Philippine Visa Services

Tour

Applicable visa: 9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Flight itinerary
• Basic information

Approval period: 1 day

9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

The 9a visa is available for foreign nationals whose purpose in traveling to the Philippines falls under any of the following:

• Tourism/Leisure/Pleasure or Holiday stay
• Business meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts or conduct ocular visit for potential business investment
• Medical/health tourism (provided no contagious, loathsome and/or contagious diseases)

9a visa extension is permissible. Non-visa required nationals are admissible for thirty (30 days) and may extend their stay from a 29-day visa waiver to 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 36 months.

Visa required nationals (with an entry visa from the Philippine embassy) may extend their stay upon arrival from 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 24 months.

• Brazilians and Israelis are given a 59-day stay based on existing agreements while Indians may be granted visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding 14 days.
• Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination is required for foreign nationals entering the Philippines before boarding.

Business Meeting

Applicable visa: 9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Flight itinerary
• Basic information

Approval period: 1day

9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

The 9a visa is available for foreign nationals whose purpose in traveling to the Philippines falls under any of the following:

• Tourism/Leisure/Pleasure or Holiday stay
• Business meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts or conduct ocular visit for potential business investment
• Medical/health tourism (provided no contagious, loathsome and/or contagious diseases)

9a visa extension is permissible. Non-visa required nationals are admissible for thirty (30 days) and may extend their stay from a 29-day visa waiver to 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 36 months.

Visa required nationals (with an entry visa from the Philippine embassy) may extend their stay upon arrival from 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 24 months.

• Brazilians and Israelis are given a 59-day stay based on existing agreements while Indians may be granted visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding 14 days.
• Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination is required for foreign nationals entering the Philippines before boarding.

Short Term Assignment (6 months or less)

Applicable permit: Special Work Permit (SWP) or Provisional Work Permit (PWP)

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Company/Petitioner’s Corporate Documents
• Employment Agreement or Consultancy Agreement
• Application Forms
• Letter Requests
• Affidavits/Sworn statements
• Proof of AEP filing

Approval period: 2 weeks

Special Work Permit (SWP)

Foreign nationals who are on a short-term assignment in the Philippines can apply for the Special Work Permit (SWP) at the Bureau of Immigration. The SWP allows the foreign national to render service with tourist status for 3 months and may be extended for maximum period of 6 months. Holders of SWP shall not establish an employer-employee relationship and must be lawfully engaged only in 14 permissible areas of work.

1. Professional athletes, coaches, trainers, and assistants;
2. International performers with exceptional abilities;
3. Artists, performers and their staff;
4. Service suppliers coming primarily to perform temporary services;
5. Treasure hunters;
6. Movie and television crews;
7. Foreign journalists;
8. GOCC trainees;
9. Lecturers, researchers, and academic trainers;
10. Religious missionaries and trainers;
11. Commercial models and talents;
12. Culinary specialists/ Chefs;
13. Certified technical Professionals; and
14. Consultants or Specialists

SWP applicants must provide proof of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Provisional Work Permit (PWP)

Foreign nationals who are needed to work in the country immediately but whose Alien Employment Permit (AEP) are still being processed are given a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) by the Bureau of Immigration. The PWP is only valid for 3 months and cannot be extended. Should there be a need for an extension due to services requirements, the foreign national is advised to proceed in securing a work visa such as the 9g Commercial Visa.

In order to qualify for the PWP, (1.) a locally registered company must be willing to serve as the Petitioner, (2.) Petitioner has the capacity to employ the services of a foreign national and (3.) no Filipino can do the job. Proof of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will also be required.

Long Term Employment (more than 6 months)

Applicable visas: 9g Commercial, 47a2 Visa (PEZA entities), RHQ/ROHQ Visa

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Company/Petitioner’s Corporate Documents
• Employment Agreement or Consultancy Agreement
• Application Forms
• Letter Requests
• Affidavits/Sworn statements
• AEP card
• 2×2 photos

Approval period: 2-3 months

9g Commercial Visa

Any form of employment where an income is generated in the country regardless of its source must always be supported by a valid work visa. The 9g visa also known as Pre-arranged Employee Visa (Commercial) is the most common work visa type acquired by foreign nationals who are engaged in a lawful occupation. The 9g visa is coterminous with the employment of the foreign national with the locally registered company (Petitioner) which may range from 1 year, 2 years or up to 3 years. Holders of 9g visa can file for renewal at least 60 days prior to its expiration.

9g visa is strictly company and position-specific. Only when the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is issued can the 9g visa be lodged at the Bureau of Immigration. This visa has multiple entry privileges, but an exit fee must be paid for each departure.

47a2 Visa (PEZA entities)

Foreign employees whose Petitioner (local company) is registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) can apply for the 47a2 visa. However, only one foreign national for every 20 Filipino employees or 5% ratio can acquire the visa. Validity is good for one year but can be renewed for the same duration. It is also strictly company and position-specific. Holders of 47a2 visa are exempted from paying the exit fees for each time they leave the country. A valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is a requisite when applying for the 47a2 visa.

RHQ/ROHQ Visa

The ROHQ/RHQ Visa is granted to foreign personnel or executives of regional or area headquarters and regional operating headquarters or multinational companies. Applicants of this visa must also be earning an annual salary equivalent to $12,000 or equivalent in other foreign currencies. Holders of ROHQ/RHQ visa are exempted from paying the exit fees for each departure. It has a validity of 3 years and renewable for another 3 years.

