Moving to Philippines

         Hi Anders, welcome to expat.  Looking for a Job  in the Philippines will be difficult for you unless you can work on line. But that raises the problem of needing a good reliable internet connection, which may limit the possible places to live.  I take it you are going to Julie's hometown and her family

         Have you ever been in the Philippines before?  You are arriving right before the hottest month and then the start of the rainy season.  Please ask any questions you may have as there are many on here who will be able to help you.  Good luck!

Hi, this might be occidental Mindoro. To go there you need to go to Manila, take a bus to Batangas, take the ferry to Mindoro and from there by van. Mindoro is a big island but there are not many people living there. Brownouts are frequent and you might need a generator to work online. If the location is very remote make sur that there is a signal mast from Globe or Smart and check the speed. To work in the Philippines you will need a marriage visa or a work visa. Both is not difficult to get, however, you need to do this in Manila. To find a job as a sales manager outside of Manila and Cebu might be hard if your work requires meerings with the sales staff. Life in the deepest province can be cheap but you will miss a lot of things there.

All the best and keep us posted how it goes

Andy from Boracay (8 years in the Phils)

Hi Mugtech

So why is it hard for me to find a jobb in Philippines?

I have never had any problem to find a jobb so far. But maybe Philippines are different?

Thailand was pretty easy to find jobb.

Online jobb sure if there are jobbs. Im quite flexible.

Internet is available of good quality so there is not any technical limitations.

We are arriving in the April when the winter and rainy season should be over.

I have never been to Philippines before.

Are Philippines not an export country in som way....there should be jobbs?

If anybody wants a copy of my CV....its available with short notice.

Kind Regards

Anders Linde

@Andy_1963

Hi Andy

Thank you for the input.

I have always had my work from home....the office.

But then traveled all over Europe to meet clients, customer.

Maybe there is some of that work available in Philippines.

Mamburaou is Julies hometown.

Thats the reason for that choice.

But maybe we need to reconsider that choice.

So any tip or knowing someone that needs a experienced sales guy,  I am very greatfuil.

Kind regards

Anders Linde

Try Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget.

They have several offices in the Philippines.

You might have brother-in-law who works there.

@anderslinde

Hello Anders, in my opinion (only), most likely it will not be practical for you, a Westerner, to pursue employment here, even if you do get a visa that allows employment such as SRRV or 13A marriage to a Philippine citizen. In the unlihely event you get hired, you will probably find that the pay is shockingly low. Perhaps it would be possible for you to work at a Western company with reasonable salary for positions that allow online work attedance? One caveat there is that my son tested that out abd found that the internet in our area was not reliable enough. There are probably many articles posted in this forum about expat employment and also about the pros and cons of setting up a business. Best of luck and please do not let this comment discourage you as there may be many foreign employment opportunities here that I am not aware of. In any case, if you do find employment, say as a manager at an English-speaking call center, at typically low wages, make sure it is legal for you to work. Most likely, such places would require proof of permission  to work; fyi coming in a tourist visa will not allow work. Authorities are fairly strict about that. In one recent case, BI deported a Chinese person who actually had the correct visa and the also had the AEP employment permit but she was working at a different company than the one she was approved for.

@Jackson4

Thank you for your message! MR Jackson.

I have to se what they have at Asea.

But brother in law?

Really?

Kind regards

Anders Linde

@anderslinde

So why is it hard for me to find a job in Philippines?

You will soon find out.

We are arriving in the April when the winter and rainy season should be over

I have never been to Philippines before.

The above comments make that blindingly obvious.

The rainy season finishes (officially) 1st December. As Mugtech points out you are arriving during the hottest period of the year. In addition Easter Sunday 2025 falls on 20th April. Everything shuts down. Everyone is on vacation or with their families (click link) . Hope you like karaoke and praying for the living and the dead.

Probably the worst time to arrive in the country. After April you will head into the rainy season. The good news is that unlike Sweden the raindrops will be warm and you can always do a rendition of the BJ Thomas one hit wonder.

“Mamburaou is Julies hometown.”

Does that mean you will be close to her family? Bad choice and yes I would encourage you  to reconsider. Either that or load up your Debit card (bring two) before coming.

The ‘family’ will be all there to welcome you with big smiles. Happy days.

If you bump into a fellow Swede named Coach 53 please send him this Forums regards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwI4vKtCnq8

Hi Lotus

Well i dont have any problem with some rain. Im going with my Julie. Normally the rain season is between June to November. Maybe its shifted a bit.

There is jobb, I already knows that.

But im looking for alterantives.

