List of Countries you Might Consider if you Want to Move Abroad

We are, after all, once a wishful thinker at some point in our childhood. How those exquisite landmarks and tourist spots of particular countries enchanted and bewitched our eyes-and mind. How we desired to speed up the process of growing so we could study, work or live in our dream country someday. They made us depict a fairytale-like future abroad. But let us burst out the bubbles now.

According to International Labour Organization (ILO), more people are looking outside of their native countries for better living. More than 1 million Filipinos leave the country each year to work overseas, and there are 10 million Filipinos who currently reside abroad. Just incase you are scheming to go abroad (but still has no specific country in your mind) for whatever reason it may be, and eventually decided to migrate, we have listed down 8 countries you might consider moving to for a refresher.

1. SINGAPORE

"Lion City" Singapore is one of the greatest destinations for Filipino immigrants. Permanent residence can be obtained through a variety of schemes. The Global Investor Programme is for business owners, the Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Worker Scheme is for working individuals, and the Foreign Artistic Talent Scheme is for highly skilled visual and/or performing artists who are well-known in their home country.

Estimated Cost: P34,904

2. SOUTH KOREA

Known as Land of the Morning Calm, moving to South Korea will put an end to your desire to get a closer look at your favorite Korean celebrities. There are many different visa categories that one can fall under in order to relocate to South Korea, but the most well-known ones are the student visa, professional visas (depending on your industry), intra-company transfer for workers who are based abroad and are transferred to South Korea, and the job seeker visa for those who will need to look for new employment in the country.

Estimated Cost: P30,602

3. JAPAN

Nope, not the blurry videos! Japan, being the Land of the Rising Sun is the best option for migrants who yearn for a peaceful life. There are more than twenty different residency statuses available in Japan, including "temporary visitor" for tourists as well as a variety of statuses for students, workers, and family members of Japanese nationals and residents. For Tourists and business travelers (temporary visitors) you need to obtain a visa before entering the country. Foreigners who wish to work or study in Japan need to get a work or student visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan to enter the country. While a spouse visa can be obtained by foreigners who are married to a Japanese national or a permanent resident of Japan.

Estimated Cost: JPY 500,000

4. AUSTRALIA

For a variety of reasons, Australia has long been seen as a center for international migration by various nationalities. Australia also offers study programs created by numerous institutions and colleges located throughout the country, particularly for those thinking about pursuing a master's degree. If you don't have any family in Australia, you can choose an employer-sponsored visa where you must first be employed by a company there, a skilled visa (the sub-class of which is decided by a point system based on your qualifications, experience, and English language skills), or an Australian partner visa if you're in a relationship with an Australian citizen.

Estimated Cost: P240,865

5. NEW ZEALAND

Similar to its neighboring country, New Zealand is also regarded as one of the top migration destinations. There are various alternatives for work, student, and investment visas in New Zealand. You must also possess the necessary education and credentials, particularly in the area of English proficiency, if you want to apply for a visa for skilled migrants. Specifically, applicants should not be older than 55. You can also include your partner and any children who are under 24 if you plan to seek for residency at some point during your stay. However, as of February 2022, the New Zealand immigration service has prohibited temporary visa applications from quarantine-free travel zones, therefore depending on the type of visa, some applications may be denied or delayed.

Estimated Cost: P226,264

6. CANADA

Canada has traditionally been a top choice for individuals looking for new country, similar to Australia and New Zealand. While family sponsorship is still the most prevalent way for people to immigrate to Canada, those who want to relocate and find employment frequently choose the very competitive Express Entry visa. There are three different immigration categories available for the aforementioned visa: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST). Based on their points, the Comprehensive Ranking System chooses the most qualified candidates from its pool of applicants and invites them to apply.

Estimated Cost:

SINGLE: CAD $15,420

COUPLE: CAD $20,000

FAMILY: CAD $30,000

7. UNITED STATES

For many Filipinos, the goal of immigrating to America is still very much alive, therefore the country continues to be one of the top destinations. Priority workers and people with extraordinary ability (in education, arts, sciences, business, or athletics), professionals with advanced degrees (beyond baccalaureate or baccalaureate with five years minimum progressive experience), skilled workers and unskilled workers (other workers not included in the previous types), and immigrant investors are the only categories of immigrant visas that the U.S. offers.

Estimated Cost: P112,808

8. SPAIN

Spain in particular is known for its beautiful beaches, abundance of historical sites, and elegant architecture. Spain offers three different sorts of visas for lengthy stays: redidency, work and residency and student. A residency visa requires the applicant to show proof of financial statement declaring a monthly income amounting to €2,130 (P124,059) or savings of €26,000 (P1,513,501) as it is a non-lucrative type, meaning your source of income comes from your home country or elsewhere and not from within Spain. Meanwhile, the work and residency visa must have your Spanish employer request a work visa from the Ministry of Labor. A shorter residency requirement applies under the Spanish citizenship scheme for its former colonies. If you were born in the Philippines and moved abroad with the intention of becoming a citizen, all you need is two years of legal, continuous residency before you may apply to become either a dual citizen of Spain or a fully naturalized Spanish citizen.

Estimated Cost: P1,590,061