Philippines
Republic of the Philippines · Capital: Manila
A warm, English-speaking archipelago that is the world's call-centre and BPO capital, with a famously easy retirement-visa programme (SRRV) and low living costs.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Philippines.
Policy overview
2 visa routes into Philippines
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
PH-SRRV
Permanent residence for retirees via a bank deposit/investment, with easy renewal.
Eligibility
- Age 35+ (tiers)
- Deposit ~US$10k-50k
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
PH-9G
Employer-sponsored work visa for foreign professionals.
Eligibility
- Job offer
- AEP work permit
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Philippines, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Philippines needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
BPO & shared services
The world's largest voice-BPO industry employs over a million people.
Healthcare & maritime
A leading global exporter of nurses and merchant-marine crew.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Metro Manila
Capital & BPO coreThe economic centre and heart of the BPO industry; congested but full of jobs.
- Cost index
- 44
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 60
Cebu
Island business hubA popular second city blending business, beaches and a growing nomad scene.
- Cost index
- 38
- 1-bed rent
- $400
- Quality
- 66
Davao
Orderly southern cityA safe, orderly southern city often rated highly for liveability.
- Cost index
- 34
- 1-bed rent
- $320
- Quality
- 66
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendFamously friendly to foreigners and retirees; petty bureaucracy and traffic are the main gripes.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Tourist areas are generally fine; take normal precautions in parts of Metro Manila.
Higher = safer (crime index 42/100).
Where to live
Which Philippines city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Cebu
Beachy & laid-back
A popular second city blending business, beaches and a growing nomad scene.
Davao
Calm & green
A safe, orderly southern city often rated highly for liveability.
Metro Manila
Dense & chaotic
The economic centre and heart of the BPO industry; congested but full of jobs.
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