When are you intending to retire? Soon? So you will be living on 3000 what a month? Philippine peso or US dollars?

 

I plan on retiring soon l. I am already retirement age. May I will be 63 we decide to wait till next May 2025 to give us time to sell our condo
It is 3000 US dollars a month to live on in Phillipines which I know is plenty
I will just like to know other people experience
Did you switch bank accounts? What about mail service did you get a P.o number or forward address what about moving did you just get rid of everything or did you ship some stuff.
Has anyone move there while in process of selling thier property.

 

Sounds like you are looking for somewhere rural but in easy reach of large towns/ small city. We live in a small village just off a highway. The local town with supermarkets, hospital, schools is 4 km. Olongapo city is 25 minutes and Clark International airport is 45 minutes. We can be in Manila in 2 hours by toll express way on a good day so we get the best of the country life with major facilities on our doorstep. My major concern would be your daughter and her education and future prospects. Our son went through his education in the UK before we moved. He has a good job there, far better than anything he could expect in the Philippines.

 

That is correct that is what I am looking for somewhere close to city. My wife told me there were some places close to manila that might be good. So that is option. I am worry about the quality of education in philippines
It is hard enough to get my daughter to study here she is very smart and she gets bored learning about things in her class that she already knows. I do have a college account set up for her . So when she gets older she will be able to decide where to go to college

 

If your daughter is likely to go to college abroad you best find a school that is accredited so she will be accepted. Public education in the Philippines is sadly very lacking. Not sure if many private schools are much better. I think you will end up making the school determine where you live .

 

Jerryana, your plan to retire to the Philippines is a good one and I don't blame you, sell the condo even better.

Your toughest struggle and main focus and concern should be your immigration status, if possible try to get that done in the US through your nearest Philippine Consulate because if not you'll end up in Bohol or some other paradise traveling back and forth to Manila or just giving up doing this and end up yearly having to travel out for the Balikbyan Privilege with your wife so a very costly experience.

Your second concern would be to open up Philippine bank account but that's not possible unless you have your 13a visa or an SRRV. Now if someone claims you can open up a bank account on a tourist visa, that's not what I've experienced I was required to have a permanent resident visa 13a and I opened up my bank account here in 2010.

Another note, many fellow Expats are stuck here homeless because they have no access to their money in the US.

To open up a dollar pension account SS, I'm going to do that this year, it requires working with the US Embassy in Manila and they give you an Entitlement letter if not you won't be able to open the account.

What I'm getting at is the Philippine bureaucracy will make it tough for you to get your money and it's a process so living in some remote (other islands) will make that process more difficult. The US Embassy is overwhelmed and to make matters more agonizing the Philippine bureaucracy is very redundant full of red tape, it's also still a 3rd developing world so not very efficient.

Be careful how you plan your move it could end up a very stressful experience so good thing your asking questions now, if possible get your 13a accomplished in the US and if that's not possible plan on spending time next to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila for a month or two or for however long it takes to get this done.

Welcome to the forum and I wish you and your family the best with the transition.

 

Jerryana, your plan to retire to the Philippines is a good one and I don't blame you, sell the condo even better.

Your toughest struggle and main focus and concern should be your immigration status, if possible try to get that done in the US through your nearest Philippine Consulate because if not you'll end up in Bohol or some other paradise traveling back and forth to Manila or just giving up doing this and end up yearly having to travel out for the Balikbyan Privilege with your wife so a very costly experience.

Your second concern would be to open up Philippine bank account but that's not possible unless you have your 13a visa or an SRRV. Now if someone claims you can open up a bank account on a tourist visa, that's not what I've experienced I was required to have a permanent resident visa 13a and I opened up my bank account here in 2010.

Another note, many fellow Expats are stuck here homeless because they have no access to their money in the US.

To open up a dollar pension account SS, I'm going to do that this year, it requires working with the US Embassy in Manila and they give you an Entitlement letter if not you won't be able to open the account.

What I'm getting at is the Philippine bureaucracy will make it tough for you to get your money and it's a process so living in some remote (other islands) will make that process more difficult. The US Embassy is overwhelmed and to make matters more agonizing the Philippine bureaucracy is very redundant full of red tape, it's also still a 3rd developing world so not very efficient.

