Philippines Guide

Getting used to living in a new country is always a challenge. The Just Landed Guide is designed to help you deal with the day-to-day challenges of living, working or studying in the Philippines. It is full of useful information and step-by-step guides on how things work and how to survive in the Philippines.

Visas & Permits

• Temporary visas in the Philippines: Non-immigrant visas
• Immigrant visas: Are you quota or non-quota?
• The ACR I-card: What it is and how to get one
• Filipino citizenship: How to acquire citizenship

Jobs

• The job market: Employment prospects
• What jobs to look for: What areas are popular with expats
• Where to look for a job: Useful resources
• Applying for a job: The application and interview process
• Working conditions: What to expect from a Filipino work environment

Housing & Rentals

• Getting started: How to prepare your search
• Types of accommodation: What’s available and what to expect
• Finding accommodation: Where to search
• Things to look out for: Contracts, security, deposits

Property

• Owning property in the Philippines: What can I own and what are the conditions?
• The buying process: Costs and things to look out for
• Utilities and domestic help: How much you should expect to pay

Health

• Health-care in the Philippines: An overview
• Common precautions: What to do before and after you arrive
• Hospitals, pharmacies, emergencies: Where to go and what’s available
• Health insurance: Health insurance options in the Philippines

Money

• Money in the Philippines: An overview of currency and banks
• Opening a bank account: What you need to know
• Exchanging currencies: Where and how to do it
• International transfers and payments: How to transfer money and make payments

Language

• Language in the Philippines: Main languages and dialects
• Learning the language: Which language? How?

Telephone & Internet

• Phoning in the Philippines: How to make phone calls in the Philippines
• Alternative call methods: How to save money on international calls
• Getting a phone line: How to get a landline in the Philippines
• Mobile phones: Choose the right mobile phone plan
• Internet connection: How to get an Internet connection at home

Education

• The education system: An introduction
• Lower education: The main stages of primary and secondary education
• Higher education: A guide to universities and vocational colleges
• International and specialist schools: What alternative options are there for expat families?

Travel & Leisure

• Driving in the Philippines: Paved, gravel and dirt roads
• Insuring your vehicle in the Philippines: Make sure you have car insurance!
• How to get a driving licence: Application process for getting a Filipino driving licence
• Importing a car: Bringing your vehicle to the Philippines
• Car rental in the Philippines: Car rental options for tourists and expats
• Public transport in the Philippines: Have you ever travelled in a jeepney or a banca?

Culture

• Tourism in the Philippines: Top 5 places to visit
• Festivals in the Philippines: What are the most popular festivals?
• Local Filipino cuisine: Varied regional cuisines

Moving

• Before you move: A checklist of things you have to consider
• Professional removal companies: How to work with them
• Doing it yourself: How to arrange your move abroad