The most common way for foreigners to be legally employed and receive wages in the Philippines is through a Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G) issued under Section 9(g) of the Immigration Act. However, a 9G visa must be based on an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by Department of Labor (DOLE) DOLE).
Relationship between the two certificates (key point)
An AEP (Approved Employment Permit) is a prerequisite for a 9G visa: the DOLE (National Bureau of Immigration (BI). Both are indispensable.
Process and Duration
- Employer posts job opening → Apply for AEP (approximately 2–3 weeks) → Apply for 9G from BI with AEP → Receive ACR I-Card upon approval;
- A typical 9G core lasts 1–3 years, linked to AEP and renewable; the entire process usually takes 3–5 months (industry estimate).
Job/Employer Change
- Change of employer: The original 9G visa downgrade and reissued.
- Promotion within the same company: visa downgrade waived, but the employer must report the "promotion notice" and process the 9G extension within 30 days of BI receiving the notice.
In addition, all 9G holders must complete their annual BI check-in between January 1 and March 1 each year.
* The processing time is an industry estimate and not an official commitment; materials and fees are subject to the latest BI/DOLE regulations. For 9G/AEP processing, please contact YIXING.
Source: Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) · Department of Labor (DOLE)
