Philippines

Philippines · Asia · updated 09.09.2026

What sets the Philippines apart from its neighbours is the language: English is official and used in business, so there is no separate language barrier. Getting in is easy — 30 days visa-free under a wide list of countries, extendable on the spot; permanent status through marriage arrives after one probationary year, which is rare in this guide. The 9(g) work visa, on the other hand, is firmly tied to the employer: the labour department issues the hiring permit for that specific company. The digital nomad visa created by Executive Order No. 86 in April 2025 is not open to everyone: the reciprocity condition requires the applicant's country to issue such visas to Filipinos itself and to host a Philippine Foreign Service Post. The order sets no income threshold at all — the widely quoted figure of 24,000 dollars a year comes from consultants' commentary, not from the text. The main constraint is not bureaucratic: on the INFORM scale this is one of the most hazard-exposed countries in the world — earthquakes 9.7 out of 10, tsunamis 9.4, typhoons 9.2. Naturalisation takes 10 years and requires giving up the previous citizenship.

Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 88% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.

Entry

Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.

Work and visas

Visa speed: The Bureau of Immigration publishes no official timeframe. The sequence is known from the list of documents: the DOLE permit is obtained before the visa is filed, and the application itself goes through pre-screening, payment, a hearing, fingerprinting and issue of the alien registration card.
Language at work: English is one of the two official languages and the working language of officialdom; there is no separate language exam for visas.
Changing employer: No, changing employer is not permitted.

Visa types: 9(g), Pre-arranged Employment Visa — the main work visa. The employer first obtains an Alien Employment Permit from the labour department (DOLE), then petitions the Bureau of Immigration for the visa. Issued for 1, 2 or 3 years according to the contract; a spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included in the application · Digital Nomad Visa — created by Presidential Executive Order No. 86 of 24 April 2025. Up to 1 year, renewable for the same period, with multiple entry available. The conditions: at least 18, proof of remote work, proof of sufficient income generated OUTSIDE the Philippines, no criminal record, health insurance for the life of the visa, no employment in the country — and nationality of a country that itself issues such visas to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post · 13(a), Immigrant Visa by Marriage — through marriage to a Filipino citizen. A probationary status for one year first, then conversion to permanent

Long-term visas and residence permits

Pre-arranged Employment Visa 9(G), commercial

Work

term 12 morenewablefamily allowedfee $ 165

Fee: conversion of status, one-year option, principal applicant, company outside the top thousand. The two-year option costs ₱17,170, the three-year ₱24,210; for companies in the top thousand the same lines cost ₱10,630, ₱18,170 and ₱25,710. Extending the one-year visa costs ₱7,060 and ₱7,560 respectively. On top of the fee the ACR I-Card alien registration card is paid separately: $50 for one year, $100 for two, $150 for three. The page marks the tariff as updated on 6 March 2014 and notes that it may change without notice

official source · read 2026-08-22

Pre-arranged Employment Visa 9(G), non-commercial (missionary)

Other

renewablefamily allowedfee $ 165

Fee: conversion of status without an endorsement from a church body, principal applicant; with a CBCP or PCEC endorsement — ₱12,860. Extension costs ₱5,250 without an endorsement and ₱7,980 with one. The ACR I-Card alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Inclusion of a dependent in a Pre-arranged Employment Visa 9(G)

Family

term 12 morenewablefamily allowedfee $ 132

Fee: spouse, one-year option, commercial visa, company outside the top thousand. Child under 16 — ₱7,870, under 14 — ₱7,370; for two and three years the spouse pays ₱13,960 and ₱19,800. For companies in the top thousand the spouse's one-year line is ₱8,620. Under the non-commercial visa the spouse pays ₱8,120 without a church endorsement and ₱10,650 with one. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Student Visa 9(F)

Study

renewablefee $ 158

Fee: the total of the lines for converting status to a student visa: application ₱2,000, visa implementation ₱1,000, service ₱1,000, certificate ₱500, visa ₱1,000, registration forms ₱1,400, legal research fee ₱70, alien registration ₱1,000, head tax ₱250 and three express fees of ₱500 each. Extending the visa costs ₱4,020. On top of that the ACR I-Card alien registration card costs $50. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Study Permit

Study

fee $ 85,3

Fee: the total of the lines: application ₱2,000, implementation ₱1,000, service ₱200, certificate ₱500, legal research fee ₱40 and three express fees of ₱500 each. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 at the rate of the day of assessment. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor Visa 9(D)

