Philippines work visa (9g)

The 9(g) visa is for foreign nationals who come to engage in a lawful occupation for wages, salary or other compensation from a Philippine employer. The commercial version applies to companies; a non-commercial version exists for missionary, social and rehabilitation work. Short paid assignments of three to six months can instead be covered by a Special Work Permit, and while a 9(g) petition is pending the BI can issue a Provisional Work Permit for PHP 4,040.

The BI checklist requires a copy of the Alien Employment Permit issued by DOLE and proof that the approved AEP was published, or a publisher's certificate of publication. Professionals in a regulated profession also need a Special Temporary Permit from the Professional Regulation Commission. The petitioning company proves its existence with SEC registration, articles of incorporation and the current General Information Sheet, or DTI registration and a mayor's permit for sole proprietorships, and submits its latest income tax return with proof of payment and a notarised count of foreign and Filipino employees.

The BI table (updated 6 March 2014) lists, for employers outside the top 1,000 corporations, PHP 10,130 for one year, PHP 17,170 for two years and PHP 24,210 for three years for the principal. Top 1,000 corporations pay PHP 10,630, 18,170 and 25,710. A dependent spouse pays PHP 8,120 for one year. Extensions cost PHP 7,060 for one year at a non-top-1,000 company. Each year of validity adds USD 50 for the ACR I-Card.

The employee normally enters as a visitor and the conversion is filed in the Philippines. Steps: obtain the consolidated application form, submit the documents for pre-screening at the Central Receiving Unit or an authorised office, pay the fees, attend the hearing, give biometrics for the ACR I-Card, check online whether the visa is approved, hand in the passport for visa implementation and collect the card. All foreign documents must be originals authenticated by the competent Philippine post, with English translations, and the passport is scanned and returned.

9(g) holders report to the BI within the first 60 days of each year. If an extension is still pending when the visa expires, an interim extension lets the holder leave and return without losing status. When you leave for good, or the visa expires or is downgraded, you need an Emigration Clearance Certificate before departure.