I am thinking about moving to the Philippines within the next few years and have plans to build a multi unit apartment building there which I’m currently saving for - we have already purchased the lot. However, if we do or don’t go through with this, I would need another source of income on my part, my partner has work but I’m aware it’s near impossible to be employed by an employer there. I’d be open to any suggestions except for teaching English as I do not have the qualifications to be doing so.
Also, I’d be living in Laguna, Luzon
Cheers

I intend to get the 13a visa since it makes the most sense
Cheers

Exactly, and good advice. I have looked at options to seek an income via a business. Having researched and asked foreigner owned bussinesmen for there opinion I have realized that the risks are extremely high, and the rewards very poor.
One of the problems is the buracracy and paperwork are daunting.To succeed you would need substantial capital and even if you had such funds your ROI would take years, if ever.
I looked at Building a boarding House on a large scale and the Final nail in the confin was the cost of a sprinkler system which was 1.5 million php. Without a sprinkler system it would be impossible to get the Building validated for a permit of use. The other downside, where do you get staff that are reliable,competant, and trustworthy to manager the business.
I dropped the project because I am retired and did not want to become a slave to the business, head aches are not for me.

After reading P11s family saga, I would prefer to trust a double glazing salesman, estate agent, or worse, a polotician.....lol.

Not sure. I got my 13a in the Philippines and it was easy. I have served my probationary 1 year and have a 5 year 13a visa. Will have to report once a year to establish that my circumstances have not changed. Very simple, just make sure that all the paperwork you need to supply is correct and where a document needs authentication it is done. A marriage certificate Will have to be authenticated if the marriage was in the UK.

Thank you for your replies, 13a would be the way to go, although I’ve never heard of getting past the 1 year probationary so I’ll look into that. As for the income, I’m in my early 20s so I can’t rely on a pension...
‘the cost of a sprinkler system which was 1.5 million php’ that’s an insane amount for just one part of the building. However, small individual units won’t require sprinkler systems so it’s still the main option in terms of how I’ll make money over there. One thing I’m unsure of is if I’d need to declare it as a business since it’s multiple units? If so I know I can only own 40% which isn’t a big deal since it will just be me and my partner, whose name is on the land title anyway. So does anyone know if it would have to be made a business/corporation?

No problem the yearly review is exactly that. If your circumstances have not changed no problem. If however for some reason you and your wife split up the 13a Will be revoked, and you would then have to make do with a Tourist visa. You cannot own land ,run a business ,have a Bank account, or have a driving license on a Tourist visa .

You need to do some very serious research before coming to live in the Philippines. How many times have you visited the Philippines and what is the maximum period you have spent there.

Would have thought for US$ 2000p/m there would be many Filipinos applying, they speak exellent English. There are many call Centres in the Philippines where English is the chosen language. Many call center workers also have degrees in verying subjects, teaching amongst them.
Internet access is obviously a must, however on US$ 2000 pm it would certainly not be a problem.


Simples.

Getting the rent paid on time and without default will be your biggest problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk-QhJBVi-4

‘the tax implications in the UK’? that’s an interesting thought. I’d imagine he’d be living in the UK at the time? With the ownership of a condo I would be living there permanently in order to maintain the unit, if I moved back chances are I’d sell it before doing so.

There is no capital gains tax on a UK property provided it is your place of residency. There is a certain amount of time that you must have lived in the property to establish it was your residency. We own a buy to let and should we decide to sell capital gains tax Will have to be paid as we have never lived in the property. Eventhough we live permanently in the Philippines I am still required to submit a self assesmemt return every year, due to rental income and investments.

Reguarding purchase of a condo, in my opinion it is not a good investment. Better put your money in a time deposit, we get 3.75% interest and can very the time of maturity from as Little as 30 days ( Eastwest Bank). Similarly you could ivest in Philippine Government bonds although the rate of interest is not good at the moment. The last bonds we bought had a 4.1% yeild.

Renting out condos is not easy, the market is saturated. Any rent would have to take into account the Service charge, which could be high. Should you wish to sell a condo it is very difficult to sell used units as there are so many new units being built. My advice would be to spent a long period of time in the Philippines, listen and learn how things are done, then make a decision. Above all take your time, I have made mistakes by being to hasty, and impatient.

i have to agree, although in 15 years my apartment has only been empty 1 month ( I asked the tennant to leave). There have been various maintainence problems, usually small although a new boiler to conform with new regulations was not cheap. The main problem now is the reduction in tax relief of the mortgage interest.
Unfortunatly, I may have to sell the apartment next year because my state pension is due then. The state pension, investments, and the profit on the rental income will mean I will be way over the tax free allowance and will have to pay tax.