So lets see.

/Anders

When it comes to her family. We know eachother since before.

Now im living in another country there in summer we have up to 55 degrees and screaming dry.

There is always ups and downs.

@anderslinde

Before embarking on a permanent move and given that you have never set foot in the country before I would strongly suggest that you visit for at least a couple of months ( maybe take a sabbatical) before making the leap of faith.

And you will need plenty of faith Anders. Your  Christian Filipina will have this in abundance but are you a God fearing person?

You state the reason  for your relocation is because the other half is homesick.

According to your bio your current abode is Greece. A beautiful country which like Phil’s lends itself to island hopping. With the exception of a couple of months the climate is moderate without the humidity of the Philippines. Charming people ( My Greek tenant at a property I rent out here in Bath is an economics lecturer at Bath University)

You are going to miss the delicious Greek food( and fresh local produce )at your local taverna especially once you have endured Filipino cooking for 6 weeks.

Im surprised that a salesman can run a business from a laptop. I always assumed that it’s a ‘ bums on seats’ situation opposite client affair. You do state that you travel all over Europe to see clients.

Presumably you are in need of a working income to pay the bills. Does your partner have a job lined up? How long can you survive without an income?

Only you can answer those questions.

@anderslinde

There is jobb, I already knows that.

You have never been here but you know there are jobs. OK.

But how much do those jobs pay?

Can you speak Tagalog or Bisaya? Your English ESL might not be good enough.

Most important, do you have a working visa where you can get an AEP (Alien Employment Permit)? If you get caught working here on a tourist visa, your first visit here will be your last.

But im looking for alterantives

So lets see.

I have to ask.,.,...

If everything is so negativ......what are you doing in Philippines???

If you start every day with this attitude...then you have destroyed that day.

Is a very resonable question?

Why don't you put back your move for a year or so, take 6 months from April 2025 to visit the Philippines, find out if it is to your liking and take the time to look for a job then or at least explore other possibilities besides sales.

Why have you never taken time before to visit the Philippines with your Julie or did Julie visit while you were working?

I do think you should at least test the waters before you fully commit to a permanent move.

I have to ask.,.,...If everything is so negativ......what are you doing in Philippines???If you start every day with this attitude...then you have destroyed that day.Is a very resonable question? - @anderslinde

1. Warm, tropical temperatures pretty much year around
2. Beautiful beaches on almost all of the 1k+ islands
3. Relatively cheap prices on just about everything

There's some positivity for ya. 😁

Seriously, though, every country has good and bad - even regions within countries.  It's good to get a helping of both before fully jumping in head first.  I had my first visit a few months ago and plan to go again in a couple of months for a longer visit.  I thoroughly enjoyed my initial visit, but no book or vlog or forum can compare to the real thing (for example, actually driving in the traffic).  If my next visit goes as well as the first one, I will likely move to the Philippines permanently in 2026.

@anderslinde

I agree Anders. It is as if he is trying to discourage you from coming. Strange...

@anderslinde
I agree Anders. It is as if he is trying to discourage you from coming. Strange... - @lakeman23

Oh please leave it out. What do you think this Forum is? A travel brochure?

@Lotus Eater

Anders has already made the decision to move there. He doesn't need bizarre, negative comments about his wife's family and money.  I'm certain he is a bit stressed already and could use encouragement, not this:

"Does that mean you will be close to her family? Bad choice and yes I would encourage you  to reconsider. Either that or load up your Debit card (bring two) before coming."

@lakeman23

Thank you! I have not been to the Philippines but I am thinking of coming to Cebu this summer to explore the possibilities and get a sense of things

     Your post above two days ago just about says it all. 

"Does that mean you will be close to her family? Bad choice and yes I would encourage you  to reconsider. Either that or load up your Debit card (bring two) before coming."

You marry a Filipina you marry the family. You are effectively an outsider. The pressure placed on Filipina's to help out their family financially is immense especially when your partner may be the only breadwinner. Its not a good idea to move close to the families home town because of this. This has caused many a relationship to fail over the years.

@Cherryann01

Hi Cherry

I have visited.

But now this is the next step.

Kind regards

Anders

@lakeman23

Hi lakemen.

He has a Strange agenda.

I have tried other things so no worries.

Al the best

Anders

I have to ask.,.,...If everything is so negativ......what are you doing in Philippines???If you start every day with this attitude...then you have destroyed that day.Is a very resonable question? - @anderslinde

I cannot tell for sure but I think you are responding to me. Or, having read other comments more negative than mine, maybe not. In the future you should add a quote so we know to whom your comment is addressed. Fair enough?

