Philippines FIV Investor Visa Program - Comprehensive Guide and Application

Why Live in the Philippines?

The Philippines is a popular destination for expats due to several reasons. The country offers beautiful warm weather, tropical rainforests, and stunning beaches, making it an ideal island paradise.

Additionally, the Filipino people are known for being friendly and welcoming. And being highly proficient in English, it easy for foreigners to communicate and connect with them.

Many foreigners also come to the Philippines with the intention of finding love and settling down with a Filipina.

What is the Philippines FIV visa?

The FIV Investor Visa is a residency by investment program in the Philippines. It allows visa holders to immediately gain permanent residency status upon approval of the visa. From there, visa holders are eligible to apply for Philippines citizenship by fulfilling the existing naturalization requirements.

The Philippines is one of the few countries in Asia that allows dual citizenship. If you are interested in obtaining a passport and establishing a new citizenship in the Philippines, this visa could be a great option for you.

The FIV visa is administered by the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), which is a special administrative zone in Mariveles. The Freeport Area of Bataan is about 160km from Manila, and 110km from Angeles City.

The visa has been designed from the ground up with the intention of creating an easy and streamlined residency program that applicants can obtain with a minimum of hassle. There are minimal ongoing reporting requirements, and less admin involved than the legacy Philippines investment visa, the SIRV.

FAB Investor Visa holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 with them. And no additional investment is required.

As a permanent resident, you and your family will have access to public services in the Philippines. This includes being able to enroll your children in public schools and having full work and study rights.

You are not restricted to residing in the Freeport Area of Bataan. All of the Philippines is open to you and your family.

You will also be eligible to set up an FAB freezone company which will bring additional tax benefits if you are in business.

FIV Investor Visa Eligibility

The eligibility criteria on the FIV visa has intentionally been kept light.

Applicants are required to invest US$75,000 in a government approved project. There is no minimum net worth or proof of income required. Financial qualification is solely based on the ability to make the $75,000 investment.

Another key feature of this visa is that there is no minimum stay requirement. This makes the visa an excellent option for those who want to have a solid backup plan without making a significant lifestyle commitment. It’s there waiting for you whenever you want to use it.

The visa is available to individuals of all nationalities, regardless of whether they are citizens of a country on an international sanctions list.

How to apply for the Philippines FIV Investors Visa?

The visa application is a 3-step process:

1 – Schedule a consultation

• Get pre-qualified

2 – Submit your application

• Provide a CV
• Copy of your passport
• Police clearance report

3 – Visit Philippines for onboarding

• All applicants will attend a 5-day organized trip
• At the conclusion, there will be an oath-taking ceremony
• You will be granted Permanent Resident status after the ceremony

There is an application processing fee of $20,000, plus $5,000 to cover expenses for the onboarding trip.

The estimated time to have your visa approved is just one week.

Offshore in Asia are licensed agents of the Philippines FIV Investor visa program. Applications and enquiries can be submitted here.

Other Visa Options in the Philippines

For those that would prefer to invest in the Philippine Stock Exchange rather than a government prescribed investment The Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV) may be worth a look.

If you are over 50 and don’t want to commit a chunk of money, then the Philippines retirement visa (SRRV) could be better for you.

Additional Considerations

One of the hidden perks of the Philippines FIV investor visa is that if you complete the entire process and obtain citizenship, you will be legally allowed to own land in the Philippines, just like any other Filipino citizen.

It’s important to keep in mind the following information: Other foreigners are typically not permitted to own land in the Philippines, giving you a significant strategic advantage. If you have the financial means, you could thrive, whether through property development, land subdivision, or simply owning a piece of land for yourself.

That said, there are certain tax benefits to residing in the Philippines without being a citizen, so it’s important to consider all factors before deciding whether to pursue citizenship. Applying for citizenship is voluntary, and most of the benefits of the FIV program are accessible even if you choose not to become a citizen.

If you need help evaluating your tax situation and planning around that, we can assist you.

Next Steps

The Philippines offers numerous advantages for foreigners looking to relocate, such as a desirable lifestyle, low cost of living and financial opportunities.

If you’re considering obtaining residency in the Philippines, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to help you through the process.

Thanks for reading.