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Here are the most recent comments on Retiring to the Philippines. If you are already enjoying the expat lifestyle in the Philippines, why not consider responding to a few comments and helping somebody else realize their dreams?

David-Paul Newton-Scott on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesI speak Tagalog so to me the place just feels like an extension of the UK. Learn the language and everything opens up. Fortunately for me nobody ever does so I get all the benefits. Also have a house in Portugal so I spend my time between the two. he same applies to learning the language in Portugal. Of the two I would say Portugal is the cheapest and you can be back in the UK in 2 hours.
James on Watching Sports in The PhilippinesI’m a grass roots track and field club athlete in Melbourne, Australia and am considering moving to the Philippines. For the two athletics leagues you mentioned, are there any athletic clubs or do you have to join a university as a student?
Charles geistel on How To Retire Early In The PhilippinesHello Everyone yes I enjoyed the information but one more year on my way back to the Philippines and yes me and my wife did invest in land in bohol went very smoothly with help from her family thank you
Michael Ray Brown on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedI will have to renew my 13A visa in December for the 1-year probation period. What papers if any do I need to bring with me to do it. Also, once i get it renewed how long will the term be on the new card.
Jonnie on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedWhen traveling in and out of the Philippines with my 13A visa. Is there any expiration requirement on my passport? I have to go to Hong Kong and they only require at least 30 days left on my passport. In Philippines it’s 6 months but does that apply to me holding a 13A?
Barak F. on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransI can't seem to find a list of approved militaries. Might someone have a link to an official PRA list? Many thanks.
Kevin on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransThey charge $10 per year for a Annual ID. The $360 is in reference to dependents. A spouse and up to two children which must be legally your child, unmarried, under 21 and not a brat. You are not allowed to own property unless you are married to a native Filipina and then you cannot own more than 40%. You can own 100% of a condo. Divorce does not exist in the Philippines. If you do get married, do it in the US, so if the relationship goes south, you can avoid ruining both of your lives. There is a $1400 Application fee. It's best to get the Philippine Bank account in the US BEFORE you go to the Philippines. It helps incase of problems for whatever reason. Sometimes, keeping a physical address in the US will ease banks unease at issuing you a credit card if you no longer in the US. I want a Foreign Currency account with a bank that automatically issues me pesos in the Philippines and dollars at airports, hotels and everywhere else. It also allows me to withdraw which ever is more advantageous to use due to the exchange rate. As far as eligibility, two years active duty with the US Military. It does not matter where you served. It does matter that you did not receive a dishonorable discharge or bad conduct (not sure about the BCD). A Filipino lawyer site recommended bringing your Honorable Discharge certificate as well as your DD-214, a Police Record check in your country of origin. You need to have a medical clearance stating that you are not a medical risk. 2 Forms of Government Issued ID, such as your Passport and Drivers License, an official government document that shows your pension, retirement, VA Disability payments. Bank documents will not be accepted as any form of proof. You should have your social security card. All documents must match each other or you will suffer harrowing delay. Have everything typed out including the Philippine Retirement Authority application. The last thing you need would be a Philippine Filipino lawyer to make sure everything is in order. You cannot submit your application until you are physically in the Philippines.
Charlie Bamford on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesHi Vic I live near Tacloban & worked remotely for a UK company for 8 years. Despite what PLDT & others will tell you internet connectivity hasn't improved. Also, there are frequently whole days without power so a generator is a good idea. In addition to a PLDT fiber connection I have a pocket wi-fi made by tp-lonk. The PLDT connection isn't very reliable. Updated models are constantly being released. It is a life saver for working & general internet access. If you move to the Philippines you will very quickly learn to never believe an advert...especially regarding broadband speeds! Good luck whatever you do. I may be in Dumaguete on 4th February 2023 for an Audax cycling event!
Charlie Bamford on Who Let The Dogs OutYou will hopefully look after your dog well but that isn't the problem. There are numerous stray dogs that nobody "owns". They are a big problem for cyclists - I spent 6 months recovering after I couldn't avoid running into one. I have a Belgian Malinois who is a super family dog (but not with really little children). He is always on his lead when I take him out but there always strays around to hassle him. They spoil what should be a pleasant walk. Even on our estate (Camella homes) there are vicious dogs allowed to roam around as they wish. Nobody (including Camella) cares. I love my dog but wouldn't have another because of the problems that other dogs (people) cause.
john allcott on Banking in the PhilippinesInteresting idea. How did it work, Calvin? Any recommendations?
Vic Bernsdorff on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesJay, How reliable is you Internet connection? We are planning to move to Dumaguete City. I live in Stockton, CA right now. Having any kind of connection to the outside world or for business reasons really needs a good Internet connection. Thank you, Vic Bernsdorff
jjord on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesIt sounds like you weren't retired when you moved to the Philippines. If so, the main concern is making money. Do you have any tips? Also, it might not matter now but the risk of placing property in someone else's name is that you lose it.
Jord on Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.Does anyone know of the actual process to get the land title in the Philippines? Please provide a link if possible. Isn't the deed of sale required? Someone claimed that they did a land survey and got the title that way. But the deed of sale is in someone else's name. So was that legal to put the title in someone else's name?
Charles Lacoste on Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.I totally agree. Western countries, US, Canada and Australia stand out for allowing the third-world (often criminals) to wantonly buy real estate - when it is impossible for US,Canadian, or Australian citizens to do the same in their countries.. Australia has just waked up to the fact the Chinese nationals and others are using real estate here for money laundering. LOL - I could have told them that 20 years ago - it was so obvious. As far as the Philippines goes - they do need to liberalise land ownership somewhat with some common sense restrictions against Chinese illegals and the Chinese mafias that have crept in due to bribes, incompetence, etc.
