The 9G work visa requirements in the Philippines form a comprehensive framework designed to balance the need for foreign expertise with protection of the domestic labor market. Employers must first obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), demonstrating that no qualified Filipino worker is available for the position. This permit serves as the foundation for the subsequent 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa application at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), where both employer and employee submit extensive documentation covering corporate legitimacy, employment necessity, personal clearances, and health certifications. The process applies to both commercial (corporate/industrial roles) and non-commercial (missionary/charitable work) categories, with validity periods of 1-3 years and mandatory ACR I-Card issuance upon approval.
Understanding these dual checklists eliminates common compliance gaps that delay approvals or result in denials. For 2026 applications, employers bear primary responsibility for petitioning, while employees provide personal identity, security, and medical documents. Both parties must coordinate meticulously to meet the stringent standards set by DOLE and BI.
Employer Responsibilities and Complete Checklist
Philippine employers drive fulfillment of 9G work visa requirements by petitioning DOLE and BI, proving both company legitimacy and position necessity through extensive corporate documentation. The employer’s petition forms the backbone of approval, requiring notarized certifications, labor market tests, and skills transfer plans that satisfy government scrutiny of local hiring priorities.
The complete employer checklist includes:
- Duly accomplished and notarized petition form (BI standard form or equivalent, specifying visa category – commercial/non-commercial).
- Notarized certification detailing the exact numbers of foreign nationals and Filipino employees currently working for the company, demonstrating compliance with employee ratio requirements.
- Certified true copy of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by DOLE, which must remain valid throughout the visa process.
- Original employment contract between employer and foreign national, clearly specifying job title, duties, salary, duration, benefits, and reporting structure.
- Complete company registration documents, including SEC Certificate of Registration (corporations) or DTI Registration (sole proprietorships), latest Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, General Information Sheet (GIS), and current Mayor’s Business Permit.
- Proof of 30-day labor market test via PhilJobNet posting and newspaper advertisements, with documentation showing no qualified Filipino applicants were available.
- Detailed Understudy Training Program (UTP) or Skills Transfer Plan (STP) naming Filipino trainees, training duration, curriculum, and designated evaluator.
- Joint letter of request signed by both the employer representative and the foreign applicant, addressed to the BI Commissioner, explaining the need for a foreign hire.
- Latest Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) of the company and proof of remittance of employees’ withholding taxes.
- Filing fees ranging from PHP 10,000 principal petition fee plus visa fees according to BI schedule (PHP 10,130-24,210 based on validity/company status).
Employers file at the BI Main Office (Intramuros, Manila) or authorized regional/district offices post-AEP approval. Incomplete petitions trigger the return of documents, adding 2-4 weeks to processing.
Employee Personal Requirements Checklist
Foreign nationals fulfill their portion of the 9G work visa requirements through personal documentation verifying identity, criminal record, health status, and immigration compliance. These employee-supplied documents complement the employer’s petition and undergo verification during BI hearings and biometrics capture.
The comprehensive employee checklist comprises:
- Valid passport with at least six (6) months remaining validity beyond intended stay, including photocopies of the bio-data page, latest admission stamp/visa implementation, and all relevant endorsements.
- Duly accomplished visa application form (BI Form No. 2 for non-immigrant visas or Consolidated General Application Form – CGAF).
- Four (4) recent identical passport-sized photographs (2×2 inches, white background, neutral expression, full face view).
- Medical and physical examination report using BI’s FA Form 11, conducted by an accredited physician, including chest X-ray film, complete laboratory examinations, and certification confirming freedom from AIDS and dangerous communicable diseases.
- Police clearance certificate from the country of origin or residence, based on fingerprint examination, properly apostilled or authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate.
- Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate (if applicant is already in the Philippines, converting from tourist/other status).
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance from the Philippines (required for applicants who have stayed beyond 30 days).
- Quarantine medical clearance (required for specific nationalities as determined by the Quarantine Medical Officer upon arrival).
- Original and photocopies of previous visas, permits, or immigration documents issued in the Philippines.
All foreign documents require an apostille (Hague Convention countries) or consular authentication, with English translations if originally in other languages. Originals must be presented for verification during the BI hearing process.
DOLE Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Requirements
The Alien Employment Permit constitutes the foundational 9G work visa requirement, obtained from DOLE before any BI visa processing begins. Employers must demonstrate through labor market testing that no qualified Filipino worker is available for the specific position in question.
Complete AEP checklist:
- Accomplished the AEP application form with the employer’s notarized signature.
- Proof of 30-day job vacancy posting on PhilJobNet portal and at least one newspaper of general circulation.