Be careful how you plan your move it could end up a very stressful experience so good thing your asking questions now, if possible get your 13a accomplished in the US and if that's not possible plan on spending time next to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila for a month or two or for however long it takes to get this done.

Welcome to the forum and I wish you and your family the best with the transition.

Thanks
I have thought about applying for the 13A . And probably will apply for it here
. As far as banking I will be collecting my SS check before I move and will have direct deposit into the bank account we have here set up .I will have My wife open bank account there and transfer funds from Bank in U.S to the bank in Philippines as we need them. I trust my wife very much we have a shared checking account and separate savings account

 

Thanks for your advice. The quilty of the school is one if not the number 1 thing we are looking for when we move.

 

Welcome to the forum Jerryana.

Read and enjoy the input from this site, plenty of info.
I can't answer your ask of education as my kids are in their late 20's and mid 30's. Past all that now but If you want a private school that offers a decent education then google and input from other expats will help.

Only a thought but why move too far from where your wife grew up? Family etc.

If that doesn't matter then hear what Gary D said, He is relatively close to good services but not in the midst of a big city, I agree that big cities all over the world are great to visit but for me not to live in while others thrive.

We are further afield up in La Union so 5/6 hours to NAIA but have quality private hospitals, plenty of colleges, shopping malls etc. Clean air, beachfront, no noise and all we need but no children aside from 2 Labradors that can be a handful.

Your US 3K per month will be plenty at around P 170K per month, most here don't earn that amount in a year.
We live very comfortably on 90 to 100K per month but we own everything, no rent.

If education is your main concern then focus on that, everything else will fall into place.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

 

Thanks
My wife has family there in lots of places mainly Manila and Bohol. But wherever we decide to live it will be way closer for her to visit her family then living here in U.S
Where you live sounds good Me and my wife has started looking online at houses there to get an ideal on cost. Since we will probably not be able to buy house right away.We will have to rent.our range will probably be around 30000 to 70000 pesos per month.We did see some really nice houses in that range. I guess now will be to research locations on the houses we liked

 

@M.C.A.

I would disagree with opening bank accounts on a tourist/visitor visa, I've had 3, 2 still current and opened with a visitor visa and an ACR card, my current status. 12/13 years ago was difficult and the 4th bank said yes. Banks here are very different to western norms.

To the OP Jerry. If school and education for your children are your top priority then focus on that and everything else will fall into place. The home is the least of your worry as high quality education costs, education at home is simply your time and free.

I will also ask why you can't buy a home here if your wife is a dual passport holder, a Philippines national.
Aside, research and good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

 

@M.C.A.

I would disagree with opening bank accounts on a tourist/visitor visa, I've had 3, 2 still current and opened with a visitor visa and an ACR card, my current status. 12/13 years ago was difficult and the 4th bank said yes. Banks here are very different to western norms.

To the OP Jerry. If school and education for your children are your top priority then focus on that and everything else will fall into place. The home is the least of your worry as high quality education costs, education at home is simply your time and free.

I will also ask why you can't buy a home here if your wife is a dual passport holder, a Philippines national.
Aside, research and good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

I am not to sure of process In philippines of buying house and thought it would be better to rent for at least our first year there to make sure that is the location we want to live in or if another part of the philippines we might like better

 

The key to opening a bank account is chatting up the manager. That person controls that branch. There is no law stopping them from giving you an account it is mostly if you will be of benefit to them.
I started with my wife opening a dollar and peso ATM account. Once the manager got to know her and saw we were transfering money into the dollar account it was easy for the manager to meet me and allow us to open joint accounts replacing my wife's accounts.
I do keep a ample amount of money in the dollar account which the bank appreciates. It is not fully insured but it is in the Philippines incase I need to get cash in an emergency. Medical stuff is a cash oriented service and I don't want to have to wait for bank wires.

