TOOLS FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Tools & Resourcesfor Moving to the
Philippines
Practical tools, services, and official resources to help you plan your move and get settled with confidence.
Some I use personally. Others are researched options or official sources worth knowing about.
PRACTICAL TOOLKIT FIRST. TRUSTED RECOMMENDATIONS SECOND.
How I Choose What Goes Here
FIRSTHAND USE
I have personally used this resource or service.
RESEARCHED OPTION
PEG has researched this resource and believes it may be useful.
OFFICIAL RESOURCE
Information or services provided directly by the responsible organization or government agency.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means PEG may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not determine what we include or recommend.
THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Travel & Arrival
Find your flight, arrange your arrival, then plan the next leg of your journey.
FIND YOUR FLIGHT
Skyscanner
RESEARCHED OPTION
Discover and compare international, domestic and regional flights.
For the flight-planning part of your move.
Search flights on SkyscannerGET FROM THE AIRPORT
Grab
FIRSTHAND USE
Airport arrival and local transportation once you reach your destination.
Availability varies by location in the Philippines.
Check Grab availabilityTRAVEL ONWARD
12GO
FIRSTHAND USE
Find ferry, bus and regional or inter-island ground and sea transportation.
For the next leg of your journey.
Find transport on 12GOAffiliate link
A PLACE TO LAND
Temporary Stays & Accommodation
Give yourself room to settle in before choosing a longer-term home.
Airbnb
FIRSTHAND USE
Useful for apartment, condo, house and longer short-stay options while you learn the area.
Dennis has used Airbnb multiple times in Dumaguete, Cebu and the United States.
Find stays with AirbnbAgoda
FIRSTHAND USE
Useful for hotels and short-term accommodation, especially throughout Southeast Asia.
Dennis actively uses Agoda and has personally booked hotels through it.
Find stays with AgodaFree Philippines House-Hunting Guide + Checklist
Get practical guidance and a checklist to help you find the right home and avoid expensive surprises.
Free. Practical. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MONEY ACROSS BORDERS
Keep Your Money Accessible
& Move It Internationally
Different resources for different parts of your financial setup.
Keep access to your U.S. money
Maintain access to U.S. banking
Capital One
FIRSTHAND USE
An international-friendly U.S. banking relationship Dennis continues to use while living abroad.
Explore Capital OneManage international ATM costs
Charles Schwab Investor Checking
RESEARCHED OPTION
A U.S.-based option with worldwide ATM-fee reimbursement and no foreign transaction fee on the debit card.
Explore Schwab Investor CheckingMove money internationally
Move and manage money internationally
Wise
FIRSTHAND USE
A practical tool Dennis uses for moving and managing money internationally.
Explore WiseAffiliate link
Send money into the Philippines
Remitly
FIRSTHAND USE
A transfer service Dennis uses to send money into the Philippines.
Explore RemitlyGETTING ESTABLISHED LOCALLY
Banking & Payments in the Philippines
Two different jobs: establish local banking, or use the payment tools people rely on every day.
Everyday payments.
LOCAL PHILIPPINE BANKING
Metrobank
RESEARCHED OPTION
An established Philippine banking option worth investigating for foreigners establishing local banking.
Investigate MetrobankLOCAL WALLETS & EVERYDAY PAYMENTS
GCash
FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE — QUALIFIED
Dennis regularly sends money through Remitly to Annabelle’s and his landlord’s GCash accounts for Philippine expenses, including rent and utilities.
Dennis does not personally maintain a GCash account.
Explore GCashUNDERSTAND THE DECISION FIRST
Healthcare & Insurance
Learn about care and costs, understand your risk, then consider the type of coverage you need.
Start with the PEG guides
01
Healthcare in the Philippines Guide
Learn how healthcare works
Read the Healthcare Guide02
Real Healthcare Costs Guide
Understand real firsthand cost examples
Read the Costs Guide03
Health Insurance Guide
Understand the insurance decision
Read the Insurance GuideLong-term international health
International Citizens Insurance
RESEARCHED OPTION
Long-term international-health comparison/referral pathway.
Explore International Citizens InsuranceAffiliate link
Travel / exploratory / nomad coverage
SafetyWing
RESEARCHED OPTION
SafetyWing offers insurance products designed for nomads, travelers, and remote workers.
Explore SafetyWingAffiliate link
World Nomads
RESEARCHED OPTION
This U.S.-specific link is intended for U.S. residents. Confirm eligibility and policy terms directly with World Nomads. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Explore World NomadsLUMA Travel Insurance
RESEARCHED OPTION
LUMA Travel provides travel insurance for international travelers, with online purchase available.
Explore LUMA Travel InsuranceAffiliate link
STAY CONNECTED AS YOU GET SETTLED
Connectivity & Online Access
Practical tools for keeping your U.S. number, getting connected, and managing online access abroad.
Keep your existing
U.S. number
PEG U.S. Phone Number Guide
Learn how to keep an existing U.S. number while moving to the Philippines.
Read the U.S. Phone Number GuideGoogle Voice
FIRSTHAND USE
A tool Dennis personally uses to keep access to his U.S. number while living in the Philippines.
Get mobile data / eSIM service
Airalo
RESEARCHED OPTION
An eSIM/mobile-data option for travelers and expats.
Explore AiraloAffiliate link
AirZlink
RESEARCHED OPTION
An eSIM/mobile-data option.
Explore AirZlinkAffiliate link
Protect your online access
NordVPN
RESEARCHED OPTION
VPN/privacy and secure online access.
Explore NordVPNAffiliate link
OFFICIAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR MOVE
Visa & Immigration
Start with practical guidance, then use official Philippine government sources to confirm requirements and complete the appropriate procedures.
PEG INTERNAL GUIDE
PEG Philippines
Visa Guide
Understand common visa and residency pathways, then confirm the requirements that apply with the responsible government agency.
Read the PEG Visa GuidePEG explains. Government sources
govern the actual process.
OFFICIAL RESOURCE
Philippine Bureau of Immigration
e-Services
Official portal for available online immigration transactions, including visa waivers and tourist-extension services.
Visit BI e-ServicesOFFICIAL RESOURCE
Philippine Retirement Authority
— SRRV
Official information about the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, including eligibility, deposit requirements, and application procedures.
Visit the Philippine Retirement AuthorityOFFICIAL RESOURCE
Philippine eTravel
The official, free Philippine travel-registration service for applicable arrivals and departures.
etravel.gov.ph
Visit Philippine eTravelImmigration requirements can change. Visa eligibility, fees, required documents, extension periods and procedures should always be reconfirmed with the responsible Philippine government agency before you act.
Official government resources. These links direct you to Philippine government websites. Philippines Expat Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.