Visa Rules - Philippines

Should you intend to work as a teacher in Philippines, you will need a work permit. The Philippine Labour Law requires a working permit known as the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) for every foreign national employed in the Philippines. An application for this is normally filed by the Philippine employer on behalf of the foreign employee and once approved, is generally co-terminus with the term of employment. Under current practice, six months is the minimum validity period, and two years is the maximum. The application is to be filed with the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE).

Depending on the nationality of the applicant, the employment authorization process will either be handled in country upon arrival or will require consular processing. If handled by consular processing, the applicant must wait outside of the Philippines for the approval documents to be sent to the Philippine Consulate in their home country/country of residence. This usually takes eight to twelve weeks. The processing time for a non-consular application will depend on the sponsoring company's business registration. The processing time can range from two to twelve weeks. If the duration of the assignment is less than six months, a Special Work Permit application may be submitted to the authorities.

A Philippines registered company must sponsor the work authorization application. The type of work authorization application submitted is determined by company registration, registered capital, company activities, and whether there are any special incentives granted to the sponsoring company by a Philippines government agency. The duration of the work visa will be determined by the specific time period noted in the employment contract. The following documents are needed for this prearranged work visa.

• Letter request from the petitioner - organization

• General Application Form duly accomplished and notarized (BI Form RBR 98-01)

• 2x2 picture to be attached to the application form

• Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, SEC Certificate of Registration of petitioner

• Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment

• Income Tax Return and proof of payment of taxes by the petitioner

• Contract or agreement entered into for applicant's service stating term of service and exact compensation and other benefits to be received

• Bio data of applicant

• Affidavit of support and guarantee executed by the petitioner in favor of the applicant

• Certificate by Human Resource Director / Personnel Officer as to the number of foreign nationals employed by the petitioner

• True copy of the applicant's passport showing admission status and updated stay

• Other supporting documents which will aid in the evaluation of the application

• Marriage Certificate / Birth Certificate of unmarried minor children if dependents are included in the application

• True copies of passport of the spouse and unmarried minor children.