How to Get a Special Work Permit (SWP) in the Philippines: Employer Guide for 2026

The Special Work Permit (SWP) in the Philippines serves as a short-term work authorization solution for foreign nationals performing temporary assignments while remaining under a valid tourist visa status, specifically designed for engagements not exceeding six months. Issued exclusively by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Special Work Permit eliminates the need for a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Alien Employment Permit (AEP), distinguishing it from long-term employment pathways such as the 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa. Employers act as primary sponsors, submitting comprehensive documentation to verify the temporary nature of the role, with typical processing times ranging from one to two weeks for complete applications.

Purpose and Legal Scope of the SWP in the Philippines

The SWP addresses specific, time-bound labor requirements where foreign expertise proves essential for limited-duration projects, training programs, or events, thereby filling immediate skill gaps without committing to permanent immigration status changes. Operating under existing 9(a) tourist visas, the permit authorizes gainful employment activities while preserving the visitor classification, offering a compliance bridge for urgent needs pending full visa conversion or project completion. This mechanism supports diverse professional categories while maintaining strict controls against labor market displacement.​

Eligible occupations encompass a targeted range of temporary roles, including:

• Professional athletes, coaches, and sports trainers participating in competitions or training camps.
• International performing artists, entertainers, and production crews engaged on a fee basis.
• Short-term service suppliers, consultants, and technical advisors on specific assignments.
• Film, television, and media crews covering events or productions.
• Corporate trainees, lecturers, researchers, and seminar presenters.
• Religious missionaries, specialized chefs, and other niche consultants.​

Maximum validity remains capped at six months from issuance, with no provisions for extension, renewal, or conversion within the SWP framework itself.​

Eligibility Criteria and Employer Sponsorship Requirements

Qualification for the SWP in the Philippines hinges on employer sponsorship demonstrating genuine temporary employment needs, coupled with the foreign national’s possession of a valid tourist visa upon application. Philippine-registered entities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and government agencies, serve as eligible sponsors, bearing full responsibility for contract execution and compliance verification.

Key prerequisites include:

• Sponsoring the employer’s legal registration and operational standing in the Philippines.
• Service contract explicitly limiting engagement to six months or less, detailing scope, compensation, deliverables, and termination conditions.
• Applicant’s maintenance of a valid 9(a) tourist visa status throughout processing and employment.
• Position classification within BI-approved temporary categories, excluding permanent or recurring roles.

Applicants previously denied AEP or pending long-term processing qualification, positioning SWP as an interim solution.​

Comprehensive Employer Document Checklist

Employers compile the foundational documentation package for SWP applications, establishing corporate legitimacy, employment parameters, and compliance commitment.​

Required employer documents:

• Formal letter-request addressed to the BI Commissioner, signed by an authorized company officer, specifying applicant details, project scope, and duration justification.
• Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) completed by the foreign national applicant.
• Duly notarized and acknowledged service/employment contract outlining specific duties, compensation structure, performance expectations, and a fixed term not exceeding six months.
• Certified true copies of the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) registration for sole proprietorships.
• Latest Articles of Incorporation/Partnership and General Information Sheet (GIS) reflecting current corporate structure.
• Most recent Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) or equivalent financial documentation proving active operations.
• Foreign national’s Tax Identification Number (TIN), if previously issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
• Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate for the applicant, if they have prior Philippine stay records.​

Foreign Employee Personal Document Requirements

Foreign nationals contribute essential personal verification documents to complete the SWP application, confirming identity, qualifications, and lawful visitor status.​

Employee-submitted items:

• Original passport bearing a valid 9(a) tourist visa stamp or entry record with sufficient remaining validity.
• Comprehensive curriculum vitae or professional bio-data highlighting relevant expertise and experience qualifying them for the temporary role.
• Four (4) recent identical passport-sized photographs meeting BI specifications (2×2 inches, white background, neutral expression).
• A photocopy of the executed service/employment contract between the employer and the applicant.

