SRRV agent: cost and recommendation?

Welcome to the forum Willis, enjoy the reads and banter.

While there are some that recommend an external agent, yes they generally want another US 500 for their services on top of the PRA fee they are paid of another US 500 bucks that is part of your US 1,400.00 application fee.

Personally I would only deal with the PRA and their paid agents. They do it every day and you will save US 500 bucks. Make sure your paperwork is in order as per the PRA website and should be seamless, most applicants deal directly with the PRA when applying for an SRRV while some need their hands held and pay for ineptitude.

The PRA fees include the agent, some take the piss.

Good luck with your future move/venture, enjoy the Philippines as most here do.

Cheers, Steve.

Hi, all: I'm certain that retaining an agent is the right thing to do when applying for an SRRV. Couple of questions:1) They used to be free. The couple of agents I've inquired with want to charge 500USD on top of government fees. Is this the new paradigm? or are they trying to rip me off?2) I would be pleased to have a recommendation or two of agents anyone has had a positive experience with.Thanks in advance! - @Willis100

While I agree that it is best to use an agent for SRRV that is free (by law), I am not sure if it is worth  paying $500.00. You can do it yourself. What if PRA discovers that your PRA agent is illicit right at the time your papers are being processe? Such an "agent" would likely be considered a fixer.

Yes Dan and the PRA are clamping down on those tsking the piss, plenty of accredited PRA agents to accomplish your needs.

Cheers, Steve.

@Willis100

DO NOT pay SRRV agents directly for the Commission USD500 as they receive this from PSA when you sign up.

If you want to obtain an SRRV then contact Philippine Retirement Authority directly and also report the "agent" who is asking for "commission" or "processing fee" or whatever they call it.

https://pra.gov.ph/

If you want a direct contact please contact me and I will find appropriate person close to where you are currently located, just tell me where you are located

@martyn27

One thing to remember is:

IF you contact PRA before signing with a marketer agent, and then start the application process with PRA, THEN you lose the option forever of ever using a marketer-agent.

That is a big deal.

So, if you contact PRA as suggested, don't start the application with them. You could also wait until after you signed with your marketer before contacting PRA to report.

I don't know why they do it that way; apparently, when you start with PRA they think they captured your business and do not have to pay a marketer, However, a good marketer can make a big different in the ease of getting the STTV.

@bigpearl

Thanks very much, Steve! Your advice sounds dead on

@danfinn

Thanks!

Hi, all: I'm certain that retaining an agent is the right thing to do when applying for an SRRV. Couple of questions:
1) They used to be free. The couple of agents I've inquired with want to charge 500USD on top of government fees. Is this the new paradigm? or are they trying to rip me off?
2) I would be pleased to have a recommendation or two of agents anyone has had a positive experience with.
Thanks in advance! - @Willis100

Depends on where you are. If you're in Cebu, go straight to the PRA Cebu office in the 2Quad Building a block from Ayala Mall. Just walk in. It's a small office with 3 or 4 women on staff, the main head is Elma who speaks fluent English. They will do anything a paid marketer will do for FREE and as fast as a marketer that charges $500 or more and claims they are faster. Don't fall for it. And don't use James Biron at Eaton Tower Makati.

@livelifethephilippines

But yes, the days of “free” assistance are mostly gone. Agents now typically charge between $500 and $1,000 on top of the PRA fees — some are more transparent and helpful than others.

PRA never changed their rules. Wow $1000 dollars. Marketers are not permitted to charge for SRRV processing assistance. Period. But they can and do charge small amounts for certain periferal services such as providing guides to get you around the city to visit the various agencies like NBI and the medical. Later they may offer a service to renew your ID or restamp your passport. But for basic SRRV application assistance, nope, PRA pays them, not you the client. And this is not just a thing of the past. What may be new are unscrupulous visa agents gaming the system and costing you a lot of money but if they get caught they lose their certification and perhaps cancel your application. And I believe PRA will not deal with uncertified agents representing PRA's applicants. There are good PRA marketers out there who do it right but I realize thar finding visa agents, especially dishonest ones,  may be the path of least investigation on the part of applicants.