VISA Application Support
Foreigners living in the Philippines are required to obtain a VISA.
There are many types of visas, and if you want to work, there is a permit separate from the visa.
Here we will introduce the types of visas and permits required to live (including short-term) in the Philippines.
*Rules and application documents change frequently.
When applying for various types of visas, we recommend that you first check directly with the local immigration office.
First, about entering the Philippines with no VISA
Under the provisions of the Philippine Immigration Law, foreigners with passports from designated countries, including Japan, can enter the Philippines without a visa, and will receive a 30-day residence permit (free of charge) at the airport.
Therefore, there is no need to obtain a visa prior to entering the Philippines.
A valid round-trip or third-country ticket to leave the country within the period of stay (within 30 days) from the date of arrival in the Philippines.
A passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival in the Philippines
*Note*.
Note: All travelers, both Filipino and foreign nationals, are required to register for an eArrival Card at least 3 days prior to departure. eArrival Card registration is free of charge. Please click here to register.
9A （Tourist Visa）
If you intend to stay in the Philippines for more than 30 days, you will need to switch to a tourist visa.
Although it is possible to obtain a tourist visa at the Philippine Embassy in Japan, it is more common to enter the Philippines without a tourist visa and extend the visa in the Philippines.
*Note*.
Extension of stay is possible for a maximum of 3 years, but approval from the Director of the Bureau of Immigration is required for extensions of stay of 17 to 36 months.
If you stay in the Philippines for more than 6 consecutive months, you must obtain an ECC (Exit Clearance Certificate) when you leave the country. If you do not have an ECC, you will be stopped at the immigration checkpoint at the airport, so do not forget to obtain one.
Work and study on a tourist visa is not permitted by law.
9G（Work Visa）
The 9G (work visa) is the most common visa to obtain for working in the Philippines.
The time required from application to acquisition of this visa varies considerably from 3 to 6 months, and it takes a number of days.
Even if you are in the process of applying for a work visa, you will need to extend your tourist visa until you can obtain one.
Applications must be made through a Philippine company registered with the SEC.
Before obtaining a 9G visa, an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is required.
If there are no problems after application, the permit is granted for a period of one to three years. However, the permit is not always granted as per the application, and the decision is based on various information and records in the Philippines.
Renewal procedures are conducted two to three months prior to the expiration date of the visa.
After the worker has obtained a visa, accompanying family members may also apply for and obtain a visa.
Please note that the 9G (work visa) requires a large number of documents, and the system changes frequently.
If you no longer need a 9G (work visa), you will need to downgrade your VISA before it expires, which takes about 3 to 4 months.
The documents from the 9G Visa application will be required for downgrading to a 9G (work visa).
■What is an AEP (Alien Employment Permit)?
The AEP (Alien Employment Permit) is a requirement for all foreign nationals employed in the Philippines.
AEP is required regardless of visa type. 13A/13E visa holders or applicants (with a Filipino spouse and proof of marriage in the Philippines) are exempted from the AEP through a relatively simple DOLE process.
Procedures for obtaining an AEP (Alien Employment Permit)
The following documents must be submitted to the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) in the jurisdiction of the company to which you belong.
-Application form
-Applicant’s photo (2×2)
-A copy of the applicant’s passport
-Contract of employment (in the case of a board member, a resolution regarding the appointment of a board member and the company’s GIS)
-Employer’s (company’s) business license
-A copy of the applicant’s passport-Publication in newspapers, etc.
If the required documents are complete, within two weeks of application, the Ministry of Labor and Employment will post the name of the employer (company name) and the name and job title of the foreigner applicant in newspapers and on the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s website for 30 days.
This is done to provide an opportunity for third parties (Filipinos who are engaged in the work for which the foreign employment license is granted) to comment or object to the granting of the foreign employment license.
*Publication in the above newspapers, etc. will be omitted for those who are registered as corporate officers.
If there are no problems within 30 days of publication in a newspaper or website, an AEP (Alien Employment Permit) will be issued.
The issuance fee required upon receipt is
9,000 pesos for 1 year
13,000 pesos for 2 years
17,000 pesos for 3 years
21,000 pesos for 4 years
25,000 pesos for 5 years
The term of validity will be the same as the term of the employment contract, up to a maximum of five years.
If the articles of incorporation state the term of office of an officer, the maximum term is that term; if not, the maximum term is one year.
How do I renew my AEP (Alien Employment Permit)?
Renewal of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) must be obtained at least one month prior to the expiration date. The documents required for renewal are the documents required at the time of obtaining the foreigner employment permit plus a copy of the current foreigner employment permit.
■
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
[a] Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
Provisional Work Permit (PWP) is a work permit that allows you to work in the Philippines while you are waiting for the issuance of a 9G (work visa) issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
Therefore, if you wish to work while your work visa is being issued, you must obtain this provisional work permit.
