1. What is an Alien Employment Permit (AEP)?

An Alien Employment Permit is

a document issued by the Department of Labor and Employment which authorizes a
foreign national to work in the Philippines.

2. Who are the foreign nationals required to apply for an AEP?


o

 All foreign nationals who intend to engage in gainful
employment in the Philippines.
 All foreign nationals who intend to engage in gainful
employment in the Philippines;
 Foreign professionals who are allowed to practice their
profession in the Philippines under reciprocity and other
international agreements and in consultancy services
pursuant to Section 7(j) of the PRC Modernization Act of
2000.
 Holders of Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV),
Special Retirees Resident Visa (SRRV), Treaty Traders
Visa (9d) or Special Non-Immigrant Visa (47(a)2) for as
long as they occupy any executive, advisory,
supervisory, or technical position in any establishment.

3. Who are exempted from securing AEP?

The following categories of foreign nationals are exempt from securing AEP:

1.
1.
1.
1. Members of the diplomatic services and foreign
government officials accredited by the Philippine
government;
2. Officers and staff of international organizations of which
the Philippine government is a cooperating member, and
their legitimate spouses desiring to work in the
Philippines;
3. Foreign nationals elected as members of the Governing
Board who do not occupy any other position, but have
only voting rights in the corporation;
4. All foreign nationals granted exemption by special laws
and all other laws that may be promulgated by the
Congress;
5. Owners and representatives of foreign principals, whose
companies are accredited by the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA), who come to the
Philippines for a limited period solely for the purpose of
interviewing Filipino applicants for employment abroad;
6. Foreign nationals who come to the Philippines to teach,
present and/or conduct research studies in universities
and colleges as visiting, exchange or adjunct professors
under formal agreements between the universities or
colleges in the Philippines and foreign universities or
colleges; or between the Philippine government and
foreign government; provided that the exemption is on a
reciprocal basis; and
7. Resident foreign nationals and temporary or
probationary resident visa holders employed or seeking
employment in the Philippines.
4. Where shall an application for an AEP be filed?
An application for AEP shall be filed personally or through their respective employer
with the DOLE Regional Office or Field Office having jurisdiction over the intended
place of work.
In case of foreign nationals to be assigned in subsidiaries, branch offices and joint
ventures, and those assigned in the headquarters with oversight functions in any of
the branch offices, operations or projects in the country, they may file their
application in any of the DOLE Regional/Field Offices nearest their place of work.

5. What are the requirements in the filing of application for AEP?

Documentary requirements


o

 Duly accomplished Application Form;
 Photocopy of Passport, with visa or Certificate of
Recognition for refugees;
 Contract of Employment/ Appointment or Board
Secretary’s Certificate of Election;
 Photocopy of Mayor’s Permit to operate business or in
case of locators in economic zones, Certification from
the PEZA or the Ecozone Authority that the company is
located and operating within the ecozone; and
 Photocopy of current AEP (if for renewal)

Fees


 Permit fee is P8,000 for one year validity or fraction
thereof plus P3,000.00 for every additional year of
validity or a fraction thereof, which shall not exceed five
years, to be paid upon submission of application.

Penalties


 If upon evaluation, a foreign national is found to have
worked without or with expired AEP prior to application,
a penalty of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) shall be
imposed for working without an AEP for one (1) year or
fraction thereof.

6. Who authorizes the issuance of an AEP?

The Secretary of Labor and Employment, through the DOLE Regional Director, who
has jurisdiction over the intended place of work of the foreign national, authorizes
the issuance of an AEP.

7. Who are covered by the publication requirement?

An application for new AEP, for additional or change in position of the foreign
national in the same company or subsequent assignment in related companies
during the validity or renewal of the AEP will be subject for publication requirement
and payment of publication fee.

8. If there is an objection/information filed with the Regional Office

regarding the application for AEP published, how will it be resolved?
The Regional Director shall determine as to whether or not an information/objection
to the application for AEP merits the denial of the application or cancellation of the
AEP.
The Regional Director may require the appearance/s of either or both the foreign
national and the parties providing the information/objection. If the objection is
meritorious, the Regional Director will deny the application or cancel the AEP if it has
been issued. If the objection is not meritorious, the Regional Director will grant the
AEP.

9. What is the period of validity of an AEP?

The AEP shall be valid for one (1) year or co-terminus with the duration of
employment, consultancy services or other modes of employment or term of office
which in no case shall exceed five years. Said AEP is valid for the position/s and
company for which it was issued.

In case of assignment in the company’s subsidiaries, branch offices and joint

ventures and those assigned in the headquarters with oversight function in any of
the branch offices, operation or projects in the country, one (1) AEP shall be required
and valid for all the said assignments irrespective of their place/s.

10. How long is the processing period for the issuance of AEP?
If the application is filed at the Regional Office, issuance or denial of AEP shall be
within 24 hours after the publication. If the application is filed at the Field Office,
issuance or denial of AEP shall be within 5 working days from date of filing of
application.

11. What are the grounds for the denial of AEP

An application for AEP may be denied for misrepresentation of facts in the
application; submission of falsified documents; the foreign national has a derogatory
record; or availability of a Filipino who is competent, able and willing to do the job
intended for the foreign national.

12. What are the grounds for suspension of AEP?

The AEP may be suspended after due process based on the following:


o The continued stay of the foreign national may result in damage to the
interest of the industry or the country;
o The employment of the foreign national is suspended by the employer
or by order of the Court.

