Understanding the complete work visa cost structure in the Philippines for 2026 requires examining both official government fees from DOLE and BI, plus substantial ancillary expenses that typically double headline figures. With AEP fees starting at PHP 9,000-10,000, 9(G) visas ranging from PHP 15,000-35,000 depending on duration, and mandatory add-ons like publication (PHP 20,000+) and medical exams (PHP 5,000+), total work visa cost averages PHP 70,000-140,000 per applicant.
Official DOLE AEP Government Fees
The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) constitutes the first mandatory work visa cost, with fees scaling by employment duration to fund DOLE’s labor market verification, protecting Filipino workers.
2026 AEP Fee Schedule:
- 1-Year Validity: PHP 9,000 base (includes publication)
- 2-Year Validity: PHP 13,000 (PHP 9,000 + PHP 4,000)
- 3-Year Validity: PHP 17,000 (PHP 9,000 + 2x PHP 4,000)
- Card Replacement: PHP 3,000
- Exemption Certificate: PHP 2,000
- Late Penalty: PHP 1,000 per day
Maximum 5-Year AEP: PHP 25,000 total. Fees paid via DOLE-accredited banks; non-refundable.
Bureau of Immigration 9(G) Visa Fees Breakdown
The 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa—primary work visa cost for employer-sponsored roles—features tiered pricing based on duration and corporate status.
Principal Fees (Standard Corporations):
- 1-Year: PHP 10,630 visa + USD 50 ACR I-Card ≈ PHP 17,130
- 2-Year: PHP 18,170 visa + USD 100 ACR ≈ PHP 24,170
- 3-Year: PHP 25,710 visa + USD 150 ACR ≈ PHP 31,710
Dependents (Spouse/Child):
- 1-Year: PHP 8,370-10,650 + USD 50 ≈ PHP 14,370-17,650
- 2-Year: PHP 14,410-17,090 + USD 100 ≈ PHP 21,010-24,090
Additional BI Charges:
- Express Processing: PHP 500-1,000
- Motion/Hearing Fees: PHP 10 per page
- BI Clearance: PHP 500-1,000
The top 1,000 corporations receive 20-25% discounts.
Mandatory Processing Expenses You Cannot Skip
Beyond government fees, work visa costs include unavoidable ancillary charges, which comprise 50-70% of the total expenditure.
Publication Requirements (DOLE AEP):
- National newspaper (general circulation): PHP 15,000-25,000
- Online platforms/company career page: PHP 2,000-5,000
- Publisher’s affidavit: PHP 1,000
Medical Examinations:
- BI/DOLE-authorized FA Form 11: PHP 4,000-7,000
- Bureau of Quarantine (high-risk nationalities): PHP 2,000-5,000
Document Legalization:
- DFA Apostille (foreign police clearances, diplomas): PHP 100-500 per document
- Notarial fees (contracts, affidavits): PHP 500-2,000 each
- Certified translations: PHP 1,000-3,000 per page
Police Clearances:
- Home country issuance + apostille: PHP 5,000-15,000
- NBI (if required): PHP 130
Subtotal Mandatory Add-Ons: PHP 35,000-65,000.
Professional Assistance: Is it Worth the Investment?
Most applicants hire agents or lawyers, adding PHP 20,000-60,000 to work visa costs for expertise, avoiding rejection loops.
Service Level Pricing:
- DIY Documentation: PHP 0 (high rejection risk)
- Document Preparation Only: PHP 10,000-20,000
- Full-Service Package (AEP+9G): PHP 30,000-60,000
- Hearing Representation: PHP 15,000-25,000
- Corporate Retainer (multiple hires): PHP 50,000+/year
ROI Analysis: Professionals achieve 95% first-time approval vs. 60% DIY, saving PHP 50,000+ in refiling costs.
