A Beginner's Guide for Filipinos (2023)

FAQs

What documents do I need to leave the Philippines? ›

A travel document is valid for 30 days from issuance and can only be used one-way to the Philippines. In order for you to leave the Philippines, you will need to apply for a new passport.

Hiya, pakikisama, utang na loob & respect to others make a Filipino an individual with unique moral obligation to treat one another resulting to community ties. These values make Filipinos friendly, hospitable, polite & loyal. In brief, the Filipino core values influence how they behave in any situation.

Applying for an eTA requires only a valid passport, a credit card, an email address and access to the internet, the Canadian Embassy said. Once approved, Filipino visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure.

The Philippines is known for its exotic beaches, expansive forests, and abundance of volcanoes. Despite the common theme of nature, there are many islands that all differ from each other vastly. The Philippines is famous for its old, religious landmarks, and in contrast its modernized skyscrapers.

The Philippines is mainly popular for its beautiful beaches and islands. Over 7,000 islands and white sand beaches are here, which increases its scenic beauty. This is a reason behind the popularity of this country among couples planning honeymoons. Some of the popular islands include Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao.

Nationals of countries under EO 408, including Canada, are allowed to stay in the Philippines without visa not to exceed 30 days ( see below for the complete list of countries). A visa is needed for a stay of more than 30 days in the Philippines.

An official and certified Covid-19 test (RT-PCR or RAT) performed by a medical facility or lab within 24h before departure is required.

What is loyalty in Filipino culture? ›

A sense of national identity and pride emerged out of struggles for Philippine independence. However, loyalties remain foremost with one's family and place of birth. Key values such fellowship, respect and acceptance are found throughout the culture, with many Filipinos displaying a warming and hospitable demeanour.

Family friends one generation above, like parent's friends, are called "Tito" (for males) and "Tita" (for females), although they should not be confused with Tiyo and Tiya which are for blood relatives. However, "Tito" and "Tita" are also sometimes used to reference blood relatives as well.

The cost of living in the Philippines in 2023

A single person needs at least $600 average monthly budget to live comfortably, with a family of four needing at least $2,500 average monthly net salary. The monthly cost for rent alone can be as high as $1,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Any excess amount not covered by specific written BSP authorization is subject to confiscation by the Philippine Bureau of Customs. A person may carry up to the amount of USD 10,000 (or equivalent in any other foreign currency), in cash or other monetary instruments, into and out of the Philippines.

The Philippines' BALIKBAYAN PROGRAM allows a one-year visa-free stay for Filipinos working overseas and for former Filipinos who have acquired citizenship in certain countries (refer to list of countries below).

Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they'll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.

How much is the bank balance required for a Philippines visa? No one can answer this, but anywhere near $1000 is enough. The bank balance required for a Philippines visa is the minimum amount you will need in your bank to be able to apply for a visa. The Philippines embassy has set this amount to be at least $1000.

Pearl of the Orient/Pearl of the Orient Seas (Spanish: Perla de oriente/Perla del mar de oriente) is the sobriquet of the Philippines. The term originated from the idea of Spanish Jesuit missionary Fr. Juan J. Delgado in 1751.

What is Philippines national dish? ›

The national dish of the Philippines is adobo. Its name comes from the Spanish word “adobar,” meaning “marinade,” “sauce” or “seasoning.” And while some of adobo's origins are hard to trace, other things are known.

Rice is the most important staple food in the Philippines as it provides almost half of the calorie requirements of the population.

Courtesy. Aside from saying “po” and “opo”, Filipinos are known worldwide to be very polite. They make sure that they give their visitors a warm welcome.

We are proud of our heritage at the rim of East Asia, the meeting point of the many Asian groups, as well as Europeans from Spain. Our culture even 100 years ago was already a mix —of Malay, Chinese, Hindu, Arab, Polynesian and Spanish, with maybe some English, Japanese and African thrown in.

Warm Climate

For foreigners who prefer warmer climates, the Philippines is the perfect place to live in. That's why many tourists travel to this country to enjoy the weather. Being a tropical country, it only consists of two seasons: dry and wet.

