Veterans in Philippines
The only country with a VA clinic, English widely spoken, and deep veteran communities around Clark and Subic.
Entering Philippines
U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for 30 days and extend through the Bureau of Immigration. Register on the free eTravel system within 72 hours before arrival. Paid lookalike eTravel sites are scams.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- SRRV (Special Resident Retiree's Visa) through the Philippine Retirement Authority. Minimum age 40. Pensioner options require proof of pension (PRA lists USD 800/month single, USD 1,000/month with family) plus a deposit. Annual fee applies. Deposit amounts were restructured in 2025, so check PRA's current table.
- 13(a) non-quota immigrant visa for spouses of Filipino citizens: probationary for one year, then permanent.
- Balikbayan privilege: a one-year stay on arrival for a foreign spouse and children traveling with a Filipino citizen or former Filipino.
VA care and benefits in Philippines
The VA Manila Outpatient Clinic at 1501 Roxas Blvd, Pasay City (inside the U.S. Embassy seafront compound) is the only VA facility in a foreign country. It treats VA-rated service-connected conditions. A VA Regional Benefit Office at the same address handles compensation, pension, education and burial (by appointment only). Philippine claims go through Manila. Elsewhere in the country, care for service-connected conditions is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program.
Healthcare
Strong private hospitals in Metro Manila (St. Luke's, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Asian Hospital) and Cebu (Chong Hua, Cebu Doctors'). Care is thin in rural provinces, so plan to travel for anything serious.
Where veterans live
- Angeles City / Clark: Former Clark Air Base, the longest-running veteran community, VFW post and Clark Veterans Cemetery.
- Subic Bay / Olongapo: Former naval base, coastal, VFW post.
- Cebu: Second city with good hospitals and beaches.
- Dumaguete: Quiet university town, low cost.
- Baguio: Cool mountain climate.
- Davao: Clean and orderly.
Cost of living
Roughly USD 1,000–1,600 a month for a single retiree outside Manila. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle. Health insurance is not included.
Money, language and time
Philippine peso (PHP) · Filipino and English · UTC+8
Buying property
Foreigners can't own land. Condo units are allowed up to 40% foreign ownership per building. Never buy land in a partner's name.
Watch out for
Romance and "emergency" money scams, land bought through a partner, fake eTravel sites, typhoon season.
Veteran organizations
VFW posts in Angeles (2485), Olongapo (11447), Cebu City (12130), Makati (12231), Baguio (124), Bauang, La Union (9892) and Puerto Princesa. The American Legion has a Department of the Philippines. See veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
Is there a VA hospital in the Philippines?
There is a VA outpatient clinic, not a hospital. The VA Manila Outpatient Clinic in Pasay City is the only VA facility outside the United States. Inpatient care for service-connected conditions is covered through the Foreign Medical Program.
What visa do retired veterans use in the Philippines?
Most use the SRRV retiree visa from the Philippine Retirement Authority, or the 13(a) visa if married to a Filipino citizen.
Can I get VA disability paid in the Philippines?
Yes. VA compensation is payable abroad, and the Philippines is on VA's international direct deposit list.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.