gregparker6201
American expat in the Philippines
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About me
American
Registration: 25 January 2023
Should I DIY getting my parent's lost US passport? by seluzmeu
I am a US citizen living here in the US. My parent is 83 yr old also US citizen. Without laying out anything more in this forum, any can recommend an Immigration lawyer in the Philippines that can provide support or advice to help me get my ...
Forms DS-11 and or DS-64do it yourself https://common.usembassy.gov/en/ds-64/ Read More
Mindanao independence resolution to be submitted to UN by PalawOne
Anyone wish to make comment?"“It will need only one UN member country to endorse .. "https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/31/mindanao-independence-resolution-to-be-submitted-to-unCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A resolution adopted during a ...
I’ve been in and out of Mindanao since 1983. This topic arises every few years, quickly dismissed until next go around.Wife has relatives that are in the Bangsamoro autonomous government. They have no great desire to secede. Read More
US Direct File won't happen in 2026, IRS tells states by PalawOne
Perhaps of interest .."Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states"By Natalie Alms November 4, 2025https://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2025/11/direct-file-wont-happen-2026-irs-tells-states/409309/The free service that allowed ...
This will not affect me as an American Expat I'm not required to file.Can you elaborate on this?I have worked internationally since 1977. Always filed, but occasionally I have not been required to pay anything. Read More
Skytrax 100 2025 by Lotus Eater
The 2025 London based Skytrax 100 airline rankings are now out.No big changes in the top 10. Qatar Airways retains the top spot so be prepared to be pampered Cherryann on your forthcoming flight to Jakarta at least on the 1st leg. Garuda Indonesia ...
We have flown StarLux 3 times to the US. It is my preferred airline, The service is good and I can bypass Manila departing and arriving. Read More
Here we go again: It's the Philippines. by Enzyte Bob
I'm about to switch off my third internet provider (Converge).I've little or no internet for over three weeks now, Download .2 mbs upload 320 mbs. Customer service is non existent, just like so many of the other institutions and businesses. I've ...
Have had less downtime with StarLink on last 2 years than Globe, Sky Fibre, PLDT had in the average month it’s in my wife’s name, We have autopay. I don’t think they asked for TIN # Read More
US SSA Deposits into WISE by danfinn
I am wondering if expats here have experience with this. I am attaching information received from Grok AI about depositing SSA in the US Wise Checking account that allows expats to deposit with the still alive IDD SSA international requirements for ...
i used Wise for probably 2 years transferring funds monthly from Navy Federal CU to local account here in Davao They advised me in March that I could no longer use them as I do not have a US physical address and could not use Traveling Mail Box as ... Read More
Tax penalty for living in phillpines on americans by stevenkirchner2
i saw the following on the internet:Like many countries, the Philippines will tax you based on whether or not you are considered a resident. To be a resident in the Philippines, you will have to stay longer than 180 days in a calendar year.Do US ...
Thanks You will be fine, don’t let this taxation question affect your decision to retire in a more economical and less stressful environment. Read More
Tax penalty for living in phillpines on americans by stevenkirchner2
i saw the following on the internet:Like many countries, the Philippines will tax you based on whether or not you are considered a resident. To be a resident in the Philippines, you will have to stay longer than 180 days in a calendar year.Do US ...
As I understand it, unless your income is generated from a source within the Philippines you are not taxed. I know of no one paying Philippine taxes on SS or other retirement income generated and deposited in the US. income earned from employment or ... Read More
Health Care in The Philippines by Cherryann01
Chad Foster recently put out a video on this subject where he interviewed an American guy with a Health Care background and it is the most comprehensive and detailed video I have ever seen on this subject and is well worth a watch. He goes into ...
I self insure due to the compatibly low cost of healthcare here. Wife is dual citizen so she can avail the free hospital if required. I do get a complete blood screen done every 6 months to make sure nothing is getting out of control. Roughly 2000 ... Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
I had 3 bids all were within $750 USD.Two things that probably increased the price was that the shipper was required to have an actual company presence on both ends, didn’t want it to be subcontracted out to the lowest bidder in Manila Packing ... Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
@Enzyte Bob 14K. Included packing and unpacking and 3 months storage before shipping Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
We shipped a 20 ft container to Davao from Louisville Kentucky in 2022. We used Allied Van Lines as they had agents on each end. Dealing with a single source/person is highly recommended. They will have latest info on vehicle importation and cost.We ... Read More
Amazon Availability in the Philippines? by swt90alum
I saw there are two Amazon warehouses in the Philippines, but as I understand it, Amazon does not "deliver" to the Philippines...is this true? Also, if Amazon does not deliver to the Philippines...are there any on-line delivery services that do ...
