Philippines Work Visa 2026: AEP and 9(g) Visa Rules
Working legally in the Philippines takes two documents from two agencies. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issues the Alien Employment Permit, known as the AEP. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issues the Pre-arranged Employment Visa, known as the 9(g). The permit comes first and the visa depends on it. This guide sets out both, with the fees, timings and penalties from DOLE's AEP guide dated 15 June 2026 and the Bureau of Immigration's published pages, as read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
Your Philippine employer must publish the vacancy in a newspaper of general circulation at least 15 days before filing, then apply for the AEP. The filing fee is Php 6,000 for one year of validity, plus Php 5,000.00 for every additional year, and processing takes 15 working days after payment. An AEP is valid for one year unless a longer period is granted, and never more than three years. With the AEP you apply for the 9(g) visa, which the Bureau of Immigration prices from Php 10,130.00 for one year. Working without a valid AEP carries a fine of PHP 10,000 per year or fraction of a year.
The two documents
| Alien Employment Permit (AEP) | Pre-arranged Employment Visa, 9(g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Local Employment | Bureau of Immigration |
| What it is | The employment permit required by Article 40 of the Labor Code | The visa for foreign nationals proceeding to the Philippines to engage in any lawful occupation, for wages, salary or other compensation |
| Validity | One year unless a longer period is granted, in no case more than three years | Priced for 1, 2 or 3 years |
| Fee | Php 6,000 filing fee for one year | Php 10,130.00 for the principal for one year, at a company outside the top 1,000 corporations |
DOLE's guide answers the basic question directly: foreign nationals may work in the Philippines either short-term or long-term, and those intending to work with a Philippines-based employer shall secure an AEP.
Step 1: the employer advertises the job
- Newspaper: at least 15 days before filing, the employer publishes the vacancy in any newspaper of general circulation. The publication is valid and effective within forty-five (45) days from the date of publication.
- Online postings do not replace it. Proof of newspaper publication, as a cut-out or clipping showing the date and publisher's name, has to be submitted with the application.
- Other postings: the vacancy is also posted in PhilJobNet and with the Public Employment Service Office, though that is not a precondition to filing.
- Exemption: a foreign national hired to a corporate officer position identified in the company's articles, by-laws or General Information Sheet is exempt from the publication requirement.
The advertisement feeds the labor market test, which DOLE defines as the mechanism to determine the non-availability of a Filipino citizen who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to perform the services.
Step 2: the AEP application
The application is filed at the Bureau of Local Employment having jurisdiction over the intended place of work. DOLE lists these documents:
- The application form, signed by the employer and the foreign national, including the Employer Registration Number
- A photocopy of the passport bio-page with a valid and appropriate visa
- A photocopy of BIR Form No. 1904 or 1902 showing the foreign national's Taxpayer Identification Number
- The original notarized or authenticated appointment or contract of employment, stating the position, scope of work, duties, salary and other benefits
- A certified true copy of the employer's legal personality and authority to do business, such as SEC registration, a valid business or mayor's permit, or an economic zone registration
- A photocopy of the newspaper clipping with a notarized affidavit that no Filipino applied or was found competent, able and willing for the position
- Certified true copies of documents verifying your qualifications, such as educational credentials, work experience, professional licences or skills certifications
Some cases need more: a Special Temporary Permit from the Professional Regulation Commission for a regulated profession, an Authority to Employ Alien from the Department of Justice where the employer is covered by the Anti-Dummy Law, or an Authority to Hire Foreign National issued by DENR in the case of mining.
What DOLE does with it
The Bureau of Local Employment verifies the publication, validates the documents and assesses the employment contract against the published qualifications. Objections from Filipinos are evaluated for merit and timeliness. DOLE then determines the validity period, and may require a personal appearance or inspect the worksite. After payment of the fees, the application is processed for a period of 15 working days.
AEP fees and validity
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| AEP, 1 year validity | Php 6,000 filing fee |
| Every additional year of validity or fraction thereof | Php 5,000.00 |
| Renewal | Php 6,000.00 |
| Card replacement due to loss, amendment or additional position | Php 3,000.00 |
| Certificate of Exclusion or Certificate of Exemption | Php 2,000 per certificate |
An application to renew may be filed as early as sixty (60) days before the permit expires. Renewals follow the same rules and documents as new applications, including publication.
Step 3: the 9(g) visa
DOLE's guide describes two routes under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, Series of 2019:
| Option 1: you are in the Philippines | Option 2: you are outside the Philippines |
|---|---|
| You arrive with a 9(a) temporary visitor visa and enter an employment contract with a Philippine-based employer | The employer executes the contract and applies for all the necessary permits, including the AEP, on your behalf |
| You or the employer secure any special authority needed, then apply for the AEP | Once the AEP is secured, the employer applies for the 9(g) visa with the Bureau of Immigration |
| Once the AEP is obtained, you or the employer apply for the 9(g) visa | The Bureau conveys the approved application to the Department of Foreign Affairs for onward transmittal, and you apply for the 9(g) visa at the Philippine Consulate General in your country of origin |
What the Bureau of Immigration asks for
The Bureau's checklist for conversion to a pre-arranged employee visa includes a joint letter request from the applicant and the petitioner, the application form, the passport bio-page and latest admission, the employment contract with exact compensation and duration, the petitioner's latest income tax return, the company's registration papers, a photocopy of the AEP, a notarized certification of the number of foreign and Filipino employees, and a BI Clearance Certificate. The process includes a hearing, and image and fingerprint capture for the ACR I-Card.
