

Steve
@StevDra
American looking for information about Philippines
Forum posts
17
About me
American
Lives in Martinsburg
Registration: 05 July 2012
Activity


Social Security deposits to banks in the Philippines by belayit
I will ne getting my social security checks deposited to a bank in the Philippines. How do I get my money converted to pesos??? Will the bank accept u.s. dollars???? Will the bank convert it for me???? Or will I have to somehow physically do ...

I will ne getting my social security checks deposited to a bank in the Philippines. How do I get my money converted to pesos??? Will the bank accept u.s. dollars???? Will the bank convert it for me???? Or will I have to somehow physically do ... Read More


Tax Refund check by ElGatoNegron
Was just told by BDO, two branches, that they do not accept U.S. Tax refund checks. How can that be? If they accept Social Security checks! Both are drawn on the U. S. Treasury. The check is made out to my wife (Filipina) and me.

Another possibility or two: I have linked US bank and BPI to a couple of different international transfer groups. Usually you can send USD to Filipino USD account like we have at BPi or they will convert your USD to peso and send to a peso account. ... Read More


Cashing or depositing US Treasury refund check by Enzyte Bob
I have a small income tax refund check made out to my wife & I from the U.S. Treasury. She has a Peso account & my stepson has a Dollar account at BDO. My wife is a Filipina and I'm an American (married 10 years). We moved from the Las ...

We have a dollar and peso account at BPI. I am joint owner on the dollar account and she is sole with me as beneficiary on the peso account. I send USD to the dollar account all the time so maybe BPI will be more friendly. Read More


Social Security deposits to banks in the Philippines by belayit
I will ne getting my social security checks deposited to a bank in the Philippines. How do I get my money converted to pesos??? Will the bank accept u.s. dollars???? Will the bank convert it for me???? Or will I have to somehow physically do ...

I send money over to Philippines mostly in USD by having a Dollar account and Peso account at BPI. Their conversion rate is very good and it is very easy to transfer intra accounts. I may move there soon and would you kindly answer how you got SSi ... Read More


What's the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines? by taylor1
There are lots of ways to send money to the Philippines. Paypal is one, but it's not cheap. There are also money transfer like MoneyGram and Western Western but do you know how much it actually cost you? (When sending $1000 from US to ...

No idea - but if you do not closely know and have met the person, I would not send any currency if I were you... Read More


What's the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines? by taylor1
There are lots of ways to send money to the Philippines. Paypal is one, but it's not cheap. There are also money transfer like MoneyGram and Western Western but do you know how much it actually cost you? (When sending $1000 from US to ...

If you have USA account and recipient has account like BPI or other, establish a dollar account and a Peso account there and then sign up for Remitly and send in USD. Recipient can transfer to the Peeso account and then withdraw. That is better ... Read More


Internet shopping by RodBoud
Has anyone had any bad experiences receiving internet purchases? I see the costs are outrageous for a Fed Ex package.

I haven't tried them yet but some over here (Mindanao) recommend Lazada.com - they have about anything but prices are all over the place. Read More


A company to transfer my money from US to Philippines by hughes3864
I need some help finding a company to transfer my money for me. anyone that could refer me to one they use would be very much appreciated. I want to transfer from my US checking to my Philipine checking. Brad

I have been using Remitly or Xoom depending on who has the cheaper cost. Then I ship dollars from USA bank to a BPi dollar account where they give a superior exchange rate whenever I pull out money at the ATM - in pesos. You can't use dollar ... Read More


SAFEST way to transfer money from US to PI account? by dimplesz14
Hi everyone! Hope all is well with yah all! quick question, what would be the SAFEST, easiest and cheapest way to send money from U.S. to Philippine account? Also, should we have multiple bank accounts back home to be safe? We need to plan this so ...

I have been using Remitly or Xoom depending on who has the cheaper cost. Then I ship dollars from USA bank to a BPi dollar account where they give a superior exchange rate whenever I pull out money at the ATM - in pesos. You can't use dollar ... Read More


Immigration Visa to US for Filipina spouse by wildeforeste
Anyone had any adventures involving this subject? Want to petition US for Immagrant visa for my spouse. What I have read is I can petition for my spouse while I am here in the Phils, or do likewise when I am back in the US for a few months (my wife ...

There is also another group on FB that has some good insights on it: Asawa World. You need additional proof you and your wife have lived together at least 6 months in the Philippines like a joint lease or utility bill and your (or both if you ... Read More


1 year visa in Philippines? by boriloco
Does anyone have information about the new visa extension for 1 year?Thanks

You can obtain a balikbayan visa (actually it's a stamp on your passport) by flying our of the Philippines for a day and returning w your spouse and all marriage documents - go the Filipino customs entry and request a balikbayan visa stamp. I ... Read More


Retirement in sindangan Zamboanga Philippines by Peter.levica
I'm considering retirement in Sandangan Zamboanga Phillippines primarily for the cost of living and possible marriage to a local. What is the risk of getting my butt shot of in this area. I'm a military veteran and am well versed in hand to ...

Wife lives farther east on Mindanao her whole life and most all recommend avoiding Zamboanga especially as a westerner. The city is a stones throw from several terrorists groups in Malaysia and has its' own history of violence towards certain ... Read More


Volunteering in the Philippines by Maximilien
Hi, While living abroad, some expats wish to get involved in the local community life. What organizations expats can turn to if they want to volunteer in the Philippines? How to join a charitable institution, what are the steps? Which ...

Financial understanding and simple budget are in great need. You can see if the local city has a volunteer network and start a program of interest to you. Also if you are religious there are Christian academies and colleges that always need ... Read More


Spousal visa for Filipina wife to the United States by dondee31
Hello. I would like to ask anyone who has actually gone through a spousal visa how long it takes AND did you avail yourself of the non-immigrant visa for your wife at the same time you sent in the spousal visa? We have been married six years and ...

Tim - I understand under certain circumstances the 6 months can be waved. Any insight on that one? Also what is my income requirement? Thank you - Steve Read More


Outsourcing myself by Rene123dude
Hello, IÂ’m currently living and work as a computer programmer in Europe, I'm Dutch, my wife is Filipina (with a Dutch passport) and we have a 14 year old son. Instead of working here, I like to go to the Philippines, working there as programmer ...

Rene, I would like to suggest two things to you. Depending on your skill set, you might link with an international company that puts clients and contractors together and guarantees your payment. Second is there is an excellent short book that ... Read More