The provisional work permit is valid for a period of three months or until the work visa is issued.
[b] Procedures for obtaining a provisional work permit
(1) Submit the necessary documents at the Immigration Office.
(2) Pay the application fee (total of 4,040 pesos) and receive the official receipt
(3) Submit the official receipt
(4) Receive the provisional work permit
[c] Documents required to obtain a provisional work permit
(1) Joint letter from the applicant and employer (company) addressed to the immigration inspector
(2) Application form called “Consolidated General Application Form” (Click on the word “Application Form” to go to the PDF file of the Immigration Bureau’s application form.
(3) A copy of the applicant’s passport (the page showing the applicant’s photo and the page showing the valid period of stay)
(4) Documents proving that the applicant has a TIN (tax identification number in the Philippines)
⑤A copy of the official receipt showing that the applicant has applied for a foreign employment permit or a copy of the foreign employment permit
⑥Employment contract (must show the applicant’s salary and remuneration)
(7) Clearance Certificate issued by the Immigration Bureau (issued immediately after filling out and submitting the application form at the Immigration Bureau)
(8) Company registration of the employer (company) issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(9) Articles of Incorporation of the employer (company)
Annual report with a seal of receipt from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(10) Photograph of the applicant
■9G (Working Visa)
This visa is for foreigners (non-Filipino citizens) to work in the Philippines. The applicant must have an employment contract between the employer (company) and the applicant for the entire period of the 9G (working visa).
Procedures for Obtaining a 9G (working visa)
The 9G (working visa) is usually done at the Immigration Office after entry into the Philippines. The reason is that the procedure is complicated and time-consuming when applying at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Japan. For this reason, we will explain the procedure for obtaining a visa after entry into Japan, which is simpler and requires less time.
(1) Submit the necessary documents at the Immigration Bureau.
(2) Pay the application fee and receive the official receipt
(3) Submit a copy of the official receipt
(4) Hearing at the Immigration Bureau (employer’s presence is required)
(5) Submit original passport (for stamping of visa stamp)
[d] Required documents for obtaining a 9G (work visa)
(1) Joint letter from the applicant and employer (company) addressed to the immigration inspector
(2) Application form called “Consolidated General Application Form” (Click on the word “Application Form” to jump to the PDF file of the application form at the Immigration Bureau)
A photocopy of the applicant’s passport (photo page and the page showing the valid period of stay)
*Must have at least 20 days of validity of stay remaining.
(4) Applicant’s resume
(5) Copy of employment contract
(6) Employer’s (company’s) company registration issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(7) Articles of Incorporation of the employer (company)
(8) Annual report with a seal of receipt issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(9) Employer’s most recent income tax return and certificate of tax payment
(10) Documents proving that the applicant has a TIN (Philippine Taxpayer Identification Number)
(11) A copy of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
(12) Newspaper article (original) on the issuance of the AEP
(13) A document stating the number of foreign workers employed by the employer
(14) Clearance Certificate issued by the Immigration Bureau (issued immediately after filling out and submitting the application form at the Immigration Bureau)
(15) Photograph of the applicant
■
Renewal of 9G (working visa)
The 9G (work visa) is valid for up to three years and is issued for the duration of the applicant’s employment. Please note that the 9G (work visa) requires a large number of documents, and the system changes frequently.
If you no longer need a 9G (work visa), you will need to downgrade your VISA before it expires, which takes about 3 to 4 months.
9D (Investor Visa)
An investor visa can be applied for when the amount of investment and shareholding (transferable shares) in a company incorporated in the Philippines is 300,000 pesos or more.
The time required to obtain this visa is about 3-6 months, the same as the 9G.
Accompanying family members may also apply.
47A(2) (Board of Investment/Special Economic Zone Visa)
This visa (commonly known as a PEZA visa) is granted to foreigners working for a company registered with the BOI/PEZA and their family members, and is applied for by the company.
It is said to be a relatively easy work visa to obtain (an AEP (work permit for foreigners) is required).
13E（Marriage Temporary Permanent Resident Visa, Marriage Permanent Resident Visa)
This is the cheapest and easiest permanent resident visa that a foreigner with a Filipino spouse can apply for.
First, a Temporary Permanent Resident Visa is obtained, and after one year, an official Permanent Resident Visa can be obtained.
It is a workable visa and is also exempt from the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) (you should obtain certification from the DOLE that you are eligible for the exemption).
*Note*.
A marriage permanent resident visa loses its right to permanent residence if the couple gets divorced.
Accompanying family members may also apply.
Quota Immigrant Visa (Special Quota Permanent Resident Visa)
The quarter visa is the highest permanent residence visa in the Philippines, and is available to a maximum of 50 Japanese per year.
