Philippines | AEP application processing now fully centralized

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued an administrative order directing the transfer and consolidation of the processing of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications to the DOLE Central Office, effective June 9, 2026.

Key takeaways:

AEP application processing is now fully centralized. All DOLE Regional Offices have been directed to transfer any new and pending AEP applications to the Central Office. Regional Offices will no longer accept, process, evaluate or issue AEP applications, effective immediately.

Transition protocols should prevent processing backlogs. Pending applications are expedited for digital routing to the Central Office, which will immediately assume evaluation and processing to prevent any delays.

The order supports DOLE’s broader initiatives to optimize systems and streamline service delivery. Centralizing AEP processing is intended to strengthen administrative oversight, enhance regulatory compliance and ensure greater consistency in policies on employing foreign nationals.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.  

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