With attractive tourist destinations, high-end business districts, and a diverse mix of cultures, the Philippines is an ideal destination for foreign nationals who wish to work, travel, study, and retire in the country. Like many countries, the Philippines requires foreign nationals to secure a visa to stay in the country legally.  

The Philippines government offers over 20 kinds of visa options to foreign nationals, grouped into three categories: non-immigrant visas, immigrant visas, and special visas. 

To help you with your visa application, our team offers end-to-end assistance with visa requirements and procedures to help you secure the proper visa for your stay in the Philippines. 

The Different Visa Categories in the Philippines 

As mentioned, Philippines visas are grouped into three categories: 

• Section 9 Visas or Non-Immigrant Visas
  • For foreign nationals who wish to stay in the Philippines temporarily
• Section 13 Visas or Immigrant Visas
  • For foreign nationals who wish to stay permanently in the Philippines
• Special Visas
  • For qualified foreign nationals belonging to the demographic groups granted special entry privileges through legislation or presidential proclamations

Depending on the country of origin, foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for visits of up to 30 days. However, those who wish to acquire work, residency, retirement, and similar activities must secure appropriate visas. 

Work Visas in the Philippines

The Philippines offers four types of work visas to foreign nationals who wish to engage in gainful employment. Depending on their employment needs, foreigners may apply for the following work visas:

Additionally, foreigners are required to obtain a work permit in the Philippines to be eligible to apply for a work visa. The specific type of work permit will depend on the purpose and length of your employment in the country. 

There are generally three work permits in Philippines: 

• Alien Employment Permit (AEP). The AEP applies to all foreign nationals who wish to engage in long-term employment in the Philippines. The AEP is initially valid for one to five years, depending on the employment contract’s duration, and is renewable for a maximum of five years. 
• Special Work Permit (SWP).  The SWP allows the holder to engage in short-term employment for up to six months without the need to change their tourist status. A locally registered company must be willing to serve as the petitioner for the holder. 
• Provisional Work Permit (PWP). This permit is issued to foreign nationals who wish to commence work in the Philippines while their work visa application is approved. 

9(g) or Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa

The most common work visa issued to foreign nationals seeking employment is the 9(g) or Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa. This visa grants the holder multiple entry and exit privileges while working for a registered company in the Philippines. 

To be eligible, your hiring company must serve as your petitioner for the visa. Prior to applying for a 9(g) visa, you will need to obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) to work as a non-tourist in the Philippines. 

BI requires foreign nationals to submit the following documents when applying for a work visa:

• Checklist with accomplished documentary requirements
• Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa
• Additional information on the applicant’s children/dependents (if applicable)
• Notarized certification of the number of foreigners and Filipino employees of Employer/Company

Suppose your employer urges you to commence work before your permit or visa process is completed. In that case, you can apply for a Provisional Work Permit (PWP), which allows you to work while such documents are in process. 

47(a)(2) or Special Non-Immigrant Visa

The 47(a)(2) or Special Non-Immigrant Visa is issued to foreign employees working for Regional Headquarters (RHQ), Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ), or employees of PEZA or BOI-registered companies. The visa is otherwise known as the PEZA visa. 

The documentary requirements for the 47(a)(2) visa is as follows:

• Valid passport of foreign nationals (including their dependents, if any) subject of the application, and when required by the Department of Justice, their re-entry permit/s to the port of embarkation or country of origin (original and photocopies of the pertinent pages);
•  Marriage contract for a dependent spouse, if applicable;
•  Birth certificate/s of dependent children, if applicable; and
•  Affidavit of support and guarantee of return fare by the sponsor/applicant if the spouse or dependent child is included in the application.

This visa limits the employment of foreign nationals to 5% of the total workforce. This quota applies to supervisory, advisory, and technical job functions.

Visitor or Tourist Visas in the Philippines

Tourist or visitor visas are issued to foreign nationals who wish to come to the Philippines for a short duration. Depending on their country of origin, some nationalities may enter the country without a visa.

