Tips for Filipinos Moving Abroad for the First Time

Moving abroad brings a range of emotions for Filipinos. The sadness of leaving home mixes with the excitement of a new adventure. But first of all, there’s quite a bit of stress when doing all the planning.

Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or simply a new chapter in your life, it’s important to be well-prepared. Based on advice shared by fellow Filipino expats, here are some key tips that can help make your move smoother.

Why Do Filipinos Choose to Move Abroad?

Filipinos immigrate for a mix of reasons, but it often comes down to wanting a better life. Countries like Canada, Australia, and the US are popular because they offer better job opportunities, higher wages, and more reliable public services. For many, it’s also easier to settle in these places since English is widely spoken, and they may already have family or friends there.

A big driver is financial stability. People find that, even in service jobs abroad, they can afford a better lifestyle than in the Philippines. Things like traffic, pollution, and inefficient public services make life harder back home, so many Filipinos look for a fresh start in countries with better systems.

A lot of parents move abroad with the hope of securing a brighter future for their children. While it’s tough to leave home, the opportunities for education and work are much better. Life overseas isn’t without its challenges, but for most, the benefits far outweigh what they would have if they stayed in the Philippines.

With all that in mind, you have to pick a country to move to. Think about the factors that impact this choice. Do you have citizenship in another country? Do you know people living in another country? Do you have skills that are in demand in that country?

There are so many things to consider when picking your country but take your time and do your research. This is a big choice and you should spend a lot of time considering your options.

What to Do With Your Bank Accounts: Close Them or Keep Them?

One big question is whether to close your Philippine bank accounts before you move. Some expats close their local credit cards and apply for new ones in their destination country, as it’s often easier to manage finances that way.

Digital wallets like GCash or PayMaya can be tricky. Some choose to deactivate them for safety, while others prefer to keep them for convenience. Do what makes you feel comfortable but consider the ease of banking abroad versus maintaining Philippine-based accounts.

The decision you make will depend on what feels more practical for your situation and maybe even how often you plan to come back home. But in most cases, it makes sense to close these accounts and start new local bank accounts where you’re moving to.

Prepare for Mobile Needs: Roaming or Dual-SIM Phone?

Staying connected while abroad is really important. If you’ve opted to keep your bank account, it’s especially important for one-time passwords (OTPs) tied to your home accounts.

Many Filipinos we’ve spoken to recommend either activating roaming services on your local SIM card or purchasing a dual-SIM phone to use both your local and international numbers. This ensures you don’t miss important updates, OTPs, or access to your Philippine apps.

You can even send load to your home phone number using Ding. We know this is crucial as even some of our own colleagues do with phones back home so they can access OTPs. We support Smart load, Globe load, TM load, TNT load, Sun load, Smart Bro load, and Cherry load.

Sorting Out SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth Contributions

It’s important to figure out what happens with your contributions to SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth once you move abroad. Many Filipinos choose to continue paying into these systems voluntarily to keep their benefits intact.

Look into how you can maintain your contributions from abroad, especially if you plan on coming back to the Philippines or want to keep your benefits in the future. This part of the process might be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to avoid complications later on.

Sending Support Back Home to the Philippines

Most Filipinos moving abroad are doing so for work and to support family back home from abroad. In fact, over 7.7% of the Philippines’ Gross National Income is from remittances.

Knowing how you will send value back home to family from the country you’ve moved to is an essential part of the planning process. The most popular way to send value is through traditional money remittances and services like Western Union or MoneyGram.

There are also some excellent remittance alternatives, including Ding. With Ding, you can send load to mobile phones back home from anywhere in the world. This is excellent for keeping in touch and making sure you family back home has access to communications and the internet.

Through Ding you can also send eGifts to the Philippines. These are digital gift certificates that can be used at popular locations including Jollibee and KFC. They can also be used to purchase groceries through Grab and other goods through Shopee.

We offer a wide range of other eGifts you can send home which often offer much better value and control than traditional remittances.

Prepare for the Country You’re Moving To

An essential part of the planning process will be arranging everything in your new country. Of course, you’ll need the appropriate visa before you move but there’s plenty to think of for when you land too.

Having a proof of address is one of the very first things you’ll need. If you’re in the United States, any letter from a business or government agency proves your address. A Filipino who had made a similar move gave us the tip of ordering a book of first-class postage stamps. When these get delivered, the packaging itself serves as a proof of address.

You’ll now be able to sort out everything else. With your proof of address, visa and passport, you’ll be able to arrange a social security number, essential for starting work. You’ll also need to set up a new bank account. According to others who’ve made the move, Capital One is a popular choice since it doesn’t charge overdraft fees. While Bank of America offers some perks if you’re under 25. It’s all about finding what works for your financial situation, so take the time to research your options to make the best choice for yourself.

The US is a very driving-dependent country so you might want to organize a drivers license and may need to take a mandatory course.

Don't Forget the Little (But Important) Things

There are a few other things you’ll want to make sure are sorted before you move:

• Let your bank and other important contacts know you’re moving so you don’t miss any important updates.

• Double-check that all your documentation, like your passport and visa, is valid well in advance of your move.

• If you have property or ongoing financial commitments in the Philippines, figure out how you’ll manage these from abroad, whether that’s through a trusted relative or a remote solution.

• Be mindful of your expenses. Monthly bills can pile up faster than expected. Focus on managing your finances well, especially when you first arrive and are getting used to the cost of living.

• Making friends in a new country can be tough, but there are ways to find your tribe. Whether it’s joining a church with a Filipino community, getting involved in Facebook groups, or participating in clubs that share your interests, connecting with people will make the transition easier. Finding positive, supportive communities can be a lifeline

Moving abroad is a big step, and while it can feel daunting, it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The more you prepare ahead of time, the easier your transition will be, and you’ll be able to focus on making the most of your experience in your new home.

If you have more questions, reach out to Filipino expat communities. Many people are happy to share their own experiences and give advice, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. After all, you're not alone in this journey!

Good luck with your move!