The bank manager was very accommodating of the balikbayan visa and took copies for the file. As I moved along the 13A process I gave them copies of each visa. You have to make sure you declare the accounts with the US via the annual FBAR to keep both governments happy. Also knowing the manager helps them to trust you when you have to take out cash. There is a real concern about money laundering and terrorism related issues. It is very common for the bank to make copies of purchase agreements and the like to support cash withdrawals.

I agree that checking out he place before building or buying a home is wise. Only keep in mind land prices are moving higher in the popular locations. In my experience the rural locations don't really have any houses worth buying on the market. Building your own is typically the way to go. Of course in big cities there would be more real estate to choose from but that is the big city.

There are lots of threads about moving here. Since each person has an unique situation it is hard to just do as I did. I won't even get started on the whole how much do you need to live well here topic, it is very argumentative.

I put my niece through school here and she was able to pass all the international tests or certifications. But you have to know if there will be issues transfering to a US University before you decide.

I have family in the US and keep a mailing address and a Cel phone there to allow to keep all my US finances intact without issues. You also need to figure out what you will do at 65 with Medicare. If you pay the monthly fee you will not be able to use it here, assuming you are not ex-military. And if you tell the US government you live in the Philippines then you have to deal with yearly social security proof of life form mailed back and forth.

I am glad you are moving here, I love it and could not imagine a retirement in the US working out as well for my well-being.

 

Not questioning your experience Mark but only reiterating mine, 12/13 years ago 3 BDO branches we visited. always with the paperwork with a 12 month lease on a condo, all Id's etc. First bank: No sir you need an ACR1 card to open.
2nd bank the same story. 3rd bank I had my ACR1 card and still no, perhaps my cologne was the wrong colour?
4th BDO branch another no, Ben said let's go, No I said and told the teller that I have met all the requirements posted on your site and you say no? I want to speak to your Manager,,,,,,, the eyes opened. Manager is busy sir, I will wait and did for half an hour, met the manageress, chatted with her for 10/15 minutes and the account was opened, her advice was not to deposit more than US 10K at a time.
I had the same problem when we purchased here in La Union, no ACR1 card and simply meeting the banker and transferring my manila account to here,,,,,,, No sir need an ACR1 card and we cannot transfer accounts, different branch. Got my ACR1 and 2 accounts opened and no problems, I'm even pushed to the front of the queue if I go there, getting older seems to hold advantages here, same in some supermarkets.

As for the homeless/destitute opening a bank account? Didn't the bring a debit or credit card with them? Never heard of money transfers? Never saw the forest for the trees? Or simply came here broke in hope?
I have the experience of opening a bank account and read plenty of other stories relating the same but could always draw funds from a hole in the wall.
I have read plenty of other expat experiences where they opened a bank account with an ACR1 card first visit to the bank.
I have also read some/not many opening a bank account without an ACR1.

We all have different experiences in this country/many countries but for me a simple 9a works and if I pop 1 or 2 million pesos in my bank my better half takes my passbook and drawers it out, goes in the safe, he always gets the question from the teller "what is that for sir" these days he looks at them and asks tsismis?

Yes Mark can be difficult to open a bank account here for some, others easy, as said perhaps the cologne or deodorant? We keep little money in the bank Mark we spend it and plenty in the safe.

Cheers, Steve.

 

Not questioning your experience Mark but only reiterating mine, 12/13 years ago 3 BDO branches we visited. always with the paperwork with a 12 month lease on a condo, all Id's etc. First bank: No sir you need an ACR1 card to open.
2nd bank the same story. 3rd bank I had my ACR1 card and still no, perhaps my cologne was the wrong colour?
4th BDO branch another no, Ben said let's go, No I said and told the teller that I have met all the requirements posted on your site and you say no? I want to speak to your Manager,,,,,,, the eyes opened. Manager is busy sir, I will wait and did for half an hour, met the manageress, chatted with her for 10/15 minutes and the account was opened, her advice was not to deposit more than US 10K at a time.
I had the same problem when we purchased here in La Union, no ACR1 card and simply meeting the banker and transferring my manila account to here,,,,,,, No sir need an ACR1 card and we cannot transfer accounts, different branch. Got my ACR1 and 2 accounts opened and no problems, I'm even pushed to the front of the queue if I go there, getting older seems to hold advantages here, same in some supermarkets.

