Philippines (PH)

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago of 7,641 islands, the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, and one of the most welcoming destinations for expats.

Capital: Manila

Region: Asia

Language: Filipino

Currency: PHP (₱)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)

Emergency: 911

Jobs & Work Permits

Everything you need to find work and get authorised to work in Philippines.

Public Employment Service Office (PESO)

PESO

Register as a job seeker at any PESO office (located in LGUs, universities, and malls). Bring valid ID and updated CV. PESO provides free job matching, career counselling, and referrals.

Services offered:

✓Job matching and referrals to private employers
✓Career counselling and skills assessment
✓Livelihood and entrepreneurship referrals
✓Special employment programs for PWD, senior citizens, and women
✓Phil-JobNet online job portal access (philjobnet.gov.ph)

Expat eligibility: Expats with valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) can access PESO services. However, PESO primarily serves Filipino job seekers — most expat job searches are conducted through private platforms and direct employer contact.

Visit Public Employment Service Office (PESO)

💼 Work Permits

EU Citizens

EU citizens have no special arrangement — same process as all other foreign nationals. Work requires an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE. The Philippines has no EU free movement agreement.

Non-EU Citizens

All foreign nationals (except those with special visas or exemptions) must obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE before working. Process: employer applies on behalf of the employee. Requirements: passport, employment contract, NBI clearance, medical certificate. Cost: ₱9,000 for 1 year. Processing: 3–4 weeks. Exemptions: spouses of Filipino citizens (with 13a visa), SRRV holders, treaty trader/investors, and certain special visa holders.

EU Blue Card

No Blue Card equivalent. The nearest equivalent is the Special Non-Immigrant Visa 47(a)(2) for executives and managers in PEZA/BOI-registered companies — allows work without AEP. Also: the EACOP (Expanded Employment Permit for APEC Business Travel Card holders).

Freelancer Visa

No official digital nomad or freelancer visa as of 2026. Long-term tourist visa (9a) extendable up to 3 years is commonly used by remote workers with foreign employers. Working for Philippine clients remotely still requires AEP in principle, though enforcement is inconsistent.

⏱️ Work Culture

Typical hours 8 or 9 hours per day, typically 8am–5pm or 9am–6pm. BPO (call centre) and IT companies work 24/7 shifts aligned with US and European business hours. Friday is casual day in most offices.

Annual leave 5 days Service Incentive Leave (SIL) mandated by Labour Code. Most companies offer 10–15 vacation leaves plus sick leave after regularisation (6-month probation). Public holidays: 22 per year (national + special non-working).

Sick leave Labour Code mandates 5 days SIL (combined VL/SL) per year — minimum standard. Many companies provide separate 10–15 sick leave days. After regularisation.

Trial period 6-month probationary period is standard and legally defined. Employee can be terminated for cause during probation. After 6 months, automatic regularisation unless extended by written agreement.

Notice period Minimum 30 days written notice for resignation (Labour Code Art. 300). Company may release earlier. Termination by employer requires due process: notice of charges, hearing, notice of decision.

Salary range NCR (Metro Manila) minimum wage 2026: ₱695/day for non-agricultural workers (Wage Order No. NCR-26). White-collar professionals: ₱25,000–₱80,000/month. IT/Engineering: ₱40,000–₱120,000/month. BPO agents: ₱25,000–₱40,000/month. Senior management in MNCs: ₱150,000–₱400,000/month. Foreign professionals typically earn 2–5x local equivalents.

Pay frequency Twice a month (15th and end of month) is the legal default. Some companies pay weekly or biweekly.

Contract types

·Regular/Permanent
·Probationary (up to 6 months)
·Project-based
·Seasonal
·Fixed-term (for specific activities)
·Job Order (for government contractors)

🔍 Job Boards

Jobstreet Philippines

The largest and most trusted job platform in the Philippines — dominant across all industries, particularly BPO, IT, finance, and professional services.

LinkedIn Philippines

Essential for professional and executive roles, MNCs, and networking in BGC/Makati corporate environment. Growing rapidly among Filipino professionals.

Indeed Philippines

Large aggregator. Good for SME and administrative roles. Growing presence in the Philippines.

Kalibrr

Philippine-founded platform focused on skills-based matching. Popular with tech startups, BPOs, and digital companies.

Phil-JobNet

Government-run job portal by DOLE/PESO. Free registration. Useful for government-linked positions and PESO referrals.

🌍 Expat-Friendly Resources

🌍

Expat.com Philippines

Expat community forums with job listings and community advice for foreigners in the Philippines.

🌍

InterNations Manila

Professional networking events and expat community for Manila-based foreign professionals.

🌍

PCCI (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

For business-oriented expats — events, networking, business matching with Philippine companies.

🌍

AmCham Philippines

American Chamber of Commerce — networking for US-affiliated businesses and professionals.

📝 Application Tips

CV format: Philippine CVs typically include a 2×2 photo, date of birth, nationality, religion (optional), and civil status — unlike Western norms. One-to-two pages for junior roles; longer for senior positions. Include all academic achievements (board exam results, academic awards) — highly valued.

Cover letter: Expected

Language: English proficiency is essential for all professional roles — it is an official language. Filipino/Tagalog is required for client-facing roles in local companies. BPO and IT roles specifically test neutral English accent and writing.

Interviews: Filipino interview culture is formal but warm. Expect questions about family background ("Tell me about yourself" includes family). Panel interviews common in large companies. Dress formally (barong or business casual). Be prepared for initial HR interview, then department head interview. Response time varies — follow up after 1 week if no response.

🤝 Networking Tips

→LinkedIn is increasingly important for professional networking in BGC and Makati — ensure your profile is updated
→InterNations Manila, British Chamber of Commerce, AmCham, EuroCham hold regular networking events
→Referrals ("kakilala") are the most effective job-search tool — Filipinos heavily value personal recommendations
→University alumni networks (Ateneo, De La Salle, UP) are powerful in the corporate world
→Facebook groups (Expats in Manila, BGC Community) often have informal job leads and housing
→Visit business parks directly — BGC, Makati CBD, Ortigas, Eastwood City have dense employer clusters

Premium Section

Jobs & Work Permits

Unlock the complete Jobs & Work Permits guide for Philippines — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere