The tropical climate and booming economy of the Philippines make the country a popular destination for expatriates and expanding companies. But like any country, the Philippines has specific laws regarding visas for non-nationals who wish to live and work within its borders.
Types of work visas in the Philippines
There are several types of visas available for international workers seeking entry into the Philippines. Visas and permits for individuals coming to the Philippines for business or employment purposes include:
- Temporary Visitor’s Visa for Business Purposes
- International Treaty Trader / Investor
- Special Non-Immigrant Visa Under E.O. 226
- Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
- 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa
- Provisional Work Permit
- Special Work Permit
This guide will focus on the 9(g) Work Visa, as this is the most common type of visa that is issued to nationals from other countries seeking employment in the Philippines. To apply for this visa, employees will first need to obtain an AEP.
Requirements to obtain Philippines work visas
To obtain an AEP, employees will need to provide the following documents:
- A completed application form
- The employment contract and any related documents
- A copy of the employee’s passport along with a valid visa
- A copy of the business permit (commonly known as Mayor’s Permit)
Applicants who are applying for a reissued permit will need to provide a copy of their current AEP in addition to the above documents.
Employees must have an AEP to apply for a 9(g) Work Visa. They must also secure a job with a company based in the Philippines before applying. The following are some of the documents needed to apply:
- A completed 9(g) Work Visa application form
- The applicant’s valid passport
- A notarized certification of the employer’s number of international employees and local employees from the Philippines
- A certified copy of the AEP issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- A newspaper clipping that shows the publication of the AEP application by DOLE
- A certificate of clearance from the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (B.I.)
- An Alien Certificate Registration I-Card
- Copies of the employment contract, the Articles of Incorporation (AOI), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) certification
- Any additional documents that support the applicant’s employment
Application process
The process for obtaining a Philippines work visa begins with an application for a 9(a) Visitor Visa at the Philippine consular post in the country of residence or nationality. Both the 9(a) Visitor Visa and the AEP application can be filed by the employer in the Philippines or the prospective employee.
The application for a 9(g) Work Visa must be sponsored by the employer and can be filed through the Bureau of Immigration.
It can take up to 7 months to complete the process of obtaining a 9(g) Work Visa, including 2 to 3 weeks for the AEP alone. Employees should plan to apply well in advance of their trip to the Philippines.
Other important considerations
There are a few considerations to keep in mind about work visas in the Philippines:
- A 9(g) Work Visa may initially be issued for 1 to 3 years, depending on the duration of the employment contract. The visa can later be extended for an additional period of 1 to 3 years.
- If an employee needs to begin working before the visa process is complete, they can apply for a Provisional Work Permit. An application for this permit can be filed as soon as the employee files an AEP application, and the permit can be issued in as little as 2 weeks. Like the 9(g) visa, this permit is issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
- Employees should note that their AEP is only valid for the position they held when they applied. If the employee takes a job with another company in the Philippines or even accepts a different position within the same company, they will need to apply for a new AEP.
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For this particular location, G-P may offer support in the processing of certain work visas and permits. Contact us today to assess your specific needs.