--- title: "Applicant Guide" description: "The actual visa route, why the stock route is possible, and what you need to do end-to-end." order: 1 updatedAt: "2026-03-30" audience: "Applicant" highlights: - "The relevant route is the Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV), not a generic 'investment permit'." - "Yes, eligible shares in publicly-listed Philippine companies can qualify, but the process is stricter than buying PSE stocks in a normal retail account." - "Your residence lasts only while the required qualifications and investments are maintained." --- # Bottom line If your goal is to **legally stay in the Philippines through a qualifying investment of at least US$75,000**, the route you are describing is the **Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)**. Based on current BOI and BI materials, the answer to your core question is: - **Yes:** the SIRV still centers on a **minimum US$75,000 inward remittance** and can be satisfied through an eligible investment in the Philippines. - **Yes:** BOI's 2023 SIRV FAQ still says **shares in publicly-listed companies** are an eligible form of investment. - **But:** the stock route is **not the same thing as casually buying PSE shares in a standard online brokerage account**. BOI's proof-of-investment requirements for publicly listed shares call for a **stock certificate**, official receipts/buy invoice, a **sworn certification from the stockbroker**, and a BOI lien/annotation that the shares cannot be sold, transferred, or conveyed without prior BOI approval. That creates a major operational constraint for applicants using listed stocks. Primary sources: - [BOI SIRV FAQ 2023 PDF](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SIRV-FAQ-ao-2023-v.pdf) - [BOI 2022 Investor's Guidebook](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Investors-Guidebook-as-of-06-June-2022.pdf) - [BOI FAQ page on investor visas](https://boi.gov.ph/ufaqs/14-as-an-investor-what-visa-can-be-issued/) # What the visa actually gives you The SIRV is a residence visa under Book V of the Omnibus Investments Code. BOI describes it as a visa that allows the holder to **reside in the Philippines for an indefinite period as long as the investment subsists**. BOI's older investor FAQ and the implementing rules use substantially the same concept: indefinite residence, but only while qualifications and the investment are maintained. That means this is **not** a one-time buy-and-forget visa. If the investment stops qualifying, if reporting obligations are missed, or if the visa conditions are breached, the residence benefit can be put at risk. Sources: - [BOI investor visa FAQ](https://boi.gov.ph/ufaqs/14-as-an-investor-what-visa-can-be-issued/) - [Rules implementing EO 226, Book V / SIRV provisions](https://boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/RULES-AND-REGULATIONS-TO-IMPLEMENT-EXECUTIVE-ORDER-NO.-226.pdf) # Who can apply BOI's 2023 FAQ says the applicant must be: - At least **21 years old** - Not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude - Not afflicted with a loathsome, dangerous, or contagious disease - Not institutionalized for a mental disorder or disability - Willing and able to invest at least **US$75,000** - If applying inside the Philippines, a holder of a **tourist visa with at least one month validity** Qualified dependents are limited to: - The **spouse** - **Unmarried children under 21** Important nuance: older BOI FAQ text refers to dependent children below 18, while the 2023 SIRV FAQ states unmarried children under 21. For current practice, I am treating the newer 2023 SIRV FAQ as the better operational source, but this is worth confirming directly with BOI when filing. Sources: - [BOI SIRV FAQ 2023 PDF](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SIRV-FAQ-ao-2023-v.pdf) - [BOI investor visa FAQ](https://boi.gov.ph/ufaqs/14-as-an-investor-what-visa-can-be-issued/) # Can you use Philippine listed stocks? ## Official answer BOI's 2023 SIRV FAQ says eligible forms of investment include: - **Publicly-listed companies** - Companies in BOI priority areas / SIPP - Companies in manufacturing and qualifying service sectors - Government securities The same FAQ also says that, when converting the time deposit into an investment for **publicly-listed companies**, the accredited bank may issue the check to the **stockbrokerage firm**. That is the clearest current official sign that the listed-stock route still exists. Source: - [BOI SIRV FAQ 2023 PDF](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SIRV-FAQ-ao-2023-v.pdf) ## Practical answer The listed-stock route is real, but it has a **documentation and custody problem**. BOI's guidebook says that for investments in publicly listed corporations, the applicant later needs to submit: - A **certified true copy of the stock certificate** - Certified true copies of **official receipts and buy invoice** - A **sworn certification of the stockbroker** The same BOI material also says stock certificates issued to SIRV holders must bear an annotation that the owner is an SIRV holder and the shares **cannot be sold, transferred, or conveyed without prior BOI approval**. My inference from that combination is: - A normal brokerage position where the shares sit in street name / nominee form may **not** be enough by itself. - Before choosing the stock route, you should confirm that your selected broker, transfer agent, and issuer can produce the **certificate + annotation + documentary trail** BOI expects. - If they cannot, the listed-stock path may be technically allowed but **operationally impractical** for you. This is the single biggest risk in using the "I'll just buy Philippine stocks" version of the SIRV. Source for the documentary requirements: - [BOI 2022 Investor's Guidebook](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Investors-Guidebook-as-of-06-June-2022.pdf) # Where you file BOI's SIRV FAQ says an applicant can secure forms and file through: - The **Incentives Administration Service**, 2nd Floor, Board of Investments, 385 Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City - A **Philippine Embassy or Consulate** abroad - BOI's downloadable forms page Relevant operational pages: - [BOI incentives / downloadable SIRV forms](https://boi.gov.ph/resources/downloadable-forms/incentives/) - [BOI OWN online assistance portal](https://boi.gov.ph/boi-own/) # Required documents at the start BOI's guidebook lists the core documentary requirements for the SIRV application in three sets: 1. Application