How to Transfer Money from UAE to Philippines
UAE to Philippines Guide
Summary
The Philippines and Dubai have strong bilateral ties related to labour migration, trade and tourism. The Dubai dirham (AED) and the Philippine peso (PHP) are both freely convertible currencies. There are no restrictions to transfer money from Dubai to the Philippines. Like many other countries, in order to control money laundering, the central bank in Dubai applies strict reporting guidelines on large international transfers moving in and out of the country.
Visas
Emirati nationals who plan to visit the Philippines for business or tourism do not require a visa if stay for a period of up to 30 days. However, visas are required for stays of more than 30 days, which can be obtained from the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. Visas typically take eight business days to be processed, and the cost for a single entry is AED260. First time applicants must make a personal appearance at the consulate offices.
To facilitate the application process you must present a completed visa application form, your current passport, a photocopy of your UAE resident visa (which should be valid for at least six months beyond the amount of time you will be staying in the Philippines), and a recent picture. Business owners must present their original Trade License bearing the name of the applicant as a partner or investor. Applicants for business visas will also have to present an invitation letter or a letter of reference, in addition to proof that they are able to finance their travels.
Property and taxation
Owning property in the Philippines is unrestricted, for the most part, but non-nationals are not permitted to own land unless it was passed on through inheritance. However, investors from Dubai can lease privately-owned land for a maximum of 50 years.
Filipino corporations have to pay taxes on income gained worldwide, while non-resident companies are only taxed on income that is earned within the Philippines. Firms that operate within the country, including branches of companies based in the Philippines, are required to pay 15% on profits earned when they make an international funds transfer from the Philippines to the head office.
Non-resident individuals are required to pay taxes at 25% of gross income earned while in the Philippines. The Philippine tax year runs from January 1 to December 31. Tax returns must be filed and submitted by April 15 of the following year. However, the two countries signed a double taxation avoidance agreement in 2003, that protects non-residents from have to pay taxes twice. It is recommended to consult with a tax specialist before completing returns in either country, to be sure all local regulations and deadlines are respected.
Banking and money
The Philippines has a variety of banks that will facilitate operations to transfer money from Dubai to the Philippines. The most popular include Philippine National Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metrobank. Several branches of international banks are also present, such as HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of America. Travellers to the Philippines may find it is more convenient to rely on a global bank, as this often makes it easier to access funds while abroad. Many of the major banks in the Philippines offer online banking services.
To open a bank account in the Philippines, expats will have to visit the branch in person to verify personal details. You will need two pieces of official ID, as well as bank references from the UAE or written certification from your home bank. You will have to deposit funds into the new account. The new bank account will not be opened until the Philippine bank completes its reference checks.
Trade with the Philippines
Labour migration is one of the primary drivers of international money transfers between the two countries. The UAE is the second most popular destination for Filipino expatriate workers in the world. In 2013, approximately 600,000 citizens of the Philippines were living and working in the UAE; of them, 60% of were professionals, 25% semi-skilled workers, and 15% unskilled workers. Tourism from Dubai has significantly increased in recent years. According to the Department of Tourism, 15,155 Emirati nationals travelled to the Philippines in 2013, up 15% from the previous year.
The two countries also have a steady trade relationship. The UAE is the Philippines 16th largest bilateral trade partner. In 2013, trade between the two countries amounted to US$1.384bn. The UAE is the Philippines 14th largest source of imports, 90% of which consist of petroleum products, and its 21st export market. The Philippines top five exports include bananas, plantains, packing plastic, clothing and storage units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
Yes, all the companies are safe and fully-regulated money transfer services.
Each are authorised and regulated by the relevant authority such as the Financial
Conduct Authority(FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, FinTRAC in Canada or ASIC in Australia.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being from and to and how
you are sending and receiving the money. Transfers sent using bank to bank transfers
can depend take anywhere from minutes to days and you should check the time estimates
from the relevant provider. Debit and credit card payments sometimes allow for faster
transfers for smaller amounts.
How do I use FXcompared?
First review the comparison results (such as for a table above) for a given amount
of money sending from UAE to Philippines. Then select a provider based on
factors such as price, speed, their rating and click the green button to be taken to
their website. From there, you can register and sign up for an account. Once you have
done that and the provider has verified your identity to ensure the money can be send
safely, you will be ready to transfer money.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The results shown above are typically for bank to bank transfers. It is possible
via some providers to pay in your funds for the transfer via cash, debit or credit
cards as well but this is usually reserved for smaller amounts. Some providers also
give you different options for how the money will be received - to a bank account
(most common), to a debit card, to cash or to a digital or mobile wallet.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
There can be a number of reasons why the final price you are offered may be different
to that shown in the table above. Exchange rates between two currencies change all
the time and is the most common reason. Additionally, some providers offer different
pricing depending what method you are using to send funds or how the funds will be
received. Others may offer you a premium service for faster payments. In some cases
FXcompared has a special rate with a provider and this is reserved for first time
customers who sign up to the provider starting from FXcompared’s website.
As prices do change often, be sure to confirm the total cost with the provider
before transferring money.
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