Work Visa
in The Philippines.

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Types of work visas in the Philippines

There are many different types of work visas in the Philippines. Below are the three main ones:

Alien Employment Permit (AEP) – for foreigners who have a long-term work contract with a company in the Philippines.
Special Work Permit (SWP) – for foreigners who will work in a Filipino company or do a short-term assignment for up to 6 months.
Provisional Work Permit – for foreigners who are waiting for their Alien Employment Permit to be processed.

Required documents for a work visa in the Philippines

The following is required for a work visa in the Philippines:

A completed 9 (g) work visa application form.
The applicant’s valid passport.
A notarized certification of the employer’s Number of Foreign and Filipino Employees.
A certified copy of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
A clipping that shows the publication of the AEP application by DOLE.
A certificate of clearance from the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (B.I.).

Process to get a work visa in the Philippines

The processing time to get a work visa in the Philippines can vary depending on the type of visa. The breakdown is below:

Alien Employment Permit (AEP) – 2-3 weeks.
Special Work Permit (SWP) – 2-3 weeks.
Provisional Work Permit – 2-3 days.

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of the Philippines

In order to get a work visa when based outside of the Philippines, and seeking to be hired in the Philippines, you must follow these steps:

Complete a 9(g) visa application form and already have an employer who will petition them.
Have proof of a notarized certification of the employer’s Number of Foreign and Filipino Employees.
Have a certified copy of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Have a certificate of clearance from the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (B.I.).

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of the Philippines

For getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of the Philippines all the steps above are the same, however, the employee must be inside the country legally already. There are very rare cases in which a foreigner holds a permanent residency card or there are others who have entered the country on a tourist visa that may want to then upgrade to a AEP work permit.

Special notes about work visas in the Philippines

Unlike many other countries, future employees can enter the Philippines on a tourist visa and upgrade it to a working permit while never needing to leave the country and go back to their home country. Oftentimes the candidate can visit the Immigration Bureau in the Philippines and seek a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) while the approval of their employment visa application is in progress.

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FAQs

Can Philippines work visa holders bring their family members?

If the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) grants a foreign national an Alien Employment Permit (AEP), they can apply for dependent visas for immediate family members including a spouse and children under 21. Family members will have to submit separate dependent applications for DOLE approval. Note that dependents aren’t allowed to work in the Philippines themselves without their own permits.

How long will it take to get a work visa in the Philippines?

Typically getting a work visa in the Philippines with take between 2-3 weeks. However, it is possible to be granted a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) quicker in which the employee can use it to work while the approval of their employment visa application is in progress.

How long can I stay in the Philippines on a work visa?

In the Philippines work visa are usually valid for as long as the duration of the employee’s assignment. So, as long as the worker has employment, then the visa will be valid.

Can a global employer of record provide a work visa in the Philippines?

Yes, global Employers of Record like Horizons can help with all aspects of the hiring process in the Philippines.

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