A foreign national who is about to engage in a gainful employment in the Philippines is required by the government to get an Alien Employment Permit. This is an official document issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that authorizes, but not an exclusive authority, a foreigner to work in country given that no locals are able and willing to do the work reserved for the foreigner.
Moreover, an Alien Employment Permit is a prerequisite document before the foreigner can apply for a working visa like the 9G Work Visa, also known as Pre-Arranged Employment Visa. For the following visa holders who are currently working in the Philippines that occupies an executive, advisory, supervisory or technical positions in a company are also required to get an Alien Employment Permit:
- Special Investors Resident Visa (SIR V)
- Special Retiree Resident Visa (SRRV)
- Treaty Traders Visa (9D)
- Special Non-Immigrant Visa [47(a)(2)]
With an Alien Employment Permit and a Working Visa like the Pre-Arranged Employment Visa, a foreign national may work on a long-term basis in the country. The initial validity of this permit is 1 year and can be extended for up to 3 years.
Alien Employment Permit Requirements
- Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
- Photocopy of Passport with Visa and Present Original Certificate of Recognition for Refugees or Stateless Persons
- Original Copy of Contract of Employment
- Photocopy of Employer’s Certificate of Registration from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Photocopy of Mayor’s Permit to operate the business
- 2 Pieces of 2×2 ID Picture with White Background
- Proof of Tax Identification Number (TIN)
How to Get Alien Employment Permit
- Go to the Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) where the hiring company is under its jurisdiction.
- Submit your duly accomplished and notarized application form along with the required documents.
- Pay for the corresponding fees.
- You documents shall be evaluated and your name, position, employer’s name and additional relevant details shall be published in a newspaper.
- After the approval of your application, you shall then be issued an Alien Employment Permit.
Alien Employment Permit Fee
The application fee for an Alien Employment Permit is ₱9,000 with the validity of one (1) year. If the period of employment is more than one (1) year, there shall be an addition of ₱4,000 charge for every additional year or fraction of a year. For renewal, the charge shall be ₱4,000 for every year.
Just side note, in case you need some timesheet computations of your employee’s working hours, check out Timesheet Calculator.
Penalty Charge for Working Without Alien Employment Permit
Foreign nationals who are working in the Philippines without an Alien Employment Permit shall pay a penalty charge of ₱10,000. Furthermore, employers who are found employing foreign nationals without a valid AEP shall also be charged ₱10,000. This penalty charge is per year or fraction of a year.
That was the general guide on how to get an Alien Employment Permit including the requirements, fees, and penalty charges. Have you successfully acquired your AEP? Do share with us some tips using the comment section.
