Moving to the Philippines from The United States

If you are considering making the move from The United States to the Philippines, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Philippines Facts:

Population: 113.9 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: Filipino (de facto) as well as English
GDP Per Capita: $3,460 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: The Philippines is home to 7,641 islands – with some not even named or marked on the global map!
Currency: Philippine peso (₱). As of late 2023, $1 = ₱55.73, £1 = ₱71.07, €1 = ₱61.23, $1 CAD = ₱41.52, $1 AUD = ₱37.30

Sections

1. Moving Costs to The Philippines from The United States

From (US)	To (Philippines)	Estimated Cost
New York	Manila	$4,500 – $8,000
Los Angeles	Cebu City	$4,000 – $7,500
Chicago	Davao City	$4,700 – $8,500
Houston	Manila	$4,200 – $7,800
Miami	Cebu City	$4,600 – $8,200

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to The Philippines from The United States?

There can be big discrepancies in move time duration when it comes to moving from America due to the vastness of the country.

Let’s take a look at some states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of move time when relocating to The Philippines.

New York to Ninoy Aquino International – 22 hours, 25 minutes – $1,400
Los Angeles to Ninoy Aquino International – 19 hours – $930
Minneapolis to Ninoy Aquino International – 31 hours, 15 minutes – $1,700
Dallas to Ninoy Aquino International – 21 hours, 10 minutes – $1,270

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to The Philippines from The United States

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

While it is possible to enter The Philippines visa-free, this is only possible for those wanting to stay for up to 30 days. For individuals wishing to live and work in The Philippines, you will need a work visa, as well as an Alien Employment Permit (AEP), which will usually be applied for by your employer in The Philippines.

Before travelling with medication, you are advised to check first with the Philippine Bureau of Customs to make sure it is legal in the country. Health insurance is required, and any U.S.-based schemes such as Medicare or Medicaid will not be accepted in The Philippines.

If you are travelling with cash, the restrictions for entry and exit are 50,000 pesos, or $10,000.

At the time of writing, there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions between The Philippines and The United States, but this can change quickly, so it’s advised that you stay up-to-date with any latest developments near the time of your travel.

4. Visa Requirements to The Philippines from The United States

Alongside a valid passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into The Philippines if you wish to stay longer than 30 days. Your passport will need at least 6 months left on your passport’s validity period, with enough spare pages for an entry visa stamp.

The main types of visas available in The Philippines are:

Work visa – suitable for those wanting to live and work in The Philippines
Student visa – suitable for those wishing to embark on, or continue, studying in The Philippines
Spouse visa – suitable for those wishing to join their Filipino partner
Retirement visa – suitable for those wishing to retire in The Philippines

Long-stay visas are issued for periods of six months to three years. You mustn’t overstay your visa allowance to avoid penalties.

For those wishing to work in The Philippines, a Work Permit will be required alongside the Work visa. These range from:

Alien Employment Permit (AEP) – for foreigners with long-term working contracts with a company in The Philippines
Special Work Permit (SWP) – for foreigners with short-term assignments in The Philippines, up to 6 months
Provisional Work permit (PWP) – for foreigners who don’t yet have their working visa, but want to begin work

Usually, it takes around two to three weeks to process work permits, and your employer will commonly handle this process for you. In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in The Philippines

While this article is covering the Philippines as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in New York is 61.6% higher than that of Manila, with rent being around 84% higher.

Monthly Rental Prices in The Philippines:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: ₱18,200+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: ₱10,000+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: ₱40,300+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: ₱21,500+

The Philippines Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: ₱138,000+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: ₱72,000+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in The Philippines

There is a tax treaty in place between The Philippines and The United States to help prevent the double taxation of income, meaning that when income is earned in one country, the other country cannot charge tax on it if it already has been taxed at source.

For any tax paid to Philippine-sourced income, citizens will be able to claim foreign tax credit to offset their U.S. tax return. Depending on your resident status, wherever your permanent residence is will generally be the primary area of tax.

Managing dual incomes from The Philippines and The United States can be confusing, so it is advised that you enlist the help of a tax professional from either country to help you understand what is required of you so that you use your tax allowances wisely, and apply for tax credits where applicable.

7. Working Rules in The Philippines

Employment law in The Philippines states that the average working week should be 40 hours in total. Employees are entitled to 12 holiday days and 52 rest days – with 24 hours of consecutive rest required after any six consecutive working days.

There is no standard minimum wage, but if an employee works overtime, they are entitled to 25% of the standard wage to cover this additional work. There is a health program, Philhealth, which is commonly granted to full-time employees in The Philippines.

The labour laws are strict and can result in fines or imprisonment if not adhered to properly, which means hiring practices are highly regulated and controlled to ensure compliance.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in The Philippines

While the standard of healthcare is high in The Philippines, the facilities may be of a lower quality than those in The United States. Depending on your exact location in The Philippines, your healthcare will vary, with more remote areas having less equipment than is seen in more populated, metropolitan areas.

Philhealth looks after the public healthcare in The Philippines, and covers some medical costs – but not all. Generally speaking, emergency care is provided under this, but non-emergency treatment is not.

If you are a legal resident in The Philippines, you can enrol on Philhealth – and it may be part of your company’s remuneration package. There is, of course, private healthcare in The Philippines, which is generally of a higher standard and may result in quicker treatments but will be more expensive than public services.

It’s important to take out healthcare before travelling to The Philippines, and if you are travelling to a remote area where medical facilities are limited, it’s a good idea to find out where local services would be in case you need them during your stay.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in The Philippines

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to The Philippines with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

You will need to ensure that you have the following sorted before you bring your pet to the airport to travel to The Philippines:

An import permit, including a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian with USDA endorsement
Microchip your pet – although this isn’t a strict requirement, it’s advised to help identify your pet
Rabies and vaccine certifications – these should include canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, canine parvovirus, and feline panleukopenia (as required, depending on the type of animal)

It can be an incredibly stressful experience – for both individual and pet – so for peace of mind when travelling, it can be a good idea to enlist the help of a pet travel specialist to take care of the paperwork and necessary documentation before you travel to ensure everything is properly taken care of, leaving no surprises for you on the day of travel.

10. Similar Cities

The Philippines is a unique country, but sharing some similarities is Indonesia, with a similar geographic makeup. Both located in Southeast Asia, they are archipelagos – Indonesia is comprised of over 17,000 islands, and The Philippines of over 7,000 islands.

They are both highly populated locations, with The Philippines being home to over 110 million citizens, and Indonesia to 270 million citizens. They are both popular tourist locations, with strong pulls for the natural beauty of both locations, with beaches, reefs and temples being present.

Both countries have tropical climates, with high temperatures, humidity and high levels of rainfall present. They are also prone to tropical storm systems, including cyclones and typhoons, with strong winds and high rainfall totals during wet seasons.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to The Philippines from The United States

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from The United States to The Philippines, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from The United States to The Philippines	Disadvantages of Moving from The United States to The Philippines
The Philippines offers a lower cost of living, with affordable housing, food, and entertainment options.	Economic challenges, including lower average income levels and limited job opportunities, may impact financial stability.
The Philippines has a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and diverse landscapes, providing opportunities for outdoor activities.	Infrastructure and public services may vary, and certain areas may face challenges such as traffic congestion and limited healthcare facilities.
The Filipino culture is known for its warmth and hospitality, creating a welcoming environment for expatriates.	English is widely spoken, but language differences and cultural adjustments may pose initial challenges for newcomers. Additionally, natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes can occur.

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.