As for the homeless/destitute opening a bank account? Didn't the bring a debit or credit card with them? Never heard of money transfers? Never saw the forest for the trees? Or simply came here broke in hope?
I have the experience of opening a bank account and read plenty of other stories relating the same but could always draw funds from a hole in the wall.
I have read plenty of other expat experiences where they opened a bank account with an ACR1 card first visit to the bank.
I have also read some/not many opening a bank account without an ACR1.

We all have different experiences in this country/many countries but for me a simple 9a works and if I pop 1 or 2 million pesos in my bank my better half takes my passbook and drawers it out, goes in the safe, he always gets the question from the teller "what is that for sir" these days he looks at them and asks tsismis?

Yes Mark can be difficult to open a bank account here for some, others easy, as said perhaps the cologne or deodorant? We keep little money in the bank Mark we spend it and plenty in the safe.

Cheers, Steve.

Some bank chains if they find out you're living in the Philippines will close your account, also these guys are old so nobody to send them an ATM card either, even if they have someone send the card it could be taken, heck... my recent experience with the ATM card took me 3 tries and a loss of over $300 in mail charges.

I do remember reading that the US Embassy in Manila can open up a bank account for you, though, but by then you've already been targeted by Immigration and set for deportation for not renewing the tourist visa. This one expat he's in Dumaguete actually there's a more than just a couple of them on that entire island of N' Occidental, and his bank account was closed once they figured out he was living in the Philippines, it was the Bank of America and so blocked him from his funds he also has hundreds of thousands of US dollars in his 401k but no way to access this money and no bank will open up an account for him, he set to be deported soon "repatriated" of course he's been told he'll be blacklisted, he's been homeless now for 6 months, but he said no Philippine bank would open up an account for him, several other videos very similar the banks will not open up an account for someone living on a 9a visa.

 

Well seems to me if he had all that money and no creditcard to buy a plane ticket he is not very wise.it seems to me he could just go to this site

ACA-Members/SDFCU Account: Description and FAQs information | Washington, DC |

ACA-Members/SDFCU Account: Description and FAQs - American Citizens Abroad (ACA) and the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) have come together to provide ACA members with a US Banking solution. This was in response to problems that many overseas Americans have experienced with their...

www.americansabroad.org

And open a bank account and transfer his money. Problem solved.
If you have money someone will take it

 

Is a cynical view the right word Mark?
While I have no idea the banking system in the US I have liked drive through banking there.
As said never a problem in the Philippines nor Australian banking and moving funds, there are always two sides to the street, don't believe all that is told.
Mark I live here full time, some 4/5 years now and have 2 bank accounts with BDO and opened on a 9a visa, nothing more, move funds around and never an issue. System works well enough once you secure a bank account.
Don't believe all you read especially you tube videos. Did the destitute fools not look into their financial situation before moving here? Or are they simply broke? Sob stories? You know my saying Mark "God looks after those that look after themselves" All others go to the back.

You don't go willy nilly visit or live in another country without financials sorted, escape route etc. Those that do only cause problems.
Opening a bank account here on a 9a is very achievable, a debit or credit card is easier to start.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

 

I will like to live somewhere we could have modern conveinces but away from the stressful city life. I also will like to find a place that has good private school

There was a very good private school in Tubigon, Bohol, but I believe it closed when owner's kids got older and I believe owner moved to Europe.
Owner was Filipina teacher, who found Filipino schools to bad so she started a private school for just her own kids and a FEW of their friends, but it became so popular, even the officials recomended it! It had grown to 10 teachers when she started talking about closing it.

Otherwice there are some nice places outside Cebu city, possible but inconvinient to go get to school there every day.

did you just get rid of everything or did you ship some stuff.

It cost VERY much to transport.
If you get correct visa, you get right to get in things for a max amount without custom fee* but within a short time frame from Visa aproval.

*I believe except storage fee. Before Duterte fired the highest custom boss, the custom had systemiced slowing the process toi get HIGH storage fee or even make it so slow so owner give up so the custom can confiscate the things

It is hard enough to get my daughter to study here she is very smart and she gets bored learning about things in her class that she already knows.

