Work Visas and Permits for the Philippines

Regardless of the source of compensation and duration of assignment in the

Philippines, all foreign nationals seeking admission to the country for employment
purposes are required by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to secure a work visa.

These foreign nationals must comply with mandatory submissions from several
government agencies before commencing work in a fully-registered Philippine-based
company.

Provisional Work Permit (PWP)

A Provisional Work Permit (PWP) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)

to foreign nationals who currently hold temporary visitor visas but wish to commence
work in the Philippines.

A PWP is normally valid for three (3) months from the date of issuance or until
the 9g visa is issued, whichever comes first. Foreign nationals who intend to
commence employment while their Alien Employment Permit is pending for approval
from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must also secure the PWP to
be allowed to work in the country. This work permit is extendible until a work visa
has been approved.1

While the 9g working visa is being processed a foreign employee may work
only once a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) is obtained. PWP are valid until the 9g
visa and I-Card are issued.

What is a 9g Visa?

 Any foreign national who will be employed in the Philippines and

occupying a technical, executive, managerial or highly confidential
position in a company for at least one year, can apply for a pre-arranged
employment visa, or commonly referred to as the 9G visa, under Sec.
9(g) of the Philippine Immigration Act.

Requirements:

 Letter of request from the petitioning company;

 Accomplished and duly notarized application form (Form MCL-07-
01);
 Alien Employment Permit (AEP);
 Clearance certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI);
 Any other documents which will assist in the evaluation process;
 Authenticated copy of the passport showing current valid visa;
and
 Certified true copies of the Marriage Contract, Birth Certificates
(authenticated at Philippine Embassy if issued abroad), if to be
accompanied by spouse and unmarried children under 21 years
old.

1
https://visasphilippines.com/philippine-visas/work-visa/provisional-work-permit-pwp/
 Procedure:

 Obtaining an AEP from the DOLE, and establish that no individual

located within the Philippines is willing and able to perform the
position and service for which the foreigner is being hired;
 Submit a letter to the BI stating the admission of the alien will be
beneficial to the public interest; and
 During the approval process, the proposed foreigner may apply
for a Special Work Permit (SWP) which is issued for a period of 3
months while the 9G visa is being released.

9G visas are valid only for the duration of the AEP or the current
employment contract (whichever is shorter), and similar visas issued to
dependents are co-terminus with the duration of the visa of the principal.
Foreign nationals with companies registered to BOI, PEZA, and the top 1,000
corporations are given priority.2

What to bring? (Please see attached forms)

 Checklist with complete documentary requirements

 Application Form
 3.Additional Information on Applicant's children (if needed)

How to apply for a PWP?

1. Secure the CGAF from either at the Public Information and Assistance Unit
(PIAU) at BI G/F Main Office or from the official BI Website.
2. Submit the documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU)
or to the frontline officer or staff of other Immigration Offices able to process
this transaction.
3. Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
4. Pay the required fees.
5. Submit copy of Official Receipt.
6. Get the approved PWP

How much
Application Fee 2,000.00
does it
cost?
Certificate Fee 500.00

Legal Research Fee 20.00

Service Fee 100.00

PWP Fee 400.00

Legal Research Fee 20.00

Express Lane Fee 500.00

(Certification)

Express Lane Fee (Filing) 500.00

Total 4,040.00

2
https://www.tripleiconsulting.com/9g-working-visa/
Special Work Permit (SWP)-Commercial

The Special Work Permit (SWP) is a work permit intended for short term
assignments/employment of up to 6 months. A locally registered company must be
willing to serve as the Petitioner. The SWP is good for 3 months during the initial
application and extendible for another 3 months. During the course of the SWP
validity, the status of the foreign national remains as tourist. Thus, tourist visa
extension must be undertaken if necessary.

The approval of the SWP normally takes between 2 – 3 weeks. Upon issuance,
the Bureau of Immigration will grant an Official SWP order of approval which will
serve as the permit to work.

A PWP is normally valid for three (3) months from the date of issuance or until
the 9g visa is issued, whichever comes first. Foreign nationals who intend to
commence employment while their Alien Employment Permit is pending for approval
from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must also secure the PWP to
be allowed to work in the country. This work permit is extendible until a work visa
has been approved.3

What to bring? (Please see attached forms)

 Checklist with complete documentary requirements

 Application Form
 3.Additional Information on Applicant's children (if needed)

How to apply?

1. Secure the CGAF from either at the Public Information and Assistance Unit
(PIAU) at BI G/F Main Office or from the official BI Website.
2. Submit the documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU)
or to the frontline officer or staff of other Immigration Offices able to process
this transaction.
3. Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
4. Pay the required fees.
5. Submit copy of Official Receipt.
6. Get the approved SWP (for SWP without ACR I-Card).
7. Please refer to the Official Receipt for the schedule and venue of the hearing
and Image and Fingerprint Capturing. (if with ACR I-Card).
8. In case of renewal application, the biometric data previously captured during
the visa conversion shall be used in the printing of the renewed ACR I-Card.
However, applicants aged ten (10) years and below shall have their image and
fingerprint captured every extension of visa. Applicants aged eleven (11) years
and above shall have their image and fingerprint captured every after five (5)
years.
9. Proceed to Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter of the Alien Registration
Division (ARD) and submit requirements for ACR I-Card application
10.If approved, claim the SWP and ACR I-Card.4

How much does it cost?

NO I-CARD WITH I-CARD

Php 6,440.00 Php 6,440.00
Additional Fee for ACR I-Card

3
https://visasphilippines.com/philippine-visas/work-visa/special-work-permit/
4
http://immigration.gov.ph/services/special-permits/special-work-permit-commercial#
 1 Year - + US $50

*Fees are updated as of 06 March 2014 *Fees are updated as of 06 March 2014 and
and may change without prior notice. may change without prior notice.