13. If an application has been denied or cancelled by the Regional Office,

can the foreign national apply for an AEP in other Regional Offices
No, foreign nationals whose applications have been denied or whose AEPs had been
cancelled shall not be allowed to re-apply in any of the DOLE Regional Offices, unless
said foreign national has provided proof that the ground for denial/ cancellation/
revocation has been corrected.

14. Is there a remedy for a denied/cancelled or revoked AEP?

Yes, an Appeal maybe filed by any aggrieved party with the Secretary of Labor and
Employment within 10 days after receipt of the Order of denial/cancellation or
revocation.

15. Is the decision of the Secretary final and executory?

Yes, the decision of the Secretary shall be final and executory, unless a motion for
reconsideration is filed within ten (10) days after receipt of the decision of the
Secretary. No second motion for reconsideration shall be entertained.

16. When shall an application for renewal of AEP be filed?

An application for renewal of AEP must be filed before its expiration. For elective and
appointive positions, applications must be filed within 15 working days after
election/appointment or before expiration of AEP, if election or appointment will take
place before expiration of AEP.
 In case the election or appointment will take place after the expiration of the AEP,
the application shall be filed before the expiration of the AEP, and shall be renewed
for one year.

17. What are the grounds for revocation/cancellation of AEP?

Any of the following is a ground for revocation/cancellation of an AEP:

1.
1.
1.
1. Non-compliance with any of the requirements or
conditions for which the AEP was issued;
2. Misrepresentation of facts in the application;
3. Submission of falsified or tampered documents;
4. Meritorious objection or information against the
employment of the foreign national as determined by
the Regional Director;
5. Foreign national has a derogatory record; or
6. Employer terminated the employment of the foreign
national.

18. Are there fines and penalties relative to the filing of an application for
an AEP?
Yes, a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) for every year or a fraction thereof
shall be imposed on foreign nationals found working without an AEP or with an
expired AEP.

19. Is there a grace period in the filing of application for new AEP?
Yes, newly hired, elected or appointed officers are allowed to file application for new
AEP without penalty within fifteen (15) working days after signing of contract,
election or appointment.

However, if the appointment, election or signing of contract is more than 15 working

days before the start of contract or term of office, the application may be filed before
the start of contract or term of office.

20. What is required in the replacement of an AEP Card?

Replacement of AEP card shall require a fee of Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (P750.00).
In case of loss of AEP card, request for replacement shall be supported by an
Affidavit of loss.

Which Visa Is the Right One for You?

There are different visa types that may apply to you when you move to the
Philippines:

 A tourist visa is only necessary for stays exceeding 30 days and requiring multiple
entries.
 A non-immigrant visa is granted for the purpose of pre-arranged employment,
trade, transit, and education. The requirements naturally vary.
 Non-quota immigrant visas apply to children and spouses of Philippine citizens
and returning natural-born Filipinos.
 Quota immigrant visas are granted to applicants with enough financial capital who
possess extraordinary professional skills or qualifications to benefit the country. A
maximum of 50 quota immigrant visas are granted per year.
 The special resident retiree visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows multiple
entries and indefinite stay. To participate in this visa program, applicants must
submit a deposit depending on their age and retirement pension.

If you receive a pension and you are at least 50 years old, then the required deposit
for a special resident retiree visa is 10,000 USD, plus a monthly pension of 800 USD
for a single applicant and 1,000 USD for a couple.

If you receive no pension and you are at least 50 years old, then the required
deposit is 20,000 USD. For applicants aged from 35 to 49, the deposit is 50,000
USD.

For former Filipino citizens who are at least 35 years old (regardless of the number of
their dependents), for ambassadors of foreign countries who have served and retired
in the Philippines, and for current and former staff members of international
organization who are at least 50 years old, the deposit only amounts to 1,500 USD.

For more details on the individual visas and how to apply, see the Filipino Bureau of
Immigration.

Visa Requirements

The visa requirements for the Philippines vary significantly, depending on the
purpose and the duration of your stay. However, for example, the necessary
documents for a pre-arranged employment visa include:

 a passport valid for at least six to twelve months

 two completed application forms
 a copy of your employment contract
 your curriculum vitae
 several passport-sized pictures, signed on front bottom
 a medical and physical examination report by an authorized physician (including a
chest X-ray, lab reports, and a certificate that you are HIV-negative)
 the visa application fee

If you are planning to move to the Philippines with your family, you should also
attach any birth certificates and a marriage certificate. These documents must be
notarized. If you apply in a language other than English, remember to submit your
paperwork with certified English translations.

Don’t Forget to Register for Your Alien

Employment Permit
Aside from an employment visa, the Philippine government requires non-resident
foreign nationals to apply for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) if they plan on
working in the Philippines. The department responsible for this permit is
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

You can try to apply for an AEP at your nearest consulate or embassy. However, your
application will be more successful if you submit it through your prospective
employer at one of the DOLE’s regional offices. How long your AEP remains valid
depends on the duration of your work contract and the nature of your position at
your company in the Philippines.

ACR I-Card

When submitting your visa application, you need to provide an application for an ACR
I-Card along with it. The ACR I-Card costs around 50 USD and is a microchip-based
identification card that carries all your information relevant to immigration officials,
such as your name, date of birth, age, and visa type.
The card also serves as an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), Re-Entry Permit
(RP), and Special Return Certificate (SRC).