Investment

term 12 morenewablefamily allowedfee $ 157

Fee: conversion of status, one-year option, principal applicant; the two-year option costs ₱13,650. Extension costs ₱6,550 for one year and ₱10,580 for two. The spouse pays ₱8,120 for a year, a child under 16 — ₱7,870, under 14 — ₱7,370. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year, $100 for two. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Accredited Official of a Foreign Government 9(E)

Other

family allowedfee $ 0,00

Fee: in the «how much does it cost» field the Bureau prints «none» — there is no fee

official source · read 2026-08-22

Temporary Resident Visa by marriage

Family

renewablefamily allowedfee $ 140

Fee: conversion of status; the amount is the same for the principal applicant, the spouse and the children. Extension costs ₱13,100. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The page marks the tariff as updated on 11 April 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Temporary Resident Visa for an Indian national married to a Filipino citizen

Family

term 12 morenewablefamily allowedfee $ 604

Fee: conversion of status for one year; the amount is the same for the principal applicant, the spouse and the children. A five-year extension costs ₱29,260. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 11 April 2014

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-08-22

Immigrant Visa by Marriage 13(A), probationary

Family

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 140

Fee: conversion to a non-quota immigrant visa by marriage, principal applicant. Spouse — ₱8,620, child under 16 — ₱8,370, under 14 — ₱7,870; adding a family member is charged at the same rates. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Amendment to Permanent Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 140

Fee: conversion into permanent status, principal applicant; spouse — ₱8,620, child under 16 — ₱8,370, under 14 — ₱7,870. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Permanent Resident Visa for a Chinese national married to a Filipino citizen

Family

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 140

Fee: conversion to probationary status, principal applicant; spouse — ₱8,620, child under 16 — ₱8,370, under 14 — ₱7,870. Converting probationary status into permanent costs ₱6,710 for every category. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-08-22

Permanent Resident Visa for Filipino veterans of World War II (R.A. 7837)

Repatriation

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00

Fee: in the «how much does it cost» field the Bureau prints «none» — there is no fee

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-08-22

Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 307

Fee: conversion to a quota immigrant visa, principal applicant; spouse — ₱18,830, child under 16 — ₱18,580, under 14 — ₱18,080. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Returning Resident 13(E)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 140

Fee: principal applicant; spouse — ₱8,620, child under 16 — ₱8,370, under 14 — ₱7,870. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Returning Former Natural-Born Filipino Citizen 13(G)

Repatriation

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 141

Fee: principal applicant; spouse — ₱8,640, child under 16 — ₱8,390, under 14 — ₱7,890. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Child born abroad of an immigrant mother

Family

counts toward permanent residencefee $ 128

Fee: a single amount with no breakdown by category. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Child born subsequent to the issuance of the accompanying parent's immigrant visa 13(C)

Family

counts toward permanent residencefee $ 128

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)

Investment

family allowedfee $ 478

Fee: the amount is the same for the principal applicant, the spouse and the children. The alien registration card for this visa costs a separate $250. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Employment Visa for an Offshore Banking Unit (P.D. 1034)

Work

renewablefamily allowedfee $ 90,1

Fee: conversion of status, principal applicant; spouse — ₱4,530. Extension costs ₱4,530 for the principal applicant and ₱4,030 for the spouse. The alien registration card is charged separately at $50 a year, $100 for two, $150 for three. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Non-Immigrant Visa under E.O. 226 as amended by R.A. 8756

Work

renewablefamily allowedfee $ 90,1

Fee: conversion of status, principal applicant; spouse — ₱4,530. Extension costs ₱4,530 for the principal applicant and ₱4,030 for the spouse. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014. The Bureau's citizen's charter for 2025 prints different amounts for the same visa: ₱5,100 conversion for an adult, ₱3,800 for a minor, ₱3,030 for an extension

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Work Permit, commercial

Work

term 6 mofee $ 105

Fee: the same amount for the variant with and without the alien registration card; in the variant with the card it is paid separately at $50 a year. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Work Permit for artists and athletes

Work

term 6 mofee $ 105processing 2–3 days

Fee: a single amount with no breakdown by category. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Provisional Work Permit

Work

fee $ 65,8

Fee: the total of the lines: application ₱2,000, certificate ₱500, legal research fee ₱20, service ₱100, the permit itself ₱400, a second legal research fee ₱20 and two express fees of ₱500 each. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) Classic

Retirement

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 800 a monthfee $ 1 500

Fee: a one-off Authority fee for examining the principal applicant's application; each accompanying family member costs $300. On top of that an annual due: $360 for the principal applicant together with two family members and $100 for each further one. The due is paid on joining the programme and every year thereafter for as long as the visa is valid

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) Courtesy for foreign nationals

