Before you start

ACR I-Card
Passport with valid visa
TIN
Proof of Philippine address
Employer certificate of employment

Step-by-step

1
Wait until you have the ACR I-Card
This is the practical gate. Some banks accept alternatives for foreigners on specific visa types, but the card removes all argument.
In personWho: You
2
Choose a bank
BDO and BPI have the widest branch and ATM networks; Metrobank and Security Bank are strong alternatives; UnionBank is the most digitally capable.
In personWho: You
3
Open the account in branch
Bring originals of everything. Banks typically require an initial deposit and a maintaining balance, and will ask for a certificate of employment.
In personWho: You
4
Set up GCash or Maya
These wallets are used for everything from paying a tricycle driver to splitting a bill. Linking one to your bank account is close to essential for daily life.
Mobile appWho: You
5
Consider a dollar account if you're paid abroad
Philippine banks offer foreign-currency accounts, which avoid converting at the wrong moment. Ask specifically — it isn't offered by default.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

ACR I-Card
Passport and visa
TIN
Proof of address
Certificate of employment
Initial deposit

Things most newcomers don’t know

The ACR I-Card is the practical gate to banking.

This is why the immigration sequence has real downstream consequences — the card sits behind the 9(g), which sits behind the AEP. A delay at the DOLE stage eventually shows up as you being unable to open a bank account two months later.

Source: Philippine banking KYC practice for foreigners

GCash and Maya are used more than cards in daily life.

Small merchants, delivery riders, tricycle drivers and friends all transact through them. A newcomer relying on cards alone is constantly the awkward one at the counter.

Source: community-reported, near-universal usage

Maintaining balances are real and enforced.

Fall below the required balance and monthly penalty fees start. It's a small amount but it catches people who open an account and then leave it near-empty while their salary goes elsewhere.

Source: Philippine retail banking terms

Ask about a dollar account if you earn in foreign currency.

Peso volatility means the timing of conversion matters. Foreign-currency accounts exist at most major banks but are rarely proposed to you unprompted.

Source: Philippine banking products