If you have an Amazon account, set your delivery address to your Philippine address it will give you ETA and costi have received items from Amazon quicker than Lazada 😳 Read More
Owning rental property to satisfy physical address proof by mati_steve
I am a retired US citizen currently living in Texas, and plan to move to the Philippines in 2026. One of the “gotchas” that I keep hearing about is how to keep a physical address in the US in order to keep the financial institutions ...
Have you asked your financial institutions about this?I do not have a physical US address both my bank and Charles Schwab know I do not live in the US and it causes no issues ask your bank, get a straight answer Read More
Depositing monthly social security payments linto WISE by danfinn
I recall reading WISE advertisements a few years ago suggesting that Americans deposit their SSA payments directly into WISE. But when I checked recently, I can see that WISE has stopped recommending this. Perhaps there wasn't enough response from ...
@danfinn Thanks for the MAYA infoI agree the 2 day wait via SWIFT is not ideal, since wehave a G cash account might try same with $10 or soif it works I might do a weekly transfer Read More
Depositing monthly social security payments linto WISE by danfinn
I recall reading WISE advertisements a few years ago suggesting that Americans deposit their SSA payments directly into WISE. But when I checked recently, I can see that WISE has stopped recommending this. Perhaps there wasn't enough response from ...
@Twlk123Maybe the combo of US Bank and Philippine physical address is unacceptable, no problem I found a way around it that works for me Read More
Depositing monthly social security payments linto WISE by danfinn
I recall reading WISE advertisements a few years ago suggesting that Americans deposit their SSA payments directly into WISE. But when I checked recently, I can see that WISE has stopped recommending this. Perhaps there wasn't enough response from ...
@danfinn Wife is a dual citizen We keep the local account balance below $2K to avoid the reporting requirements Navy Federal charges $25 per transfer. Money available locally at China Bank Savings in 2 days price per transfer not as cheap as Wise or ... Read More
Depositing monthly social security payments linto WISE by danfinn
I recall reading WISE advertisements a few years ago suggesting that Americans deposit their SSA payments directly into WISE. But when I checked recently, I can see that WISE has stopped recommending this. Perhaps there wasn't enough response from ...
My Wise account was closed because I do not have a US physical address. They will not accept My Traveling Mail Box address as a legitimate US address Luckily I bank with Navy Federal Credit Union, they have many other members that live in various ... Read More
Photographers and photography group and other hobbies. by teesquared
Greetings,I haven't made the move yet but I am intending to retire in the Davao area initially next year. I recently took up a hobby that I had as a teenager, photography. I was just wondering if there are any keen photographers in the expat ...
there is a group called “Davao City Expats “ on Facebook, people with varied interests post different activities and questions on this page I live in Davao and enjoy it here Read More
Propane tankless water heater by flyrite777
Does anyone have any information on where to buy a propane tankless whole house water heater? I bought one 20 years ago at Handyman but now I cannot find any. I know they have to be in the Manila area but I am not having any luck.Greg
Lazada is not a manufacturer of anything. They are a reseller like AmazonThey have both legitimate and questionable products. You need to research any potential product Read More
Propane tankless water heater by flyrite777
Does anyone have any information on where to buy a propane tankless whole house water heater? I bought one 20 years ago at Handyman but now I cannot find any. I know they have to be in the Manila area but I am not having any luck.Greg
There are some on Lazada, tank and tankless Read More
Anyone using Starlink? by Enzyte Bob
This is the third day of outage from Sky. I would like to pull the plug on them.Is anyone using Starlink or some other satellite system? Years ago I switch from PDLT to Sky for being unresponsive.Year by year Sky service has fallen off. Converge is ...
After trying most if not all of the local internet providers on Davao. I got StarLink about 18 months ago we may have had 10 minutes of no service in total!highly recommended! The monthly cost is about the same, 2700 pesos/monthi think initial ... Read More
Auto Insurance by Larry Fisher
I never buy auto insurance through the dealer. I paid cash for my car. Now I want to find insurance. What's the lowdown ?
