Resident Alien – refers to any foreign national who is allowed by law to reside indefinitely in the Philippines

All foreign nationals admitted to the Philippines as immigrants, who wish to seek employment, and all resident aliens already working in the Philippines, irrespective of the source of compensation and nature and duration of employment are required to secure an Alien Employment Registration Certificate (AERC) from the DOLE’s Regional Office.

Where to apply

The resident alien or the employer shall apply at the nearest Regional Office of the DOLE where the employer-establishment is located. Requirements for application of an AERC can be found at the Bureau of Local Employment website: www.ble.dole.gov.ph.

Validity of AERC 

An AERC issued shall be valid only for the position and employer which it was issued, unless otherwise cancelled or revoked for cause.

Non-Resident Aliens Who Intend to Work in the Philippines 

All foreign nationals seeking admission to the Philippines for the purpose of employment, all non-resident foreign nationals already working in the Philippines, and all non-resident foreign nationals admitted to the Philippines on on-working visas, who wish to work in the Philippines, regardless of the source of compensation and duration of employment are required by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to secure an Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

Where to Apply

Foreign nationals can apply for an AEP at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Local employers who wish to hire the services of a foreigner can apply on behalf of the foreign national at the nearest Regional Office of the DOLE. Foreign nationals who are already in the Philippines should apply through their prospective employers with the nearest Regional Office of the DOLE. A DOLE AEP frequently-asked-question sheet is available here.

Validity of AEP

The period of validity of an AEP will depend on the nature of the position occupied by the foreign national, whether elective, technical, advisory or supervisory.

Exemptions

All members of the diplomatic services, foreign government officials accredited with the Philippine government, missionaries engaged in missionary work only, members of international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and specialized agencies of the United Nations are exempted from securing an AEP.

NOTE: In support of the UN Spouse Employment Policy, the Philippine government has also exempted the spouses of members of international organizations from securing an AEP. Spouses however, are required to file an application for a Certificate of Exemption from the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE). Missionaries or religious workers who intend to engage in gainful employment are not exempted from securing an AEP.

Penalties

Aliens who are found working without an employment permit as required by law, are penalized with a fine ranging from one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to ten thousand pesos (P10,000), or imprisonment ranging from three months to three years, or both. In addition to such penalties, any alien found guilty shall be summarily deported upon completion of service of sentence.

MANILA

BI Main Office. Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. Tel (011-63-2)8524-3769.

BI PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) Office. Ground floor, Almeda Building, Roxas Boulevard & San Luis Street, Pasay City. Tel (011-63-2)8551-3451.

BI BOI (Board of Investments) Office. Ground floor. Industry & Investments Building, 385 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Makati. Tel (011-63-2)8897-6682.

CEBU

BI Regional Office. P Burgos Street, Tribunal, Mandaue City, Cebue. Tel (011-63-32)345-6442/6443/6444.

DAVAO

BI Regional Office – Davao. BI Building, JP Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City, Tel (011-63-82)300-7258.

If you meet the following classifications below, you will need to follow the instructions and apply for the proper exit clearance at one of the five BI regional offices. Sub-ports cannot process exit clearance permits. All fees and conditions are subject to change. Normal processing time of 4-5 business days (expedite option available in most cases for +Php500).

1. Tourist: 59 days – 6 months
   Tourists staying more than 59 days but less than 6 months must pay an exit clearance fee. If your date of departure is certain, this can be paid through one of the five BI regional offices; otherwise, the exit fee can be paid at the airport upon your departure.
2. Tourist 6 months+
   Tourists staying more than 6 months must obtain an Emigration Clearance Certificate(ECC) from BI. You must submit the proper form along with 3 passport-sized photographs and the visa fees.
3. Permanent Resident
   Permanent residents temporarily leaving the country must apply for a re-entry permit with BI. Applicant must submit 3 passport-sized photographs, proof of residency status, and the visa fees.

Americans who plan to stay in the Philippines for 30 days or more are required to register with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and be fingerprinted. The registration of foreign nationals is compulsory and failure to register could result in a fine. The Bureau of Immigration also requires children of Americans who are born in the Philippines to be registered.

         The following is the ACR application procedure:

1. File an application form in your place of residence, either with the Immigration District Office or the main office of the Bureau of Immigration in Manila
2. Submit the E-series ACR form in triplicate; and
3. Provide 3 2″ x 2″ pictures.

Immigrants are foreign nationals who opt to stay in the country permanently without renouncing their citizenship. In the Philippines, a foreigner may acquire immigrant status if his country reciprocally allows Filipinos to become immigrants in that country. For more information, check the BI Info Center for general information, or look here for instructions on specific types of immigrant visas.

Quota Immigrant Visa

See BI instructions for more info. For Americans who seek entry to the Philippines for permanent residence, but who do not qualify under any of the categories of for non-quota immigration, the Philippines admits as immigrants a quota of fifty (50) for any one calendar year

Non-Quota Immigrant Visa

See BI instructions for more info.