My particular comments are based on facts which, when applied to your spoken plans, actually do total a negative value in terms of both money and outcome. For example, a Filipino might  consider 1000 pesos per day to be an excellent salary but I have been to Sweden and I don't get the impression that it would be easy for people living a wealthy life there could easily adapt to living in a nipa hut or small apartment with no AC and a food budget that includes rice, bananas, maybe a coconut and pork once a week and small fish 3 days per week. Is that being negative or factual? Anders, running away from facts is not being positive, it is simply being stupid.

Another thing I don't think you or your countrymen would view as being positive is life in a Philippine prison which is where you may well end up if you are reported to BI working as a tourist or otherwise with no work permit. You seem to avoid addressing that issue probably because it is too complicated or too much effort to thinj about. Your first question should be "how can I work legally in the Philippines?". On a regular tourist visa you can't.

It  is not positive to try to succeed while disrespecting the host country's laws.That means paying for an SRRV or getting a 13A marriage visa if eligible. Again, that is a fact.

Finally, what am *I* doing in the Philippines? Well, without going into specifics knowing that the question is probably rhetorical, whatever I am doing here involves 8 years living here having a regular income from the States rather than trying to work here and steal a job from a local citizen. It does involve having a retirement visa and being married to a wife whose family lives here and we are both content in our enjoyment being retired, and not working, here.

Remember, next time add a quote or a name to your comment because we cannot be sure who you are taking to or about, eh? 👍

@Cherryann01 Hi CherryI have visited. But now this is the next step.Kind regardsAnders - @anderslinde

In your post (no 4 on this thread) you stated that you have never been to the Philippines before  🤔

anderslindy said . . .

Hi All

Anders Linde here, originally from Sweden but currently living in Greece.

Me and my Julie are planing to move to Philippines in April 2025.
She is originally from Philippines and wants to go back.

As an Senior Sales manager om looking for jobb in Philippines.
So something in sales would be spoot on or similar.
Im all ears for suggestions.
Always been working from home office so im self propelled.
Planing to move to Mamburao.

Any suggestion or tips are very welcome and much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Anders Linde

**************************************

From reading your post I gather your not of retirement age and will be looking for employment.

I suggest you should have adequate savings.

@Cherryann01
Hi Cherry
I have visited.

But now this is the next step.

Kind regards
Anders - @anderslinde

Thank you! I have not been to the Philippines but I am

🤔

@Enzyte Bob

I suggest you should have adequate savings.

And sufficient to feed more than two people

You marry a Filipina you marry the family. You are effectively an outsider. The pressure placed on Filipina's to help out their family financially is immense especially when your partner may be the only breadwinner. Its not a good idea to move close to the families home town because of this. This has caused many a relationship to fail over the years. - @Lotus Eater

            I have found this to be true, and we are only here 6 months a year.  Family members just walk into your house whenever they feel like it.  All of their conversations are in Ilocano, effectively cutting me out of the conversations.  This suits me well, not really interested in the latest family"news".  Many lost their jobs during the pandemic, so now an ex driver for Partas  is our driver for 5,000 pesos per month plus food.  One of the main reasons we bought a home in Baguio is to be over 4 hours away from family..  They still show up in Baguio occasionaly, had 9 visitors two weekends ago, but they do it on their own nickle.  We used to go shopping in Vigan, and then 10 people would go with us because we bought lunch for everybody at Jollibee.  So we started going shopping later in the day, announced we were going shopping after lunch.  Fewer go shopping with us now days.  I don't mind helping out the family, but I prefer  I decide where and when.

         Anders, please realize people on here are relaying practical hands on experience.  Perhaps you will not run into some of these problems, but the idea is to give you a list of the possibilities.  The idea is fore warned is fore armed.

@Lotus EaterAnders has already made the decision to move there. He doesn't need bizarre, negative comments about his wife's family and money. I'm certain he is a bit stressed already and could use encouragement, not this:"Does that mean you will be close to her family? Bad choice and yes I would encourage you to reconsider. Either that or load up your Debit card (bring two) before coming." - @lakeman23

Anders is one of those newbies that came into the forum out of nowhere, causing a lot of drama and churn, then sitting back and enjoying the chaos he created, where ultimately I predict he will go away in a whimper, never to be heard from again, according to the familiar pattern.

@danfinn

Anders is one of those newbies that came into the forum out of nowhere, causing a lot of drama and churn

Yes what is it with these Swedish guys? I seem to remember another Swede who does the same thing 🤣