Temporary Visitor’s Visa

Restricted foreign nationals who wish to travel to the Philippines for leisure, business, or medical purposes must obtain a 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visa. Unrestricted foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a duration of 30 to 59 days, depending on their country of origin. 

Individuals must present the following documents when applying for a visitor’s visa:

• Passport/Travel Document valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Duly Accomplished visa application forms;
• Passport Photos (2 pieces);
• Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
• Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and
• Payment of Visa Fees

Additionally, 9(a) visa applications require foreign nationals to apply personally at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. 

Special Visas in the Philippines

Foreign nationals seeking to stay indefinitely in the Philippines, whether for work, investment, or retirement purposes, can apply for special visas: 

• Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV)
• Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
• Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

Special Investor’s Resident Visa

The Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) is issued to foreign nationals interested in investing a minimum of US$75,000 in either new or existing companies engaged in specific industries or are publicly listed in the Philippines. 

This visa entitles the holder to reside indefinitely in the Philippines, permitting multiple-entry privileges so long as his investments remain in the country. Foreign nationals who wish to acquire this visa must be of 21 years of age or older. 

Additionally, they must meet the following criteria to qualify for SIRV: 

• They have not been convicted of a crime involving moral injustice; 
• is not afflicted with any dangerous or contagious disease;
• has not been institutionalized for any mental disorder or disability; and
• is willing and able to invest the amount of at least US$75,000. 

For purposes of securing a SIRV, only investments or shares of stocks in existing, new, or proposed corporations shall be accepted as eligible forms of investment. Such investments must be of: 

• Publicly-listed companies;
• Companies engaged in areas listed in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) of the Board of Investments (BOI); and
• Companies engaged in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Ownership of stocks in corporations engaged in wholesale trading shall not be allowed, as well as investments in condominium units or partnerships.

Special Visa for Employment Generation

The Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) is granted to foreign nationals who shall employ at least ten (10) Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade, or industry. They must also manifest a genuine intention to stay in the Philippines indefinitely and is not a risk to Philippines national security to be qualified for this visa. 

Documentary required for SVEG:

• Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
• Certification letter of regular employment of at least 10 Filipinos in the company
• Notarized letter requesting SVEG
• Copy of valid passport
• Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
• Proof of investment
• Clearance from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)
• Clearance from the Bureau of Immigration (BI)

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa

Foreign nationals who wish to stay indefinitely in the Philippines to retire may apply for a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SSRV). This visa entitles the holder to reside during his lifetime in the Philippines, permitting multiple-entry privileges, so long as the visa requirements remain in the country. 

To be eligible, foreign nationals must be at least 35 years of age and meet the requirements of at least one of the SSRV programs:

• SSRV Smile. For active/healthy retirees who opt to maintain their SRRV deposit of US$20,000 in any of the Philippine Retirement Authority’s (PRA) accredited banks.
• SSRV Classic. For active or healthy retirees who opt to use their SRRV deposit into an active investment such as the purchase of condominium units or long-term lease of house and lot. The SRRV deposit ranges from US$10,000 to US$20,000.
• SSRV Human Touch. For ailing retirees, 35 years old and above, who need/require medical/clinical care. A monthly pension of at least US$1,500.00, a health insurance policy accepted in the Philippines, and an SRRV deposit of US$10,000.00 are required.
• SSRV Expanded Courtesy. For foreign nationals, 50 years old and above, who are retired Armed Force officers of foreign countries with existing military agreements with the Philippine Government. A monthly pension of at least US$1,000.00 and an SRRV deposit of US$1,500.00 are required.

SRRV holders are exempted from securing an Alien Certificate Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card). Such a requirement is replaced with a PRA Membership Identity Card.

How Can WeCorporate Help?

With an interesting mix of eastern and western cultures, the Philippines is an ideal destination for gainful experience, whether for work, leisure, business, education, or retirement. 

If you find such procedures exhaustive, it is best to reach out to visa consultants to help you choose the appropriate visa to cater your stay. Securing the proper visa will keep you from encountering unwanted issues with Philippine immigration.

Other Services Offered in the Philippines: 

• Company Incorporation
• Tax