Editor 
Yes, foreigners can open a bank account in the Philippines, but the process is not as straightforward as many expect. While the country does allow non-citizens to access its banking system, approval depends heavily on your visa status, length of stay, documentation, and even the specific bank branch you visit. This guide explains how the … Read more
Soon after arriving in the Philippines, most foreigners encounter the same situation. Apple Pay does not work, cards are not always accepted, and suddenly everyone recommends a local mobile wallet. Usually, the choice comes down to two names: GCash and Maya. At first glance, they seem similar. Both allow payments, transfers, and QR codes. But … Read more
For many foreigners living in the Philippines, the first surprise comes quickly. You pull out your iPhone at a café or store, double-tap the side button, and nothing happens. No Apple Pay. No familiar tap-to-pay experience. Just a cashier waiting for cash, a QR code, or a local app you have never used before. The … Read more
Every year, many foreigners living in the Philippines run into the same problem. They know they are required to complete the Bureau of Immigration Annual Report, but when they try to look it up online, the information feels confusing, fragmented, or incomplete. Some people find outdated articles. Others see old forum posts. Many search Google … Read more
Sooner or later, every foreigner living in the Philippines hears the same advice: “Just use GCash.” It is usually said casually, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world. For locals, it is. For foreigners, however, that recommendation often comes with hesitation. If you come from a country where payments are deeply … Read more
For many foreigners, one of the first surprises when arriving in the Philippines is discovering that Apple Pay and Google Pay are not available for everyday use. In countries like the United States, Europe, or parts of Asia, contactless payments are standard. In the Philippines, however, the reality is very different. Instead of global payment … Read more
Things Filipinos Know But Foreigners Don’t in the Philippines Living in the Philippines as a foreigner can be confusing at first—not because things are difficult, but because many everyday systems work very differently from what foreigners expect. For Filipinos, these things are normal and rarely explained. For foreigners, they often lead to frustration, wasted time, … Read more