Expert guides
Structured, expert-curated knowledge on Philippine bureaucracy, documents and daily admin. Free to read, transparent by design.
25 guides
PhilHealth Registration for Foreigners
How to register with PhilHealth.
BIR Registration for Freelancers
How to register as self-employed.
SSS and PAG-IBIG for foreign workers in the Philippines
The Philippine Social Security System and PAG-IBIG fund for foreigners working locally — who must contribute, what you get back, and how to claim your contributions when you leave.
Working Legally Philippines Guide
Entering or residing in the Philippines does not authorize you to work — that is a separate employment-permit question. Local employment requires a 9(g) visa sponsored by a Philippine employer plus an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE. Remote work is fact-dependent: where the work is performed, who benefits, whether Philippine clients are involved, and how income is taxed all matter.
Pagibig Fund Foreigners Guide Philippines
Pag-IBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund) provides housing loans at 6.5% annual interest — significantly lower than commercial bank rates of 8–12%. Foreign residents on SRRV or 13A can participate. This guide covers eligibility, contribution requirements, loan terms, and how Pag-IBIG compares to bank financing for buying property in the Philippines.
DTI Business Name Registration
How to register your business name.
Freelancing & Remote Work Philippines: Visas & Taxes
How to freelance and work remotely in the Philippines legally: Digital Nomad Visa (EO 86), tourist route, BIR registration, taxes and banking.
Philippine Business Taxes
Overview of business tax obligations.
SEC Company Registration
How to register a corporation.
Teaching English in the Philippines
How to teach English in the Philippines.
Living Foreign Income Filipinas Tax Philippines for Expats
Expats living in the Philippines on foreign income (Social Security, pensions, savings, remote work) benefit from low costs — but tax obligations depend on your citizenship. Remittances are NOT taxed for non-resident aliens, but US citizens must still file US taxes, FBAR and FATCA. The FEIE exclusion for 2026 is \32,900 per person via the Physical Presence Test (330 days abroad in 12 months). Social Security and pensions do NOT qualify for FEIE.
SSS Contributions in the Philippines
Social Security System contributions explained.
Mayor's Permit in the Philippines
Local business permit requirements.
Philhealth Foreigners Guide Philippines
PhilHealth is the Philippine national health insurance — all employed foreigners must contribute. It provides subsidized hospital care but is NOT comprehensive insurance.
Domestic Help Household Services Philippines for Expats
Hiring a cleaner, driver, gardener or carer in the Philippines? Clarify duties, hours, pay, rest days and termination in writing — follow Philippine labour rules rather than treating it as informal help. This guide covers written agreements, traceable payments, never retaining someone's passport, verifying agencies, and checking a worker's documents before hiring.
Philippine TIN Number Guide
How to get a Tax Identification Number.
Filipino business culture and workplace etiquette
Pakikisama, utang na loob, hiya and the unwritten rules of Philippine workplaces — how to run meetings, give feedback and build trust as a foreign manager or colleague.
Running an Online Business from the Philippines
How to legally run an online business.
Philippine Business Registration for Foreigners
Step-by-step business registration guide.
How Foreigners Start a Business in the Philippines (2026)
2026 guide to registering a foreign-owned business: SEC/DTI, the 60/40 rule, BIR, mayor’s permit, AEP work visa, BOI/PEZA incentives, costs and timelines.
Retirement Planning Philippines for Expats
Visas, deposits, healthcare, banking and taxes for retiring in the Philippines — the full planning picture in one guide.
Taxes Foreigners Philippines Guide
Philippine tax for foreigners is not determined by your visa label — it depends on residence, physical presence, income source, activity type, employer, business structure, and treaty rules. This guide is a checklist of questions to investigate (days in each country, tax residence, work location, all income streams) rather than a liability calculation. Foreign-source income is not invisible to Philippine tax analysis.
Pag-IBIG Fund Guide
Housing fund contributions and loans.
Provisional Work Permit while a 9G application is pending
The Provisional Work Permit (PWP) that may let a foreign national start work while a 9G employment visa is pending — what to confirm before starting, and the BI process.
Bir Practical Guide Foreigners Tin 1701Q Philippines
The Philippine Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is one per lifetime — registering a second is a violation. Foreigners need a TIN when locally employed, self-employed invoicing Philippine clients, or when a specific institution demands it. Living on foreign income without local work generally does not require a TIN. This guide covers when registration is triggered and how to verify if you already have one.
Every guide is community-edited and reviewed by moderators. Revision history, contributors and official sources are public on each page. Promotional edits are reverted.