Working Permits for Foreigners in the Philippines | FilePino (2024)

FAQs

Is it easy to get work permit in Philippines? ›

Application process

The application for a 9(g) Work Visa must be sponsored by the employer and can be filed through the Bureau of Immigration. It can take up to 7 months to complete the process of obtaining a 9(g) Work Visa, including 2 to 3 weeks for the AEP alone.

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.

Foreign nationals who want to work in the Philippines have to obtain not just the appropriate visa, but a work permit as well. Working without a permit could result in heavy fines for both the employee and the employer. Not all foreigners who come to the Philippines to work need a permit.

The eligibility requirements for a Philippines Pre-Arranged Employment Visa include a valid passport, an employment contract, an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other supporting documents.

Getting a job in the Philippines is tough. Not only will you be dealing with strict immigration laws, but it is possible that for some the guilt of potentially taking jobs away from skilled Filipino workers will give you pause.

To apply for your work permit (EAD), file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765), review the instructions, and pay the filing fee. Depending on your immigration category, your EAD work permit will be good for 1 or 2 years.

A work permit in the US is also known as Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Form I-766 and is filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The holder of this document is eligible to work and earn an income legally in the US, usually temporarily (as a nonimmigrant worker).

Do non-citizens need a work visa or work permit in the Philippines? The Philippine government requires all foreign nationals to obtain a work visa from the Bureau of Immigration if they plan to work in the country.

How many months can a foreigner stay in the Philippines? ›

Most foreign nationals are given a 30-day period to stay in the country upon arrival, but that initial stay can be as few as 7 days and as many as 59 days, depending on the visitor's country of origin. This initial stay can be extended to a maximum stay of 16 months.

Employment Contract: This is the most important document you must produce before hiring foreign employees in the Philippines. Visa Sponsorship Documents: Employers who sponsor overseas employees or Philippine immigrants must present a letter of invitation and accompanying evidence for visa applications.

A requisite to this visa is the Alien Employment Permit (AEP), issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The whole visa processing (including the AEP) usually takes 2 – 3 months to process.

If Employed:

Income Tax Return BIR 2316. Certificate of Employment with monthly income (issued within the last 3-6 months) Payslips (dated within the last 3 months)

How long is the processing time for a work permit in the Philippines? An AEP takes about two to three weeks to process. From there, it can take an additional two or three months to get a work visa through the Bureau of Immigration.

H-1B Visas: The average processing time for an H-1B visa is three to six months. The processing time can vary, so you might want to check the U.S. State Department or USCIS for updates. L-1 Visas: The waiting period for an L-1 visa is typically three to four months.