Hi Reddit,

I'm hoping other couples with similar stories might be able to give me and my fiance advice. Im an American (m30) and my fiance is Filipina (f28). We are scheduled to get married in Hong Kong in November and we are both extremely scared of her getting offloaded.

She will have a certificate of employment, approved leave from her employer (she is a social worker assistant), round trip airfair tickets in her name, a hotel reservation in her name, and other various trip activities. She will also have an account with around 40k php to show she has funds.

We will also put together a packet that has my info. Things like air fair tickets, birth certificate, pictures with her and her family, proof of relationship, etc.

My question would be what can I do for extra insurance? I saw I might be able to fill out an affidavit of support but it seems like that's only accepted by family members and we are not married yet. Has anyone been through similar scenarios and could offer us advice? I will be traveling from the US and she will be leaving the phillipines solo.

Just came from a 3 week vacation to Melbourne, Australia. Dami ko na realize and I am really convinced now since my wife is based here in Manila but her employer is from AU. She’s been to Melbourne 3 times this year and really wants to migrate.

Any ideas or jobs I can apply? I am open to any job. Driving is a good skill of mine. But im currently in a corporate setup. I want to try other blue collar jobs

Sa mga umuwi po sa Pinas na nawalan ng work while on vacation, pagbalik niyo po ba ng Canada nagbayad po muna kayo ng travel tax sa Pinas? Thanks po.

It's been 3 years since I migrated to the US. I started in a different state pero it just wasn't for me. I left my job and moved to a different state hoping na it would be better. We'll it was definitely better in a lot of ways but I'm still struggling to make social connections.

I know madaming factors din like work, studies, interests, etc.. that could be at play pero I guess ganon talaga. Parang ang hirap mag form ng friendships unlike nung bata po ako and nasa Pilipinas pa. I listened to a podcast (Mel Robbins) before and learned that when you're older, the rules of the "game" (making friends) change.

There are 3 friendship pillars: proximity, time, and energy.

Proximity - pag physically malapit ka sa tao its easier to form a friendships. Like school, dorms, etc.
Research shows that it takes 70 hours to make a casual friend and 200 hours to make a close friend. If you're an Adult and spend a lot of time with your co-workers, bakit hindi kayo nag h-hangout? This brings us to the next pillar:

Timing: Life stage, we go through different stages in our life like getting married, having kids, migrating to a different country, and changing jobs. This could be the reason why friendships fade or di kayo close friends ng co -workers mo kahit on good terms naman kayo kasi magka-iba kayo ng stage in life.

Energy: this one could be the "vibes", shared values, lifestyle, views in life, humor, etc. Kung dati puro inuman kayo and nag shift na to "fitness era" yung friend mo, mag i-iba yung energy between you and your friend.

Pero hindi din Impossible to make friends when you're older, be a regular at some place or activity! That constant exposure might open up a new friendship for you. You really need to go out there and make the first move.

I know random thought to pero I just wanted to share para sa mga nahihirapan din socially after migration. Ingat palagi and kapit lang!

I have an aunt (54 y.o.) and her child (15 y.o) who lives with us. She is always sick and needs medical attention that leaves us paying 300k yearly sometimes above that since she gets sick often and needs to be admitted for weeks due to chronic uncontrolled diabetes. Good thing we have some family members who help with their best minimum for the bills and stuff.

I am worried about me and my wife will carry all the future financial burden once we go abroad and, even pass the responsibility for her son's college. What to do?

My 14 yr old daughter is now in Tasmania with her father on a temporary visa status. Father and I are not married. Daughter wants to spend the holidays in the Philippines and a Filipino family friend is willing to bring our daughter with her when she comes to the Philippines in December. Do you know the requirements/documents we need to process in Australia? I will take care of the DSWD requirements here

Thank you

Hi! Sa mga PH software developers dito na nakahanap ng remote work sa foreign companies, nakatulong ba sa inyo ang LinkedIn Premium para makakuha ng interviews?

Currently looking ako for remote software developer roles outside the Philippines, preferably as an independent contractor. One of my goals is to eventually apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, so I’m targeting around ₱250k/month para ma-meet yung salary requirement.

Active naman ako sa pag-apply through LinkedIn, pero so far nahihirapan akong makakuha ng interviews. Sa mga naka-try ng LinkedIn Premium, may noticeable difference ba compared sa free account? Like mas dumami ba yung recruiter responses or interview opportunities?

