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Young brit living and working in Philippines

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upluk
  10/19/2017 13:00 EST

My girlfriend is Filipina, and I am considering moving over to live with her, I was just wondering for some advice.

How does it work with a visa for a foreign to work in Philippines?

What are popular jobs that expats work (she lives in Palawan)?

Thanks!

tlallen59
  10/19/2017 13:34 EST

I am sorry to inform you as many others will I am sure but working in the Philippines is next to impossible for a expat. Sorry.

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bbazor
  10/19/2017 19:07 EST

I hear that is it almost impossible to work here. While that is partially true, there are indeed some jobs depending on your skills. I have had several opportunities that I turned down in the Electronics industry as well as English Institutes. However, there are a lot of English schools in Baguio and foreigners are in demand here to teach. I don't know Palawan, but I doubt they have a lot of schools there. I think the best chance would be an English school or Call Center.

seernai
  10/19/2017 20:28 EST

You won’t get a job in a call centre as my youngest step son works in one as a senior supervisor he told me unless you can speak Tagalog as well as English a few expats have opened eateries but close within a couple of months unless you can offer something which the locals are not doing your going to struggle even in the electronics industry , one guy is teaching English online and is doing quite well

charkee
  10/19/2017 22:18 EST

I'm able to work in the Philippines. However I have skills that are lacking in the Philippines. I have been offered work several times in a call center because I am fluent in Spanish. I also teach music as there is a dearth of qualified music teachers in the Philippines. But if you don't have special skills, forget finding a job. Legally the Filipino will get the job who may even be a bit less qualified than yourself.

bbazor
  10/19/2017 22:19 EST

I don't disagree with anything you said. But, it all depends on the level (Supervisor, Manager, or Director). I know a couple of Americans that work in local call centers here, but it is rare. I know another guy that just got a job running an English school that will make 100K a month.
His English is just average. But, he made connections. There are many teaching English. You are also right about the salaries. That is why I chose not to work. It is just not worth the time invested for such a low salary for me. For some, it would be fine.

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Snowy29
  10/19/2017 22:48 EST

Palawan is lovely but it's a backwater as far as jobs are concerned. As you're from the UK imagine living in a rural area and that's about as likely you are to get a job due to the locals getting fist choice. Palawan is also a relatively poor area so look at jobs where you can expect to get the equivalent of £3.50 per day and every day you are working here you aren't paying National Insurance in the UK so losing out on your pension. Add to this every penny you earn will be swallowed up in Visa fees and then some.

bbazor
  10/19/2017 22:59 EST

He could teach English on the internet if he is the type that can live on a limited budget. I know several Expats here that do that because they misjudged the costs when they moved here or had too many kids, or just made bad financial decisions. None of the ones that I know planned to work when they first moved here.

charkee
  10/19/2017 23:03 EST

I know one American that teaches English on the internet to Japanese and Korean students. He works 16 hours a day and has little time for anything else. However he was able to buy his own home in an average development.

bbazor
  10/19/2017 23:20 EST

That is way too many hours. But, at least he has something to show for it.

Years ago, I worked with a couple of guys that retired early, moved to PI and after a couple of years, they had to go back to the USA to work again.


Personally, I feel it is better to work in a western country (USA in my case), plan, save, invest for the future, and then move here. Anyway, we are all different and have different plans. To each, his own.

draks
  10/21/2017 11:07 EST

To get a work permit in Philippines you must have a firm job offer first then you can apply. Wages are ridiculously low.
Someone mentioned your pension you say your young live here you will lose your pension rights when you retire long way off I know but that time will come only too quickly. Also if you had a job here and you lost it there are no benefits, no unemployment pay you would be penniless.
Unless your girlfriend Eran's extremely good money and can keep you both. Online teaching is very popular but you need the relevent qualifications and it takes quite a while to build a customer base. Let's be honest eat most men that live here are older, retired and have a pension.
What are your qualifications anyway?
Your best bet is to save as much money as you can ask to take all your years holiday in one go 4 or five weeks then come to visit her. While your here you can see for yourself.
Do not work illegally here it carries a large fine and deprtation if caught and that would include being in a stinking prison for god knows how long.. and of course your going to need 30 years no payment. When you do retire your going to struggle big time.

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sportsinvader
  10/21/2017 16:34 EST

Hi, i am planning to move there, in March, i don't have any money coming in, i am saving a much as i can, i wont go with no less than $10,000, my girlfriend, lives there, family house with her brother, no rent, huge brake. And i do understand, jobs for foreigners are going to be hard to come by. I have neen looking for opportunities online working with digital marketing, VA, copywrite etc...so you might want to look into that..

Spruik
  10/21/2017 17:38 EST

>>>
i wont go with no less than $10,000, my girlfriend, lives there, family house with her brother, no rent,
<<<

You'll be flying home well within a year, stone broke,

No such thing as a "free lunch".

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