Home schooling can perhaps be an alternative? The Tubigon school was such from start.) It need permit from a headmaster though. I believe demand Filipino educated teacher too to be legal. But I dont know if anyone bother if dont make it legal Higher risk they bother though when foreigner involved.
You need to think of though steps need to be approved to get into each higher school level though.

BUT you can compare how I solved it:
As kid I got bored too as your daughter. Elementary school was wasteing time waiting for the others. High school some less bad, but still wasteing time.
When got allowed by school I studied by myself and just made autorized tests. Downside was needed to make test of WHOLE subject at ONE time.
(E g a 3 YEAR course in Business economy I studied in 18 HOURS Mainly reading headlines and skiped parts I expected I could figuere out the answers myself and parts ment for EMPLOYEES in big companies. Got just average grade by I didnt know some expressions ment to be used as employee.
1 year Acounting course I got done in 21 hours. Learned good enough to make it profesional both in own business and for customers.
1 year Society science, done in 8 hours. Only one point from being among the very few, who got highest grade.)
Went to college, but skiped after one semester because I found them teaching to slow too and they didnt even teach the best method within Pedagogy!!! which I had learned allready by myself.

24yo I had saved enough start capital, so I started own business. I got the job without interview!

Injury has sabotaged my plans for Philippines, but plan was to start both family and business there and when kids get older then starting more (related) businesses/sections so all kids, who want to be boss, get an own section to decide and be responcible of.
So if the kids would be as I, they could study by themselves with some assistance, so they would not need grades nor college if they want to work in own/family business. But they would need good attitude, otherwice they wouldnt get work in the family business
I have started businesses there anyway at distance, but hard to start family at distance

 

The Philippines has tremendous bureaucracy, both government and banks.

When I opened bank account, there were 2 women bank employees working on it. After forms, photo, and fingerprints, they suggested I go eat lunch.

When I returned, the 2 were still working on opening my bank account.

It took them 3 hours.

The bureaucracy bank employees must go through is tremendous.

No wonder banks do not want to open bank accounts for foreigners, who may not be long term customers.

 

How far in advance should one start the process before making the move there? Is obtaining the 13A the first step?

 

It seems that one cannot start the 13A process in one's home country anymore....since Covid.
Can anyone who has recently contacted their nearest Philippines Embassy about it confirm this ?

 

The London embassy only lists the 9 type visas

 

It seems that one cannot start the 13A process in one's home country anymore....since Covid.
Can anyone who has recently contacted their nearest Philippines Embassy about it confirm this ?

I thought so too.

How far in advance should one start the process before making the move there? Is obtaining the 13A the first step?

When you enter you can ask for Balinkbayan, which is free when they accept. (Bring marriage licence.)
If not, you can use visitors visa until you get your 13a.

 

I think the first step is to organize your finances in both countries. You need to be able to transfer cash to the Philippines and get some good credit cards that don't have foreign exchange fees. You also need your home country banks and investments to be accessible from the Philippines. Some institutions don't allow logins or transactions from outside the US, ensure you figure it out or change institutions.
Make sure you setup all your important online logins to be secure and ready for international access.

Next step renewed passports and passport cards. can your wife get her national ID card from Philippines too?

Prepare any documents you might need. You should have multiple offical copies of your birth certificates and marriage license, including registration of marriage in the Philippines.
If you had previous marriages get certified copies of the final decree.
Establish how you will receive your tax documents and how you will file. If you are lucky you can do it all online but don't wait until February to find out you can't get something from the US.

Sell everything or figure out how to store or ship it. If you don't have a residence in the Philippines it will be hard to ship your goods.

To be honest the paperwork in the Philippines was not that hard just time consuming, requiring patience. I got the balikbayan visa at the airport and had a year free to get stuff done.

A nice to have was a good international Cel phone that is made to work in the Philippines. Get one with dual SIM cards. I find having a Smart and Globe SIM very convenient in some of the rural locations.

 

I find my (multi-currency) 'Wise' online bank account, with very good exchange rates, to be very useful for sending/distributing funds...plus my home-country based PayPal account. (A separate one is required if setting up from the Phils).