Buhay Abroad: What Are The Best Countries Pinoys Can Migrate To?

This could hurt, but not every Filipino wants to die in their homeland. Many would prefer leaving the Philippines and starting their new lives abroad, or migrating. You may have heard your relatives talk about this in reunions. They’ll say, “I want to migrate na!”

Migrating to another country is distinct from just becoming an OFW and working abroad. It means moving from the country where you were born to another, and settling in that new country. 

According to the United Nations Network on Migration, the Philippines is one of the leading origin countries for migrants with an estimated 5.4 emigrants in 2019. The International Labour Organization added that over a million Pinoys leave the country each year to work abroad. 

But, what are the best countries for Filipino emigrants? Unfortunately, the United States isn’t the number one. When you are planning to migrate, it is also important to look at how easy the processes will be and how proximate the culture in your destination is. Let’s look at this MetroLinks guide to the best countries Pinoys can migrate to. 

Australia

On the number one spot is not the United States, although there are more than four million Filipino-Americans there, but Australia. Browse online and you will see ads inviting you to work in Australia. 

Aside from just around eight hours from Manila by plane, Australia is home to several Filipino migrant communities. You won’t get homesick when your neighbor, the person living next door in your apartment, or co-worker is a Filipino. Migrating from the Philippines to Australia is also very easy.

This depends on the kind of visa you are applying for, but nevertheless, you need to take relevant IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests and pass it. This test is required usually for teachers and nurses.

Canada

If you don’t want a country that’s too near where the Philippines is and want to get that United States-like vibes, take a chance and migrate to Canada. As of 2023, Canada has sped up the processing systems for migration. Lani dela Cruz, a Filipino mother of one child, who now lives in Ontario with his husband and kid, now officially part of the Canadian workforce as well, is already officially a Canadian citizen after just a short while of application. She hails from Nueva Ecjia. 

In addition, Canada also offers several job openings. This North American country remains a top choice for several Filipinos looking to work, migrate, and permanently reside. They look forward to the warm hospitality of the Canadians, and the country’s top-of-the-line healthcare and education system. But where’s the United States? Read on.

United States

At last, the land of the free. This is the country most Filipinos are targeting if they wish to migrate. Aside from the fact the United States has strong ties with the Philippines, Filipinos have been migrating to this developed nation since the 1940s, so it’s normal to see a fellow Filipino in the workplace or when you are just walking around. 

Though the United States government is tirelessly working to improve job opportunities for Filipinos – as most Pinoys still work dirty jobs here – the country offers a myriad of career opportunities for Filipino emigrants, such as nurses. Furthermore, there are plenty of spaces for you if you want to apply for a permanent residency. Should you need to be an expert in speaking English? You have to know English fluency, but guess what? It’s only in the Philippines where people are Grammar Nazis, not in the USA.

Great Britain

If you fancy a country in Europe, the top choice for emigrants is Great Britain, a fantastic place for work and permanent residency. Jan Erish Baluca, a Filipino in his 30s, chose to work and live permanently here since he confesses he is a fan of “Harry Potter” and loved to speak in a British accent when he was in high school. A dream come true for him. 

When it comes to job opportunities, you can find openings in technology, education, and hospitality, to name a few. In fact, the very first person to give a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020 is a Filipino nurse in Britain. That tells a lot. 

New Zealand

Just like Australia, you can travel to New Zealand within less than a day. It ranks highly among the top countries Filipino migrants are targeting. Though relatively low in number than the rest here, the number of Filipinos now residing in this Pacific nation has seen a rise. As a matter of fact, Pinoys are the third-largest Asian population living in New Zealand. 

When it comes to job openings, you can apply as medical professionals, IT experts, rural workers, and even cherry pickers. But don’t underestimate being a cherry picker here because the salary is way above your standards. 

Japan

Enough of the notion that when you want to migrate to Japan, your work will just be an entertainer. While never an undignified job, there are tons of opportunities for Pinoys looking for stable work here. 

Japan is also among the most popular destinations for Filipino emigrants, thanks to opportunities, such as the Specified Skills Visa, Technical Intern Training Program, and the roads to permanent residency. For instance, the Specified Skills Visa fills the gap in sectors like healthcare and construction. 

Here, Pinoys may also pursue permanent residency. You will love it in Japan because their culture is almost the same as that of the Philippines, being Asians together.

Spain is also another country to migrate to as it has been said that the migration processes are way easier here than the other countries on this MetroLinks list. You may likewise find opportunities in France, Singapore, and the Caribbean.

Migrating abroad is a tough decision to make for a Filipino who needs to leave their family home and those who must leave the farmland they own in the province. Usually, you’ll start on your own, as an OFW, before you can apply to be a permanent resident and better, an official citizen of the country. It takes guts to start your life overseas.