My First 3 Months in Davao City:

1. Visa Extension – Done Online in Minutes 💻

One of the first things I had to handle was my first visa extension. I was ready for paperwork and long queues at the immigration office. Surprise – I did the whole thing online. Filled out the form, paid the fee with my Revolut card, and that was it. Smooth and simple. No office visit, no lines, no stress.

💳 GCash & Maya – The Future of Payments

Everyone talks about GCash, and it’s definitely useful. But here’s something many people don’t mention: for full access to all features (like receiving larger payments or sending money), you need an ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration).

Since my ACR I-Card is still in process (I’ll get it in mid-December), I looked for an alternative – and found Maya.

It’s basically the same kind of service, but the great thing is: foreigners can sign up with just their passport. A few minutes later, I had my own verified Maya account. Now I use it to pay bills, top up my phone, and even handle online payments.

Additional Benefit: I received a VISA Debit and a Master Debit card delivered right to my doorstep, free of charge, within 10 days! True credit cards are available through Maya, but typically not yet for new arrivals. That’s an important distinction to know.

👉 Pro-Tip: Skip the waiting game and set up your Maya account today. It takes less than 10 minutes, and you can start paying, transferring, and shopping right away.

⚡ Fiber Internet: Installed the Same Day!

I ordered fiber internet in the morning, and by the afternoon, the technician was already at my door. Installation took about an hour, and I was online before dinner.

I paid the first bill in cash directly to the installer (which is still pretty common here), but starting next month, I’ll be paying everything through Maya – fast and hassle-free.

🏦 Opening a Bank Account – Attempt 1: Online (with a Hitch)

The biggest surprise came during my third week. On October 18, 2025, I applied for a BDO savings account online. I uploaded a photo of my passport and a quick selfie holding it.

A few days later, I completed the verification via MS Teams video call with a BDO representative – and boom 💥, the ACR-I Card was required for finalization. So, I had to head to the office after all.

🏛️ The In-Person Visit: Surprisingly Quick!

Who likes going to the alien registration office as a foreigner? We arrived right on time. A young lady greeted us and reviewed my documents for a two-month extension of my tourist visa and the application for the ACR-I Card.

She handed me a form to fill out, and all in all: 30 minutes and $10,000 \, \text{PHP}$ later, my visa was extended until January 29, 2026. I can pick up my ACR-I Card on December 15, and my next 6-month visa extension can be done online again.

How easy is that? Everything was friendly and helpful. No comparison to the poor service I experienced in places like Portugal.

✅ Next Steps: Bank Account (Attempt 2) & Driver’s License

Since the ACR I-Card is now on its way, I’m tackling the final steps:

• BDO Bank Account (Attempt 2): Once I have the ACR I-Card, the second attempt at BDO will be successful.

• Driver’s License: I will be converting my foreign driver’s license to a Philippine one.

🌅 Final Thoughts: Davao Makes It Easy

Looking back, I’m honestly impressed at how smoothly everything worked out. In just three weeks, I managed to get:

• ✅ Visa extension done (Online & In-Person)

• ✅ Working Maya account (with just a passport)

• ✅ High-speed fiber internet

So if you’re reading all those horror stories online, take them with a grain of salt. Yes, the Philippines has its quirks, but here in Davao City, things are modern, digital, and surprisingly efficient.

💡 Quick Tip for Digital Nomads & New Arrivals

If you’re planning to stay longer in the Philippines:

• Extend your visa online (it truly works!).

• Open a Maya account with your passport.

• And don’t stress about the small stuff – most things here just work.

Ready to make your life easier in the Philippines?

👉 Get your Maya account now and go cashless from day one!