form, notarized, with ID photos 2. Personal History Statement Form from NICA 3. Police clearance from home country or place of residence, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy, or NBI Interpol certification 4. Medical certificate from a recognized facility; for applications filed at BOI, the guidebook says the medical certificate should be validated by the **Bureau of Quarantine** 5. Bank certification as to the inward remittance and peso conversion 6. Birth records / family registry for dependents 7. Marriage certificate if applicable This means your path is not just "fund account, buy stock, done." The administrative package is substantial and can easily dominate the timeline if your civil records or police clearances need apostille/authentication work. Source: - [BOI 2022 Investor's Guidebook](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Investors-Guidebook-as-of-06-June-2022.pdf) # Step-by-step process ## 1. Pick the route and de-risk the stock plan first Before remitting money, decide whether you really want the **publicly listed stock** route or whether a different qualifying corporation/investment structure is easier to document. For the stock route, ask upfront: - Which broker will execute the purchase? - Can they support a **BOI-compliant certification**? - Can the issuer / transfer agent issue a **stock certificate in your name**? - Can the required **BOI lien/annotation** actually be placed on that certificate? ## 2. Remit the US$75,000 through a BOI-accredited depository bank BOI materials currently point to accredited depository banks including: - **Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)** - **Land Bank of the Philippines** - **Security Bank Reposo JP Rizal branch** - **EastWest Bank Gil-Puyat Metrohouse branch** The money is first placed in the required bank structure and only later converted to the actual qualifying investment. Sources: - [BOI SIRV FAQ 2023 PDF](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SIRV-FAQ-ao-2023-v.pdf) - [BOI EastWest depository bank advisory](https://boi.gov.ph/sdm_downloads/advisory-the-eastwest-banking-corporation-through-its-eastwest-bank-gil-puyat-metrohouse-branch-is-now-a-boi-accredited-depository-bank-for-the-sirv-programs-inward-remittance-requirement/) - [BOI Security Bank announcement](https://boi.gov.ph/boi-security-bank-ink-sirv-agreement-to-attract-more-foreign-investments-in-the-philippines/) ## 3. File for the probationary SIRV If your documents are accepted, BOI endorses the application to the Bureau of Immigration, and BI implements the **probationary multiple-entry SIRV**. The current BI Makati charter shows a **5 working day** office timeline for its SIRV implementation workflow once the BOI endorsement is in order. Source: - [BI Makati Immigration Extension Office Citizens' Charter 2023 PDF](https://immigration.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MAKATI.pdf) ## 4. Convert the deposit into the real investment The probationary SIRV is valid for **180 days**. BOI's FAQ says proof of investment should be shown **at least 30 days before the end of that 180-day period**. If you miss the deadline, BOI's current FAQ and the implementing rules point to penalties. Source: - [BOI SIRV FAQ 2023 PDF](https://www.boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SIRV-FAQ-ao-2023-v.pdf) - [EO 226 implementing rules](https://boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/RULES-AND-REGULATIONS-TO-IMPLEMENT-EXECUTIVE-ORDER-NO.-226.pdf) ## 5. Apply for conversion to indefinite SIRV Once the actual investment is documented, you file for conversion from probationary to indefinite SIRV. BOI's 2025 charter shows the endorsement stage for indefinite SIRV as a roughly **5 working day** internal process when documents are complete. Source: - [BOI Citizens' Charter 2025, Indefinite SIRV endorsement](https://boi.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Issuance-of-Endorsement-for-Indefinite-Special-Investors-Resident-Visa.pdf) ## 6. Maintain the visa The ongoing obligations are not optional: - Keep the qualifying investment in place - File BOI SIRV-related reports / renewals as needed - Do the BI **Annual Report** every year within the first 60 days of the year if you are a registered alien Sources: - [BOI incentives / SIRV forms page](https://boi.gov.ph/resources/downloadable-forms/incentives/) - [BI 2026 Annual Report advisory](https://immigration.gov.ph/2026-annual-report-advisory/) - [BI Annual Report FAQ](https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/) # Agencies and institutions you will actually deal with ## Government - **Board of Investments (BOI), Incentives Administration Service** - Front-end SIRV processing, checklists, endorsements, annual report forms, ID forms - **Bureau of Immigration (BI)** - Visa implementation, ACR-related processes, annual BI reporting - **Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)** - Medical-certificate validation for certain in-country filings - **National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) / INTERPOL Division** - Alternative criminal-clearance pathway mentioned by BOI - **Philippine Embassy / Consulate** - Authentication / consular support if you file or authenticate abroad ## Bank / market infrastructure - **BOI-accredited depository bank** - Handles the inward remittance / time deposit leg - **Stockbroker** - Required if you pursue publicly listed shares - **Issuer corporate secretary / transfer agent** - Potentially critical for the stock certificate and BOI annotation requirement # What I would verify before committing money 1. **Can your chosen listed-stock structure produce the exact BOI documents?** 2. **Will the broker and transfer agent cooperate on a BOI lien/annotation?** 3. **Is the target issuer open to foreign ownership at the level you need?** 4. **What happens if you want to exit or rebalance the stock position later?** 5. **Are you comfortable tying immigration status to market risk and documentation risk?** # My present conclusion If your only question is "is there really a Philippines route where I put in about US$75,000 and get legal residence?", the answer is **yes: SIRV**. If your more specific question is "can I just invest US$75,000 into Philippine stocks and be done?", the answer is **not safely in that simple form**. The current official material supports a stock-based path, but it also strongly suggests you need a **structured, document-heavy, BOI-compliant stockholding setup**, not just a normal broker purchase.