board one you have to pay for aa full Suite for the entire cruise. So, $3,500 or more will get you a Suite. They will drop you off in Manila home port, after that your on your own. Its my way of getting where I have to go.Mark

I'm with JGF on this. At least half of the application fee is for the person processing your application, they should make sure there is no problem.

 

Mark, if you have mentioned visiting the Philippines before, I have missed it. If you haven't visited before, I would come on a tourist visa and decide if the Philippines is right for you before I jumped in with the SRRV. I believe you would need to check in once a year with the SRRV, about the same as a guy who marries a local and is on 13A. The SRRV would give other benefits like multiple entry, making it easy to get a drivers license, but if you don't fly, that would probably be moot for you, same with drivers license if you aren't driving. I think the big thing would be the one time free importation of household goods and vehicle. If you aren't doing that, the only remaining benefit I see is not having to leave the country every 3 years and not having to pay visa fees. The benefits seem to be looking a little thin in your specific case.

[Nephi]

8 hours ago, markpa said:

Ok, I bet I hear a lot on this subject. I read this stuff and reread this. I go to the government site on immigration. All IK want to do is retire there on that Srrv visa. Ok $50 K bank deposit. Have all the paperwork madeout, copies made, I say $50K because its just me,am I right? Just how long before I get the dam Visa? No backdoor, stiff, no going every 6 months and getting a extension, Do you get a temporary card or Visa while waiting? I think I might just hire a lawyer to get this all done for me, might lower the stress on this one issue I do have. Oh to make things a little more fun, I don't fly. I have

Perilymph Fistula. So I been looking up Cruises to the P.I. And yes you can cruise, Now, One is US to Japan, 3 day lay over, Then Japan to The P.I. Then here is Us to Australia, 4 day lay over, then on to the the P.I. There is also 4 cruise ships that leave the us to the P.I. Now be aware all of there ships are ships that are on worldwide cruises, so to board one you have to pay for aa full Suite for the entire cruise. So, $3,500 or more will get you a Suite. They will drop you off in Manila home port, after that your on your own. Its my way of getting where I have to go.Mark

Hi Mark,

Hope you are able to get the needed information. No matter where in the world, governments wheels grind slowly - they are usually in no hurry. Unfortunately that is double or triple true for the Philippines. Information is hard to come by at times and things just drag along. Just the way it is here and it will not change.

Too bad you are unable to fly as that cruising is an expensive and time consuming way to get here. Even longer perhaps during typhoon (hurricane) season June thru November each year.

Where you can't or should not fly raises a red flag in my mind. Eventually we all have health issues and emergencies can happen. Being that this is a 3rd world country where things can be lacking; what happens in a medical emergency if you have to be evacuated by air? Just food for thought because once here if a ship is your only way out it could cost you your life.

 

Regards

Nephi 

[Sander Martin]

You should definitely do atleast one scouting trip on tourist visa here before you decide to move (if you haven't already). Best would be to visit a few potential sites and meet up with the local expats. See if you find all the services and goods you need for a comfy happy life. Changing your whole life and moving here just because some blogs or forums say that it's a good place to retire isn't smart. Theres plenty of guys that come here without any homework, only to leave in a few months time. What might have been paradise to the guys writing the blogs/forums, might not be paradise for you.

Nephi has a good point with the health issues. If you cant fly, then you better have a nice nestegg for any medical emergencies (nice hospitals arent cheap). If you cant fly, then you cant just jump on a plane and fly home for free treatments.

 

Edited May 13, 2016 by Sander Martin

[Jollygoodfellow]

If he was to go with the classic SSRV which I think is what he fits into, 

35 to 49 Years Old  = US$50,000.00

50 years old and Above:

  A. With Pension = US$10,000.00

  B. Without Pension = US$20,000.00

Now if leaves that cash in their nominated banks the 10 or 20k is required and maintained in the account, if he wanted to buy a condo then the investment/cost of the condo must exceed 50k value where his 10 or 20k can be used for the purchase of the condo and the cash then does not have to remain in the bank. SEE HERE

That's my understanding of it all.

Benefits

27,000 foreign retirees from 107 countries have chosen, and lived in the Philippines through the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) of the Philippine Retirement Authority.

The SRRV allows all its foreign retiree-members to retire and live in the Philippines for as long as they want.  An SRRV holder may come in and out of the country as often as he desires, and enjoy privileges such as exemption from securing the ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Immigration Card) from the Bureau of Immigration; exemption from paying the travel tax at the Philippine Airports; and exemption from getting a Study Permit or Student’s Visa for their dependent-children who intends to pursue education in the Philippines.  PRA retiree-members may also use health cards issued abroad in Philippine hospitals/clinics accredited by selected health card companies.  They may also avail of the one time tax-free importation of household goods/personal effects; and many more.

