It can be a great challenge for an expatriate to settle in the Philippines. Most expatriates tend to have an overwhelming feeling being in the country for the first time. The expatriate will be experiencing many adjustments particularly to the weather. There are also many people in the Philippines and a lot of traffic as well. However many expatriates have called the Philippines their home as well.

Most expatriates feel that the single primary concern that they are worried about is the place where they would live. The best solution is to find a temporary shelter. There are many hotels in the Philippines particularly in Manila that are also leased for short terms. There are many apartments that are affordable as well. These days one can find towering condominiums that offer cheaper rental rates for anyone.

The arrival of the shipment of the belongings of the expatriate moving in the Philippines usually takes a while and depends on where the expatriate came from. If he came from an Eastern state of the US the shipment of his things can take seven weeks or more before finally arriving in the country. It is a good option to choose a temporary house fully furnished already since the shipment will take some time. The shipment of the expatriate’s belongings will still be checked at customs in the Philippines which lasts a couple of weeks before it is cleared to be checked out. The company where an expatriate works for usually assigns a person to help the expatriate in this process.

Each expatriate who has lived in the Philippines has a different story of moving to the Philippines however one thing is usually common that they had to stay in a temporary house for a while. Being in a temporary house like a hotel will give much convenience to the expatriate and their family. During the stay in the temporary house the expatriate can hunt for a house they intend to stay longer in. The expatriate could request for a renovation besides waiting for the customs to clear their belongings.

Expatriates usually experience a period of transition lasting for months. The hotel is usually a good place to adjust for the first few weeks for the whole family since the people in the hotel can give good service and assistance. There are a few reminders before finally choosing a temporary house:

1.Make sure that the house is an ideal place for the whole family.

2.Make sure that it fits your budget. There is a wide choice of hotels in the Philippines.

3.Consider a location near to the international school for your children.

4.Consider a location near your office and other landmarks like a hospital or a shopping mall.

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For an expatriate to drive around Manila or anywhere in the Philippines he needs to apply for a license. There are licenses which are issued for a short term only. The Land transportation office issues the licenses for both foreigners and local citizens.
Owning a vehicle may entail being exposed to thefts, accidents and other mishaps. Car insurance is a good way to ensure that the risks shall be covered by the company in case they happen. The owner of the car should first pay the policy before he can avail of it in the future.

Expatriates can also choose any car insurance company they like just like the locals. It is best to apply for coverage that is worth seven hundred fifty thousand pesos at least and with a twenty thousand liability that should be compulsory. The insurance for any damage and physical injuries should amount to three hundred sixty five thousand pesos. The liability coming from a third party is important. Another thing that is essential is having the insurance in case of collisions and this should be comprehensive. There are many local insurance companies that can serve this. They may also offer the service of processing the papers when you claim and assists in case of any accident.

A comprehensive kind of insurance is valuable because it can cover any damage to the vehicle which is caused by any reason other than just a common collision. The local insurance company can do this by tying up with another company from the United States for example to insure the person in the Philippines. If you plan to be insured by a U.S. company then make sure that they can offer the comprehensive insurance that is valid in the Philippines.

Typically the expat should pay his insurance for ten years and the insurance depreciates for each claim after that. The claim is denied when there is a mechanical breakdown and any malicious behavior by the insurance owner. There is also insurance for transporting goods of an expatriate by sea and this is called the Marine transport insurance. The typical requirements for vehicles in the Philippines are the following:
 
1. The latest registration of the vehicle

2. The registration of the imported vehicle

3. The original invoice

4. A certificate of paying taxes

5. A letter confirming the certificate of payment which comes from the main office of the Land Transportation Office of the Philippines.

6. Clearance from the Police

7. The inspection of a representative of the vehicle

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Rainy days in the Philippines are months that cover almost half of the year. They usually start from July to November. These are times when storms and typhoons often disrupt the regular flow of business. Moreover, these are often lean months because people would rather stay at home than go out shopping. So how do we prepare our business for the rainy days?

Watch what people usually need on rainy days. It will be well to be a bit flexible with one’s business items and have them conform to what is presently the need of the majority. When classes are suspended, business items for kids and teenagers are down. Toys, school supplies, and sweet and delicacies, for instance, take a back seat during severe storms. Small businesses near schools experience reduced sales. In such cases, the best option is to go for what kids often do when kept indoors. It will be a good idea to have some DVD movies rented out along with some spicy food snacks or chips. And yes, don’t forget the ever present need, especially of young people, for mobile phone loads.

