How To Apply for BDO ATM Debit Card in Philippines For Foreigners

You might ask about how to apply debit card while you are staying in the Philippines. Here are some frequently asked questions in relation to applying debit card. Or you might like to ask if it is necessary to hold an debit card in the Philippines being a foreigner? Well, it is totally up to you to decide but holding an ATM card will give you with personal safety. It is not only safer but it is also very convenient when you got debit card. ATM tellers are set up almost every corner of the main roads particularly in Metro-Manila. And it is not advisable to carry big amount money in your wallet in Manila. There have been cases like hold-upers rob mall goers regardless of local or foreigner even in the day light time.

Safety first

One thing I notice in the Philippines is that every professional worker (employees) even including sales attendant at various shopping malls holds ATM card(s). I later found out that they do so because their monthly salary is paid via their bank account. It is believed to be the safest way to do, perhaps!

ATM card saves someone from the harm of hold-upers in the public transportations (Buses, Jeeps etc.) and the country prestigious SM Shopping Malls. It saves someone from snatchers in the streets. In our school, all international students are repeatedly warned not to walk alone in the dark streets. However it is not only advisable to foreigners alone but also true to local citizens.

So while there is something to credit as one’s pride to carry a thick and fat wallet in his/her pocket, there is also a danger side to think of doing so.

Advantages

In Philippines, though everybody cannot have credit card, some business enterprises considerately make ways to help those who cannot afford.

There is a requirement in applying credit card that you must have a passive income of 120,000 pesos (USD 2,800) a year. Unfortunately general employees do not earn more than about seven to eight thousands pesos per month while 1,000 pesos must be your monthly salary of income to be eligible for credit card holding.

The advantages are: you can save your money with interest provided that you do not withdraw any amount from your ATM.

You can deposit your salary directly to your ATM account.

You can receive international money transfer via your ATM account. You just need to provide your account name, your account number, your Bank branch address, and swift code.

You can shop at SM shopping malls as much as you can shop with credit card. Or if you want to pay in cash, the ATM tellers are conveniently stationed around and inside the Malls.

How to apply

As an alien, if you would like to consider applying ATM card, the followings are helpful information and requirements in the procession. There are banks which are popular in the Philippines such as Metro Bank, Philippines National Bank, Banco de Oro (BDO), Bank of Philippines Islands (BPI) and many more.

1. Present your original passport with valid visa

2. Attach your recent id photos (2pcs)

3. Attach a Xerox copy of your passport

4. ACR I-Card (copy) or any other kind of valid id such as driving license

5. And fill up the form at the respective bank

Though these above information are subject to change depending upon the banks, but they are basic information that will helpful you prepare. For instance, in BDO bank you need to maintain at least 2,000 pesos balance to keep your ATM account valid whereas BPI bank only requires 200 pesos of balance. And at BPI you just need to have 1,000 pesos of deposit to be able to apply for the ATM plus 500 pesos service charge. You can avail of your ATM card applied within two business days at BPI. The validation process on your ATM Card will be found inside the package when you claim for it.

If you are sure that you will stay longer than six months in the Philippines as missionaries, or students or professional workers, it is very much advisable to hold ATM card.