Getting your documents in order is only part of preparing to work overseas. The personal side — your finances, your family arrangements, and your own expectations — often matters just as much for how well your time abroad actually goes. Here’s what to think through before you leave.
Get Honest About the Financial Picture — Before and After You Leave
It’s worth confronting a statistic that might be uncomfortable: government financial surveys have found that only around 1 in 3 OFW families actually save a portion of the remittances they receive, and a much smaller share invest any of it. The temptation to treat overseas income as unlimited — especially in the excitement of a new job — is common, and it’s exactly what leads many OFWs to return home after years abroad without much to show for it.
Before you leave, sit down (ideally with whoever will be managing your remittances at home) and actually plan:
- What portion of your income goes to your family’s living expenses vs. savings vs. debt repayment
- Who manages the money at home, and how you’ll both stay accountable to the plan — not just trust it’ll work out
- A realistic timeline: overseas work is temporary, even if a contract gets renewed multiple times. Having a plan for what happens when you eventually stop working abroad matters more than it feels like it does when you’re just starting out
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), together with OWWA, runs a financial literacy program called PiTaKa (Pinansyal na Talino at Kaalaman) specifically for OFWs and their families, covering remittance management, debt reduction, and savings habits. Some financial literacy content is also built into the PDOS/PAOS (Pre-Departure and Post-Arrival Orientation Seminars) you’ll already be attending — pay real attention to this part rather than treating it as a formality, since it directly addresses one of the most common long-term regrets among returning OFWs.
Set Up Banking and Remittance Channels Before You Leave, Not After
Sort out how you’ll actually send money home before you’re already abroad and juggling a new job and unfamiliar surroundings. This typically means:
- Confirming which bank or remittance service you’ll use, and making sure your family at home has active accounts ready to receive funds
- Understanding transfer fees and exchange rates for your specific destination country — these vary significantly and can eat into remittances more than people expect
- Setting up online/mobile banking access if your destination country and bank support it, so you’re not dependent on manual processes once you’re working
Have an Actual Family Communication Plan
“We’ll just video call” isn’t a plan — time zone differences, unpredictable work schedules (especially for caregiving, hospitality, or shift-based roles), and internet access limitations in some job settings can make casual assumptions about staying in touch fall apart quickly. Before you go:
- Discuss realistic expectations for how often you’ll actually be able to communicate, given your specific job’s hours and location
- Agree on how decisions about home (finances, children’s schooling, family emergencies) will be handled when you’re not immediately reachable
- If you have children, consider how the transition will be explained and supported — this affects both you and them more than people often plan for
Think Beyond the Current Contract — Have an Exit Plan
DMW officials have specifically emphasized that OFWs and their families should think through a “clear exit strategy” from the start, not just focus on the immediate job. Overseas work is, by nature, temporary — even multi-year or renewed contracts eventually end, whether by choice or circumstance. Thinking about this early, rather than only when a contract is ending, gives you more options:
- What skills or savings are you building toward using once you return, or move to a next opportunity?
- OWWA’s reintegration programs include scholarships, skills training, and business loan support (for example, financing programs for OFWs interested in starting a business upon return) — these exist specifically to help with this transition, and it’s worth knowing they exist even if you don’t need them immediately
- Avoid the common pattern of treating each contract renewal as indefinite — reassess periodically rather than drifting
Prepare Practically for Daily Life in Your Destination Country
- Climate and packing: Research actual conditions for your specific destination and season — don’t assume based on general impressions of a country or region.
- Local customs and workplace norms: Basic cultural awareness (appropriate dress, workplace hierarchy expectations, religious/cultural observances) reduces friction significantly, especially in your first weeks.
- Emergency contacts: Know how to reach the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and the OWWA office or Migrant Workers Office serving your destination country, before you need them — not after.
- Health considerations: If you take regular medication, understand what’s legal/available in your destination country, since regulations vary and some common medications may be restricted elsewhere.
Mentally Prepare for the Adjustment Period
Homesickness, workplace adjustment, and the isolation of being somewhere unfamiliar are normal, even for workers who felt fully ready before leaving. This isn’t something that means you made the wrong choice — it’s a genuinely common part of the transition. Knowing that in advance can make the first few months easier to get through, and knowing where to turn (OWWA welfare officers, Migrant Workers Offices, or simply a support network of fellow OFWs at your destination) matters more than trying to push through alone.
For document-specific preparation, see our Documents Needed Before Deployment guide. For what to expect once you’re actually being interviewed and hired, see our What to Expect During an Overseas Job Interview guide.
Program names, contact channels, and specific benefit details can change over time — confirm current OWWA and DMW program details directly through their official channels before relying on specifics mentioned here.
Suzaine Marave researches and writes about OFW resources, government benefits, and job opportunities for Filipino workers both locally and abroad. She founded Benefitswise in 2026 to bring together verified, up-to-date information in one place — cutting through the confusion and misinformation that job seekers often encounter. Every guide is researched using official government sources (POEA/DMW, OWWA, embassy resources) and cross-checked before publishing.