Toyota and other manufacturers dealers offer legitimate collision insurance If your financing the bank will offer it also We use Standard Insurance for Home, auto and scooter, application and payment done online Read More
American ex-pats social security payments. by FindlayMacD
Now that Elon Musk has taken over the US Treasury Payments System and installed his own people in there to run it, his own people being a bunch of 6 kids he calls IT Specialists, all aged between 18 to 24, are any of the American ex-pats on here ...
Suggest you limit you intake of US based news reports I believe very little of what they say anyway! My SS check arrived as always on 1st of the month Read More
Philippine Travel updates by Lotus Eater
Some interesting developments on new flight routings to and from the Philippines with our favourite Filipina correspondent the gorgeous Miss Jennifer (if only all Filipina's had 10% of her common sense) Terri. Of particular interest are new direct ...
Last 2 trips to the US I flew Davao-Hongkong-LAor Davao-Cebu-Taiwan-LAwill gladly pay more to avoid Manila!No problem with Philippine Airlines just that disgusting excuse for an airport Read More
American ex-pats social security payments. by FindlayMacD
Now that Elon Musk has taken over the US Treasury Payments System and installed his own people in there to run it, his own people being a bunch of 6 kids he calls IT Specialists, all aged between 18 to 24, are any of the American ex-pats on here ...
@PalawOne Here in Davao a group of friends American,British and Irish get together on Wednesday’s at noon to shoot the sh***, eat lunch and enjoy a few cold one’s while enjoying the native scenery, natural and feminine been in and out of ... Read More
American ex-pats social security payments. by FindlayMacD
Now that Elon Musk has taken over the US Treasury Payments System and installed his own people in there to run it, his own people being a bunch of 6 kids he calls IT Specialists, all aged between 18 to 24, are any of the American ex-pats on here ...
First I have heard of this. So I Googled it!Even the legacy media ( which I don’t believe most of the time) are not making a big deal of this. And no mention of 18 to 24 year olds running the show that I can find Personally Im not concerned, ... Read More
Contacting social security ?? by Mepp7777
Is anyone having a huge problem getting answers from our FBU office at the Embasy ? I can't get through on phon lines as they never answer and after on hold some time I get disconnected. I call back and the same thing happens. After trying on the ...
Based on mine and others experience this is unfortunately the norm i ended up going to Guam to accomplish what I needed to do PM me I will elaborate if you want Read More
The safest cities in SE Asia .. Numbeo.com by PalawOne
Davao City ranks 3rd safest in Southeast AsiaBy Che Palicte January 20, 2025 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1242155DAVAO CITY – Davao City was ranked the third safest city in Southeast Asia in 2024 according to crowd-sourced ...
I live in Davao and travel throughout most of Mindanao with out concern. Admittedly I don’t travel to the provinces bordering the Sulu sea. Common sense is needed Read More
Aquino airport connecting flight by mati_steve
Hi folks. I'll be headed back to Mati next month and my flight this time has me coming into Aquino Airport (Manila) and then a connecting flight to Davao. This will be my first time flying into the Aquino airport and just looking to get ...
There is a shuttle service that runs 24/7 between the terminals AIRSIDE SHUTTLE BUSESNAIA Terminals are connected by free 24-hour airside buses every 15 minutes. Passengers are required to clear immigration and customs prior using the service.It is ... Read More
Time For Annual Report by Enzyte Bob
Annual report fee P310.Failure to file P200 per month.
I went through immigration in Cebu (live in Davao)As with a lot of things here, interpretation of the law appears to be left up to the individual official. You are dealing with at the timeYou may have no issues Read More
Time For Annual Report by Enzyte Bob
Annual report fee P310.Failure to file P200 per month.
@Morgacj200424 I believe this is only during the probationary period I had some business in the US that went longer than expected 6/2023 to 01/2024My probationary 13A was cancelled. Told I could reapply next day if wanted now on a Balikbayan visa as ... Read More
US Prepaid Debit Card that can be easily use in the Philippines by Ray3131
Hi Guys,I'm also retiring before the end of 2025. May I ask any member here that's still using a 'Non-Bank Prepaid Debit Card'.With advantages of Not Paying Monthly Fee and No Fee International Purchases. And can be Reloaded Easily in Banks or ...
