Moving to the Philippines

The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia that has become an increasingly popular immigration destination in recent years. The mild tropical climate, picturesque beaches, low cost of living and developed infrastructure attract many foreigners who dream of starting a new life here.

Baguio is located in the north of the island of Luzon, in a mountainous area at an altitude of around 1500 meters above sea level. Thanks to the cool mountain climate, it is pleasant and not too hot here all year round. Baguio is known as the "summer capital" because the government used to move here during the hot months. Today, Baguio is a modern resort with a well-developed infrastructure. It is an ideal place for retirees and those who prefer a mild climate.

Makati is the business and financial center of the Manila agglomeration. Skyscrapers, offices of transnational corporations, the best shopping centers and entertainment facilities are concentrated here. The standard of living is quite high, but so are the costs of housing and food. Makati is suitable for anyone who appreciates the hustle and bustle of the city and its first-class infrastructure.

Cebu - the city is located on the island of the same name in the central part of the Philippines. It is the second largest city in the country after Manila. Cebu combines modern skyscrapers, shopping centers and a developed economy with historical sights and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. There are popular beaches and diving spots nearby.

Iloilo is a city on the island of Panay and the administrative center of the Western Visayas region. The city is developing rapidly but retains its identity and flair. It has modern shopping centers and comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices. The city is clean, green and safe.

Cagayan de Oro is an important port city in the south of the Philippines, on the island of Mindanao. The city's economy is based on shipping, fishing and tourism. The infrastructure is well developed and the cost of living is relatively low. It is a popular destination for immigrants.

Davao is the largest city in the Philippines in terms of both area and population. It is the financial and industrial center of the island of Mindanao. Although the city is a metropolis, there is still plenty of greenery and parks here. Life here is affordable and comfortable.

If you are planning to move to the Philippines, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa depending on the purpose of your stay in the country:

• 13A Immigrant Visa - the most important visa for moving to the Philippines for permanent residence. It is issued for a period of 1 year and is renewed annually thereafter. To obtain it, you must provide proof of a pension of at least $800 per month or make a deposit of $10,000 at a bank in the Philippines.
• Special Retiree Visa SRRV - issued to citizens over the age of 50. Must make a deposit of $10,000 to $50,000 depending on age. Allows indefinite stay in the country and does not need to be renewed annually.
• 9G Work Visa - allows you to officially work in the Philippines for a local employer. Usually valid for 1 year with the possibility of extension. It can be used to obtain a permanent residence permit for long-term employment.
• Investor Visa - requires an investment of $75,000 or more. Valid for 1-3 years with the possibility of extension.
• Entrepreneur Visa - requires an investment of at least $200,000 to start a new business in the Philippines. Valid for 2 years.
• Visa for spouses and children of Filipino citizens - a way to obtain a residence permit for family members of Filipinos.

Foreign nationals who wish to work in the Philippines require a special work permit from the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment in addition to the work visa.

The work permit for foreigners can be applied for at the Philippine Embassy or upon arrival in the country via the employer at the local labor office.

The validity of the permit depends on the employment contract - it is usually issued for one year and can be extended. This document is required in order to work legally in the country. So make sure you have it before you apply for a job in the Philippines.

The cost of living in the Philippines is much lower than in Europe, the USA and other developed countries. This is one of the main factors that attract foreigners here.
As a rule, most of the cost is the rent for accommodation. It varies depending on the neighborhood and type of property. On average, a one-bedroom apartment costs from 300 dollars per month. A house or villa is more expensive - from 500 dollars.
Utilities such as electricity, water, gas and internet are relatively inexpensive. According to expats, living in most parts of the country costs around $1,000 per month if you're sensible.
You can save money by using public transportation, local stores and markets where prices are lower. It's also possible to rent a room in an apartment rather than a whole house.
If you are sensible with your spending, life in the Philippines is very comfortable and affordable. The Philippines is a good option for retirees, freelancers and anyone who appreciates an affordable life in an exotic country.

In the Philippines, there are private clinics of international standard where you can receive medical care in English. They are located in major cities such as Manila, Cebu and Davao. The services are chargeable and the prices are higher than in public hospitals. Foreigners can also be treated in the public hospitals. The quality of treatment is good, but there may be a language barrier. The tariffs are much lower.
It is recommended that you take out local health insurance with one of the Philippine companies. This will give you discounts at the private clinics that work with the insurer.
For planned treatments or complex operations, you can go to neighboring countries - Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand. The level of medicine there is higher. It is necessary to take out foreign travel insurance for emergency assistance and medical evacuation.
It is important that you have all the vaccinations recommended by the WHO for a stay in the country. It is better to buy medicines from pharmacies and avoid street vendors. If you take all precautions, you can stay in good health thanks to the good medical care in the Philippines and receive quality treatment if needed.

Virtual assistants and remote back office workers are among the most popular professions in the Philippines in recent years. Although their work is organized remotely, the tasks are different. Virtual assistants perform a wider range of tasks - calendar management, phone calls, social media marketing. Back-office workers specialize in data entry, information verification and bookkeeping. However, both professions are actively evolving in remote work and are also in demand abroad.
Call centers continue to be a popular employer in the Philippines. Tens of thousands of Filipinos work in customer service, technical support, sales and marketing for foreign companies. The Filipinos' English language skills and hospitality are highly valued in this sector.
Digital marketing and content management is another fast-growing industry. Creating and promoting content online, managing corporate social networks, developing strategies - these skills are in demand in the next generation of marketing.
Financial professionals such as accountants, analysts, financial advisors and account managers are also in constant demand in the Philippines. There are many vacancies in this field with good salaries.
Education is another growing sector of the economy. There is an increasing demand for tutors, English teachers, online course teachers and educational technology specialists.

Advantages:
- Warm tropical climate all year round. No major temperature fluctuations.
- Picturesque nature - sea, beaches, jungle, volcanoes. Opportunities for diving and surfing.
- Low cost of living - products, services, housing rents are cheaper than in Europe and the USA.
- Developed infrastructure in major cities - shopping centers, entertainment, medicine.
- Opportunities for business and remote work. Low taxes for foreigners.
- Friendly population, good attitude towards foreigners. Ability to communicate in English.
Disadvantages:
- High air and water pollution, garbage on the streets.
- Frequent typhoons, floods and other natural disasters.
- Poor condition of road infrastructure in the province, frequent traffic jams.
- Risk of kidnapping and fraud against foreigners.
- Not very high level of medical care in public facilities.