When the weather gets more fierce and college classes and some offices are suspended, the best thing to have for business are quick-to-cook foods like canned foods and sardines, dried fish, eggs, and processed foods (native sausages or “longanisa,” dried beef of “tapa,” tocino), and the like. Rice, of course, is always good business, come rain or shine. Matches and candles are best sellers, too, so with batteries and cheap flashlights. And in such emergencies, mobile phone loads are again hot business items. And don’t forget pre-packed three or seven in one instant coffee sachets, and instant noodles.

In the rainy season, selling some rain protection items will prove rewarding in business. Just have the necessities around, like light raincoats, light umbrellas (the kind that sell for P50), some slippers, and a few caps.

Established businesses are likely to be in malls or big shopping centers where rains seldom affect business flow. In fact, people frequent the malls when rainy days are here instead of going on outings.

But with businesses that are just starting and can barely afford mall concessions, they are likely to be in street or road corners, intersections, along sidewalks, or in markets—inconvenient places to be on rainy days. With small and just-starting businesses the competitive edge is to be a bit flexible and cater to immediate needs.

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How feasible is the business of having apartments rented in the Philippines? Here are things to consider in having apartments for rent.

Apartments for rent are a growing business in the Philippines. Many people, especially those on retirement, choose the business of renting apartments to others. There are three kinds of apartments for rent: the bed spacers, studio-types, and the bungalow or multi-level house.

Bed spacers are good types of apartments for rent. They get easily rented out, especially when placed near factories of commercial centers. A small 25 square-meter bungalow hard to rent out to others turned into bed spacers may result to 3 bed spacers easy to market. A bed spacer may measure 6 square meters, providing a bed with two drawers under and a head board cabinet. The remaining 7 square-meter space aside from the 4 bed spacers is good enough for a small common toilet. So, an unmarketable 25 square-meter small bungalow rented out for a reasonable rate of P3,500 a month can easily earn P1000 more if turned into a P1,500-montly rent rate for each of the 3 bed spacers. It’s often the option in the business of renting out apartments.

Studio-types are often a 16 square-meter or 25 square-meter room complete with a space for a queen bed, toilet, kitchen and dining nook and space for a small sofa as a mini reception area for visitors. Takers of studio-types are often singles, newly married, of a simple family of four. A business of renting out apartments with studio-types is also feasible because most renters in the country are singles or newly married or a family of four. Apartments for rent that are studio-types may be rented out from P3,500 to P5,000 monthly. Studio-type units may be housed in a single or two-floor apartment.

Bungalows or multi-level apartments are marketable when car parking is provided. Tenants with cars seldom settle for bed spacers or studio-types. They look for apartments for rent with garages or any car parking spaces—like a secured porch in front the unit where a car would fit. The business of renting out apartment units with parking spaces is often feasible in subdivisions or villages with security outposts. They often measure some 25 to 50 square meters, must at least have one or two bedrooms, a toilet, separate dining and kitchen, and a living, aside from the garage.

Renting out apartment units is feasible in the country. But apartments for rent should be easy to market and suitable to the target clients.

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A short or long distance group or family travel will be more enjoyable when everybody just sits back and relaxes while a rented driver drives a rented van. But one ought to know the rates in renting vans.

First, ascertain the terms for renting vans. How much is the rented van, is the fuel cost and toll gate cost (if any) included in the price? These are pertinent questions to ask when renting vans. Most rented vans have rates based on the distance of travel and length of time. For instance, renting vans around a city as big as Manila or Cebu City for half a day (8 hours) may cost from P1,500 to P2,000, excluding fuel. This is a good rate for renting vans. But some will insist on a P2,500 for a rented van for the same distance and time, and this will still be within reasonable rates for renting vans. The thing here is to have as many places visited in the city as possible within half a day. A rented van to get to the airport with some luggage at P1,500 may be a bit expensive, especially if it’s only a 3 to 5 kilometer drive. Renting vans at P800 to P1,000 is preferable for this purpose.

A whole day travel around the city is a different story. Charge for renting vans in this case is based on per 24 hours (overnight). Most rented vans charge P2,500 to P3000 per whole day—that’s from, say, 7am today to 7am tomorrow. Renting vans for provincial travels the whole day may cost P3,000 to P3,500. Provincial travels usually incur more expenses for the van owner, and thus, the more costly charge for rented vans. If the contract for renting vans is for a night (7am to day to 7am tomorrow) and the rented van exceeded use to, say, 7:30 am the following morning, there is a charge for each hour exceeded—and 30 minutes overdue may be considered as good as an hour due, in some contracts for renting vans. So clear these details.