• Marriage . For the foreign spouse or the unmarried child under 21 years of age of a Philippine citizen, if accompanying or following to join such citizen.
• Returning Resident . For a foreigner who previously was lawfully admitted to the Philippines for permanent residence and who is returning from a temporary visit abroad to an unrelinquished residence in the Philippines.
• Returning former Philippine Citizen. For a natural born citizen of the Philippines, who has been naturalized in the US and is returning to the Philippines for permanent residence, including his spouse and minor unmarried children.
• Balikbayan Status. For former Philippine citizens who are visiting the Philippines (balikbayans). This entry is valid for one year; after one year, the balikbayan has to pay monthly extension fees on top of fees for Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), Head Tax, Certificate of Temporary Residence Visa (CTRV.) Extensions are granted on an ad hoc basis and the final decision for approval and length of extension are granted at the discretion of the BI official. Use BI form RBR 98-02 for extensions.

The Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy or the Consulate General may issue a student visa pursuant to Section 9(f) of the Philippine Immigration law upon receipt of authority from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Manila. This authority is granted after completion of a process that starts with an application for admission with the school of choice. If the student’s application is accepted by the school, it refers the application to the Department of Education (DepEd) for approval. If meritorious, the Secretary of DepEd approves the admission of a foreign student and endorses its approval to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Based on the endorsement of DepEd, the DFA authorizes the Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest the applicant’s place of residence and having jurisdiction over the place.

The Student-applicant is then required to appear personally at the Consulate and submit the following:

1. A valid passport
2. Two completed application forms;
3. Four (4) identical passport-size pictures of applicant;
4. Medical and physical examination report by an authorized physician. It must also include the chest x-ray film, laboratory reports and a certificate that the applicant is free from AIDS. The medical examination report is acceptable only if submitted to the quarantine officer at the port of entry in the Philippines, together with the visa application, within six (6) months from the date the examination is conducted;
5. Police Clearance, issued by the police authorities of the place where the applicant resides. (Police Certificate based on fingerprint check); and
6. Visa Application Fee

Student visas are secured from the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in their country of origin or residence, irrespective of where they are at the time of approval of their application or where they initiated their application.

The submission of an application for a student visa for the 1st semester of each school year must be submitted from January to March and for the 2nd semester from June to August.

Processing of student visa applications takes approximately two (2) months from the date of receipt.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the American student must secure his Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS) at the Bureau of Immigration, Intramuros, Manila.

The American student is advised to secure a Study Permit before enrolling from the Commission of Higher Education.

Pre-arranged employment visas under Section 9 (g) of the Immigration Act are issued to foreigners proceeding to the Philippines to engage in any lawful occupation, whether for wages or salary or for other form of compensation where legitimate employer-employee relations exist. They may be professors and teachers for educational institutions, doctors and nurses for hospitals, scientists, professionals and other workers for banking, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other business enterprises. Special information pertaining to 9(g) visas for missionaries is available from BI here.

A pre-arranged employment visa is issued only upon receipt, by the Consular Office having jurisdiction over applicant’s place of residence, of authority to issue such a visa from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila. This authority is secured on petition, under oath, filed by the prospective employer in Manila with the Department of Labor and Employment for the contracting of services of the American employee. When DOLE’s requirements are met, it endorses the matter to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for the entry into the Philippines of the American employee. If meritorious, the Commissioner of the Immigration transmits his approval to the DFA. The DFA then authorizes the appropriate consular officer to issue the visa.

The applicant must appear personally at the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate (list of consulates) concerned and submit the following:

1. Their valid U.S. passport;
2. Two completed application forms;
3. Four (4) identical pictures (passport size) of the applicant signed on the front bottom of each;
4. Medical and physical examination report by an authorized physician. It must also include the chest x-ray film, laboratory reports and a certificate that the applicant is free from AIDS. The medical examination report is acceptable only if submitted to the quarantine officer at the port of entry in the Philippines, together with the visa application, within six (6) months from the date the examination is conducted;
5. Police Clearance, issued by the police authorities of the place where the applicant resides. (Police Certificate based on fingerprint check); and
6. Visa Application Fee

If the spouse is accompanying or joining the principal in the Philippines within six (6) months from the date of the principal’s admission, the spouse must submit their marriage certificate.

Unmarried children under twenty-one (21) years of age accompanying or joining their parent in the Philippines within six (6) months from the date of the parent’s admission, must submit their birth certificates showing the names of their parents.

1. A valid U.S. passport;
2. Completed application form;
3. One (1) passport-size photo signed at the back by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor (still unable to sign) the photograph must be signed at the back by either parent after first printing the minor’s name;
4. Photocopy of applicant’s plane ticket or confirmed itinerary; and
5. Visa Application Fee
6. Additional requirement for business visa: Company letter of sponsorship

Please note that the Philippine Consular Officer may require (1) the personal appearance of an applicant for interview and (2) the submission of additional supporting documents, as he/she may deem fit under the circumstances.

Minors (below 15 years old) travelling to the Philippines unaccompanied by a parent or not joining a parent in the Philippines may have to acquire a waiver of exclusion from BI.