Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) Guide

The Ultimate Residency and Investment Strategy for Startup Founders in the Philippines

In the startup world, speed is key—but sustainability is power. If you’re a foreign entrepreneur setting up a company in Cebu or anywhere in the Philippines, the Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) offers a rare blend of legal flexibility and long-term stability. Far more than just a visa, the SIRV is a strategic residency tool designed for founders who want to build, live, and grow in the country without worrying about renewals, restrictions, or relocation.

This in-depth guide explains how the SIRV works, how to use it smartly, and how it can give your startup an edge in Southeast Asia’s emerging market landscape.

1. What is the SIRV and Who is It For?

The Special Investor’s Resident Visa is a long-term multiple-entry visa that allows foreign nationals to reside indefinitely in the Philippines, provided they invest at least USD $75,000 in qualified Philippine businesses.

It’s ideal for:

• Foreign startup founders launching a Philippine-registered company

• International angel investors or venture capitalists targeting Filipino tech startups

• Digital entrepreneurs relocating to Cebu or Metro Manila

• Global professionals seeking residency without giving up their citizenship

Unlike tourist or work visas, the SIRV empowers holders to invest, operate a business, and enjoy permanent residency—without frequent immigration renewals.

2. Key Benefits of the SIRV

Residency & Travel

• Indefinite stay in the Philippines

• Multiple-entry visa: Leave and re-enter the country freely

• Spouse and dependent children can be included under one application

Business Privileges

• Own and manage a business (as an investor or corporate officer)

• Open bank accounts (corporate and personal)

• Sign contracts, lease property, hire staff

Legal Simplicity

• No need for annual visa renewal (unlike 9(g))

• Avoids the employer-dependency of work permits

• Easy to maintain if investment is valid

Lifestyle Flexibility

• Live in Cebu, Metro Manila, Davao, or anywhere in the Philippines

• No requirement to leave the country every 30 or 60 days

• Set up a local base while maintaining global operations

3. Investment Requirements

To qualify for SIRV, you must:

• Bring in a minimum of USD $75,000 via inward remittance (through a Philippine bank)

• Invest in:

  • Publicly listed Philippine companies

  • BOI-registered or accredited enterprises

  • Your own startup, if properly registered and eligible

• Submit documentary proof such as:

  • Stock certificates

  • SEC registration

  • Subscription agreements or BOI investment endorsement

Important: You must invest in equity (ownership). Real estate or debt instruments like bonds are not allowed.

4. Types of SIRV Investors

Individual Investors

Most SIRV holders invest under their personal name in shares of corporations or startups.

Startup Founders

Foreigners establishing tech or service-based startups may use their capital infusion into their own company as the SIRV investment, provided the company is BOI-compliant.

Passive Investors

Those not managing operations but providing capital to a local company can qualify, assuming proper documentation and BOI approval.

5. Step-by-Step SIRV Application Process

Step 1: Enter on a 9(a) Tourist Visa

You must be physically in the Philippines to apply.

Step 2: Open a Philippine Bank Account

Wire the $75,000 into a local bank. This must be declared as investment remittance.

Step 3: Secure Required Documents

• Valid passport (6 months validity)

• NBI clearance or equivalent police clearance

• Medical certificate from a BOI-accredited doctor

• Proof of investment (subscription documents, share certificates)

• BOI endorsement letter (if investing in a startup)

• Marriage/birth certificates (for dependents)

Step 4: Submit Application to BOI SIRV Center

BOI coordinates with the Bureau of Immigration to process the visa.

Step 5: Issuance of Visa and ACR I-Card

Upon approval, you receive:

• SIRV stamp in your passport

• Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card)

• SIRV Identification Certificate

Estimated Processing Time: 30–60 days

6. Where to Apply: Cebu vs. Manila

While immigration processing happens at many locations, SIRV approval is centralized in BOI Manila. You can use a licensed immigration lawyer or startup consultancy firm to handle submissions on your behalf.

For founders in Cebu:

• Coordinate with a Cebu-based legal firm partnered with a BOI liaison in Manila

• Use couriers for document transfers

• Visit BOI Manila only for biometrics, if required

7. Maintaining Your SIRV Status

Once approved, you must:

• Keep your investment active and traceable

• File your Annual Report with the Bureau of Immigration every January

• Inform the BOI of any material change (company liquidation, ownership transfer, etc.)

• Avoid involvement in criminal or tax-evasion activity

Failure to comply may result in visa cancellation.

8. Can You Use the SIRV to Invest in Your Own Startup?

Yes—and this is a common and strategic move for tech entrepreneurs.

You may invest the required capital as:

• Initial capitalization when forming your corporation

• Subscription to additional authorized shares

• Acquisition of ownership from previous shareholders (with BOI approval)

Conditions:

• The startup must fall within a BOI-priority sector (e.g. tech, logistics, innovation)

• You must have full legal documentation

• BOI must approve your startup as a qualified enterprise

9. Comparison with Other Visas

10. Pros and Cons of the SIRV for Startup Founders

✔ Pros:

• Long-term residency with no exit requirement

• Full control over company and investment

• Stable legal status for scaling or raising capital

• Family-friendly with no extra monthly compliance

✘ Cons:

• Initial capital requirement ($75K)

• Limited to equity investments—not real estate

• Processing centralized in Manila (inconvenient for Cebu-based applicants)

• Requires detailed paperwork and ongoing documentation

11. Practical Tips to Streamline the SIRV Application

• Keep both digital and printed records of all investment and bank documents

• ‍⚖️ Work with BOI-experienced legal professionals, not general immigration agents

• Register your company first and make it investment-ready (e.g., increased authorized capital)

• If including dependents, process their visas simultaneously to avoid delays

• Set annual reminders for BOI reporting and visa status check-ins

12. Real-World Use Case (Founder Profile)

Name: Alex Tan
From: Singapore
Business: SaaS company for e-commerce automation
Strategy:

• Registered a corporation in Cebu (₱10M authorized capital)

• Subscribed to ₱4M worth of shares using USD remittance

• BOI registered under the “Innovation Technology” priority sector

• Received SIRV in 60 days; included spouse and 2 children

Outcome:
Alex now resides in IT Park, Cebu with legal work and stay privileges, raising local talent and expanding across SEA.

13. Conclusion: Is SIRV Right for You?

If you’re building a company in the Philippines—or investing in someone else’s—the SIRV offers unmatched immigration stability, operational freedom, and family security. While the upfront process can be paperwork-heavy, the long-term rewards in freedom, credibility, and peace of mind make it one of the most founder-friendly visa strategies in Southeast Asia.

Think of it as your immigration-as-a-service platform: one investment, permanent presence, full flexibility.