Can SRRV holders work in the Philippines?

This question appears all over Social Media and there is a lot of confusion about what an SRRV entitles you to do.

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) website incorrectly previously stated that SRRV holders were exempt from Work, Study or Investment Visa’s. What they meant was that SRRV holders didn’t need an additional VISA, however all foreigners/aliens require an Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

Although the PRA website has been subtly updated, Google will highlight search results that include both the old and new wordings. The current PRA statement is now clear:

PRA assists in securing some government documents, like driver’s licenses, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance and Alien Employment Permit (AEP), among others.

PRA Philippines : PRA Website

Can I work in the Philippines with an SRRV?

Short answer is NO you cannot. The SRRV only allows you to STAY in the Philippines permanently (if you maintain your annual I.D. Card payments).

ALL SRRV holders are required to separately apply for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) as stated by the Philippines DOLE regulations (2022 revisions):

Holders of other functional visas such as Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV), Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), Treaty Traders (9D) Visa, or Special Non-Immigrant Visa (47A2) are also subject to an AEP.

DOLE, Philippines : DOLE Website

Applying for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP)

Applying for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) in the Philippines is, as you will have guessed, a tricky affair and it needs to be proven that your job is so specific/unique that it cannot be fulfilled by a local Filipino citizen. They are usually obtainable for fixed-term employment where a firm needs ‘outside help’ for a particular skillset.

If you are an SRRV holder or in the process of applying for an SRRV and wish to work in the Philippines, then your local PRA office will happily assist you in applying for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP). Although the PRA will assist you in any way they can free of charge (they are very helpful), application fees are applicable and success in not guaranteed.

What constitutes “Work” in the Philippines

Any type of work in the Philippines without an Alien Employment Permit for SRRV holders is illegal. This includes manual and/or intellectual work including (but not limited to) Digital Nomads, Online Content Creators (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, OnlyFans, Online Shops & Affiliate Marketing revenue streams etc.) or any other type of activity you are engaged in whilst residing the Philippines. And yes, this applies to paid, unpaid, missionary and charity work also, although the latter is likely to be excused!

Do NOT mix-up Philippine Taxation Rules, which for foreign/offshore generated income from offshore entities (including offshore servers) is typically immune from local Philippine taxation – as Philippine Tax Legislation has nothing to do with VISA’s or WORK PERMITS!

Conclusion :
The SRRV is a RETIREMENT VISA and should NOT be misconstrued as anything else.