Retirement

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 500

Fee: a one-off Authority fee for examining the principal applicant's application; each accompanying family member costs $300. The annual due under this option is $100 for the principal applicant together with two family members and $10 for each further one

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) Courtesy for former Filipinos

Retirement

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 500

Fee: a one-off Authority fee for examining the principal applicant's application; each accompanying family member costs $300. The annual due is $50 for the principal applicant together with two family members and $10 for each further one

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Non-Immigrant Visa under Section 47(a)(2)

Work

renewablefamily allowedfee $ 83,1

Fee: conversion of status for an adult under the Bureau of Immigration citizen's charter for 2025: card and form ₱1,050, change of status ₱600, certificate of registration and form ₱1,450, visa in the passport ₱200, head tax ₱250, visa implementation ₱1,000, legal research fee ₱50; express handling adds another ₱500 at the applicant's option. For a minor the same charter names ₱3,800. The charter computes the extension in two ways that do not agree: a per-year breakdown (₱1,800 for the year of extension plus ₱200 for the visa in the passport plus ₱20 for legal research) and a total of ₱3,030

official source · read 2026-08-22

Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)

Investment

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 300

Fee: an application fee from the main applicant, in local currency at the equivalent rate; for each accompanying family member — a further USD 300. Separately from the fee, the deposit itself is required: a minimum of USD 75,000, paid as an investment transfer to an accredited bank (the Development Bank of the Philippines or one of the accredited private banks). Source: the Board of Investments (BOI) FAQ. The citation points to a Wayback snapshot from 19.07.2022, not the file itself at boi.gov.ph: the domain returns 403 to any automated request — with or without a browser header — so neither a check nor a reader can read the figure from the live address. The 2021, 2022, and 2025 snapshots share the same digest: the content has not changed since then. The live FAQ address remains in officialUrl

official source · read 2026-09-09

Downgrading of Visa

Other

fee $ 41,0

Fee: the tariff for a visa not overstayed: an application fee of ₱2,000, a certification fee of ₱500, a legal research fee of ₱20 - a total of ₱2,520; with expedited processing, ₱3,520. For a visa overstayed within 59 days: an updating fee of ₱1,000 plus the same application, certification and research fees - a total of ₱3,520, with expedited processing ₱4,520. For a visa overstayed by more than 59 days, a motion for reconsideration of ₱500 is added, and the legal research fee is raised to ₱30 - a total of ₱4,030, with expedited processing ₱5,030. The tariff is marked as updated on 6 March 2014 and may change without notice

official source · read 2026-09-09

Re-Stamping of Visa

Other

fee $ 16,4

Fee: single expedite: legal research fee 10 ₱, implementing fee 500 ₱, express lane fee 500 ₱ — total 1 010 ₱. Double expedite raises the express lane fee to 1 000 ₱ — total 1 510 ₱. The schedule is marked as updated on 6 March 2014 and may change without notice

official source · read 2026-09-09

Re-Stamping of Visa under R.A. 7919

Other

fee $ 16,4

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-09

Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.

Residence and citizenship

Permanent residence after: 1 years
Citizenship after: 10 years
Language: English or Spanish plus one of the principal Philippine languages (required by Commonwealth Act No. 473)
Dual citizenship: not allowed

Dual citizenship: The Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act (Republic Act No. 9225) covers only NATURAL-BORN Filipinos who lost their citizenship by naturalising abroad: they may take the Philippine passport back without giving up the foreign one. It does not apply to a foreigner naturalising under Commonwealth Act No. 473, who renounces the previous citizenship.

Naturalisation under Commonwealth Act No. 473: ten years of continuous residence. The period drops to five years for those who have held office in the Philippine government, established a new industry or introduced a useful invention, married a Filipina, taught in a Philippine school for at least two years, or were born in the Philippines. Permanent residence comes far sooner: through marriage, after one year of probationary 13(a) status.

Documents

Document certification: apostille

The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.

Family

Partner

Timeline: The 13(a) visa through marriage to a Filipino citizen: a probationary non-quota immigrant status for one year first, then conversion to permanent residence. The conditions are a marriage valid under Philippine law, no adverse record with law enforcement, good physical and mental health, and sufficient means to support the family.
Right to work: yes

The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a 9(g) work visa holder are included in the application as separate line items with their own fees. Source: Bureau of Immigration, immigration.gov.ph/pre-4-arranged-employment-visa-9g/ and immigration.gov.ph/visas/immigrant-visa-by-marriage-13a/

Children

Can be brought: yes
Age limit: up to 21 years

Unmarried children under 21 can be included in the 9(g) visa. That age limit is higher than usual for this guide, where most countries stop at 18.

