Moving To The Philippines? How to Find a Trusted Expat Relocation Provider

Moving to the Philippines? 🌴

Finding a trusted expat relocation provider can save you time, money, and stress.

Avoid scams.

Tip #1: Check Experience & Credentials

• Confirm the company is officially registered in the Philippines.
• Ask about experience handling relocations for expats.
• Check for industry affiliationss or professional certifications.

Tip #2: Watch out for Red Flags

• Quotation that are too good to be true. Lowball prices often hides hidden costs.
• Vague or non-existent written contracts. Always demand a clear breakdown and scope of service.
• Requests for full upfront payment without proper documentation.

Tip #3: Confirm Safety & Security

• Use secure payment methods (bank transfers, credit cards).
• Ask how your personal information and documents will be handled safely.
• Ask about their process for handling visas, permits, or government paperwork.

Why Choose E636 Expat Services?

• SEC-registered corporation with licensed legal & immigration partners.
• Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.
• Personalized relocation support.
• Secure payment methods with written agreements.

1. Legitimacy & Registration

• Are they a registered business in the Philippines (DTI/SEC)?
• Do they have a physical office you can actually visit, or is it just some guy running a “company” from his cousin’s sari-sari store?
• Check if they can issue official receipts (OR). If not, that’s a blazing red flag.

2. Scope of Services (Written, Not Verbal)

Confirm exactly what’s included:

• Visa assistance?
• ACR/I-Card processing?
• Housing assistance?
• Airport pickup?
• Local registration (Barangay Clearance, NBI, etc.)?
• Settling-in services?
• Make them list their responsibilities so they can’t magically “forget” later.

3. Timelines

• Ask for typical processing times for each service.
• Ask what they control vs. what’s dependent on government offices (so they can’t blame everything on “system offline,” the national excuse).

4. Pricing & Hidden Fees

• Full itemized quote.
• All government fees included?
• Do they charge extra for escorts, rush processing, or “miscellaneous paperwork”?
• Clarify if you pay them or the government office directly for certain steps.

5. Refund & Cancellation Policy

• What happens if they fail to deliver?
• Any partial refunds?
• Any guarantee of timelines or outcomes? (Spoiler: government outcomes can’t be guaranteed, but their work can.)

The contracts I’ve signed with my law firm for visa renewals, ACR, etc (when I first got here) all had a general disclaimer that they do not guarantee any outcome. Eventually, I’ve gotten everything I asked for, but sometimes it took a while and more effort than originally thought. E636 Expat Services strives to level set expectations appropriately regarding timelines and potential issues.

6. Experience With Foreign Clients

• How many foreigners have they actually helped?
• Any clients from your country?
• Can they point to online reviews that aren’t obviously written by the owner’s niece?

7. Communication Standards

• Do they respond within a reasonable time or only when the stars align?
• Will you get a dedicated contact person?
• Do they send updates proactively?

8. Transparency of Process

• Do they explain why each step is needed?
• Are they willing to tell you the government offices involved?
• If they treat the process like a top-secret ritual, run.

9. Staff Credentials

• Are they licensed immigration consultants (if applicable)?
• Do their employees actually know anything, or are you dealing with clueless “assistants” reading off Google?

10. Local Partnerships

• Do they have legitimate partnerships with landlords, law firms, schools, hospitals, etc., or are they just improvising everything?

11. Data Privacy Practices

• How will they handle your passport scans, IDs, and sensitive documents?
• Ask whether they store data securely or on some random guy’s laptop with a cracked version of Windows XP.

12. Post-Arrival Support

• Do they help after you land?
• How long will they assist you before they vanish into the tropical sunset?

13. Availability for Problem Solving

• Who do you contact if something goes wrong?
• Do they have any actual process for resolving client issues?

Thinking of Moving to the Philippines? Get Reliable Guidance.

Online communities are helpful for general questions. For anything important, you still need accurate, professional, and updated information. E636 Expat Services helps foreigners with:

• Residency and long term visas
• Bank account opening
• Health insurance guidance
• Real estate assistance
• Business setup
• Retirement planning
• A smooth and secure transition into life in the Philippines

If you want to move with confidence instead of relying on random comments online, we can guide you every step of the way.

Book a consultation with E636 and start your journey the right way.

Photo by Markus Spisk on Unsplash