Morgan on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransI arrived here in Bacolod City and am buying a house with a Flippin lady that we plan to wed. Any and all help would be appreciated. We are in Handumanan
Phil Kiefer on Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.Hereditary Intestate laws are not explained correctly here. The Philippine Constitution is very clear about this. If a Filipina spouse passes away and the foreign national husband survives, and NO WILL is left by the decedent, then the Law of Intestate inheritance prevails. This is called out in the Civil Code, Book 3, Title IV, Chapter 3, Art. 960 through 1001, and can be researched if desired at https://philippinecivillaw.wordpress.com/tag/legal-or-intestate-succession/. If you read this law it is explained the ORDER of INHERITANCE: First it will be 100% to the foreign spouse if no legitimate children, illegitimate children, father, mother, siblings or nieces and nephews are surviving (up to 5 generations). If children, parents, and siblings with their children survive they receive 25% to legitimate/illegitimate children, 25% to parents, 25% to siblings and nieces and nephews, and 25% to surviving foreign spouse. If parents are deceased then it's 50% to legitimate/illegitimate children, 25% to siblings and nieces and nephews, and 25% to spouse. The foreign spouse that inherits the land can only sell it to a Filipino citizen, and must offer it to any remaining descendants of spouse first at the current fair market value.
Mike on Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.It seems that the US should then not allow Philippine citizens to own land in the US, and also apply this to any and all countries that have the same land ownership restrictions
Ledesma 99 on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesMany US military veterans can live great lives overseas because most of us have already spent years abroad already. But like all things related to military life, the homesick need not apply. In fact, to the homesick at heart, years abroad could be their life's unending.
Ross on Philippine Dating ScamsTo me it doesnt sound good that she is asking for money as so many do. Yes it is perfectly normal that she doesnt have a bank account. A lot dont have.
Steve Lofquist on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransThis is the best kept secret in the world. I have been researching the SRRV deposits for months and I accidentally found you guys. Hope this is around in 10 years.
bruce on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements Explainedim almost at the 3 year mark on my time in the philippines and have to leave the country in 2 months -my question is if i can apply for the 13 a visa and not have to leave the country -or if my 13a visa doesn't make it in time will i still have to exit or will they wait till the visa is approved with would be close to that 3 year mark but very close
Michael Baltzelle on New Courtesy SRRV For VeteransIf I served on several deployments to NAS Cubi Point, RP would this count as serving in the Philippine?
John on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedMarried to a Filipina for 16 years with 2 dual national children and supporting a drove of hangers-on as per usual but I've only used the Balikbayan concession in order to retain tax-status in the UK. The entire visa malarkey both in the Philippines & the UK is just a paper-shuffling farce. If with a 13a visa you need to show up, renew, jump through a hoop, pay Php20,000 and all the usual nonsense it just can't be better than going on holiday to Sabah for a weekend away (Covid permitting) and just coming back with your wife to get a BB stamp in your passport. Similar rubbish in the UK if you apply for a 'Spouse Visa'... then you have to apply for 'Indefinite leave to remain.'.. but what if you don't want to 'remain'? It's all bureaucratic twaddle that serves no purpose. Blokes are still given visas into the USA to learn how to fly... but not land.. so what is the point of police checks?
Rommel on Keep the IRS off Your Back! Advice for Americans AbroadHi Trey, I am a dual citizen. Meaning I am a Filipino Citizen and US Citizen passport holder. Do these American Tax rules still apply to me? I am also looking to open a business in Philippines. Do I have to report these to the IRS as taxable income?
Sandro on Thinking of Bringing Your Vehicle?Sounds great... Just in case your father still owns his Norton, i won't hesitate to say I'm interested... maybe someday he´s crazy enough to sell his bike. Im living in mindoro...:-)
Robert Klouman on Paradise Or Pair A DiceDale , just trying to reconnect. Send me an email if you can. Kim gave up trying to find you. I got lucky and found an 11 year old you tube and followed some of the links. Hope all is well and that you fared well in the last storm .robertklouman@nullfrontier.com
Derrick on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedWhen can one apply for the 13A visa , if you have the PSA marriage cert can you apply immediately after entering the country ?
Bruce B on Are the Guys at RTTP Fascists?I'm a 61-year-old American who moved to the Phils in December 2019 (Gary's book and this site both helped me make that decision). Are things perfect here? Of course not. They're not perfect anywhere human beings live because we have this innate ability to screw up any paradise we find. Even though there are things about the USA I will likely always miss, I think I made the right choice and only plan to return to the States long enough to clear out my storage (to ship what I keep and give away what I don't), and then it's back to Baguio for good. I'm still adjusting but this is "home" now. As for the guy venting at you, Steve, he's Exhibit A for why I generally try steering clear of expats. I think most are probably okay but it's the ones that act like this guy who made it an easy decision to move 6,000 miles/nine time zones away from home in the first place. Moral to the story: If you dislike a country that much, THEN DON'T MOVE THERE.
Phil on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesYou are certainly one of the lucky ones arriving in 2017. We wrapped up building and finishing our new home in February, 2020. Departed the country immediately before the lockdown. Wife was set to retire in July 2021. As of April 28, 2021, however, we are locked out with no hope of a return of the balikbayan privilege any time soon. Risking cancelled flights and delinquent refunds over and over is not for us. Word has it it will likely be 2023 or so bef0re matters improve to any degree. At 72 with health problems I doubt if I'll be around for that to materialize.
Dan Haithcock on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedI did mine via the embassy in DC as I live in FL. I think there is a consulate in Chicago that would cover you.

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