Another thing to consider in renting vans is the driver. Driver’s pay is included in the rate for a rented van. But the meals and lodging are not. These have to be born by the renting party, as per contract in renting vans.

Still and all, a rented van is still the best option in both short and long distance driving. Everybody gets to sit back and relax while enjoying the ride.

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One of the most important considerations in renting in the Philippines is safety. How safe is the neighborhood? A neighborhood may seem peaceful enough, but there are renting tips in knowing the real safety situation of a vicinity.

First, check how the rented unit is located. Does it have a gate? Is it securely located inside a compound or is it directly accessible to the street? If it is in a compound, how safe is the compound? There must be at least two gates or access ways to the compound and they must be wide enough for emergencies like, in case of a fire or if a person needs to be brought to a hospital. The access ways must fit a fire truck or an ambulance. On the other hand, they must not be too wide to make easy access for a robbery—where appliances and furniture sets can be carried out easily. Things like this are important in renting safely.

How near is the rented unit to a barangay or police outpost or fire station? Renting safely also means accessibility to security offices or outposts, especially when the unit is directly accessible to the street. The presence of a nearby security outpost or even fire station is often an effective deterrent against crime. A rented unit inside a guarded subdivision or village is also a good factor in renting safely. Some secured vicinities have roving guards round the clock and even assist residents who leave home very early in the morning or come home late at night.

Then check if the rented unit owner is also particular about safety. Renting safely is assured when the unit owner is also a safety buff. Is the gate kept closed? If the owner carelessly opens the gate just to anyone, chances are, renting safely is a remote possibility there. Gates must at least have peeping holes as a primary check to incoming visitors. If people can just go in an out of the compound, look for other places that afford renting a unit safely.

Rented places look innocent enough on weekdays, even in the evening, but wait till weekend comes. It often reveals if renting safely can be a likelihood—if there are no noisy drunkards serenading the moon with strange tunes. This often makes for an unsafe neighborhood second to crime in the Philippines.

Renting safely is a major concern in looking for a place to rent. A peaceful place is more than all the modern amenities and luxury comforts combined.

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Living and retiring in the Philippines is a dream come true for some. With pristine beaches and all the other perks of nature and man-made establishments accessible at a very low cost, the country becomes irresistible for prospective expatriates. That is why a lot of foreigners are biting the country’s many allures. They move in and discover another brand of living apart from what they grew up with.

Before settling down to any country, the Philippines included, an expat must ensure that all the factors that will affect his quality of life are fulfilled. One good way to start is to avail of an insurance plan.

International insurance companies are mostly the option of foreigners looking to settle down in the Philippines. As local insurances are geared to secure the locals, they do not usually have time to focus on expats. That is why the international insurance industry is in full force. It is very much ready to take on every concern of an expat covered to keep him protected and secure in a foreign country.

The cost of living in the Philippines may be cheap, but still expats need to spend for it. The role of insurances in this case is to serve as a security blanket when certain incidents ask for it. Always make allowances to pay for your insurance. Imagine how much they will mean for you in the future.

The most important kind of insurance that you need to apply before taking the leap of settling down completely in the Philippines is intended for health care expenses. Expats are mostly prone to the common sickness, especially at the early stage of their stay due to the change in weather and surroundings. Every once in a while, you will need to undergo medical check-ups that will ensure your body is adjusting well to the Filipino lifestyle. In case of accidents that will require hospital confinement, insurance could also mean a big deal.

The other important insurance plans that you need to avail as an expat in the Philippines include those that are intended to take care of your properties. Car and home insurance are a great help in keeping your worries in check.

Before thinking about moving in to another country like the Philippines, make sure that you have thought about it thoroughly. Study your options well in terms of comfort living and for sure, you will never go wrong. Ideally, go around the country as a visitor first so you could look through the opportunities at bay. If you liked what you saw and felt, then it is time to take the leap.

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Let’s face it, with very limited jobs to go around for qualified Filipinos, it is quite difficult to find a job for an expat in the Philippines.

The Philippine government ensured that Filipino jobs are practically for the locals. Certain laws have been put up to secure the stand of locals against foreigners seeking to work in Filipino companies. Unless you are married to a Filipino, you will find it hard to move around here to earn an income. If you have got some capital funds to spare for a business or two is an entirely different thing. Foreign investors are warmly welcomed in the Philippines; foreign workers are not.

