Almost every international move is difficult. There are so many things to organize and never enough time to do it. Since you are moving to a new country, your moving costs will be much higher than usual. In addition to this, if you are moving far away, you might not be able to see your family and friends as often as you want. Still, there are many benefits to relocating to a foreign country. You can experience and learn about a new culture, leave your comfort zone, meet new people, travel, and so on. Before you can enjoy getting to know your new country, you need to organize your relocation. For this reason, here are all the documents you need to relocate from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines.
The documents you need to relocate when Moving from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines start with the visa
As of now, you do not need a visa if you plan to stay less than 30 days in the Philippines. However, if you have some other plans, you need to get a visa. First, let’s discuss a working visa. You need to get a visa application form. The Embassy of the Philippines in Saudi Arabia should have this application form posted on their website. Then, you need to have a passport that is valid for another two years. Next, prepare 2 pictures with a white background in size 4X6 centimeters. As for other documents, you will need a certified and notarized copy of your university degree and the transcript of records. Then, get NBI clearance, medical certificate, training certificate, OMA certificate for Muslim workers, and a valid driving license. You cannot work in the Philippines without obtaining this visa.
Types of visas: business visa, transit visa, Umrah visa, and Hajj visa
The other most common visas include business, transit, Umrah, Hajj visa. For these visas, your passport must be valid for another six months. You will also have to get an application form, medical insurance, and pay a certain fee. However, all these four visas required different documents that are only specific for one certain visa. If you’re interested or if you need to get a specific piece of information, make sure to visit the official website of the embassy of the Philippines in Saudi Arabia. In addition to this, if you have any questions regarding the process or the documents, make sure to contact the embassy. They should be able to provide you with all the necessary information regarding your visa application. In the meantime, you should also try to find moving companies in Saudi Arabia if you plan to relocate more than just your suitcase.
More documents you need to relocate with you
In order to move abroad, you need to have the following documents.
- A passport – as mentioned, when applying for a visa, you need to have a valid passport. If you see that your passport will expire soon, you need to get a new one.
- Work permit – if you plan to work in the Philippines, you need to get a work permit. Usually, you will need to provide proof of your employment or someone will need to sponsor you in order to get a working visa.
- Certificates – including your birth certificate, your marriage certificate, your school certificate, your insurance certificate, and many others.
Always bring more than one copy of your important documents. Do not ship your documents with other belongings. Your items will be safe when shipping them via air freight from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines but important documents should always stay with you.
Learn about the Philippines
Before you move to any foreign country, you should learn more about it. The Philippines are very popular among ex-pats. The country has a pleasant climate and a low cost of living. This is why many people decide to come to this country. In addition to this, English is also widely spoken language on the island. Even if you are not fluent in a native language, you can still find your way around your new city. Some general pieces of information about the Philippines are the following. The capital city is Manila, the second-largest city in the Philippines with 1.8 million people. The largest is Quezon with 3 million people. Overall, in the country, the population is around 100 million people. The emergency number is 117 and there driving on the right side.
Living in the Philippines
In order to live comfortably in your new country, you should know what to expect. First, Catholicism is the major religion in the Philippines. It plays a huge role in society as 80% of the population declare themselves as Catholics. In addition to this, 175 languages are spoken in the Philippines. English and Tagalog are the two most widely spoken languages in the country. The most famous sport in the country is basketball. Shopping malls are the most popular places to hang out. Generally, Filipinos are described as warm and friendly. You should not have any problems with making friends with locals. Apart from this, more than a tenth of the population works abroad, many of them even working in Saudi Arabia. Living in the Philippines also means going to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia for vacation.
Working in the Philippines
Even if a working visa is among the documents you need to relocate that you bring with you, finding a well-paid job in the Philippines can be difficult. However, it is not impossible. You can start your own business. You can also find a decent job at teaching languages, English being the most popular. Working at the call center is popular too since it pays well. In addition to this, you can ask the locals where to find a good job in the Philippines. Lastly, as a foreigner, you cannot own land. Therefore, many experts rent their houses. If you can contact a fellow ex-pat, they might be able the find your broker. This way, you will have an easier time finding a new place for yourself.