 A Principal Retiree must be at least 35 years old to enjoy the above benefits that only SRRV holders are privileged to avail of.  Through the Philippine Retirement Authority, foreign retirees who want to make the Philippines their international retirement destination can now choose from 4 SRRV options:

 1)       SRRV SMILE – for active / healthy principal retirees 35 year old and above who would just like to maintain their Visa deposit of US$20,000.00 in any of the PRA designated banks;

 2)       SRRV CLASSIC – for active / healthy principal retirees who would opt to use their  Visa deposit of US$10,000.00 or US$20,000.00 (50 years old & above) or US$50,000.00 (35 to 49 years old) to purchase condominium units or use for long term lease of house and lot;

 3)       SRRV COURTESY – for former Filipinos (35 years old & above), and foreign nationals (50 years old & above) who have served in the Philippines as diplomats, ambassadors, officers/staff of international organizations.  The visa deposit is US$1,500.00.

 4)       SRRV HUMAN TOUCH – for ailing principal retirees, (35 years old and above), who are  shown to have medical/clinical needs and services. Under this option, the retiree only needs to have a Visa deposit of US$10,000.00, a monthly pension of at least US$1,500.00 and a Health Insurance Policy.

 

[markpa]

11 hours ago, robert k said:

I'm with JGF on this. At least half of the application fee is for the person processing your application, they should make sure there is no problem.

 

Mark, if you have mentioned visiting the Philippines before, I have missed it. If you haven't visited before, I would come on a tourist visa and decide if the Philippines is right for you before I jumped in with the SRRV. I believe you would need to check in once a year with the SRRV, about the same as a guy who marries a local and is on 13A. The SRRV would give other benefits like multiple entry, making it easy to get a drivers license, but if you don't fly, that would probably be moot for you, same with drivers license if you aren't driving. I think the big thing would be the one time free importation of household goods and vehicle. If you aren't doing that, the only remaining benefit I see is not having to leave the country every 3 years and not having to pay visa fees. The benefits seem to be looking a little thin in your specific case.

 

16 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

It tells you depending on which one suits you and I dont think it is 50k for someone your age,

http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program?page=1

From my understanding you get a case worker. Are you sure the Philippines is for you? 

Hi Jolly, I can assure you the P.I. is for me hands down. Good god you want me to stay in this god dam hole, If I could Sir, I would be on my way today, not tomorrow, today. Some of I tell them, if you can't see what's happening around you and coming you really are blind, fool.  I can live without Wal Mart. On not flying,i resigned myself that a emergency flight for medical purposes is still the way go, even my severe inter ear problem. I have a lot of Filipino friends,and my 4 friends the P.I.  who live there. But I think they sugar coat things. Now you guys t do that. You tell me just how it really is, thanks to all of you folks. For me, I don't have a choise The P.I. or Bust. Thank You.Mark

[markpa]

12 hours ago, Nephi said:

Hi Mark,

Hope you are able to get the needed information. No matter where in the world, governments wheels grind slowly - they are usually in no hurry. Unfortunately that is double or triple true for the Philippines. Information is hard to come by at times and things just drag along. Just the way it is here and it will not change.

Too bad you are unable to fly as that cruising is an expensive and time consuming way to get here. Even longer perhaps during typhoon (hurricane) season June thru November each year.

Where you can't or should not fly raises a red flag in my mind. Eventually we all have health issues and emergencies can happen. Being that this is a 3rd world country where things can be lacking; what happens in a medical emergency if you have to be evacuated by air? Just food for thought because once here if a ship is your only way out it could cost you your life.

 

Regards

Nephi 

I guess i'jm a little afraid of being unable to have some kind of Visa while i'm there waiting for the SRRV. Yes Cruising is expensive and I'll miss the Typoon season ok. See i'm selling my 5 properties I own, selling everything I own.  There I'll be, me and my 5 white suitcases, ready  for a new adventure and a new life in the P.I.

[Sander Martin]

Noone can really tell you Mark on what's its like for you. There's good and bad here like everywhere else in the world. Some people really like her and some don't. Best way is to come and see for yourself. Even tho i mostly like the country and the people, i personally found out quick that I wouldn't be able to live here long term. I'm anxiously waiting for her and our sons visas to be ready to leave for Europe.

Btw can you leave the cruises midway?

Edited May 13, 2016 by Sander Martin

[Nephi]

13 minutes ago, markpa said:

I guess i'jm a little afraid of being unable to have some kind of Visa while i'm there waiting for the SRRV. Yes Cruising is expensive and I'll miss the Typoon season ok. See i'm selling my 5 properties I own, selling everything I own.  There I'll be, me and my 5 white suitcases, ready  for a new adventure and a new life in the P.I.

The visa issue takes care of itself. You arrive on a regular tourist visa that can be renewed every three months I think it is now. But as soon as you pay for and apply for the SSRV, no further visa payments or renewals are needed. So it's pretty simple.

Where you're gona make this your home kinda sight unseen, I'd suggest Subic Bay as a place to settle in. Subic is far and away the most like being Stateside but with all the benefits of living here in the islands. Complete with shopping malls, endless restaurants, and water sports; it's the place to be.

US Social Security can be direct deposited to one of several approved banks here. For that or other needs you can visit the US Embassy site in Manila. The page for Social Security is Here.

Anyway, you're in for the adventure of a lifetime and makes me remember my move here years ago.

 

 

Regards

Nephi