In the Philippines, work visa vs work permit in the Philippines is not an either–or choice but a two‑step compliance requirement for most foreign employees. A work permit, usually the Alien Employment Permit (AEP), gives a foreign national the right to engage in employment, while a work visa (typically the 9(g) Pre‑Arranged Employment Visa) gives the right to enter, stay, and work in the country. Employers that confuse the two risk fines, delays, or having their foreign staff deemed to be working illegally.
Core Difference: Work Visa vs Work Permit
Understanding the legal distinction between a work visa and a work permit in the Philippines is the foundation of compliant hiring. Both are required in most long‑term employment situations, but they are issued by different agencies and serve different legal functions.
- A work permit (most commonly the Alien Employment Permit, AEP) is issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and authorizes a foreign national to perform work for a specific employer and position.
- A work visa (for example, the 9(g) Pre‑Arranged Employment Visa) is issued or implemented by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and gives the foreign national the right to enter, reside, and work in the Philippines in line with that approved employment.
In practice, the AEP or other work permit is usually obtained before or in tandem with the work visa, and both must remain valid for the foreign national to work legally.
What Counts as a Work Permit in the Philippines?
In the work visa versus work permit framework, “work permit” is an umbrella term that covers several types of work authorization granted before or alongside a visa. These instruments focus on granting permission to work, rather than on travel or residence rights.
Key work permits include:
- Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
- Issued by DOLE to foreign nationals who will be employed in the Philippines in executive, managerial, professional, or highly technical roles.
- Employer‑specific and position‑specific: a change of employer or a substantial change in role normally requires a new or amended AEP.
- Required for most 9(g) work visa applications, and typically valid for 1-3 years.
- Special Work Permit (SWP)
- Issued by the Bureau of Immigration for short‑term work (generally up to six months) while the foreigner remains on tourist (9(a)) status.
- Common for short projects, consultants, or artists, and does not require an AEP.
- Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
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- Issued by BI to allow a foreign national to start working while a 9(g) work visa application is still pending.
- Usually valid for three months or until the 9(g) visa is issued, whichever comes first.
These permits demonstrate to the DOLE and BI that employment conditions are compliant before full long-term immigration status is granted.
What Is a Work Visa in the Philippines?
When comparing work visa vs work permit in the Philippines, the work visa is the formal immigration status that allows a foreign national to stay in the country and work. It is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (or via consulates abroad) once labor-side permits, such as the AEP, are in place.
The main work‑related visas include:
- 9(g) Pre‑Arranged Employment Visa (Working Visa)
- The most common long‑term employment visa for foreign employees hired by Philippine‑based companies.
- Requires an AEP from DOLE as a precondition in most cases.
- Valid for 1-3 years, renewable, and processed through BI (conversion from tourist visas or via consular issuance abroad).
- 47(a)(2) Special Non‑Immigrant Visa (PEZA Visa)
- Granted under special authority of the Department of Justice and often used for workers in PEZA/BOI‑registered companies and priority sectors.
- Conditions and documentation may differ, but it still operates as a work‑linked immigration status.
- Other special employment-linked visas (e.g., treaty trader 9(d), some investor visas that allow management roles)
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- These may have specific requirements and are often used for executives or investors.
Regardless of type, a work visa governs entry and stay, while work permits focus on permission to actually perform work.
How Work Visa and Work Permit Work Together
From a compliance standpoint, work visa vs work permit in the Philippines is best understood as a sequence rather than a choice: employers typically must secure a work permit first, then the work visa. This two‑step process ensures both labor and immigration authorities approve the employment.
For a typical 9(g) working visa:
- Job offer and employer registration
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- The Philippine company must be properly registered, with business permits and tax registrations, before hiring a foreign national.
- Alien Employment Permit (AEP) application
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- The employer files the AEP with DOLE, showing the role, salary, and justification, and demonstrating the absence of a qualified Filipino for the position.
- AEP issuance generally takes about 2-3 weeks once all documents are submitted.
- Work visa (9(g)) application
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- With the AEP approved, the employer (and employee) apply to BI for conversion to a 9(g) visa or for visa implementation via a consulate abroad.
