HOW TO FIND A JOB IN PHILIPPINES
The Republic of the Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located between Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan. The huge archipelago includes more than 7 thousand islands, most of which are uninhabited. The country is washed by the waters of the Philippine and South China Seas, has a comfortable tropical climate and many amazing tourist spots, annually attracting tens of thousands of foreigners.
For the last ten years, the Philippine economy has been growing steadily, with a decreasing dependence on agriculture, and the service and industrial sectors showing growth. The local government has enacted sound tax reforms and liberal laws. This contributes to the inflow of foreign investment and migrant workers from different countries.
Jobs in the Philippines for foreigners in 2024 are available for experienced technicians in the industrial sector and construction, as well as professionals in the service sector, such as the tourism industry. Prices for housing and food in the country are quite reasonable. The diverse ethnic and cultural composition of the population is characterized by hospitality and friendliness.
By the way, the Philippines – the largest Christian nation in Asia. About 80% of local residents are Catholics and only 5% are Muslims, who mostly live in the south. Among the disadvantages of living in the Philippines is a fairly frequent typhoons, mainly occurring from June to November. You need to keep a close eye on the weather and listen to the advice of the authorities.
Next, let's look at the employment procedure, how to find a job, available salaries and job openings in the Philippines in 2024.
CONTENTS
How to go to work in the Philippines
The Philippines has a population of about 118.5 million in 2024, with a labor force of about 43.7 million. Unemployment has declined markedly in recent years and today does not exceed 3-5%. The country has a high level of part-time and informal employment. About a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line, usually in rural areas. More than 10 million Filipinos work abroad and send home impressive amounts of currency, which further stimulates the economy.
Despite the high level of labor migration of local professionals, it is not easy to find a job in the Philippines. The government seeks to maximize jobs for its own citizens and only in the absence of workers of the required qualifications among Filipinos, the vacancy can be taken by a foreigner. To do this, you need to find an employer in advance and sign a contract of employment. You can start a professional activity in the Philippines after obtaining a work permit and work visa.
The Philippine Employment Permit (AEP) is issued by the local Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It is usually valid for less than one year and is renewable for a maximum of 5 years. The application can be submitted by the foreigner in person, but most often the employer provides assistance. Work visa is processed through the Consulate of the Philippines in the applicant's country.
In some cases, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration issues a temporary work permit (visa) for up to 3 months (PWP), which allows you to start working before obtaining a full work visa. In addition, local laws provide for the issuance of special work permits for a period of 3 to 6 months. For example, for foreign businessmen, athletes or artists.
For more information on the types of work visas and the list of documents, visit the official website of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration – immigration.gov.ph. For information on the requirements for foreigners to obtain a work permit, visit the official website of the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines – dole.gov.ph.
In any case, it is necessary to work closely with the employer and the Philippine diplomatic officials who will provide practical assistance in the relocation. The main thing is to secure a vacancy beforehand and to work only officially.
How to find a job in the Philippines. Job Search.
A legal and well-paid job in the Philippines requires a high level of skills and foreign language skills. These factors will be crucial when looking for a job without intermediaries. After all, convincing a local company of the advantages is not so easy, moreover, in a country with a population of over 100 million people.
Be sure to thoroughly research your resume and cover letter before sending it to a potential employer or uploading it to a job site. Emphasize unique skills and experience. The official language in the Philippines is Filipino (Tagalog). English and a little less commonly used Spanish. Finding a job in the Philippines without knowing the language is almost impossible.
Most foreigners live and work in major Philippine cities, especially in the capital – Manila, but also in Quezon City, Caloocan and Davao. Particular attention should be paid to Makati, not the most populous city in the country. It is the business, financial and diplomatic core of the Philippines and one of the most important economic centers in Asia.
These regions have a concentration of offices of multinational companies where you can apply for jobs directly through official websites. Finding jobs in the Philippines with these employers is much easier, they often already have foreigners in their staff and have experience in hiring foreign specialists. The ideal option is to transfer an employee to the Philippine office within an international company.
Actively use social networks, register on forums and discuss the peculiarities of labor migration to the Philippines. Visit the country for tourism purposes. Many foreigners do not need a visa to stay in Philippine territory for up to 30 days. Use your time to your advantage. Make the right acquaintances, go to job fairs and try to find an employer.
Ways to find a job in the Philippines
Professional social networking site – linkedin.com
Information about job fairs – trabaho.com
Popular job search sites in the Philippines
International job portals in the Philippines
Websites of prominent Philippine newspapers
If you can't find a job in the Philippines without an intermediary, contact a trusted recruitment agency. It is better to get a job through friends or acquaintances.
Jobs and wages in the Philippines
Despite gains in economic diversification, one-third of Filipinos are still employed in the agriculture sector. More than half of the population, about 55%, is employed in the service sector and in the neighborhood of 16% of workers are employed in the industrial sector. Today, the country assembles electronics, manufactures pharmaceuticals, refines oil, mines coal, does construction, makes wood products, clothes and shoes.
In each of the above areas a foreigner has a chance for employment. Of course, one should not expect an income comparable to work in Australia, the USA, Canada or Western European countries. The average monthly salary in the Philippines in 2024 leaves about 25-30 thousand local pesos, the equivalent of 445-535 dollars. This is a rather vague figure. It all depends on the profession.
For example, senior managers and executives get up to 5-6 thousand dollars, financiers and IT professionals about 1-1.2 thousand, engineers and construction workers around 600-700 dollars, nurses up to 300. Depending on the region the minimum wage in the Philippines in 2024 reaches 610 pesos a day ($11). In general, a qualified foreign specialist can count on a salary of 1 thousand dollars a month and above.
Popular and affordable jobs in the Philippines in 2024 are technicians, call center operators, IT specialists, and construction workers. A special place is occupied by the field of tourism and teaching foreign languages. Guides, hotel clerks, diving instructors are sometimes needed. Certified specialists can find jobs in the Philippines in language schools. In addition to English, there is a demand for Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German and Arabic.
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