Work & Settle in Philippines

About Philippines

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelago comprising over 7,000 islands situated in Southeast Asia within the Pacific Ocean. These islands are grouped into three main geographical divisions: Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. Sharing maritime borders with several countries including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the Philippines boasts a rich multicultural landscape across its diverse islands.

The capital city, Manila, and the largest city, Quezon City, are both part of the urban region known as the National Capital Region (Metro Manila). Filipino, an evolved version of Tagalog, serves as the national language, with English also holding official status and being widely used by the government.

With an estimated population of around 108.8 million people, the Philippines embodies a vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and ethnicities, making it a dynamic and diverse nation in Southeast Asia.

Permanent Residency in the Philippines

Permanent residency in the Philippines is attainable for foreigners and businessmen under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, Section 13 (a), which grants eligibility based on marriage to a Philippine citizen.

Permanent Resident Visa

To qualify for the Permanent Resident Visa, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

  1. Contract a valid marriage with a Philippine citizen.
  2. Ensure the marriage is recognized as valid under Philippine laws.
  3. Have no derogatory record in any local or foreign law enforcement agency.
  4. Be free from dangerous, contagious, or loathsome diseases.
  5. Demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support a family and avoid becoming a public burden.
  6. Obtain entry into the Philippines and authorization to stay from Immigration authorities.

This visa category offers a pathway for foreign spouses of Philippine citizens to establish permanent residency and potentially pursue citizenship in the country.

Philippines Long Stay Visas

Foreign nationals who enter the Philippines for long-term purposes must have the appropriate visa. The main types of Philippine visas issued for a longer duration include:

  • Philippine Work Visa, which is issued to foreigners who will work for a Filipino company
  • Philippine Student Visa, which is issued to foreigners who will pursue their studies in a Filipino educational institution
  • Philippine Spouse Visa, which is issued to the spouses of Filipino citizens and/or their dependent children.
  • Philippine Retirement Visa, which is issued to foreigners who want to retire in the Philippines and have the necessary financial requirements to do so.

Philippine long-stay visas are issued for six months to three years, depending on the type of visa you apply for and other determining factors, such as the duration of your work contract.

Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship is not recognized in Philippines. To become a citizen of Philippines, you must renounce your previous nationality.

Requirements for Philippines Visa

The basic requirements that you need to fulfil in order to apply for a Philippine visa are listed below:

  • The visa application form must be filled up fully and legibly completed in English.
  • One passport size photograph.
  • Bank statements for the last six months duly stamped and signed by a bank officer.
  • The original passport that has a validity of at least six months.
  • Photocopy of the data and amendment pages in the passport.

Work in Philippines

As per immigration laws, foreign employees interested in working in the Philippines need a valid work permit in Philippines. The work permit must be valid for employees and sponsored by an incorporated entity that is also locally licensed.

Major industries in Philippines

  • chemicals
  • consumer products
  • food processing
  • machine building
  • mining
  • technology
  • textiles
  • transport.

POPULAR GRADUATE JOBS

  • Banking and financial services
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Sales and marketing
  • Technology

Philippines Work Visa

Foreigners who want to work in the Philippines will have to obtain a Philippines Work Visa. In addition to that, they also need a Work Permit. These two documents are issued by different governing bodies in the Philippines.

How to get a Philippines Work Permit?

There are three main types of Work Permits that the Philippines government issues:

  • Alien Employment Permit (AEP), for foreigners who have a long-term work contract with a company in the Philippines.
  • Special Work Permit (SWP), for foreigners who will work in a Filipino company or do a short term assignment for up to 6 months.
  • Provisional Work Permit (PWP), for foreigners who still haven’t received a Work Visa but want to start working while they wait. This is valid for up to three months and will become void once the Philippines Work Visa is issued.

Your employer has to submit the application for your work permit at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines. They must do this before you start working in their company.

It takes about 2-3 weeks for the DOLE to process an application for a Philippines Work Permit.

What documents do you need for a Philippines Work Visa?

The documents you have to submit when applying for a Philippines Work Visa are:

  • A Letter of Request for the Visa addressed to the Embassy/Consulate (by you and your employer)
  • Copy of the Employment Contract or another equivalent document stating your salary, position, the duration and the nature of your work at the company in the Philippines.
  • Photocopy of your employing company’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • Copy of your Work Permit, issued by the Department of Labor and Employment in the Philippines
    • Your employer has to obtain a Work Permit in the Philippines before you apply for the Work Visa
  • Document showing the number of foreign and Filipino employees working in the company
  • A Certificate of Police Clearance issued by the authorities in your country
  • Health Certificate, including an X-Ray, issued by an authorized medical practitioner
  • Any other documents as requested by the Embassy/Consulate or the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines

HOW CORALEDU CAN HELP YOU?

Coraledu is best positioned to help you with your Philippines visit visa. Our teams will help you:

  • Advise you on the required documentation
  • Advise you on the funds that need to be shown
  • Fill out the application forms
  • Review your documents for the visa application

Talk to us to get your Philippines visitor visa process underway

 
 
 

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