- Full visa processing, including AEP, typically takes 1-3 months.
- ACR I‑Card and ongoing compliance
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- Once the 9(g) visa is granted, the foreign employee must obtain an ACR I‑Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card), renew both visa and permit as needed, and comply with annual BI reporting.
For shorter engagements, employers might rely only on SWP or PWP without a full 9(g), but the principle is the same: work authorization first, then appropriate immigration status.
Types of Work Authorization at a Glance
To clarify the difference between a work visa and work permit, it helps to see the main instruments side by side.
| Instrument | Issued by | Role in Employment | Typical Validity | AEP Needed? | Common Use Case |
| Alien Employment Permit (AEP) | DOLE | Authorizes foreigner to work for a specific employer/position | 1-3 years | Yes (for 9(g)) | Long‑term employees |
| Special Work Permit (SWP) | BI | Short‑term work while on tourist status | Up to 6 months | No | Short projects, consultants |
| Provisional Work Permit (PWP) | BI | Temporary work while 9(g) is pending | ~3 months or until 9(g) | Usually yes/being processed | Early start while waiting for visa |
| 9(g) Work Visa | BI | Gives right to stay and work under a Philippine employer | 1-3 years | Yes | Standard long‑term work visa |
| 47(a)(2) Visa | DOJ/BI | Special non‑immigrant work status (e.g., PEZA) | Variable | Often yes | Priority sectors, economic zone firms |
This matrix shows that permits and visas address different legal questions but are interdependent in most scenarios.
When Is Only a Work Permit Used?
In some cases, a work permit in the Philippines may be used without immediately converting to a full work visa, particularly for short-term or transitional arrangements. However, immigration status must still remain legal (usually under a 9(a) visitor visa).
Examples:
- Special Work Permit (SWP) for up to six months of temporary work while the individual holds a valid tourist visa, often used for brief assignments, entertainers, or project‑based work.
- Provisional Work Permit (PWP) while a 9(g) visa application is still in process, allowing the foreign national to start work earlier.
Even when no full work visa is yet in place, BI treats these permits as work authorization tied to a valid underlying stay (usually regular visa extensions). Employers must ensure that both the permit and the underlying status remain current.
Employer Compliance Risks: Getting the Sequence Wrong
Misunderstanding work visa vs work permit can lead to several compliance pitfalls for employers. Typical risks include:
- Letting a foreign employee start work with only a tourist visa and no SWP/PWP/AEP in place, which can be seen as unauthorized employment.
- Obtaining an AEP but not following through with a 9(g) work visa, leaving the employee without valid long‑term immigration status.
- Allowing AEP or visa validity to lapse while the employee continues working, resulting in fines, back fees, and potential deportation orders.
DOLE and BI can impose penalties, refuse future applications, or scrutinize an employer more closely once violations are found. Planning timelines of 1-3 months for full processing is critical to avoid gaps.
Key Takeaways
The distinction between work visa vs work permit in the Philippines boils down to labor authorization (permit) versus immigration status (visa), with both typically required for lawful long-term employment of foreign nationals.
Employers must secure an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE to prove no qualified Filipino is available, followed by a 9(g) work visa from the Bureau of Immigration to enable entry and stay. Short-term needs can rely on Special or Provisional Work Permits, but full compliance demands synchronized renewals to avoid fines or deportation risks.
How Work Visa Philippines Helps Navigate Both
Because work visa vs work permit in the Philippines always involves at least two government agencies and multiple instruments, many companies work with a specialist to map out the right sequence for each hire.
Work Visa Philippines typically assists with:
- Determining whether an SWP or PWP is appropriate before moving to a 9(g).
- Preparing and filing AEP applications with DOLE, including justification and documentary support.
- Managing 9(g) visa conversion or consular issuance, ACR I‑Card processing, and renewals.
For foreign employers expanding into the Philippines, aligning work permit and work visa strategy from the start ensures foreign staff are authorized both to work and to stay without interruption. Contact our experts for assistance:
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- Call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623