Retirement

Applicable visa: Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Inward remittance of bank deposit to PRA accredited bank
• Authenticated police clearance
• Medical clearance
• NBI clearance
• Photos
• Application forms

Approval period: 25 days

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

The SRRV is a special non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals who intend to reside, retire and make a valuable investment in the country. The SRRV has multiple entry privileges, indefinite validity, offers US$7,000 worth of custom duties and tax exemption and other health discounts and privileges.

There are different programs under SRRV.

SRRV Smile

• For active/healthy retirees of at least 35 years of age.
• Able to deposit US$20,000 in any of PRA accredited banks

SRRV Classic

• For active/healthy retirees who choose to use their SRRV deposit into an active investment such as condominium purchase or long term lease of house and lot
• 50 years old >
  – US$10,000 [with pension]
  – US$20,000 [without pension]
• 35 to 49 years old – US$50,000
• The value of the property must be at least US$50,000
• The value of the property must be at least US$50,000
• Required pension of at least US$800 for single and US$1,000 for couple

SRRV Human Touch

• For ailing retirees, 35 years old and above, who require medical care
• Monthly pension of US$1,500
• With health insurance policy accepted in PH
• SRRV deposit of US$10,000

SRRV Courtesy

• For former Filipinos of at least 35 years of age
• For foreign nationals of 50 years old and >
• Retired officers of International Organizations recognized by DFA
• SRRV deposit of US$1,500 required

Residence (married to a Philippine Citizen)

Applicable visa: 13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa

Key requirements:

• Original passport of applicant
• NSO Certified marriage certificate
• NSO Certified birth certificate of Philippine citizen (Petitioner)
• Medical clearance
• NBI clearance
• Photos
• Application forms
• Copy of government IDs of Philippine citizen (Petitioner)

Approval period: 2-3 months

13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa

Foreign nationals whose (1.) country has an immigration reciprocity agreement with the Philippines, (2.) married to a Philippine citizen and (3.) record does not show derogatory information against him is qualified for a 13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa application. Successful applicants will initially be granted with probationary visa which can be converted to permanent after a year and is also exempted from getting a work permit/visa if they intend to engage in lawful employment in the country.

Investment

Applicable visas: Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV), Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) and 9d Treaty Trader’s Visa

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Proof of inward remittance
• Copy of Corporate documents showing investment
• Application forms
• Letter request

Approval period: 2-3 months

Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV)

The Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration through the Board of Investment (BOI) to foreign nationals who invest at least US$75,000 in one of the following:

• Publicly listed companies;
• Companies that operates in areas listed in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) of BOI; and
• Manufacturing and services companies

Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)

The Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) is being issued by the Bureau of Immigration with the endorsement from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to a foreign national who holds substantial investment in an existing Philippine corporation and has employed at least 10 Filipino employees in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry.

The visa has an indefinite validity and permits multiple entries at any given point during its validity.

9d Treaty Trader’s Visa

The 9d Treaty Trader’s Visa is granted to a foreign national of the United States of America (USA), Japan, and Germany who intends to carry on trade or commerce and who is contracted to develop and direct the operations of a Philippine enterprise. The applicant’s nationality must also be the same as the majority of the sponsoring company/’s shareholders.

Religious or Missionary

Applicable visa: 9g Non-Commercial Visa

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Barangay Certification
• Certificate of Assignment
• Company/Petitioner’s Corporate Documents
• Letter Request

Approval period: 2 months

9g Non-Commercial Visa

Foreign nationals who are engaged in missionary, social and medical mission may apply for the 9g Non-Commercial visa. The initial validity may be for 1 year, 2 years or 3 years and can be extended thereafter provided, the visa holder is still engaged in the same purpose. The application shall commence upon approval of the Alien Employment Permit from the Department of Labor and Employment.

Special Work Permit (SWP)

Foreign nationals who are on a short-term assignment in the Philippines can apply for the Special Work Permit (SWP) at the Bureau of Immigration. The SWP allows the foreign national to render service with tourist status for 3 months and may be extended for maximum period of 6 months. Holders of SWP shall not establish an employer-employee relationship and must be lawfully engaged only in 14 permissible areas of work.

1. Professional athletes, coaches, trainers, and assistants;
2. International performers with exceptional abilities;
3. Artists, performers and their staff;
4. Service suppliers coming primarily to perform temporary services;
5. Treasure hunters;
6. Movie and television crews;
7. Foreign journalists;
8. GOCC trainees;
9. Lecturers, researchers, and academic trainers;
10. Religious missionaries and trainers;
11. Commercial models and talents;
12. Culinary specialists/ Chefs;
13. Certified technical Professionals; and
14. Consultants or Specialists

SWP applicants must provide proof of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Medical Tourism

Applicable visa: 9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

Key requirements:

• Original passport
• Flight itinerary
• Basic information

Approval period: 1day

9a (Temporary Visitor’s Visa)

The 9a visa is available for foreign nationals whose purpose in traveling to the Philippines falls under any of the following:

• Tourism/Leisure/Pleasure or Holiday stay
• Business meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts or conduct ocular visit for potential business investment
• Medical/health tourism (provided no contagious, loathsome and/or contagious diseases)

9a visa extension is permissible. Non-visa required nationals are admissible for thirty (30 days) and may extend their stay from a 29-day visa waiver to 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 36 months.

Visa required nationals (with an entry visa from the Philippine embassy) may extend their stay upon arrival from 60 days to 6 months or more but not exceeding 24 months.

• Brazilians and Israelis are given a 59-day stay based on existing agreements while Indians may be granted visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding 14 days.
• Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination is required for foreign nationals entering the Philippines before boarding.