Philippines
PHLThe Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,600 islands with a warm, hospitable culture and one of the highest levels of English proficiency in Asia, making it a natural base for foreign retirees and investors seeking an affordable Southeast Asian lifestyle. The country has a large and globally dispersed diaspora, and dual citizenship was restored for former Filipino nationals through the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act. A low cost of living, beautiful beaches, and a strong expat community in cities like Cebu and Davao have made the Philippines an enduring retirement destination.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Manila
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 115,000,000
- Cost-of-living
- 28 /100
Passport Rank
#74
Visa-Free
60
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Philippines passport has visa-free access to 60 destinations. See the full Philippines passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Philippines without a prior visa (159)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Philippines
Current IRCC processing times for Philippines nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 25 days |
| Super visa | 90 days |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | 7 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | 11 months |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | 16 months |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Manila
- Currency
- Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Languages
- Filipino, English
- Population
- 115,000,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical
- English Proficiency Rank
- #22
- GDP per capita
- $4,171
- Life expectancy
- 69.95 yrs
- Population growth
- 0.81%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
28
Safety
46
Healthcare
55
Quality of Life
130
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manila | $680 | $380 | $260 | $80 | $20 |
| Cebu | $480 | $280 | $240 | $75 | $18 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Manila
Rainfall range: 12–430 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)
Cebu
Rainfall range: 35–190 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist 9(a)
- Special Work Permit (SWP)
- 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee
- SIRV Investor
- SRRV Retirement
- 13(a) Spouse of Filipino Citizen
- Student 9(f)
- Authority
- Bureau of Immigration
- Official Portal
- immigration.gov.ph
- Phone
- +63 2 8465 2400
- info@immigration.gov.ph
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 10
- Language Test
- Yes (Filipino (Tagalog) and/or English — both are official languages; no separate formal test beyond interview)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $300
- Processing
- ~24 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $4,700
- Transaction taxes
- 7%
Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals are constitutionally prohibited from owning land in the Philippines (1987 Constitution, Article XII Section 7). Foreigners may own condominium units up to 40% of total units in a building. Manila BGC (Bonifacio Global City) and Makati condominiums PHP 200,000-350,000/sqm ($3,500-6,000/sqm). PEZA-designated economic zone condos may have different rules. Foreign spouses of Filipino nationals face complex ownership structures. Long-term lease (50 years + 25-year extension) is the practical alternative. No repatriation restrictions on sale proceeds for legal condo purchases.
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School Manila | Manila | US + IB | $18,000–$30,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
95 Mbps median
50% fibre coverage
eSIM: Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT), DITO Telecommunity
Driving
IDP required
Local licence required after 3 months
Exchange eligible: Drives on the RIGHT. IDP valid for 90 days for foreign visitors. Expatriate residents must obtain Philippine driving licence from LTO (Land Transportation Office). No bilateral exchange agreements widely available — local test required.
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: none
Rabies titre required
EU pet passport: not accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#136
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠ATM card skimming in Manila tourist districts (Malate, Ermita)
- ⚠taxi overcharging from NAIA airport — use Grab app or official airport taxi desks
- ⚠"add-on" charges at metered taxi journeys
- ⚠fake jewellery and gemstone deals in tourist markets
Examples of areas to avoid: Tondo (Manila) — high-density area with elevated crime; avoid after dark, Mindanao regions (BARMM) — ongoing security concerns; check FCO/State Dept advisories, Quiapo market at night
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- #55
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. Who is considered the national hero of the Philippines, executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1896?
Answer: Jose Rizal
Source: Bureau of Immigration — Philippine Citizenship
Q2. The Philippines gained independence from American administration on which date?
Answer: 4 July 1946
Source: Bureau of Immigration — Philippine Citizenship
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Philippines, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines
IBPMandatory national organisation of lawyers in the Philippines. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; expatriate work is additionally gated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Move here
Life logistics
Visa Programs
Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Philippines PHL
Est. processing
~2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
Philippines PHL
Est. processing
~3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Philippines Balikbayan Program (Visa-Free Entry for Former Filipinos)
Philippines PHL
Est. processing
~0mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
0y
Verified 2026-07-07
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified