The Philippines is a fascinating area to visit, whether as a tourist or as a potential expat looking for work. The country has a wide range of visas available, and which one you need will depend on the purpose of your trip, how long you intend to stay, and your nationality.Will I need a visa? … Read more
The Philippines are likely to attract the more adventurous expat job seeker and finding work here can be a challenge, although it is not impossible. In order to encourage employers to hire local workers, to combat the country’s 5.2% unemployment rate and ensure that overseas personnel pay taxes, the government has recently overhauled the work … Read more
Who are you? Randy Landis. Where, when and why did you move abroad? We moved from Tupelo, MS to Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines in 2013. What challenges did you face during the move? Downsizing and liquidation of everything we didn’t plan on bringing to the Philippines was a major task.Closing two businesses, selling our home … Read more
You’ve negotiated visas and vaccinations, packed up your home and belongings, and said goodbye to your family and friends. However, once you land in the Philippines, there’s a whole new set of essential steps for you to tackle.Health Insurance The Philippines offers a government-owned national health insurance programme called PhilHealth. As an expat, if you … Read more
Are you dreaming of a retirement lounging on a beautiful beach? Or looking to further your banking career in Manila’s rising skyline? Whatever your reasons for arriving in the Philippines, make sure you get the paperwork right to avoid unnecessary problems. Obtaining A Visa Many people stay in the Philippines for the short to medium … Read more
Who are you? Bruce Malcolm Curran, originally from Scotland. Where, when and why did you move abroad? I first moved from the UK in 1987, when I was offered a job in expat financial planning in HK – then governed and controlled by Britain. What challenges did you face during the move? The challenge was … Read more
Medical tourism is gaining prominence with people from around the world. Many people, especially those from the US, UK, Canada and Australia, travel to certain Asian and European countries to undergo long-term treatment or take advantage of an inclusive system with lower rates. Here, patients can spend a mere fraction for their treatments than what … Read more
Who are you? I’m Chris Rice. A non-combat US veteran. Where, when and why did you move abroad? I moved to the Philippines to meet Emafe Rice for the first time.Her maiden name was Emafe Abello. The two of us got married on my 25th birthday (March 5, 2010). It was my first time traveling … Read more
At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at the Philippines and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Philippines Expat Support NetworkFacebook Page This … Read more
At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at the Philippines and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Retired in Samarhttp://retiredinsamar.com/ Randy and his wife decided to escape their … Read more