Immigration Law and Philippine Visa

How to obtain a Travel Ban Exemption for 9 (a) tourist visa holders?

The IATF released Resolution No. 165, effective 01 April 2022, stating that the Entry Exemption Document (EED) will no longer be required for the application for 9(A) Visa at a foreign service post.

Foreign nationals from visa required countries, who intend to apply for a 9A Visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, are no longer required to:

1. Request for a travel ban exemption (TBE), from a Philippine government agency.

2. Present an EED for their application for a 9A Visa and their arrival in the Philippines.

How to acquire a 9 (g) employment visa in the Philippines?

1. Obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and establish that no individual located within the Philippines is willing and able to perform the position and service for which the foreigner is being hired;

2. Proceed to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) main office or other Immigration Offices and bring the following:

a. Letter of request from the petitioning company stating the admission of the alien (foreign national) will be beneficial to the public interest;

b. Accomplished and duly notarized Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) (Form MCL-07-01);

c. Alien Employment Permit (AEP);

d. Clearance certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI);

e. Any other documents which will assist in the evaluation process (see checklist: https://immigration.gov.ph/images/FORMS/2017_Aug/V-NI-007-Rev_1Conversion.pdf) ;

f. Authenticated copy of the passport showing current valid visa; and

g. Certified true copies of the Marriage Contract, Birth Certificates (authenticated at Philippine Embassy if issued abroad), if to be accompanied by spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old.

h. During the approval process, the proposed foreigner may apply for a Special Work Permit (SWP) which is issued for a period of 3 months while the 9G visa is being released.

How to secure a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)?

The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Republic of the Philippines under the Retirement Program of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to foreigners and overseas Filipinos. It entitles the holder to multiple-entry privileges with the right to stay permanently/indefinitely in the Philippines.

The following are the requirements:

1. Completed Philippine Retirement Authority application form;

2. Valid passport;

3. DFA Medical Examination Form No. 11 accomplished by a licensed physician from the applicant's place of origin, including AIDS Test, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate posted there or PRA Medical Certificate (RSSC Form No. 002) accomplished by a licensed physician in the Philippines;

4. Certification by PRA shortlisted bank of the requisite deposit in the following categories;

A. With Pension - 50 years old and above - the required time deposit is US$10,000.00 plus a monthly pension of US$800.00 for a single applicant and US$1,000 for couple.

B. Without Pension

a. 35 to 49 years old - US$50,000.00 time deposit

b. 50 years old and above - US$20,000.00 time deposit

c. Former Filipino Citizens (at least 35 years old, regardless of the number of dependents - US$1,500.00)

d. Ambassadors of Foreign Countries who served and retired in the Philippines, current and former staff members of international organizations including ADB (at least 50 years old) - US$1,500.00

5. Police Clearance, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, issued abroad or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, issued in the Philippines;

6. Photographs, 2.4 cms and 5 cms. six (6) pieces each;

7. If the spouse is joining the applicant, Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract if the applicant's marriage was solemnized in the Philippines or Marriage Certificate duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest the applicant's residence abroad if the marriage was contracted abroad (under PRA rules, should the resident retiree suffer an untimely demise, the surviving spouse who is a holder of SRRV has the option to become the principal retiree using the original principal dollar deposit as his/her qualifying deposit. If he/she chooses not to, the law on succession shall apply);

8. If dependent/s is/are joining the applicant, Birth Certificate/s of dependent/s born in the Philippines or Birth Certificate/s or Household Register duly authenticated by the Philippine/Consulate nearest the applicant's residence abroad; and

9. Payment 3,600 NOK.