Moving to the Philippines

If you’re moving to the Philippines for work, you will need a non-immigrant visa and you will need to have a job secured already. For the application, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months, a copy of your employment contract, passport-size photos of yourself, your CV, a medical and physical examination report, and the visa fee. You will also need to prove you have the financial means to sustain yourself for the duration of your stay.

You will also need to apply for an Alien Employment Permit through the Department of Labour and Employment. You can do this at your nearest Filipino embassy or at a regional office in the Philippines. You will be more likely to be successful in your application if you do so through your employer in the Philippines.

It can be difficult to obtain a work permit in the Philippines and immigration laws around working are strict. It’s advised that expats secure work in the Philippines before they move. The employer can then help to obtain the necessary visa and work permit.  

Many expats in the Philippines work for multinational companies. Another popular role for expats is teaching English as a foreign language and working in call centres. The Philippines also has many job opportunities within mining, construction, food processing, and tourism.

The average annual salary in the Philippines is around 161,847 PHP (£2,286) per year and the median salary is 655,200 PHP (£9,256). This is often much lower than expats are used to, although corporate, high-level positions are often higher paid. For example, a senior project manager can expect around 1,129,608 PHP (£15,958) per year. The low cost of living in the Philippines can help to bring a balance so expats can maintain a quality lifestyle.

The cost of living in the Philippines is relatively low, especially when compared to the UK. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in the Philippines is nearly 45% lower than in the UK and rent is around 77% lower.

It’s estimated that a family of four will need around £1,500 to cover costs each month, not including rent, and a single person will require around £433, in addition to rent.

Renting an apartment in the city centre will cost around £254 per month, an a flat outside the city will cost around £140. A three-bedroom home in the city will cost around £568 per month and the same size property outside the city will cost on average £302 per month.

Eating out in the Philippines is extremely cheap. Groceries can be on a similar scale to the UK, but sticking with local produce will secure cheaper prices. Basic utilities are cheap, although you can expect to spend a lot on mobile phone plans.

The Filipino healthcare system is unusual in that it is primarily serviced by private hospitals and clinics; very few state-funded medical establishments exist. This is not necessarily a bad thing as these privately-run hospitals generally offer far higher standards of care than their state-run alternatives.

Indeed, the standards found in many private hospitals is good enough that the Philippines have become an important destination for medical tourism. People flock here from around the world to enjoy Western-standard medical care at South East Asian prices. The doctors here are typically highly trained and fluent in English, assuring you of a comfortable visit.

That said, the fact that almost all medical care is paid for by private citizens means that international travel insurance in the Philippines should be considered essential.

In the case of emergency care being necessary ring 117 from within the Philippines and request an ambulance.

In terms of preventative medicine, visitors to the Philippines are at risk of contracting both malaria and dengue fever. Travellers are therefore advised to seek vaccinations in plenty of time before leaving home so as to ensure immunity.

Health insurance for foreigners is a necessity by law. All residents must sign up for public health insurance through the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation. must sign up for public health insurance through the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation. You will be classed as a resident if you are living in the Philippines for longer than six months. If you are working with a Filipino employer, you will usually be signed up through them and contribute through your wages. If you are not working, you will have to sign up yourself and make your own contributions.

Many expats choose private health insurance to avoid long wait times and to access more options for their care. They will also often have access to higher-quality facilities. The best expat health insurance in the Philippines will provide comprehensive cover to allow individuals peace of mind that they can claim for the treatment they require during their stay. At Expatriate Group, our policies have been specifically designed for those living overseas.

In a throwback from the Spanish colonization, the national currency of the Philippines is known as the peso.

ATMs are commonplace in most towns and cities though be aware that not all of them actively accept international debit cards. Alternatively, you may need to actually enter a bank and withdraw money directly with the teller using your credit or debit card, or by cashing traveller’s checks. Note that many banks remain closed over the weekend and on national holidays, so visitors are advised to plan their cash needs in advance so as to avoid any unfortunate situations.

Broadly speaking fewer businesses accept credit cards than in many other countries so should not be relied upon.

You can open a bank account in the Philippines as long as you can prove you are a resident (having lived in the Philippines for longer than six months) and have the necessary visa and proof of address. Many banks now accept online applications, but you will have to check which branches offer this service to expats.

Non-residents will be liable to pay tax on any income earned from sources in the Philippines. Residents will be liable to pay tax on all their income, no matter where it is sourced from. Income tax will depend on the amount earned, with up to 250,000 PHP being tax free.

The Philippines is an archipelago of islands that largely enjoys a hot and humid tropical climate. Three different seasons are recognized in the Philippines. First of all is the hot, dry season which is experienced between March and May. Next, between June and November, comes the rainy season. Lastly, a cool and dry season is experienced between December and February.

The Philippines is located on the so-called “ring of fire” and as a result they regularly experience extreme climatic conditions. An average of 20 typhoons hit the country each year, while earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are not uncommon. Lastly in the rainy season sudden torrential downpours are typical, which can make travelling somewhat problematic.

All this seismic activity does have a positive side though. The Philippines are estimated to have the world’s largest deposits of copper, and the second largest deposits of gold in the world. This rich mineral bounty has helped the Philippines to fund considerable growth and development over recent decades, bringing itself sharply into the 21st century.

The Philippines is also now the 2nd largest producer of geothermal energy in the world, which has helped to reduce pollution and protect the natural wonders which abound here. There are now estimated to be 100 mammals and 170 birds found nowhere else in the world.

With over 7,000 islands to choose from it should come as no surprise that the Philippines offers visitors a wealth of experiences. Here are some of the most famous sites to be found in this incredible country.

El Nido’s shallow, clear waters and jungle-clothed rocky outcrops give the impression of the Thai paradise enjoyed by Leonardi DiCaprio in The Beach. El Nido is considered to be one of the very best diving sites in all of the Philippines and passionate divers flock here from around the world to enjoy the spectacle. It has been said that the best description of diving here is to imagine yourself inside a tropical fish tank.

If you’ve ever looked at those pictures of tropical paradises and promised yourself that one day you’d spend time lying on a white sand beach, relaxing under a palm tree, next to a warm turquoise ocean then Boracay is all this and more. A tropical island paradise, Boracay is the perfect answer to the stresses and strains of modern life.

World Heritage Site Vigan is known around the world as one of the best-preserved original Hispanic towns in the world. From its cobbled streets to the perfectly-preserved buildings, a visit to Vigan allows you to immerse yourself in a bygone world.

Known for their colour in the dry season, when the vegetation wilts and turns a chocolatey-brown colour, this collection of more than a 1000 unusually-shaped hills is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of the Philippines. The vast array of conical hills, surrounded by lush forest, creates a thoroughly unique spectacle to visit; no wonder then that the area is currently being considered for World Heritage status.