In November 2021, the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) introduced a new work visa for foreign nationals who are sponsored to work in the Philippines by companies registered with PEZA.
PEZA is a government agency that promotes investments in the Philippines. It assists foreign investors in facilitating their operation in the country and offers fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to entrepreneurs. Additionally, it grants visa privileges for both foreign workers and executives of PEZA-registered companies.
As a foreign worker or executive in a PEZA-registered company, you may be wondering about the PEZA visa’s validity, requirements, and application process. This guide covers everything you need to know about the PEZA visa and as a holder.
What is a PEZA Visa?
A PEZA Visa, formerly 47a2 visa, is a special non-immigrant visa issued by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to foreign executives and employees of PEZA-registered companies. It allows its holders to legally live and work in the Philippines, given that their employment is maintained.
If you currently hold a 47(a)(2) visa, you may continue using it until its expiration date. However, once it expires, you must apply for a PEZA visa provided that you are still employed by a PEZA-registered company.
Eligible to Apply for a PEZA Visa
PEZA Visa is eligible for foreign nationals in executive positions, such as president, vice president, treasurer, general manager, or any of the qualified equivalents, and for non-resident foreigners employed in supervisory, technical and advisory positions by PEZA-registered companies. The PEZA visa holders’ spouse and child/children aged below twenty-one (21) years old are also eligible to apply for this visa.
Who Should Process the PEZA Visa Application
The PEZA-registered company or sponsor company must apply for the PEZA visa on behalf of the applicant to the PEZA zone administrator or manager of the ecozone where the company is located. For IT companies and medical tourism companies located in Metro Manila, the applications must be submitted to the Manager of the zone office, located in the PEZA head office.
PEZA Visa Cost
The cost may vary depending if you are a new applicant or need to renew your PEZA visa.
Principal Applicant
New applicant – Php 5,000 or US $97
Renewal applicant – Php 5,000 or US $97
Dependent Applicant
New applicant – Php 3,000 or US $58
Renewal applicant – Php 3,000 or US $58
Please note that your employer is responsible for all the expenses regarding the visa application fees and any subsequent renewals.
PEZA Visa Requirements
To initiate the PEZA visa application, the applicants and their dependents must provide the following documents.
PEZA Visa Documentary Requirements for Foreign Applicants
As an applicant, you must provide the following documents to secure a PEZA Visa:
Notarized application form
Notarized company’s letter-request addressed to the PEZA Director General duly signed by the company’s President or Chief Executive, which commits to the following:
The employment of the foreign worker is deemed essential for the operations of the company;
A document duly signed by the company stating that the foreign worker will train the Filipino worker of the company, which is known as Undertaking for an Understudy Program in training Filipino workers;
An organizational chart of the sponsoring company;
An endorsement letter from the PEZA Zone Manager to the Director-General of the PEZA;
Evidence that the foreign worker has no pending case against them in the country they last resided for the past five (5) years or in the Philippines; and
Upon termination or cessation of employment, the company must notify PEZA and must surrender the employee’s work permit to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
PEZA Visa Documentary Requirements For Qualified Dependents
As a dependent of the PEZA visa applicant or holder, you must provide the following documents to obtain a PEZA visa:
Notarized application form
Photocopy of valid passport
Birth certificate with English translation, if applicant’s or holder’s child
Marriage certificate with English translation, if applicant’s or holder’s spouse
Notarized affidavit of support/guarantee executed by the PEZA-registered company’s President or Vice President
PEZA Visa Application Process
To process a PEZA visa application, you may follow these step-by-step guide:
Seek Visa Assistance. Consider seeking assistance from a service provider to ease your visa application. They can assist you in preparing the requirements and submitting the application. They can also monitor the status of your application and follow up with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other authorized government agencies on your behalf. With their expertise, they can provide practical solutions to any challenges or difficulties regarding your application.
Preparation of Requirements. To ensure a smooth application process, prepare all the necessary documents and make sure that everything is complete and accurate. Incomplete requirements can lead to delays and rejections.
Submission of Requirements. Submit the required documents to your sponsor company for them to successfully process your application.
Endorsement to DOJ. Once your sponsor company submitted the requirements, the Board of Investments (BOI), Department of Agriculture (DOA), and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will endorse your application to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Endorsement to BI. After the approval from the DOJ, it will endorse your application to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for implementation.
Verification Process. The application will then be initiated once the applicant’s documents have been verified.
Payment of Fees. Once the application has been approved, your sponsor company must pay the necessary fees.
Issuance of PEZA Visa. You may now claim your valid passport with a PEZA visa stamped.
Validity Period of PEZA Visa
The PEZA visa is valid for two (2) years which can be renewed for another two years, which is equivalent for a maximum validity period of four (4) years.
Grounds for Denial of PEZA Visa Application
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) may deny your PEZA visa application for various reasons, such as:
Has a criminal record in the Philippines
Given information in the application form is inaccurate or misrepresentation of facts
Submitted documents are fraudulent
Has a deportation or pending deportation case against them
Violated their condition of stay
Deemed a threat to national security
What Will Happen If the PEZA Visa Holder Resigned or Got Terminated?
If you resign or get terminated, you must downgrade your PEZA visa to a Temporary Resident Visa or Tourist Visa to legally stay in the Philippines, and secure an Order of Cancellation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). Additionally, your sponsor company must notify the PEZA no more than five (5) days following the end of your employment.
Benefits and Privileges of PEZA Visa Holder in the Philippines
Foreign nationals who hold a PEZA visa have the following benefits and privileges in the Philippines:
Work Opportunity. PEZA visa allows foreign workers and executives to legally work in the Philippines.
Long-Term Residence. A PEZA Visa not only allows its holder to work but also to reside in the country with their spouse and/or children. Please take note that this visa is valid for two (2) years and can be renewed for another 2 years. Using this visa upon its validity can lead to overstaying.
Multiple-Entry Privileges. A PEZA visa allows its holder to enter and leave the country without the need of an Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC) and re-entry permit, as long as it remains valid.
Eligibility for Dependents. The PEZA visa is not only offered to the foreign employees and executives of a PEZA-registered company but also to their dependents, such as their spouse and child/children aged under twenty-one (21) years old.
Access to Essential Services. PEZA visa holders have the right to access essential services and other benefits in the Philippines. This includes opening a local bank account, obtaining a Philippine driver’s license, and renting a property.
Other Work Visa Available for Foreign Workers in the Philippines
Other than the PEZA visa, the Philippines offers different types of work visa for foreign nationals employed in the country, including:
Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G) is the most common work visa that is issued to foreign nationals employed in the Philippines. It is valid for one (1) to three (3) years and can be renewed for another year.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) is issued to qualified non-immigrant foreign nationals who must employ at least ten (10) Filipino citizens in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry.
Additionally, similar to the PEZA visa, their spouse and unmarried child/children who are below the age of twenty-one (21) may apply for the 9g visa and SVEG as the applicant’s dependents.
Need further information and assistance regarding PEZA Visa? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law in BGC, Metro Manila, Philippines 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.