@danfinn Traveling Mail box. I believe they have locations in most states, I like the scan and email service of items I want a hard copy of, they also can forward documents via FedEx or DHL if required. I do occasional consulting work in the states ... Read More
US Prepaid Debit Card that can be easily use in the Philippines by Ray3131
Hi Guys,I'm also retiring before the end of 2025. May I ask any member here that's still using a 'Non-Bank Prepaid Debit Card'.With advantages of Not Paying Monthly Fee and No Fee International Purchases. And can be Reloaded Easily in Banks or ...
@danfinni use a “Traveling Mail Box” box number in the US for my banking and business correspondence. I haven’t had any issues You are correct about the brokerage account. I get a separate statement for the debit card because I ... Read More
US Prepaid Debit Card that can be easily use in the Philippines by Ray3131
Hi Guys,I'm also retiring before the end of 2025. May I ask any member here that's still using a 'Non-Bank Prepaid Debit Card'.With advantages of Not Paying Monthly Fee and No Fee International Purchases. And can be Reloaded Easily in Banks or ...
Not sure if this answers your question but, Both my Navy Federal and Schwab debit cards reimburse atm fees so I don’t bother with an “aftermarket debit card “You could also just transfer funds to yourself via Western Union or ... Read More
New Forbes List, "Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2024" by PalawOne
Must say .. find this change in viewpoints by new Forbes List a bit of a puzzle?This is a completely different viewpoint regarding the Philippines from their 2022 List? For example see: ...
@Morgacj200424 I agree 100% !as I tell friends in the US. If you didn’t vote you have absolutely nothing to say either good or bad about the outcome Since we obviously don’t have the right to vote here, I don’t discuss politics ... Read More
Consequences of Trump as US President. by FindlayMacD
There are so many Americans here in Philippines and I think that the majority of them vote Republican and therefore vote for (or support) Trump, but how many of them, (And I'm talking about the ones who live here in the Philippines permanently) have ...
Here we are in a country known for beautiful beaches and accommodating attractive women, and some of you want to discuss hypothetical scenarios that if they do happen probably won’t affect you anyway, Did your life suddenly change on November ... Read More
Skytrax 2024 Airline satisfaction survey just released by Lotus Eater
Given that many Expats/visitors in the Philippines will most likely be flying 'long haul' routes I thought it may be of interest to be aware of airlines ranking in the above definitive passenger survey published once a year by Skytrax.Note that the ...
I’ve used StarLux twice as it allows me to bypass Manila. Davao-Cebu-Taipei-LA. no problems so far Read More
Digos city by jpdierick
I’m Canadian staying with my wife in Digos for at least 6 months. I want to find FIFO work either in Africa, Middle East , Asia or S.E. Asia.my goal is to live there full time and work overseas. Any advice and are there any expats living in ...
On Facebook there is a group called “Davao City Expats”Since Digos is close to Davao City, I know some Digos residents communicate on Davao City ExpatsWhat type of work do you do? Personally I worked on oil rigs for many years flying in ... Read More
help: Medicare just got me. How to cancel? by Larry Fisher
October is my 65th birthday month. I have looked previously and thought I opted out of Medicare in advance. But alas, I got dinged on my Social Security check this month. Pisses me off. I can't find a ONLINE way to cancel it. I'm not going back. ...
You probably already know this but you need to contact Social Security (Contacting Social Security in Manila is almost impossible. I ended up flying to Guam and completed in 15 minutes what I tried for 7 months to accomplish with SS in Manila )they ... Read More
US virtual mail services by Tumbleweed 2
What virtual mail service would you recommend for a single retired man, with the intent to move to the Visayas or Thailand? No longer have any living relatives in the US. Plus any other information any of you can share to a 1st timer who's become a ...
I use Traveling Mail Box Their app allows you to select what you want with them to do with the mail shred, open and scan or foward via DHL or FedEx to you Read More
Packages from USA to PH by SteveBronx
Hi please tell me if you have any experience or know what's the best way to send packages from USA to Philippines. Please do not say FedEx, DHL, UPS, USPS, I want to know about package places like ones where I can buy things from Amazon and send it ...
LBC is an option or If your town or city has a Filipino grocery store ask them if they have Balikbayan box shipping servicesor Google “ Balikbayan boxes near me”it how we sent stuff before moving here permanently Read More
Are any of you using starlink in rural areas? by Glongshore
Hello everyone. im George, my wife and 2 kids live on Bohol. we enjoy off grid solar farming and living simply in this gorgeous paradise. i am a retired ship captain and my lovely wife is tending the farm while i close out life stateside. Are any of ...
