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Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago where English and Filipino blend in daily life, and each island tells a different story.
Overview
Manila’s urban pulse and Cebu’s island energy are just starting points in a nation shaped by Spanish, American, and local influences. With over 7,000 islands, relocation planning here involves navigating archipelago logistics and discovering regional diversity in culture, language, and community.
At a glance
Languages
- English(Official)
- Filipino(Official)
- Arabic(Recognized)
- Filipino Sign Language(Recognized)
- Spanish(Recognized)
Population112,729,484
CurrencyPhilippine Peso (PHP)
1 PHP = 0.0163 USD
1 USD = 61.4747 PHP
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Digital Nomad, Family Reunification, Work (Employer-Sponsored), and 5 more.
Digital Nomad
- Digital Nomad Visa
Executive Order No. 86 authorizes DFA to issue Digital Nomad Visas to foreign remote workers whose clients or employers are outside the Philippines. Applicants must show remote work, sufficient foreign-sourced income, no criminal record, valid health insurance, reciprocal nationality eligibility, and must not be employed in the Philippines.
- 1 year, renewable
- Remote/foreign employment only
Family Reunification
- Immigrant Visa by Marriage (13A)
Non-quota immigrant visa conversion route for a foreign national on the basis of a valid marriage to a Philippine citizen. The BI page identifies the route as probationary non-quota immigrant visa by marriage.
- Renewable
- Path to residency
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G)
Employer-sponsored Philippine work route for foreign nationals proceeding to the Philippines to engage in a lawful occupation for wages, salary, or other compensation. The BI page publishes conversion and extension tables with one-, two-, and three-year validity options.
- 3 years, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
Permanent Residency
- Quota Immigrant Visa (13)
Quota immigrant visa route for nationals of countries with diplomatic relations and reciprocal immigration privileges, limited by the BI page to no more than fifty applicants of any one nationality or without nationality per calendar year.
- Renewable
- Path to residency
Investor
- Special Investor Resident Visa (SIRV)
Investor residence route. The BOI FAQ says the SIRV entitles the holder to reside in the Philippines for an indefinite period as long as the investment subsists, subject to eligibility and investment requirements.
- Renewable
- Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor (9D)
Treaty trader or investor route for qualifying nationals of the United States, Japan, and Germany entering to carry on treaty trade or commerce, or to develop and direct enterprise operations in the Philippines.
- 2 years, renewable
- Limited work rights
Retirement
- Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Retirement-program visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration through PRA. The PRA page describes permanent residency, multiple entry, and indefinite stay benefits, with SRRV Classic deposit tiers and pension evidence for pensioner applicants.
- Renewable
- Path to residency
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Temporary Visitor Visa / Visa Waiver (9A)
Visitor route for non-visa-required tourists admitted initially for 30 days, with an initial 29-day visa waiver and BI extensions for stays exceeding 59 days. The BI page also documents long-stay visitor extensions and maximum stay handling for 36 months for visa-non-required nationals and 24 months for visa-required nationals.
- 30 days, renewable
- No work rights
Languages
- English(Official)
- Filipino(Official)
- Arabic(Recognized)
- Filipino Sign Language(Recognized)
- Spanish(Recognized)
- Aklanon(Regional)
- Bikol(Regional)
- Cebuano(Regional)
- Chavacano(Regional)
- Hiligaynon(Regional)
- Ibanag(Regional)
- Ivatan(Regional)
- Kinaray-a(Regional)
- Maranao(Regional)
- Pangasinan(Regional)
- Sambal(Regional)
- Tagalog(Regional)
- Tausug(Regional)
- Yakan(Regional)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Philippines.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, except for:
- Camiguin Island
- Dinagat Island
- Siargao Island
This advice is due to terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups in south Philippines.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel to:
- The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping
- Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest
Reconsider Travel to: Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Country Summary: Terrorists and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting public areas like tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities in the Philippines. Violent crimes are also common in the Philippines such as robbery, kidnappings, and physical assaults. Protests happen in the Philippines and could turn violent and/or result in traffic jams and road closures with limited capacity of the local government to respond. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in the Philippines must obtain special authorization to travel to certain areas of the country as stated below.
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