Currently, the Philippines does not offer a direct citizenship-by-investment program. However, there are two well-established residency-by-investment programs that provide a path to permanent residency, which can eventually lead to citizenship through naturalization.

These programs require a minimum investment of $75,000 and offer a clear route to stay in the Philippines[citation:4].

Residency Programs Available

Two primary programs allow foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in exchange for an investment[citation:4]:

  • Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV): A long-standing program managed by the Board of Investments (BOI). It allows foreign nationals to reside in the Philippines indefinitely provided they maintain their qualifying investment.
  • FAB Investor Visa (FIV): Launched in 2024 under the Freeport Area of Bataan Authority (FAB). This newer program also requires a $75,000 deposit and provides similar benefits[citation:4].

Both programs allow the principal investor to include their spouse and dependent children without requiring additional investment.

Beneficiaries have the freedom to live, work, or study anywhere in the country, and there is no strict minimum stay requirement to maintain residency status[citation:4].

Pathway from Residency to Citizenship

While the SIRV and FIV provide permanent residency, they do not directly grant citizenship.

To acquire citizenship through investment, an investor must follow the standard naturalization process under Commonwealth Act No. 473 after establishing residency[citation:2][citation:4].

  1. Secure Residency: Obtain the SIRV or FIV and reside in the Philippines with your family. The residency counts towards the 10-year requirement for naturalization (or 5 years if you qualify for special exemptions).
  2. Meet Qualifications: The investor must be at least 21 years old, of good moral character, speak English or Spanish and a Philippine language, and own real estate or have a lucrative trade[citation:2].
  3. File for Naturalization: After meeting the residency period, the investor may file a petition for naturalization with the Regional Trial Court.
  4. Renunciation of Original Citizenship: Unlike dual citizenship programs in other countries, standard naturalization in the Philippines typically requires the applicant to renounce their previous nationality and allegiance to their former country[citation:4].

Important Distinction: Dual Citizenship is Unlikely

It is crucial to understand the distinction between residency and citizenship. The Philippines generally does not allow dual citizenship for naturalized citizens who acquire citizenship through the standard court process.

While natural-born Filipinos can hold dual citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225, those who acquire citizenship through naturalization (including investors) are typically required to take an oath renouncing their foreign allegiance, making dual citizenship unavailable[citation:4].

For investors who wish to maintain their original passport, the SIRV or FIV provides indefinite permanent residency without the need to renounce their original nationality, which is often a more practical solution than pursuing full citizenship.