Applications are accepted from mid-January each year, and will be closed when the maximum number is reached,
The application process is more and more strict every year.
You can work and study in the Philippines, but you need to obtain an AEP (Alien Employment Permit).
It is important to hire a trustworthy immigration lawyer, and the fees vary depending on the lawyer (approximately 500,000 to 1,000,000 pesos). Each family member must also apply separately, and the fee will be the same.
Proof of deposit of $50,000 is required, but can be withdrawn after the visa is obtained.
Retirement and Permanent Resident Visa (SRRV)
The Philippines Retirement Visa is considered the easiest to obtain in Asia.
It is obtained through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).
It can be obtained from the age of 50, and the deposit is as low as $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the requirements.
Up to two accompanying family members are included in one deposit quota, making it less expensive than a quarter visa for a family applying together.
There are two main categories: Smile and Classic.
Smile is a deposit that cannot be withdrawn, while Classic can be converted to investments and other uses.
*Previously, the minimum age to obtain a Classic was 35 years old, but after June 2021, the minimum age to obtain a Classic is 50 years old.
You are obliged to pay an annual fee of $360 (the same amount for up to 3 persons) every year or every 3 years.
You can live permanently while holding the visa and are allowed to work even though it is a retirement visa (exempt from obtaining a work visa.
), an increasing number of business people and young families, not only retirees, are obtaining retirement visas for business, English language education, and parent-child immigration.
Additional benefits include an exit permit (ECC), exemption from travel tax (if stay is less than one year), and the ability to study (SSP exemption).
Balikbayan Visa
Foreigners married to Filipinos who enter the country with their Filipino spouse are granted a one-year residence permit.
Student Visa
This visa is issued to students who wish to enroll in a regular degree program at a university, graduate school, or other institution of higher education in the Philippines.
After receiving an acceptance letter from the school of your choice, submit the necessary documents to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs or Philippine Embassy in Japan, and the Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad will issue the visa.
In some cases, the university will apply for the visa for you after you arrive in the Philippines.
Please check with the university in advance about obtaining a visa.
For medicine and dentistry, a Certificate of Eligibility from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is required.
Alien Work Permit (AEP)
Even with a work-enabled visa, a foreigner must obtain an Alien Work Permit (AEP) to work in the Philippines.
(*Married permanent resident visa holders are exempt).
It is applied for and obtained at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
If you wish to apply for a work visa, you must first obtain an AEP.
The number of Filipinos in the company is small in relation to the number of foreigners in the company.
The reason for hiring a foreigner is not clear.
If the above is judged to be the case, it may be difficult to obtain AEP approval.
Special Work Permit (SWP)
This work permit is for training and technical instruction, etc. If you obtain this permit, you will be allowed to work even with a tourist visa.
It is valid for 3 months and can be extended only once (for a maximum of 6 months).
Since it is only a permit and the visa remains a tourist visa, the tourist visa must continue to be extended.
However, it can only be obtained by those with special skills that are considered training or technical instruction, and this is limited to certain industries.
Special Study Permit (SSP)
This is a study permit for foreigners with a tourist visa to enter kindergartens, elementary and high schools, and language schools.
If you obtain this permit, you are allowed to study in the Philippines even with a tourist visa.
It is illegal for a foreigner to study at a school in the Philippines without obtaining the SSP, even for a single day.
The following visa holders are not required to obtain the SSP.
9G (working), 9D (investor), 13a,b (spouse), 47a2 (PEZA), quarter visa
Valid for 6 months with no limit on the number of extensions.
It is only a permit and the visa remains a tourist visa, so tourist visas must continue to be extended.
Departure Permit (ECC)
If you wish to leave the Philippines after staying in the country for more than 6 months, you must obtain an Emigration Clearance Certificate.
If you have a visa other than a tourist visa, you can apply for it at the airport if you have an I-Card. If you do not have an I-Card or if you have a tourist visa, you must obtain it at immigration one to two weeks before departure after securing your airline ticket.
Once obtained, the ECC is valid for one month.
If your departure is postponed for some reason and your ECC expires, you can extend its validity.
Without ECC, you will be refused to leave the country by immigration at the airport.
Do not forget to obtain it in advance.
Necessary documents for application
-Three (3) certified photographs
-Passport
-Confirmation of airline reservation for the day of departure.
Annual report
Each year, ACR-I Card holders are required to file an Annual Report with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration within 60 days of the beginning of the year.
The fee is 310 pesos (as of October 2022).
For tourist visa holders, this fee is automatically included in the visa extension, so please check when you pay.
Note that SRRV (retirement visa) holders and tourist visa holders who entered the country after November 3 of the previous year (dates vary slightly from year to year) are exempt.
*Note*.
Annual Report must be completed at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration within 60 days of the beginning of the year.
After that, a penalty of 200 pesos per month will be incurred.
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