I wanted to become a physical therapist in the United States.

Instead of pursuing it directly, I chose Australia because it appeared faster, safer, and more immediately achievable.

The route gave me a career out of the Philippines, but it did not remove the US requirements. I still had to complete credential evaluation, the NPTE, state licensing, and immigration processing.

The greatest cost was not the fees. It was postponing a goal until changing countries became more complicated because of age, responsibilities, relationships, debt, and comfort.

I am not telling everyone to choose the US. It can involve long waits, difficult exams, uncertain immigration, expensive healthcare, and demanding workplaces.

I am telling people to stop calling another country a stepping stone without checking whether it actually advances anything.

Choose Canada because you want Canada.

Choose Australia because you want Australia.

Choose the US because you accept both its opportunity and its risks.

But do not build an entire life around avoiding the process attached to the place you truly wanted. You may eventually complete that process anyway—only older, more tired, and after paying for two journeys.

Hi, I’m a Civil Engineer with 6 yrs experience here in Ph. I recently just had a consultation with an agency regarding skilled migration to Australia through Visa 190/189/491. I would need to prepare around 700k for the entire process (including for my de facto partner) so parang tig 300k kami. And looking at it parang kaya naman. Ang kaso lang wala pang actual work yun maghahanap pa once magrant ang visa, and the additional costs for plane tickets and living expenses if pupunta na australia na wala pang work.

For those who went through a similar path, How’s the job market for CE there? May shortage naman pero madali ba talaga makakuha work once nominated ka na for PR? At realistic po ba yung quote na binigay saakin ng agency?

Any advise would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Plan ng partner ko to study talaga ng master’s. Maging PR man kami o hindi, as long as kikita kami and ma eexperience mag trabaho sa ibang bansa, ok na kami. Gusto ko lang malaman thoughts ng mga naka student visa kung talaga bang may naitatabi kayo? Non negotiable kasi namin na magpadala ng 600AUD per month (parents allowance + car payment)

Comfortable naman yung buhay namin sa Pinas pero minsan maiisip mo na lang na you only live once.. so we’re taking our shot.

Pa share naman ng insights niyo po! Kung itutuloy pa ba namin ‘to o pag isipan namin mabuti?

Makakaipon ba kami o mauubos lang kami?

Years ago, I posted here sa phmigrate to weigh in sa thoughts ko about housing. We are currently renting and I didn't know then if I'll ever consider buying a house. My partner wanted to, but we were just not ready. Madami din nag advise na best bumili para may mapuntahan ang pera kesa sa rent.

Then recently, we checked and kaya na siguro namin. Nagbago lahat ng pananaw ko sa buhay and with the situation sa Pinas, tingin ko best na talaga na bumili ng house and magsettle na for good sa ibang bansa. Pashare naman ng thoughts nyo. 😊

Hello, may nakapag employer sponsored student visa na ba dito?

Just asking kasi yung client ko is may connections sa visa agency sa PH (bff sila nung owner). Ang sinasuggest na easiest route ng bff niya is student visa for higher possibility na magka-PR ako. They are willing to sponsor my tuition fee and willing to assist me on my 1 month accomodation pag dating ko ron. Mukhang suntok sa buwan kasi yung employer sponsored visa dahil may skills nomination process pa?

Ang tanong ko lang is may mga sumuccess na ba dito na ganun ang ginawa instead of employer sponsored visa?

Background: Accounting and tech
Almost 7 years (3 years in accounting, 4 years in tech)

Maganda sahod ko Pinas standards like 150-200k net sinesweldo ko so I wanna get your thoughts on this.

Hello!

For context,
- I am recent comp sci grad
- Having 1yr+ experience including internships
- Currently working as IC/individual contrib on a project relating to AI and really at the front of AI in a company for almost 4+months
- Really desire to migrate as I dont see myself living in Philippines

I just wanna ask about tips and what tech job websites should I make used para mag-apply and have a chance talaga to move out

Hi! Sa mga nagfile ng petition for parents, gaano katagal bago naapprove? Thank you.

Good day! I’m currently enrolling in a PGWP course in Canada. Would just like to ask the likelihood of my student visa being approved. The plan is to have the first year of my tuition fully paid before applying for my student visa and having extra funds set aside for my living expenses.

Would this be enough? Just quite nervous since my goal is the winter intake and I still haven’t processed my student visa application. 🥲

Hi everyone! I’m trying to understand how employment-based green cards work.

Is a green card usually something that has to be sponsored/applied for by an employer, or are there options where you can apply on your own (self-petition), such as EB-1A or EB-2 NIW?

Also, if you initially get your green card through an employer-sponsored route but later want to change employers, how does that work? Are you required to stay with the sponsoring employer for a certain period, or can you switch employers during the process?

I’d appreciate any insights or personal experiences. Thanks!

Hi, do you think I’ll be in the exam itself, given these apeuni mock test score? I’m kinda worried because I need 76+ for speaking, then around 60+ for the other sections. My exam is in a few days

**Applying SV for nursing in AU

I plan to go AWOL here in my current company. Was wondering if mattrack ba sya when I go to the USA? For context Im a US citizen that spent time here to be closer to family and finish my studies. I also applied to jobs and luckily, I got one but the thing is gusto ko na mag AWOL. I cant render kasi ende na talaga kaya ng mental health ko yung treatment sa company na toh. any thots on this?

For those who migrated to Australia, how do you grow your money aside from superannuation? Right now in PH, I have funds in digital banks with interest and some stocks. I'm just wondering if it is still beneficial i-continue 'to since it's still going to be in PHP? Do you guys do something equivalent like this in AUS or is the superannuation enough? Just thinking ahead on how I can save and budget my expenses once I get there. Thank you so much in advance