@Glongshore We have StarLink in Davao City. hIghly recommend it! have had it 3 monthspreviously had Globe and Sky Fiber neither were fast or dependable. StarLink had an initial equipment purchase price of 18,500 peso with a monthly subscription ... Read More
Traveling to Philippines. Where will I go through customs? by Adam478
I'm flying from the USA to Davao with a 1 hour layover in Manila. Should I be concerned that 1 hour is not enough to get to my next flight or will I not need to do customs until I reach Davao? I arrive at terminal 2 and my flight to Davao also ...
Depends on what your destination is. As I live in Davao, I fly a carrier that flies into Cebu or Davao. Some Korean and Taiwan carriers fly into Cebu, With Singapore / Scoot flying into both Davao and CebuI avoid Manila as much as possible Read More
Necessary documents American spouse to obtain residency by mokzeit
What are the necessary documents for an American citizen married to a Filipina to obtain residency in the Philippines?
If you go to your local Bureau of Immigration office they will give you the forms and a list of supporting documents needed. there is no charge for this Read More
CW Home Depot by Filamretire
Hardware store that sells the COOL bath system brand plumbing fixtures. Anyone bought and installed these? If so, how were they? I can find no reviews on anything from this brand or even where it is based. If not, what are good brands for faucets ...
@Filamretirewe remodeled out house last July most of our materials came from Wilcon Depot they had Kholer bathroom fixtures Not sure of your location, but they have a website Read More
Power tools by Dave & Ruby
Any thought on the quality of power tools bought in the Philippines VS. Power tools from the states. I'm thinking of shipping some of my construction tools over to the Philippines in order for me to use to build our house. I'll have to buy a ...
I second the choice of Lotus and Total, the drills and saw I purchased work fine. An Ingco store recently opened up near me, will try them for a cordless drill I purchased a Makita cordless drill from the “factory store “ on Lazada. ... Read More
13a Permanent visa by Bag56
Hi my spouse is Flapina and has been diagnosed with cancer, if she dies. What happens to the status of my visa? I have a 13A visa which we have had made permanent. Does the death of the Philippines spouse invalidate this visa? We have no ...
@danfinn I worked a rotating schedule on drilling rigs, very seldom in Philippines more than 28 days at a time, or we were living outside the Philippines and came in under Balikbayan I remarried in 2016 to another Filipina ( brand loyal 😄). ... Read More
13a Permanent visa by Bag56
Hi my spouse is Flapina and has been diagnosed with cancer, if she dies. What happens to the status of my visa? I have a 13A visa which we have had made permanent. Does the death of the Philippines spouse invalidate this visa? We have no ...
On the inheritance issue I can speak of first hand knowledge. My wife purchased our house in 1992 in her married name, when she passed away in 2013 I inherited the house and land, it took about 3 years to get title in my name. It wasn’t a ... Read More
Son born in Philippines. Birth abroad by Dwsses12
My Question is.. is my son entitled to a social security benefit. Being born abroad. I am a American living in the Philippines permanently as well. Also, I'm 59 1/2 years old. Thank you with any information.
i think you need to be collecting either disability or collecting you retirement benefit. The Social Security website has some information on this Read More
Which Visa ??? by Dave & Ruby
Hey Fellow Expats, just trying to get all my ducks in a row so to speak, should I be applying for a 13a visa or a special resident visa for when my wife and I move permanently to the Philippines ??? Thank you
@Enzyte Bob it was around 15K but we had a lot of memories in the items and was affordable for us. we purchased our home here in 1992, I have been in and out of the Philippines since 1978. Highly suggest you use a single shipper Read More
Which Visa ??? by Dave & Ruby
Hey Fellow Expats, just trying to get all my ducks in a row so to speak, should I be applying for a 13a visa or a special resident visa for when my wife and I move permanently to the Philippines ??? Thank you
@tundabita we moved to Davao last year from Indiana. I used Allied Van Lines as they have company agents on both ends, much easier and less chance of problems in my opinion we shipped a 20 ft container that arrived with no damage and had not been ... Read More
Cheapest flights by Neville2012
Were can I get cheap flights from
bought tickets last week for $859 Manila to Seattle round trip in July Asiana Airlines. Best price I could find, also one of the quickest only 1 1/2 hour layover in ICN Read More