Obtaining a work permit in the Philippines could be pretty challenging. You will have to be pre-employed first. That is easier that way than obtaining one with just prospective job offers in the horizon. After securing a job, your employer would most likely make the recommendation that you be awarded a working visa. In this case, you will have to go to a local embassy of your home country. From there, you will also have to go through the Philippines’ Depart of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and obtain an alien employment permit from there. The process usually take three to six months long; the validity of the working visa is mostly for one to two years depending on the circumstances you were awarded it. Renewal of the working visa is much easier than putting everything in place the first time. Unless you have made a pretty bad record, you will most likely get your renewal in a no-sweat fashion.

Yes, a foreigner may stand a chance at taking the best jobs in the Philippines because of the high quality standard of their degrees as compared with the locals. But the government is keeping expats off guard, especially with millions of Filipinos waiting in line to be hired. If you are extremely skilled in your profession and you know you could do well with a Filipino company, start applying for jobs. You have all the right to. If the company gets you, go through the painful process of obtaining a working permit and you are on a roll. Be aware, however, that compensation packages in the Philippines are not as impressive. You will need to find your way through a meek salary if you really want to be employed. As mentioned earlier, it is different when you are funding to build a new business there. That is mostly the advisable deal for expats.

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Expats usually face the same problem whenever they want to work in the Philippines, which is how to get a permanent resident visa. There are only a handful of methods on how to obtain one and you need to be willing to pay some money for this permanent resident visa. We will tell you what exactly this permanent resident visa is, how to get one, how long it takes and when it expires for the expats in the Philippines.

A permanent resident visa in the Philippines is a kind of visa that lasts for ten years provided that you have a permanent residence in the Philippines. This visa will last one year for the initial application and after further reapplications, it will last for ten years, upon which the expats will receive a I-card which is a card that looks like a credit card, with your ID picture, finger print and personal data.

The application fee costs P 10,000 which is equal to around $225, and the approval fee costs another P 10,000 which is a total of around $550. After one year, you will be asked to register your permanent resident visa yearly which costs another $8.

You also have to provide the signature of your spouse and your marriage certificate as well as your own birth certificate and your spouse’s birth certificate. Expats are also required to hand over a certification of a savings bank account with the minimum $ 10,000, and a certificate of residence from the expats town or city of residence. Usually the ID pictures are taken right at the embassy and you can only obtain your permanent resident visa in the major cities of the Philippines such as Manila, Cebu, Davao City and Bacolod City.

Expats have a lot ahead of them before they can obtain a permanent resident visa in the Philippines, but with the right plan, expats will be able to receive their permanent resident visa for the Philippines.

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Taken from the Latin word ex(out of) and patria(country, fatherland), an expatriate or expat in short is a person who resides or visits temporarily or permanently in another country. An expat in the Philippines may refer to a Westener, say an American or British in the country or a non-Westener, say a Japanese or a Chinese living in the Philippines who are distinguishable by their way of living.

In wherever country they may be expats always encounter many difficulties. Among these are difficulties in adopting a new culture and language. In the Philippines, learning the language is one of the many things an expat finds difficult. Learning Tagalog language specifically is a challenge to almost all expats.

With regards to learning the language, there are three types of expats learning the language. The first one being those who are aggressive towards learning. They are those people who do not care about income at first. They make learning their priority and will do whatever to learn the language very quickly. They learn the language in their own pace rather than being under supervision which they find boring. They in general has 100% success rate regardless of their level of intelligence. This may be due to the fact that they talk with mostly or only on their target language.

The second one are those who are are smart and uncertain who think about their economics or money budget for the language they want to learn. Their focus is constrained and sometimes they have to stop and go on their language attempts. In four years being in the country you might find this people quite good in the language already. The percentage of success for this group is 50%.

The third type are those who lack self confidence. They might be the smartest of all but since they lack self confidence they have difficulty in learning the language. They have think that they don’t have the gift of language and thus their lack of self confidence make their learning slow. This group has a 100% failure rate because they don’t have the right attitude.

For expats in the Philippines their challenge is to learn Tagalog. Tagalog being the language spoken by most Filipinos and the root of the Filipino Language the national language of the Philippines.

Just like all other languages, learning Tagalog in the Philippines may be hard. But with dedication and right attitude towards learning the language little by little an expat will find himself able to speak the language. Having enough money budget for the language helps a lot. Having money, dedication and right attitude towards a language helps ensure learning to the maximum.

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