Philippines

Citizens of certain countries are allowed to enter the Philippines for a set period of time – usually up to 30 days – without a visa. Those not eligible for visa-free entry will need a Temporary Visitor’s Visa, valid for 59 days. Several countries have agreements that allow their citizens to obtain this visa on arrival, while others will need to apply at their local Philippine embassy in advance of their trip.[2]

To legally work in the Philippines, foreigners will need a Pre-Arranged Employee Visa, which can only be obtained once a job has been secured. The visa is renewable and is valid for one, two or three years.[3]

[2] https://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/temporary-visitor-s-visa

[3] https://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/temporary-visitor-s-visa

There’s a great deal of variety in the type of housing available in the Philippines, with condos, free-standing homes, beach houses and apartments all being possible options. Foreigners can legally own a house in the Philippines, but not the land it’s built on. So, for the sake of simplicity and flexibility, many prefer to rent accommodation instead.

The easiest way to find somewhere to live is by hiring a real estate agent. Other recommended house-hunting methods include browsing online property portals, asking for advice in expat forums and consulting local newspapers.[4]

The standard deposit is one or two months’ rent. However, landlords of high-end properties sometimes also request up to a full year’s worth of rent upfront, often paid via post-dated checks.[5] The cost of utilities isn’t usually included in the rental price.

[4] https://www.expatarrivals.com/asia-pacific/philippines/accommodation-philippines

[5] https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/Philippines/Landlord-and-Tenant

Though free to attend, public schools in the Philippines are under-resourced and generally offer a low quality of education.[6] Most expats don’t see these schools as an option, and prefer to enroll their children in a private or international school instead.

There are private schools following the Philippine curriculum that aren’t funded by the government. This typically results in better facilities and higher standards of teaching, although quality can still vary. Some of these schools operate from a religious standpoint, most often that of Christianity. Though private schools charge fees, they’re generally affordable.

Expat parents who have the means usually gravitate towards high quality international schools – these are schools that offer the curriculum of a foreign country, most commonly that of the USA or the UK. The International Baccalaureate, a globally recognized qualification, is also another popular choice. In the case of schools offering the curriculum of a non-English speaking country, such as France or Germany, teaching is usually in the native language of that country.[7]

[6] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/426637/education-quality-in-ph-still-wanting

[7] https://internationalschoolsearch.com/international-schools-in-the-philippines

Though the climate varies throughout the thousands of islands that make up the Philippines, the weather is usually warm and humid. There are two main seasons: the dry season from December to June, and the wet season from July to November. During the wet season, the monsoon wind blows from the southwest, bringing storms and hot weather. Heavy downpours can last for days at a time.[8]

[8] https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/philippines

English is widely spoken in the Philippines and shares joint official language status with Filipino, a formalized version of Tagalog. In daily life, expats are most likely to hear a dialect known as Taglish, which mixes words or phrases from both English and Tagalog.[9]

[9] https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/phillippines-guide

Though Philippine food is often overlooked as a global cuisine, open-minded foodies are sure to enjoy the bold flavors that characterize local cooking. Vinegar, for example, is a popular ingredient that’s used in a multitude of ways, including as a glaze, marinade or dip. Calamansi, a local citrus fruit, is also widely used to add a distinctive tangy flavor to cooking.

Without a doubt, the most essential part of the Philippine diet is rice, which is eaten at least once daily, whether for breakfast, lunch, supper or even all three. At mealtimes, plain steamed rice is often served first while the rest of the meal continues to cook. When eating, a fork and spoon are used rather than a fork and knife. The spoon is the primary utensil, while the fork is used to push food onto the spoon.

It’s said that the only way to experience authentic Philippine food is to be served a meal in the home of a local – so expats should make sure not to miss out on the opportunity if they’re invited.[10]

Those in the mood for a taste of home will find that Western favorites are still easily accessible, with the restaurant scene in the archipelago offering a range of cuisines. Imported products can be found in specialist sections of supermarkets.

[10] https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/07/what-is-filipino-food-cuisine.html

There’s a lively drinking culture in the Philippines, and nights out almost inevitably involve karaoke. There are plenty of locally brewed and fermented drinks for expats to try out, such as the somewhat sweet rice wine known as tapey, and lambanog, a coconut-based spirit. Locals love to socialize and celebrate, so there should be plenty of opportunities for expats to join in on the fun.[11]

[11] https://www.tripsavvy.com/drinking-in-the-philippines-1629670

In the Philippines, there are a number of annual celebrations paying homage to significant cultural, religious and historical events. Below is a list of yearly public holidays.[12] The government sometimes adds additional dates, usually towards the end of the year, so that families have more time to spend together during the holidays.

New Year’s Day – 1 January

Maundy Thursday – March/April

Good Friday – March/April

Day of Valor – 9 April

Labor Day – 1 May

Independence Day – 12 June

Eid al-Fitr – 1 Shawwal*

National Heroes’ Day – August

Eid al-Adha – 10 Dhul Hijja*

Bonifacio Day – 30 November

Christmas Day – 25 December

New Year’s Eve – 30 December

*Date on the Islamic calendar, based on sightings of the moon

[12] https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/

As landline penetration rates continue to drop in the Philippines, mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly. In part, this is because the infrastructure of mobile networks is better suited to service the archipelago’s thousands of islands.[14] Prepaid and postpaid options are available. To take out a contract deal, expats will need to present their passport as well as proof of residence and employment. [15]

There are two mobile providers: Smart (owned by PLDT) and Globe Telecoms, each of which has subsidiary companies operating in the market. Coverage is good throughout major cities and there are a number of cost-effective mobile plans available.[16]

[14] https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Philippines-Mobile-Infrastructure-Broadband-Operators-Statistics-and-Analyses