Notably, SWP applications exempt medical examinations and police clearances required for permanent work visas, streamlining short-term processing.​

Detailed Step-by-Step Application Procedure

Getting an SWP in the Philippines follows a structured Bureau of Immigration protocol designed for efficiency, typically resolving complete applications within one to two weeks for in-country submissions.​

Sequential process:

1. Employer assembles and reviews complete documentation package; applicant signs contract and provides personal documents.
2. Submit application at BI Central Receiving Unit (CRU) or designated frontline counter at the main office (Intramuros, Manila) or authorized regional/district offices.
3. Receive stamped Order of Payment Slip (OPS) indicating applicable fees based on ACR I-Card requirements.
4. Effect payment at authorized collecting banks (Landbank, etc.) and obtain an Official Receipt (OR).
5. Return to BI with OR copy for document stamping and scheduling of any required hearing (primarily for first-time ACR applicants).
6. Attend biometrics capture if ACR I-Card issuance applies (digital photo, fingerprints, signature).
7. Collect approved Special Work Permit annotation attached to passport, typically within 3-5 working days post-payment.

Expired or lapsed SWPs necessitate entirely new applications; no extensions permitted.​

Complete Fee Structure and Payment Guidelines

SWP fees remain fixed and non-refundable, covering processing and optional ACR I-Card issuance, payable exclusively through BI Order of Payment Slips at designated banks.​

Detailed fee schedule:

Employers typically assume payment responsibility. No additional DOLE AEP fees apply, resulting in significant cost savings compared to full work visa pathways.

Validity Period, Key Limitations, and Post-SWP Options

An SWP authorizes employment from the issuance date for a maximum of six months, remaining tied to the underlying tourist visa validity (separately extendable at BI). The permit’s non-extendable, non-renewable nature mandates planning for continuity beyond temporary engagements.​

Critical limitations:

• Strictly temporary roles; permanent or indefinite employment disqualifies SWP eligibility.
• Employer and position-specific; role or sponsor changes void the permit.
• Tourist classification persists—no residency status conversion.
• Overstay or unauthorized extension triggers fines, blacklisting, or deportation.

Post-expiry transitions include AEP + 9(g) visa for ongoing employment or departure. Provisional Work Permits serve as an interim measure during the full processing of applications.

Comparative Analysis: SWP vs. Long-Term Employment Visas

An SWP excels for immediate, finite projects while contrasting comprehensive AEP/9(g) pathways for sustained employment.​

SWP bridges urgent gaps; 9(g) establishes careers.​

Employer Compliance Responsibilities and Risk Mitigation

Sponsoring employers maintain ongoing SWP compliance, facing BI scrutiny for misuse such as converting temporary roles into permanent. Proper documentation and adherence to timelines prevent violations, which can carry fines of PHP 10,000 or more per instance.

Essential compliance measures:

• Verify tourist visa validity throughout engagement.
• Monitor six-month expiry; prepare 9(g) transition if needed.
• Retain complete records for potential BI audits.
• Report employment cessation immediately upon project completion.

Annual BI reporting applies to SWP holders receiving ACR I-Cards.​

Final Thoughts

The SWP Philippines offers efficient short-term work authorization (maximum of six months) under tourist visas, eliminating DOLE AEP requirements, and features employer sponsorship, a PHP 6,440 fee, and a processing time of 1-2 weeks. Ideal for projects, events, and consultants, it bridges to comprehensive 9(g) visas for extended employment needs. Work Visa Philippines manages complete compliance, ensuring risk-free temporary foreign hires for 2026 operations.

Need Comprehensive SWP Services?

Work Visa Philippines delivers full SWP Philippines processing support—from sponsorship letter preparation and document audits through BI submission, fee payments, permit collection, and seamless transitions to 9(g) visas or other pathways. Contact our team of experts for guidance:

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