Two routes.One right answer
The deposits differ by up to $48,500. Here is the comparison the PRA tables imply but never spell out.
The short answer
SRRV Courtesy or Classic: which one is mine?
Courtesy is the low-deposit special-category route; for US veterans it turns on a DD-214 and a lifetime pension currently being received. Classic is the general route by age and pension income. The comparison below puts both side by side, and we screen your documents before you commit.
At a glance
Two routes, one decision
Courtesy
The veteran route
A DD-214 with honorable discharge, plus a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month that you are currently receiving. The low-deposit special category.
$1,500
Visa deposit, 50 or older
Classic
The general route
By age and pension income, for anyone who does not fit a special category. Pensioner and non-pensioner rates, age 40 and up.
$15,000 to $50,000
Visa deposit range
The spread is up to $48,500. Which side you land on turns on your documents, not your assumptions, so we screen first.
The master comparison
Courtesy (foreign national)
- Who it is for1
- Retired diplomats, officers of recognized international organizations, high achievers, and the military track for US veterans: an honorable discharge plus a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month, currently being received. PRA determines qualification case by case.
- Deposit, 50 and older1
- $1,500
- Deposit, 40 to 49, pensioner1
- $3,000
- Deposit, 40 to 49, non-pensioner1
- $6,000
- Pension proof required1
- Military track: a lifetime pension of at least $1,000 per month, currently being received, proven by DFAS or VA benefit letters, apostilled. A pension that has not started paying does not count yet.
- Military service proof1
- DD-214 with honorable discharge, the military service record PRA works from. Retirement orders are not a separate requirement; PRA may request more documents.
- Annual PRA fee2
- $100 covering the principal plus 2 dependents; $10 each additional.
- Extra dependents2
- $15,000 added to the deposit for each dependent beyond two, and a $300 application fee for each dependent.
- Processing fee2
- $1,500, non-refundable if the application is discontinued.
Classic
- Who it is for1
- Pensioners and non-pensioners, age 40 and up.
- Deposit, 50 and older1
- $15,000 pensioner, $30,000 non-pensioner
- Deposit, 40 to 49, pensioner1
- $25,000
- Deposit, 40 to 49, non-pensioner1
- $50,000
- Pension proof required1
- Lifetime pension of at least $800 per month for single applicants or $1,000 with dependents, for the pensioner rates.
- Military service proof1
- Not required.
- Annual PRA fee2
- $360 covering the principal plus 2 dependents; $100 each additional.
- Extra dependents2
- $15,000 added to the deposit for each dependent beyond two, and a $300 application fee for each dependent.
- Processing fee2
- $1,500, non-refundable if the application is discontinued.
Footnotes link to the Official Source Library: 1 PRA SRRVisa overview and Expanded SRRV Program; 2 PRA fee schedule per the same sources.
PRA figures verified June 18, 2026Sources
Which route fits you
The retired E-7, 54, after 20 years
Courtesy candidate, $1,500
Drawing roughly $3,000 a month in DFAS retired pay, three times the $1,000 gate. The textbook Courtesy profile.
Subject to PRA document review; we screen first.
The medically retired E-6, 44, with $2,400/month retired pay
Courtesy candidate, $3,000
A DD-214 plus retired pay flowing well past the gate clears the Courtesy track at the 40 to 49 rate.
Subject to PRA document review; we screen first.
The separated veteran, 47, 100 percent P&T
Courtesy candidate, $3,000
Not on the retired rolls, and it does not matter: lifetime VA compensation above the gate plus the DD-214 opens the same Courtesy track.
Subject to PRA document review; we screen first.
The civilian couple, 58, with Social Security and a 401(k)
Classic pensioner candidate, $15,000
Lifetime Social Security income at the thresholds supports the 50-plus pensioner deposit.
Subject to PRA document review; we screen first.
Not sure which side of the pension gate you are on? The rule, explained plainly.
Common traps
Assuming retirement status is the gate. PRA tests current receipt of a lifetime pension, not the title on your separation paperwork; a Guard retiree waiting on age-60 pay does not fit Courtesy until the checks start.
Quoting the 10-day internal figure as the full timeline.
Wiring the deposit before the PRA bank steps (Letter of Introduction, remittance purpose line) are set.
Letting a tourist visa expire mid-process.
Forgetting the third-dependent $15,000 rule.
Two routes.Screened first
Compare your best route in two minutes, or get the full answer in one session.
SRRV Courtesy qualification is determined by the Philippine Retirement Authority on the documents. Many US military retirees may qualify; others fit SRRV Classic. We screen both routes before you commit, and we will tell you plainly if the SRRV is not your best option.