[15] https://www.expatarrivals.com/asia-pacific/philippines/keeping-touch-philippines

[16] https://primer.com.ph/business/2016/09/28/mobile-service-providers-in-the-philippines/

Though PLDT and, to a lesser extent, Globe Telecoms have been pushing to provide more fiber services in the Philippines, it’s still not commonly used or widely available. Internet speed and reliability remains low compared to neighboring countries, and public WiFi hotspots aren’t particularly common. That said, the Philippine population loves social media, and locals are known for patiently persisting through any slow or spotty connections to upload the perfect post.[17]

[17] https://philihappy.com/internet-in-the-philippines/

National postal services are provided by PhilPost, a government-owned entity. Estimates of international delivery time can be found on their website and parcels can be tracked online.[18] After living in the Philippines for six months, expats will be eligible to apply for a Postal ID, which can be used not only for postal services but is also accepted by several institutions as positive proof of one’s identity and residential address.[19]

[18] https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/page.php?id=27

[19] https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/page.php?id=16

The Philippines has an economy largely based on the manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, and it’s in these sectors that expats are most likely to find work in the archipelago. There may also be opportunities in tourism and teaching English.[20]

Due to high levels of unemployment, it can be difficult for foreigners to secure a position unless they have specialized or sought-after skills. Employers will also have to prove that a local cannot fill the position being taken up. In some cases, the easiest route to working in the Philippines may be to find a job with a multinational company that has a branch in the Philippines, and then request to be transferred.[21]

[20] https://www.expatarrivals.com/asia-pacific/philippines/working-philippines

[21] https://work.chron.com/job-philippines-18433.html

In the Philippines, income tax is determined on a progressive scale from 5 to 32%. The tax system is complex, and expats will be classified as falling into one of five categories which will determine whether they pay tax on only locally earned income, or their worldwide income.[22]

[22] https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2011/12/philippines-income-tax.html

The Philippines is a popular retirement destination thanks to its idyllic beaches, low cost of living and welcoming locals.[23] Those wishing to live out their golden years in the archipelago will need to apply for the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), which is divided into four subtypes depending on age and retirement income bracket.[24]

[23] https://www.zipmatch.com/blog/best-places-to-retire-in-the-philippines/

[24] https://pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program?page=1

Personal relationships are of utmost importance when doing business in the Philippines, and the best way to get a foot in the door is to be introduced by a mutual connection. When meeting, first impressions will make a significant impact, so expats should take extra effort to present themselves well. Dress is generally neat and conservative, with dark suits being standard business wear for men. For women, smart dresses or pantsuits can be worn, also preferably in dark colors.

The people of the Philippines love to socialize and often do so over meals, so business lunches and dinners are a regular occurrence. If offered any kind of refreshment during a meeting, it should be accepted to avoid offense.

It can take some time for negotiations to come to a conclusion due to the typically indirect style of communication in the Philippines. Confrontation is always avoided out of sense of obligation and to maintain dignity, and this applies to business too. Local businesspeople will almost never simply say “no”. Likewise, if a business partner says “yes”, it may simply mean “maybe”. It can take some time for the true intention behind the answer to become clear either through action or lack of action. To speed this process up and avoid confusion, ask local associates for written summaries after the conclusion of each meeting.[25]

[25] https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/phillippines-guide

With the Philippines being made up of thousands of islands, the ease of getting from place to place depends on one’s departure point and destination. For example, it’s much easier to get around within larger regions like Metro Manila (or the city of Manila located within) than to reach small, more remote islands.

Driving in the Philippines is not for the faint of heart. Fellow drivers are often erratic and unpredictable, and road fatalities have been continually rising for the last decade.[26] More than 50% of fatal accidents involve motorcycles, so although they’re a convenient way to weave through traffic, they aren’t a safe means of transport.[27] If traveling by car is a must, it’s best to be driven by a local, either by taking a taxi or hiring a permanent driver.

Rail is one way to get around Metro Manila, with both Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) being available. Though an affordable mode of transport, lines can be long and trains packed. There’s currently only one regional train line, which is closed indefinitely, so buses are used instead. To get from island to island, boats and ferries are used.[28]

[26] https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/22/Suppl_2/A191.2

[27] https://www.rappler.com/nation/110789-road-safety-report-2015-who-philippines

[28] https://philihappy.com/getting-around-the-philippines/

The official currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP), subdivided into 100 centavos. Money is available in the following denominations.

• Notes: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 PHP
• Coins: 1, 5 and 10 PHP, and 1, 5, 10 and 25 centavos

For expats wanting to open a bank account in the Philippines, there are several good local options, with the most popular being Banco de Oro, Philippine National Bank, Metrobank and Bank of the Philippine Islands. Several international banks also have a presence in the Philippines, including Citibank and HSBC.

Opening a bank account in the Philippines can be a somewhat daunting process, with a number of documents being necessary to do so. Among these is one’s passport, proof of address and proof of the right to be in the country, with the latter usually being in the form of a registration certificate. References from a previous bank may also be required.[29]

[29] https://transferwise.com/us/blog/opening-a-bank-account-in-the-philippines

Most expats find living in the Philippines to be generally affordable. The cost of living is well below that of nearby Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.[30] Expenses can vary significantly throughout the archipelago, with Manila being the most expensive city to live in. That said, foreigners who find work in the Philippines are often well-paid, and earn somewhat higher salaries than locals. As a result, finances aren’t likely to be a major concern.

Food, clothing and public transport are easily affordable, with accommodation likely to be one’s main expense. Buying a car can be surprisingly pricey, though, and international school fees can be high.[31]

[30] https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Portals/0/Content/Rankings/rankings/col2017a986532/index.html

[31] http://www.expatarrivals.com/philippines/cost-of-living-in-philippines