According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), there are more than 153,000 foreign nationals who took part in this year’s annual reports. These individuals are holders of immigrants and non-immigrant visas in the country. In this regard, the Philippine government encourages foreign nationals, not only to travel, but also to live and work in the country.
Over the coming years, the Philippines’ economy is expected to grow by 4% or more yearly due to the beginning of outsourcing and setting up of international companies in the country. This development is a good opportunity for foreign employees to gain valuable work experience, while also living in the country.
Who are Eligible to Apply for a Work Visa in the Philippines?
Foreign nationals who are engaged in missionary, social, rehabilitation, or in any lawful occupation, whether for earnings or other forms of compensation, are eligible to apply for a work visa in the Philippines. Additionally, its visa holder’s or applicant’s spouse and dependent children who are below the age of twenty-one (21) and unmarried are also eligible to apply for this type of visa.
What are the Types of Work Visa in the Philippines?
When applying for a work visa, there are different types that an applicant can apply for:
- Pre-Arranged Employee Non-Commercial Visa is also known as the Missionary Visa. It is granted for foreign nationals who are engaged in missionary, social, social, rehabilitation, and medical professions. They must also be involved in the community immersion project in a community or assigned location, where they must not also be receiving an income.
- Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa is offered to foreign nationals who are employed in the Philippines. This type of visa allows its holder to stay and work in the country for a duration period approved by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), corresponding to the holder’s employment contract.
What are the Requirements for a Work Visa in the Philippines?
The following are the required documents for a foreign employee and their dependent/s when processing a work visa application in the Philippines:
Requirements for Employee/s
- Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant and the petitioner
- Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa
- Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
- Photocopy of Employment Contract, Secretary’s Certificate of Election, Appointment or Assignment of applicant, or equivalent document, with details of exact compensation, duration of employment and comprehensive description of the nature and scope of the applicant’s position in the company
- Photocopy of petitioner’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with the corresponding proof of payment (official receipt, bank teller’s validation slip, BIR’s eFPS payment details print-out or other similar evidence)
- For Corporations or Partnerships, photocopies of the following:
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration
- Articles of Incorporation
- General Information Sheet (GIS) for the current year stamped received by the SEC
- For Single Proprietorship, photocopies of the following:
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Certificate of Registration of Business Name
- Mayor’s Permit
- Photocopy of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and actual publication of the applicant’s approved AP or in the absence thereof, a Certificate of Publication issued by the Publisher
- Notarized certification number of foreign and Filipino employees from the petitioning company
- Special Temporary Permit for an applicant practicing a regulated profession under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), if applicable
- Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate
- Original or certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if applicant is a national of any of the countries listed under Annex “A” of Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A who arrived in the Philippines on or after June 2014
Requirements for Dependent/s
- Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa
- Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
- Proof of filiation with the applicant
- Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate
- Original and certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if applicant is a national of any of the countries listed under Annex “A” of Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A who arrived in the Philippines on or after June 2014
How to Process a Work Visa in the Philippines?
To process a work visa in the Philippines, the applicant must follow these procedures:
- Fill Out the Form. Secure the Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) from either the Public Information and Assistance Unit (PIAU) at BI G/F Main Office or the official website of the Bureau of Immigration. Additionally, fill out the CGAF and ensure that all the given information is complete and accurate.
- Submission of Documents. Submit the required documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU) or to the frontline officer or staff of other Immigration Offices.
- Payment of Fees. Pay the required fees and submit the copy of the Official Receipt.
- Attend Hearing. Refer to the Official Receipt for the schedule and venue of the hearing.
- Biometric Capture. Proceed to the Image and Fingerprint Capturing Center of the Alien Registration Division (ARD) and submit the required documents for ACR I-Card application.
- Monitor Status. Check the official website of BI to know if your visa application has been already approved.
- Approval. Once your visa application is approved, you must submit your passport for visa implementation. You may also claim your ACR I-Card upon its approval.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Work Visa in the Philippines?
Processing a Work Visa in Commercial and Non-Commercial usually takes between one (1) to two (2) months from the filing date. Moreover, the visa application process and approval may take even longer, depending on the additional requirements that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will require you to submit before the issuance of the applied visa.
What are the Work Permits in the Philippines?
Other than the work visa, the foreign employees in the Philippines are also required to obtain the following work permits:
- Alien Employment Permit (AEP). This work permit must be secured before applying for a 9G visa and can be applied by either the applicant or their employer. It is valid for one (1) to three (3) years, depending on their employment contract, which allows foreign employees to engage in long-term employment in the country.
- Special Work Permit (SWP). This permit is given to foreign nationals who are employed in the country for a short-term. It is valid for three (3) months and can be renewed for another three (3) months, allowing the foreign employee to work in the country for a total of six (6) months.
- Provisional Work Permit (PWP). This type of work permit is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to foreign employees in the country who are waiting for the approval of their work visa application. It is valid for three (3) months from the date of the issuance or until their visa has been approved.
- Special Temporary Permit (STP). This permit is issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), which serves as a prerequisite for Alien Employment Permit (AEP) for skilled positions and allows foreign nationals to practice their respective profession in the country.
- Other Special Permits. This type of work permit is offered to foreign nationals who work in special industries. This permit is applied with the respective agencies—the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for geoscience and mining industries and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for nationalized or partially nationalized industries.
Need further information and assistance regarding Work Visa (9G)? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+632) 8478 5826 or +63 917 194 0482, or send an email to info@duranschulze.com for more information.
