WORK VISAS
The most common types of work visas that may be obtained are the following:
9(g) PRE-ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT VISA
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This visa is available to a foreign national who is proceeding to the Philippines to engage in a lawful occupation or gainful employment in a Philippine entity. The 9(g) visa may be extended to the foreign national’s spouse and unmarried minor children under 21 years of age.
The 9(g) visa is granted for a period co-terminous with the AEP, which is in turn granted for a period discretionary to the DOLE, usually based on the duration of the assignment of the foreigner. However, the officers of the BI have the discretion to shorten the validity period of the approved pre-arranged employment visa to one year.
It takes approximately two to three months from submission of the complete documentary requirements to process a 9(g) visa application.
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9(D) TREATY TRADER'S/INVESTOR VISA
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A foreigner is entitled to a treaty trader or investor visa only if he or she is a national of the US, Germany or Japan, countries with which the Philippines has concluded a reciprocal agreement for the admission of treaty traders or investors. The local petitioning company must be majority-owned by US, German or Japanese interests. The nationality of the foreigner and the majority of the shareholders of the employer company must be the same.
When granted, the visa may be extended to the foreigner’s spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age.
The treaty trader’s/investor’s visa is granted for a period co-terminous with the AEP, which is in turn granted for a period discretionary to the DOLE, usually based on the duration of the assignment of the foreigner. However, the officers of the BI have the discretion to shorten the validity period of the approved 9(d) visa to one year.
It takes approximately two to three months from submission of the complete documentary requirements to process a 9(d) visa application.
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(47[a][2]) SPECIAL NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
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This visa is granted under Section 47(a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act, which allows the President to issue such visas when public interest warrants, subject to conditions the President may prescribe.
The President, acting through the appropriate government agencies, has exercised this authority to allow foreign nationals to be employed in supervisory, technical or advisory positions in Export Processing Zone Enterprises, BOI-registered enterprises, and Special Government Projects (e.g., MRT, Skyway).
The 47(a)(2) visa may be extended to the foreign national’s spouse and unmarried minor children under 21 years of age.
The 47(a)(2) visa is generally valid for an initial period of one year and is renewable from year to year.
It takes approximately five to six weeks from submission of the complete documentary requirements to process a 47(a)(2) visa application.
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Special types of work visas are the following:
PD1034 OBU VISA
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This visa is granted under Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 1034, which allows foreign personnel to be assigned by any foreign bank to work in its OBU in the Philippines. Such foreign personnel, their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age shall be granted a multiple entry special visa, valid for a period of one year.
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RA8756 REGIONAL OR AREA HEADQUARTERS, REGIONAL OPERATING HEADQUARTERS, AND REGIONAL WAREHOUSE VISA
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This visa is granted under Section 5, Art. 60 of Republic Act No. 8756, which allows foreign personnel of regional or area headquarters and regional operating headquarters of multinational companies, their respective spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, if accompanying them or if following to join them after their admission into the Philippines as non-immigrants, to be issued a multiple-entry special visa, which shall be valid for a period of three years. Please note, however, that the validity period of the visa may be shorter, depending on the contract of the foreign personnel.
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SUBIC FREE PORT ZONE WORK VISA
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A foreign national who possesses executive or highly technical skills, which no Filipino citizen within the SFZ possesses, as certified by the DOLE, may apply for this visa with the SBMA.
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CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE WORK VISA
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Foreign nationals who possess executive or highly technical skills, which no Filipino citizen within the CSEZ possesses, may apply for this type of work visa with the Clark Development Authority.
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