Parents

The Bureau of Immigration's list of visas has no separate route for parents: dependants means a spouse and minor children. The SRRV retirement programme is formally open to a parent too, but that is a status of its own based on age and a deposit, not family reunification. The SRRV terms have not been checked against an official source.

Partner's parents

Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.

Pets

Limit: 3
Quarantine: no
Antibody titre test: not needed
Preparation: ~1 months

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI): a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) must be obtained before travel; it is issued online and is valid for 60 days, with no more than three animals per clearance. An ISO-standard microchip is compulsory (with any other chip, the owner brings their own scanner). Rabies vaccination from 84 days of age and no later than 14 days before the SPSIC application; with an annual booster the animal can travel immediately. The international veterinary health certificate is issued within 10 calendar days of departure. No antibody titre is required. There is no quarantine: with the full set of documents the animal is released the day it lands; without it, it is held.

Safety

Climate

26J

26F

27M

28A

29M

28J

28A

28S

28O

28N

27D

Quality of life

Life expectancy: 69.9 years

Cities

Quezon City

tech hub

3 084 270 residents

$ 279

1 bedroom, per month

The country's most populous city (3,084,270 people, 2024 census) and part of Metro Manila: the House of Representatives, many agencies, the largest universities and the tech parks.

2 bedrooms $ 373 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 498utilities $ 159ticket $ 0,39monthly pass $ 19,8

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 417 · suburbs $ 1 485

The West Valley Fault runs through Metro Manila — INFORM rates the country's seismic risk at 9.7 out of 10, among the worst in the world. Typhoon season runs from June to November, with low-lying areas flooding. Traffic is a permanent feature of the metropolitan area.

+Rent half what it is in Manila proper

+Tech parks and outsourcing centres

+The country's largest universities

+Government agencies

−The most expensive utility bills of the five cities

−The seismic hazard of the West Valley Fault

−Traffic and air quality

Manila

1 902 590 residents

$ 508

1 bedroom, per month

The capital (1,902,590 people, 2024 census), the main seaport and the historic core of Intramuros; one of the most densely populated places on earth.

2 bedrooms $ 684 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 923utilities $ 112ticket $ 0,49monthly pass $ 13,2

To buy, per m²: centre $ 4 395 · suburbs $ 2 588

The seismic hazard of the West Valley Fault. Typhoons and storm surges off Manila Bay, with streets flooding regularly. The density of building makes evacuation harder.

+Capital functions, the embassies, the port

+Historic streets and cultural life

+A transport hub

−The most expensive rent of the five cities

−Flooding in the rainy season

−Density and air quality

Davao City

1 848 947 residents

$ 254

1 bedroom, per month

The economic centre of Mindanao (1,848,947 people, 2024 census) and one of the largest cities in the world by area; Mount Apo, the country's highest peak, is nearby.

2 bedrooms $ 295 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 343utilities $ 104ticket $ 0,26monthly pass $ 13,9

To buy, per m²: centre $ 1 679 · suburbs $ 1 449

The key difference from the north: Mindanao lies off the main typhoon track and direct hits are rare. Seismic and volcanic hazard remains — Apo is an active volcano.

+Outside the main typhoon track

+Cheap rent for a city of this size

+International airport

+The economic centre of the whole of Mindanao

−Far from Metro Manila and the main job market

−Seismic hazard

−Fewer international companies

Caloocan

1 712 945 residents

$ 245

1 bedroom, per month

The country's third most populous city (1,712,945 people, 2024 census), part of Metro Manila; mostly residential and industrial.

2 bedrooms $ 327 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 437utilities $ 52,3ticket $ 0,20monthly pass $ 19,9

To buy, per m²: centre $ 3 273 · suburbs $ 1 779

The West Valley Fault and seasonal flooding, as across the whole metropolitan area. Dense building in the northern part.

+The cheapest utility bills of the five cities

+Cheap rent inside the capital region

+Metro Manila within commuting distance

−Dormitory and industrial in character

−Flooding in the rainy season

−Seismic hazard

Cebu City

tech hub

965 332 residents

$ 457

1 bedroom, per month

The centre of the country's second metropolitan area (965,332 people, 2024 census): a port, Mactan international airport and the second-largest IT outsourcing cluster after Metro Manila.

2 bedrooms $ 618 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 835utilities $ 116ticket $ 0,25monthly pass $ 12,9

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 986 · suburbs $ 1 408

Typhoon Odette (Rai) passed straight over Cebu in December 2021, leaving the island without power and water for weeks. Seismic hazard as everywhere in the country.

