Expat Topics
Moving Abroad from Philippines
10 million OFWs strong — the Philippines' global workforce
Last updated March 2026
10M+
OFWs Worldwide
$38B+/year
Remittances
Saudi Arabia
Top Destination
Canada & Japan
Fastest Growing
The Philippines has one of the world's largest overseas workforces, with over 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) deployed across 200+ countries. Remittances ($38B+ annually) represent 9% of GDP. While traditional destinations include Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US, skilled Filipino professionals increasingly move to Canada, Australia, Japan, and Europe for better career paths and permanent residency.
Top 8 Destinations for Philippines Expats
Where Philippines citizens are actually moving — with honest reasons why.
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
Largest OFW community — healthcare workers, engineers, and domestic workers. Tax-free salaries.
🇦🇪UAE
700K+ Filipinos in the UAE. Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer diverse career opportunities and zero income tax.
🇺🇸United States
4M+ Filipino Americans — the 4th largest Asian American group. Family reunification, nursing visas, and DV Lottery.
🇨🇦Canada
Express Entry, caregiver programs, and Provincial Nominee Programs. Growing Filipino communities in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.
🇯🇵Japan
Specified Skilled Worker visa, Technical Intern Training Program, and growing demand for healthcare and manufacturing workers.
🇦🇺Australia
Skilled migration for nurses, engineers, and IT professionals. Sydney and Melbourne have large Filipino communities.
🇸🇬Singapore
200K+ Filipinos — domestic work, healthcare, and service industries. Proximity to the Philippines (3.5-hour flights).
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Health & Care Worker Visa demand surging. NHS actively recruits Filipino nurses and healthcare workers.
Why People Leave Philippines
- 1Economic opportunity: Philippine average salary ~₱18,000/month ($320) vs $3,000+ abroad for similar work
- 2Family support: OFW remittances fund education, healthcare, and housing for families back home
- 3Career growth: limited professional advancement in many Philippine industries
- 4Natural disasters: typhoons, earthquakes, and flooding affect many parts of the country annually
- 5Healthcare access: while improving, rural healthcare infrastructure remains limited
- 6Education investment: families invest in overseas qualifications to break the cycle of poverty
Important Considerations Before Leaving
- Philippines allows dual citizenship through RA 9225 — natural-born Filipinos can reacquire citizenship even after naturalization elsewhere
- OFW tax exemption: income earned abroad by OFWs is exempt from Philippine income tax
- OWWA membership: register with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for insurance, loans, and repatriation assistance
- Remittance channels: compare rates between bank transfers, GCash International, Wise, and Remitly for best value
- PhilHealth: maintain contributions even abroad — coverage applies when visiting the Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Philippines citizens live abroad?
An estimated 10M+ Philippines citizens currently live abroad. The top destination is Saudi Arabia.
What are the best countries to move to from Philippines?
The most popular destinations for Philippines expats are Saudi Arabia, UAE, United States, Canada. Each offers different advantages from career growth to lifestyle and cost savings.
What should I consider before leaving Philippines?
Philippines allows dual citizenship through RA 9225 — natural-born Filipinos can reacquire citizenship even after naturalization elsewhere OFW tax exemption: income earned abroad by OFWs is exempt from Philippine income tax
Not sure where to move from Philippines?
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