There are symbols such as the carabao (national animal), mango (national fruit) and anahaw (national leaf) that are widely known as national symbols but have no laws recognizing them as official national symbols.

The Philippines is made up of around 7,500 islands, which makes it the second-largest archipelago in the world, after Indonesia. Only 2,000 of these islands are actually inhabited and nearly 5,000 still aren't even named on google maps!

Staring is considered rude and could be misinterpreted as a challenge, but Filipinos may stare or even touch foreigners, especially in areas where foreigners are rarely seen. To Filipinos, standing with your hands on your hips means you are angry. Never curl your index finger back and forth (to beckon).

Foreigners are prohibited from owning land in the Philippines, but can legally own a residence. The Philippine Condominium Act allows foreigners to own condo units, as long as 60% of the building is owned by Filipinos. If you want to buy a house, consider a long-term lease agreement with a Filipino landowner.

Can Canadian citizens travel to the Philippines right now? ›

PHILIPPINES - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.

Republic Act 9225 (RA 9225) or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 (more popularly known as the Dual Citizenship Law) allows natural-born Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of another country to retain or re-acquire their Filipino citizenship.

All arrivals to the Philippines must present a negative test no older than 24 hours and proof of vaccination. Fully vaccinated arrivals are exempt.

Effective October 1, 2022, COVID-19 border entry restrictions were removed. In addition, testing, quarantine and isolation requirements were removed, regardless of citizenship and vaccination status. For general information on monthly traveller volumes by port of entry, visit the Open Government Portal.

With effect from 15 April 2023, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will start requiring all inbound and outbound travelers, regardless if they arrive by air or sea, to complete a declaration form through the eTravel system (etravel.gov.ph).

Tourists staying more than 59 days but less than 6 months must pay an exit clearance fee . If your date of departure is certain, this can be paid through one of the five BI regional offices; otherwise, the exit fee can be paid at the airport upon your departure.

Passport, Travel Visa and National ID Card

Proper identification is the foundation of international travel. As a result, you should ensure to always have an official identification document with you. You can even consider having multiple documents such as your passport, national ID card or driver's licence.

For Canadian citizens

Always carry a valid Canadian passport when you travel outside Canada. See Travel documents for more information.

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

What is PH Travel Tax? The Philippine travel tax is a fee for Filipinos traveling abroad. The full travel tax is P1,620 for passengers on economy class plane tickets and P2,700 when flying first class.

Can I leave Philippines and come back? ›

If you are a citizen of one of the countries that don't require a visa for stay up to 30 days then yes you can go to another country and go back to the Philippines and get another 30-day visa-free stay so actually you can stay for a total of 2 months if you want.

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.

Copies of all identification documents for travel

Having photocopies of your important travel documents can save you a headache if you lose your important travel documents. Keep your original documents in your carry-on or personal item. You can store one copy of these identification documents in each checked bag.

The most basic forms of travel documents are passports, passport cards, and arrival/departure records. These required documents allow U.S. citizens to travel abroad and re-enter the country legally upon return. Arrival/Departure records are used for non-citizens entering the country temporarily.

All international travellers must carry acceptable identification and a valid visa (if necessary) when entering Canada. A passport is recommended because it is the only reliable and universally-accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel.

You must declare goods purchased at a Canadian or foreign duty-free shop, and any repairs or alterations you made to your vehicle, vessel or aircraft while you were out of the country. If you are unsure whether to declare an item, or whether an item may be inadmissible, always declare it to the border services officer.

Air Travel: All U.S. citizens departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere by air are required to present a valid U.S. passport or a NEXUS card (if utilizing a NEXUS kiosk when departing from a designated Canadian airport).

What are the Travel Document Requirements? Valid Passport - A passport is crucial for individuals who plan to travel abroad, which is no exception for Filipinos. It's recommended to schedule an appointment with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in advance, even before booking a flight.

How do I travel abroad for the first time? ›