Your first 90 days in Philippines: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Obligations outlast the card: the in-person Annual Report every Jan 1–Mar 1 (fines + motion fee if missed) and an ECC exit clearance after 6+ months in-country catch many first-year residents.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration): registration with the Bureau of Immigration
Required once a stay passes 59 days; long-stay visa holders register as part of visa implementation
Biometrics at a BI office; the card doubles as the immigration ID and carries the annual-report obligation; issuance commonly takes weeks.
Get your TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number), BIR
Needed for employment payroll, some bank forms, and government transactions.
Employees get it via the employer (Form 1902); others one-time under E.O. 98 (Form 1904) at a Revenue District Office.
Open a bank account
Banks commonly want the ACR I-Card plus proof of local address; a few open basic accounts on passport + visa. Digital banks and GCash fill the early gap; FATCA paperwork applies to US persons.
Enrol in healthcare
PhilHealth is mandatory via payroll for foreign employees and open voluntarily to others (SRRV retirees can enroll); most expats still carry an HMO or private policy for private hospitals.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign license stays valid 90 days from arrival; after that, LTO conversion to a non-professional license — valid foreign license, medical certificate, and fees; an expired license means taking the exams.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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First 90 days in Philippines: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Philippines?
ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration): registration with the Bureau of Immigration — Required once a stay passes 59 days; long-stay visa holders register as part of visa implementation. Biometrics at a BI office; the card doubles as the immigration ID and carries the annual-report obligation; issuance commonly takes weeks. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number), BIR is Philippines's personal tax/ID number. Needed for employment payroll, some bank forms, and government transactions. Employees get it via the employer (Form 1902); others one-time under E.O. 98 (Form 1904) at a Revenue District Office.
Can I drive in Philippines on a US license?
A foreign license stays valid 90 days from arrival; after that, LTO conversion to a non-professional license — valid foreign license, medical certificate, and fees; an expired license means taking the exams. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Philippines?
PhilHealth is mandatory via payroll for foreign employees and open voluntarily to others (SRRV retirees can enroll); most expats still carry an HMO or private policy for private hospitals. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Philippines's system treats foreign residents.