+The country's second tech cluster

+An international airport and a port

+The sea and the islands nearby

+Rent below Manila

−Directly on the typhoon track

−Rent higher than every city here except Manila

−Water shortages in the dry season

Grocery basket

Bread, 500 g: $ 1,18
Milk, 1 l: $ 1,78
Eggs, 12: $ 1,99
Chicken breast, 1 kg: $ 4,07
Cheese, 1 kg: $ 6,45
Rice, 1 kg: $ 0,94
Potatoes, 1 kg: $ 2,03
Apples, 1 kg: $ 2,84
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l: $ 1,30
Total: $ 22,6

The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.

Cost of living across the country

Rent, 1 bedroom: $ 267 a month
Rent, 3 bedrooms: $ 703 a month
Utility bills: $ 110 a month
Home internet: $ 27,1 a month
Monthly transport pass: $ 19,1 a month
Single transport ticket: $ 0,34
Petrol, litre: $ 1,11
Cold medicine: $ 3,80 for a week

Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.

Indicators

Life expectancy: 70 years2024
Homicides: 4,3 per 100k2024
Road deaths: 9,7 per 100k2021
Unemployment: 2,2 %2025
Unemployment, ages 15–24: 7 %2025
Inequality (Gini): 39,32023
Health spending per person: $ 194 a year
Air pollution, PM2.5: 22,2 µg/m³2023
Access to clean water: 95,9 %2024
Internet, fixed line: 114 Mbit/s2026
Internet, mobile: 61,3 Mbit/s2026

Governance

Political stability: below average · -0,8
Control of corruption: below average · -0,6
Rule of law: below average · -0,6
Government effectiveness: above average · 0,1

World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.

Natural hazards

Earthquakes: 9,7 out of 10
River floods: 6,7 out of 10
Coastal floods: 8,9 out of 10
Tropical cyclones: 9,2 out of 10
Droughts: 3,5 out of 10
Tsunamis: 9,4 out of 10

Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.

Pros and cons

+English is an official language and the language of officialdom: there is practically no language barrier

+Visa-free entry for 30 days under the Executive Order No. 408 list, extendable at the Bureau of Immigration

+Permanent residence through marriage after one year of probationary status — one of the shortest periods in this guide

+Children up to 21, not 18, can be included in the work visa

+Up to three pets come in with no quarantine and no antibody titre test

+Fast fixed internet (114 Mbit/s, Ookla, 2026) and a large IT outsourcing sector in Metro Manila and Cebu

+Low rent outside Manila

−Among the highest natural hazard levels in the world: earthquakes 9.7 out of 10, tsunamis 9.4, typhoons 9.2 on the INFORM scale (2026), with an overall risk of 8.2

−The digital nomad visa runs on reciprocity: the applicant's country must issue the same visa and must host a Philippine Foreign Service Post

−The work visa is tied to a specific job offer and to the DOLE permit for that employer

−Naturalisation takes 10 years and means giving up the previous citizenship: the dual-citizenship law covers only natural-born Filipinos

−There is no separate route for reuniting with parents

−Control of corruption at −0.58 on the World Bank scale (2024)

−Life expectancy of 69.95 years (World Bank, 2024), below the regional neighbours

Compare with other countries in the region

Afghanistan · Azerbaijan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · Oman · Pakistan · People's Republic of China · Singapore · South Korea · Sri Lanka · State of Palestine · Taiwan · Tajikistan · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Türkiye · Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen

Other countries in the region: Asia

Afghanistan · Azerbaijan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · North Korea · Oman · Pakistan · People's Republic of China · Singapore · South Korea · Sri Lanka · State of Palestine · Syria · Taiwan · Tajikistan · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Türkiye · Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen

All countries by region

Official sources

Bureau of Immigration — list of visas

Immigrant visas (13(a) by marriage, permanent residence), non-immigrant visas (9(a) tourist, 9(g) work, 9(f) student) and special visas.

↗

Bureau of Immigration — Pre-arranged Employment Visa 9(g)

The Alien Employment Permit is issued by the labour department (DOLE), the visa by the Bureau of Immigration. The fee for a one-year principal visa starts at PHP 10,130 (a schedule dated 6 March 2014, updated without notice), plus the ACR I-Card fee.

↗

Bureau of Immigration — Permanent Resident Visa

Naturalisation is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 473 and goes through the courts, not the Bureau of Immigration.

↗

Bureau of Animal Industry — importing pets

The SPSIC clearance is valid for 60 days, covers up to three animals, requires an ISO microchip, and involves no quarantine when the paperwork is complete.

↗