Our 9(g) Work Visa application and renewal services provide the essential legal framework and technical assistance for foreign workers and their employing entities in compliance with Philippine immigration and labor laws.
What You Should Know About the 9(g) Work Visa in the Philippines
Under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (C.A. 613) and relevant DOLE regulations, a 9(g) Work Visa or 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa is a primary visa requirement for any foreign national seeking to engage in gainful employment within the Philippines.
The work visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to foreign workers who will be employed in a technical, managerial, or highly confidential position. It is a “company-specific” visa, meaning the validity of the visa holder’s stay is tied directly to the employment with a specific SEC or DTI-registered petitioner-employer.
What Duran & Duran-Schulze Law Does
As a leading visa and immigration services provider in the Philippines, Duran & Duran-Schulze Law serves as a strategic liaison between the petitioner-employer, the foreign national, and the relevant regulatory bodies. We manage complex filings and timelines with both the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), ensuring that initial applications and renewals are executed with precision.
Our 9(g) Work Visa Application and Renewal Services
We ensure that every regulatory milestone in the 9(g) Work Visa application and renewal is met with technical precision and professional oversight:
Comprehensive Visa Consultation
We conduct a high-level assessment of the foreign national’s qualifications and the petitioner-company’s corporate standing to ensure eligibility. With our proactive approach, we mitigate the risk of application denials and delays.
Labor Market Test (PhilJobNet Publication)
In compliance with labor regulations, we manage the mandatory publication of the job vacancy through PhilJobNet, Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Job Placement Office (JPO) and other newspapers within the prescribed timeframes.
Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Application
We handle the formal filing of the AEP application with the relevant DOLE Regional Office while ensuring all corporate documents and contracts are meticulously prepared. We oversee the process from submission to the release of the AEP card.
Integrated Support Services (TIN, PWP, and Extensions)
Apart from the basic AEP and visa applications, we also manage essential auxiliary requirements, including securing a Tax Identification Number (TIN), Provisional Work Permit (PWP), and Tourist Visa Extensions.
9(g) Work Visa Application
Once the AEP is secured, we file the formal application for the 9(g) Commercial Work Visa with the Bureau of Immigration (BI). We draft the necessary documents, represent the employer during evaluations, and coordinate the biometrics for ACR I-Card issuance.
9(g) Work Visa Renewal
We also provide a systematic monitoring service to initiate renewal proceedings at least 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of the AEP and visa. We ensure an uninterrupted legal status for the foreign expatriates and avoid substantial fines.
How to Get Started
For inquiries on requirements, processes, and fees, contact Duran & Duran-Schulze Law at (+632) 8478 5826, (+63) 917 194 0482, or info@duranschulze.com, or simply complete the form on this page. Our office is located at 1210 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Need to Consult a Lawyer?
You can book an online or in-person consultation with Atty. March. Choose a 30-minute or 1-hour session, fill out the form with your information and preferred schedule, pay the fee via PayPal, and meet with the attorney at the scheduled time.
Atty. Marie Christine Duran-Schulze
Managing Partner [Read Profile]
Business and Corporate Law, Family Law, Litigation, Immigration Laws, Real Estate, Labor Management, and HR Services
9(g) Work Visa Application and Renewal FAQs
For your reference and guidance, here are some frequently asked questions about the 9(g) work visa application and renewal in the Philippines:
No, they are different. A foreign national must first obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE to be hired by a local company. This serves as a prerequisite for the 9(g) Work Visa, which allows the foreign national to legally stay and work in the Philippines. The 9 (g) visa cannot be issued without a valid AEP.
The responsibility typically depends on the agreement between the employer and the foreign employee. However, it is usually the employer who handles and files the visa application.
A 9(g) Work Visa allows the holder to work and stay in the Philippines for the duration approved by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), with multiple entries permitted. It also enables opening local bank accounts and purchasing property like a condominium.
No, a tourist visa holder is not authorized to work in the Philippines and must secure a proper work visa, such as the 9G visa. Meanwhile, a spouse visa holder requires an additional document known as the AEP Exemption to legally work in the country.
A Labor Market Test is a DOLE requirement where the employer must publish the job opening in PhilJobNet and other newspapers to allow any qualified Filipino to apply. If no qualified local is found, DOLE proceeds with the issuance of the AEP. Thus, it ensures that foreign employment is allowed only when local labor cannot meet the employer’s needs.
It is advisable for the applicant to remain in the Philippines during the visa processing period, as certain stages require submission of the passport and the applicant’s physical appearance.
The entire process can take a minimum of five (5) to six (6) months.
A 9(g) work visa can be issued for a duration of one (1), two (2), or three (3) years, depending on the terms of the employment contract. However, such validity can never exceed the duration of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by DOLE.
In case of a change of employer, the status is downgraded to a tourist visa, and the holder is required to make a new work visa application. Once the foreign national loses employment, the right to stay and reside using the 9(g) visa is also lost.