Complete Cost Scenarios by Applicant Type
Real-world work visa costs vary significantly by situation:
Single Professional (3-Year 9G):
DOLE AEP (3yr): PHP 17,000
BI 9G + ACR: PHP 31,710
Publication: PHP 22,000
Medical/Clearances: PHP 12,000
Professional Fees: PHP 40,000
TOTAL: PHP 122,710 (USD 2,150)
Manager + Spouse (2-Year):
Principal: PHP 95,000
Spouse Dependent: PHP 25,000
TOTAL: PHP 120,000 (USD 2,100)
Renewal (Same Employer):
AEP Renewal: PHP 13,000
9G Renewal: PHP 25,000
Minimal Add-Ons: PHP 15,000
TOTAL: PHP 53,000 (60% less)
Hidden Charges That Derail Budgets
Unanticipated fees inflate work visa costs by 25-40%.
Rush/Express Processing:
- DOLE Priority: PHP 2,000-5,000
- BI Express Lane: PHP 1,000
- Courier/Document Rush: PHP 3,000
Rejection Refiling Costs:
- Incomplete Package: +PHP 25,000
- Re-Publication: +PHP 20,000
- Re-Medical: +PHP 5,000
Compliance Fixes:
- Lapsed Mayor’s Permit: PHP 10,000
- BIR Tax Delays: PHP 5,000+
- SEC Updates: PHP 3,000
Currency Risk: ACR I-Card USD fees fluctuate PHP 55-60/USD.
12 Proven Strategies to Minimize Work Visa Costs
Cut work visa costs 30-50% with these validated tactics:
- 3-Year Duration: PHP 15,000 savings vs. 1-year renewals
- DIY Documentation: Save PHP 20,000 (use checklists)
- Early Filing: Avoid PHP 1,000/day AEP penalties
- Digital Job Ads: PHP 10,000 cheaper than newspapers
- Employer Sponsorship: Negotiate contract coverage
- Top 1,000 Status: 25% BI discount (PHP 7,000 savings)
- Bundle Family: PHP 10,000/dependent bulk discount
- Accredited Liaisons: PHP 15,000 cheaper than lawyers
- Renewals: 50% cheaper than new applications
- Avoid Express: Save PHP 5,000 (plan ahead)
- Corporate Volume: Negotiate retainers (PHP 30K savings/hire)
- No Contingencies: Perfect packages = no refiling
Maximum Savings: PHP 40,000-60,000 per application.
Employer vs. Employee Cost-Sharing Models
Work visa cost allocation varies by jurisdiction and negotiation:
Standard Employer Coverage (85% cases):
- 100% Government Fees
- 100% Publication/Medical
- 75-100% Professional Services
Employee Contributions (Legal Limits):
- Home country police clearance
- Passport renewal
- Personal travel
Prohibited: Full employee burden violates the Labor Code.
2026 Cost Projections and Inflation Factors
Work visa costs face a 5-10% annual adjustment.
Projected 2026 Increases:
- AEP Base: PHP 9,500 (+5%)
- 9(G) 3-Year: PHP 33,500 (+6%)
- Publication: PHP 22,000-28,000 (+10%)
- Digital Processing Discount: -5% (TBD)
Inflation Hedges:
- Lock multi-year contracts
- Volume discounts
- Early bird filing
Total Projection: PHP 85,000-155,000.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the full spectrum of work visa costs in the Philippines empowers employers and foreign professionals to budget accurately, negotiate effectively, and execute compliant hiring strategies that deliver ROI.
From core AEP fees and 9(G) visa charges to mandatory publication, medical exams, and professional services, total expenditure typically ranges from PHP 80,000-150,000 per applicant, but strategic planning cuts 30-50% through duration optimization, early filing, digital alternatives, and expert partnerships.
Partner with Work Visa Philippines for Cost-Certainty
Eliminate work visa cost uncertainty:
- Fixed-price packages (no surprises)
- 95% first-time approval (no refiling)
- Volume discounts (3+ hires)
- Free cost calculators
- Employer reimbursement strategies
Work Visa Philippines transforms work visa costs from obstacles to optimized business expenses through fixed-price packages, 95% approval guarantees, volume discounts, and end-to-end compliance management. Contact our specialists today to receive your personalized cost breakdown and launch your compliant hiring strategy with cost certainty and execution excellence:
- Contact Us Here
- Fill Out the Form Below
- Call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623