9(g) visa fees
| Validity | Principal, non-top 1,000 corporation | Principal, top 1,000 corporation | Dependent spouse, non-top 1,000 | ACR I-Card, added |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | Php 10,130.00 | Php 10,630.00 | Php 8,120.00 | US $50 |
| 2 years | Php 17,170.00 | Php 18,170.00 | Php 13,960.00 | US $100 |
| 3 years | Php 24,210.00 | Php 25,710.00 | Php 19,800.00 | US $150 |
The Bureau's page states that these fees are updated as of 06 March 2014 and may change without prior notice, so treat them as the published schedule and confirm the amount on the order of payment.
If you need to start before the visa is approved
| Permit | Who it is for | Published fee |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional Work Permit | Issued to a foreign national during the pendency of an application for a pre-arranged employment visa | PHP 4,040.00 in total |
| Special Work Permit, commercial | A foreign national who shall engage in gainful employment for three to six months | PHP 6,440.00, plus USD 50.00 for a one-year ACR I-Card where one is issued |
Who does not need an AEP
DOLE separates two groups. Exempted foreign nationals include:
- Permanent resident foreign nationals and probationary or temporary resident visa holders
- Dependent spouses of members of the diplomatic corps, and embassy and consulate staff
- Visiting, exchange or adjunct professors under formal agreements between universities
- Refugees and stateless persons recognised by the Department of Justice
Excluded categories may work without an AEP and include:
- Members of the governing board with voting rights only
- A president and treasurer who are part-owners of the company
- Intra-corporate transferees who are executives, managers or specialists, employed by the foreign service supplier for at least one (1) year before deployment
- Contractual service providers who are managers, executives or specialists of a foreign supplier with no commercial presence in the Philippines
Both groups apply for a certificate instead. The Bureau of Local Employment issues a Certificate of Exclusion or Exemption within three (3) working days after receipt of complete requirements and payment of fees.
Rules after the permit is issued
- No transfer without approval. Under Article 41 of the Labor Code, after the issuance of an employment permit the alien shall not transfer to another job or change employer without prior approval of the Secretary of Labor.
- Late filing. Applications filed beyond 15 calendar days from the execution of the employment contract or the appointment incur a fine of PHP 10,000 for both the foreign national and the employer.
- Working without an AEP. The fine is PHP 10,000 per year or fraction thereof, for the foreign national and for the employer. Working without a valid AEP is also a ground for referral to the Bureau of Immigration for deportation proceedings.
- Bars on future applications. Foreign nationals working with expired AEPs may be barred from filing for five years, and indefinitely where the AEP was fraudulent.
- Training of Filipino staff. Certain employers must run an Understudy Training Program, transferring skills to at least two (2) Filipino understudies. It applies to firms enjoying fiscal incentives under the Foreign Investment Act, public utilities with foreign equity and strategic investments.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a work permit to work in the Philippines?
Yes. Foreign nationals intending to work with a Philippines-based employer shall secure an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE, unless they fall under a category of exemption or exclusion.
How much does a Philippine work permit cost?
The AEP filing fee is Php 6,000 for one year of validity, plus Php 5,000.00 for every additional year or fraction thereof. Renewal costs Php 6,000.00.
How long does a Philippine work permit take?
After payment of the required fees, the AEP application is processed for a period of 15 working days. Before that, the vacancy has to be published at least 15 days prior to filing.
How long is the AEP valid?
One year, unless a longer period is granted in line with the employment duration in the contract, and in no case more than three (3) years.
Can my employer apply while I am still abroad?
Yes. The employer applies for the necessary permits and the AEP on your behalf, then for the 9(g) visa with the Bureau of Immigration. You apply for the visa at the Philippine Consulate General in your country of origin.
Can I change employer on a Philippine work permit?
Not without prior approval of the Secretary of Labor, under Article 41 of the Labor Code.
What happens if I work without an AEP?
You face a fine of PHP 10,000 per year or fraction thereof, the work must stop, and the case can be referred to the Bureau of Immigration for deportation proceedings.
Official sources
- Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Local Employment — Alien Employment Permit FAQs (as of 15 June 2026)
- Bureau of Immigration — Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G)
- Bureau of Immigration — Checklist for conversion to pre-arranged employee visa (commercial)
- Bureau of Immigration — Provisional Work Permit
- Bureau of Immigration — Special Work Permit, commercial
All figures verified against the official pages above on 14 October 2026. The Bureau of Immigration marks its fee tables as updated in 2014 and subject to change, so confirm amounts before you pay. Information, not legal advice.