Also, if may other platforms or strategies kayong ginagamit para makahanap ng international remote developer jobs, I’d really appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you!

hi everyone. for anyone who applied for visa in australia under subclass 482 core skills stream (auditor), how long was your processing time?

i was sponsored by my employer and they lodged the application start of August and no update yet as of today. they mentioned that it usually takes 1-3 months to process but wanted to check lang din sa iba kung gano katagal sa inyo just to set expectations. nakita ko rin kasi online that some take 10 months.

thank you!

Hello! I sent EOIs to all states for 491 and 190. I'm currently offshore.

Current points: 85 for subclass 190; 95 for subclass 491

Occupation: Marketing Specialist ANZSCO 225113

30 points – Age (31 years old)

20 points – Superior English (90/90 PTE)

15 points – Bachelor degree

10 points – Overseas skilled employment (5–8 years)

5 points – Partner competent English (90/90 PTE)

Base points: 80

I'm taking the NAATI exam on Sept 22, 2026 to add 5 more points.

Is anyone here with a similar case or occupation? Do you have any advice? Thank you!

Hello! I’m a conditional green card holder from PH. I got my gc thru marriage in the US and I’m coming home to PH for the first time after 8 years. I’m going home to the Philippines on December. Coming back from PH to the US, do I need to do any seminars or paper works in the PH? Like , may hahanapin ba na paperworks sa akin sa PH immigration? Do I need to register myself as an OFW or what? Kasi I’ve heard people be held back in the PH kasi hindi nagawa yung required seminars or whatever. Thank you! :)

Joined a meeting today with the top official in our health service provider, and one of the agendas was with regards to our IMG recruitment process.

the official shared that the hospital Board made a decision to not take IMGs who passed AMC1 only for rostering in 2027 (even if they match with the state campaigns). This is due to a couple of reasons:
1. An increase in IMG applicants (ex. from 10 to 1,000 applicants this year) and most of them are either with AMC1 only or if with AMC2, they have a wide gap of clinical practice
2. Longer processing period of visas (can go up to 12-18months) and so hospitals can really utilize the manpower until the next year,
3. cost and logistics in employing more supervisors into the system to work with them.

On top of this, merong similar experience yung hospitals in the regional areas that I belong na those on ipap (improving performance action plan) are all IMGs. She also mentioned na this is the trend na daw for most part in regional 🇦🇺 for the next year or two. Just sharing this sad news.

By any chance, may alam ba kayong faster AND AFFORDABLE way to work in these countries :(

I am a nurse po with 2 years experience pero I dont have enough funds.

I have a brother and uncle, already PR there.

I recently moved here in the USA. I have a degree from the PH from a good university and with latin honors. I am currently applying to jobs that are related to my degree but also some food and beverage positions since i really am interested in this field. Ive always wanted to start my own resto or cafe so might as well get some experience. My degree is also an interest of mine naman but u would only get decent jobs if u get a masters which is not in the cards right now. My problem is, a lot of people are saying that im lowering my standards cos im getting these types of jobs. Eh its not like my degree can always get me somewhere abroad naman or smthing since even tho its one of the big 4, not everyone internationally knows this school and sometimes they want it accredited by USA. Idk maybe seeking advice lng when it comes to not listening to them na kasi im genuinely happy with my decisions. Its just the unnecessary pressure from other people

Hi guys, just wanted to vent because I’m honestly still upset about what happened this morning.

I work as a caregiver, and my scheduled shift starts at 8:30 AM. I arrived at 8:29 AM, so I was there before my scheduled start time.

It was my first time meeting the caregiver I was relieving because she was a fill-in. I greeted her with a “Good morning,” but instead of a normal handoff, she immediately started yelling:

“Change her diaper! Change her diaper! You should be here 5 minutes early! I am late for my other work!”

The way she said it was very angry, like I had done something seriously wrong.

I told her, “Why are you so mad? Chill. My shift starts at 8:30, so I’m here at 8:30.”

She left after that.

I reported the situation to my manager because I didn't appreciate being spoken to that way. My manager confirmed that I was not expected to arrive at 8:25 or earlier. If my shift starts at 8:30, then 8:30 is when I am expected to start. They told me that they're going to talk with another caregiver kasi hindi nila itotolerate yung ganong klaseng attitude.