- Detailed employment contract, curriculum vitae, relevant diplomas/degrees, and professional licenses (all apostilled if foreign).
- Company profile including SEC/DTI registration, latest audited financial statements, and organizational chart showing position within structure.
- Understudy Training Program (UTP) plan specifying Filipino trainee names, positions, training duration (minimum 3 months), curriculum outline, and designated evaluator.
- Certification that the applicant possesses skills/qualifications not available among Filipino citizens.
- Filing fee of PHP 9,000 per year of validity, payable upon submission.
AEP processing takes 2-3 weeks after complete submission. Amendments required for position/company changes.
Dependent Visa Requirements for Family Members
9G work visa requirements extend to immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21 years), who may apply as derivatives either concurrently or within six months of principal approval.
Dependent application checklist:
- Original marriage certificate (apostilled/authenticated, PSA-annotated if Philippine) proving spousal relationship to the principal 9G holder.
- Original birth certificates (apostilled/PSA-annotated) for unmarried children under 21, showing both parents’ names.
- Copy of principal applicant’s approved 9G visa stamp and ACR I-Card.
- Dependent’s valid passport (6+ months validity) with photo/biographic page copies.
- Four (4) passport photos per dependent (2×2 specs).
- Medical examination (FA Form 11) for each dependent from a BI-accredited physician.
- Police clearance from the dependent’s country of residence (fingerprint-based).
- BI filing fees per dependent schedule (Dep-Spouse, Dep-B16 for children 16+, Dep-B14 for under 14).
Dependents receive visas matching principal validity; separate ACR I-Cards required.
Complete Application Process
Fulfilling all 9G work visa requirements follows a structured sequence spanning 6-10 weeks from AEP to full implementation.
Detailed process:
- Employer secures Alien Employment Permit from DOLE (2-3 weeks after completing the labor market test).
- Employer files 9G petition at BI Main Office or authorized regional office, submitting complete employer/employee checklists.
- BI schedules a hearing; the employer and employee attend with original documents for verification.
- The hearing officer issues an Order of Payment Slip (OPS) based on the company status and validity requested.
- Pay fees at an authorized bank; submit the Official Receipt and proceed to biometrics capture (photo, fingerprints, signature).
- BI approves petition; ACR I-Card printed and available for pickup within 1-2 weeks.
- Employee collects ACR I-Card with passport; annual BI reporting obligation begins.
For foreign applicants, the DFA authorizes the issuance of the Philippine Embassy/Consulate after approval by the BI.
Detailed Fee Structure for 2026 Applications
9G work visa requirements include substantial BI fees tiered by validity period and company classification (Top 1,000 corporations receive reduced rates).
Commercial 9G Principal Fees (Non-Top 1,000 Corporations):
| Validity Period | Main Fee (PHP) | ACR I-Card (USD) | Total Estimate (PHP) |
| 1 Year | 10,130 | 50 | 17,000+ |
| 2 Years | 17,030 | 100 | 25,000+ |
| 3 Years | 24,210 | 150 | 35,000+ |
Dependents pay 50% of the principal rates. AEP (PHP 9,000/year) additional. All non-refundable; payable via OPS at Landbank.
Renewal Requirements and Procedures
9G work visa requirements for renewal mirror initial applications but process faster (4-8 weeks): updated AEP, current contract, recent clearances. File 30 days before expiry to avoid overstay penalties.
Renewal checklist additions:
- Proof of 1+ year continuous employment.
- Updated understudy training progress/completion reports.
- Recent tax payments and company compliance certificates.
Common Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid
Incomplete apostilles, missing PhilJobNet proof, or deficient understudy plans derail 9G work visa requirements fulfillment. Pre-filing audits prevent 80% of rejections.
Critical checks:
- All foreign docs apostilled (Hague) or embassy-authenticated.
- Medical exam within 6 months, from a BI-accredited doctor.
- Labor market test genuine (30 full days, proper posting).
Key Takeaways
9G work visa requirements demand coordinated employer petitions (AEP, company docs, labor tests) and employee clearances (passport, medical, police) for BI approval. Checklists ensure completeness across commercial/non-commercial categories, with fees ranging from PHP 17k-35k fees and timelines of 6-10 weeks. Work Visa Philippines delivers turnkey compliance for seamless foreign employment.
Is Assistance Available?
Yes. Work Visa Philippines manages all 9G work visa requirements from AEP petitions through BI approval, dependent filings, and renewals. Full-service compliance eliminates gaps for 2026 hires. Contact our team to schedule a consultation:
- Contact Us Here
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- Call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623