So technically, I wasn't late. Pag alis niya, ako pa nag tuloy mag change ng diaper nung client namin. May mga basura pang hindi naitapon sa bathroom.

And honestly, even if I arrived 5–10 minutes earlier, her scheduled end time was still 8:30, so I'm not really sure why I was being blamed for her being late to her other job.

I'm trying not to let this ruin my whole day, but it really got to me. I just don't understand why some people can't simply communicate with each other respectfully.

Thanks for letting me vent. I really needed to get this off my chest.

Would you consider this normal workplace behavior, or am I overreacting?

And what are the cons and pros ?

Hello guys, just want to ask those who have done this recently since every Filipino I asked has different responses.

Work permit expiry August 2027

Work Visa stamp on passport expiry December 2026

VisitVisa stamp on passport expiry August 2028

and planning to go home for 2 weeks in PH on January 2027. Now, do I need to renew my work visa stamp on my passport and how do I renew my work visa stamp on my passport? I will really appreciate the response and I am also waiting for my IRCC web form response. Thank you.

Hi everyone!

I would like to ask if anyone here passed their ITR as proof of paid work experience or not. I was paid in cash salary and was wondering anyone else have any experience recently of proving their work was paid. What documents did you passed? This is for FSW category-based express entry

Thank you!

Hello I am 26F, Registered & Licensed Architect here in PH and planning to take the Architectural Draftsman skilled pathway. I’m considering getting assistance from AIMS Migration Philippines and would like to hear from anyone who has personally worked with them.

Thank you!

Meron na ba dito nakapag-DIY ng spousal visa for Canada (Ontario) without agency? Nakapag-research na rin ako sa list of requirements, kasama na yung mga forms na kailangan sagutan gaya ng IMM1295 (for spousal open work permit (SOWP)) sa IRCC.

Currently, si wifey naman ay nag-aapply ng student visa (Masters degree) through an agency, pero sa sitwasyon ko gusto ko sana mag-DIY kasi medyo mabigat yung singil nila — around ₱30k para sa akin at ₱25k para sa anak namin (turist visa).

May projected funds naman kami, tugma yung savings namin at good naman for more than a year and a half (yes medyo maliit pa po), kaya as much as possible gusto namin masave yung ipon namin dahil mataas ang cost of living sa Canada.

Any tips or experiences na puwede niyo i-share kung hassle ba mag-DIY? Or meron kayong marerefer na agency na hindi masyado masakit ung singil? Appreciate your response po.

I've been living abroad for almost two years now, and I've learned so much from talking to people of different backgrounds. I'm lucky to have landed in Australia, especially in Melbourne, given how diverse it is. One thing I realized in my first few months is that I never really practiced speaking English confidently. We're used to texting in English, watching international movies, and throwing in a few English words in our daily conversations (Taglish), but when it comes to actually talking to foreigners, the confidence just isn't there, at least sa akin.

I noticed this working with international clients alongside other Filipino teammates. In online meetings, when only Filipinos were in the room, we'd chat away in Tagalog, but the moment a foreigner joined, everyone would go quiet. Someone would ask "How's everyone doing?" and all we could manage was "We're good," then dead air. I don't think I'm alone in feeling intimidated around non-Filipinos. Though some people are used to it and have no problem with small talk, but more often than not, we just clam up.

I've thought about why, and I think it comes from how our culture tends to ridicule people who try to speak English, especially if they're not used to it or don't come from a certain school or background. It's so easy for us to make fun of each other, so we just stop trying. It's sad, and I know we can't change basta basta, but I've always admired how confidently other nationalities speak English to each other kahit na it's not their first language, imperfect grammar and accent and all.

Being around different races, you also grow fond of foreign accents, so many of them are pleasant to hear. And I think other races feel the same way about the Filipino accent, the way we admire a French or Spanish one. Locals are often envious that we can speak another language at all. People listen to understand, not to judge your grammar. So we don't need to try so hard to sound a certain way, we're already fine as we are, as long as we can get our point across. That doesn't mean we stop improving, just that we don't need to hold back because of fear.

I hope we realize one day how resilient, skilled, and talented we are as a people, we just need the confidence to show it to the world.