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The President of the Philippines issued an executive order establishing the legal framework for a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), enabling nonimmigrant foreign nationals to stay and work remotely in the country for a temporary period.
Key Points:
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Philippine officials published revised guidelines for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) and employment permits for foreign nationals.
Additional Information: As BAL reported, officials also recently announced a separate policy change for Alien Employment Permit applications in Q1 2025. The Department Order No. 248, Series of 2025 (DOLE DO 248), otherwise referred to as the “New Rules and Regulations on the Employment of Foreign Nationals in the Philippines” also introduced a new Economic Needs Test, applicable to the evaluation of certain AEP applications. The full list of provisions can be reviewed here. BAL will provide more information once it becomes available.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Philippine officials announced a policy change for Alien Employment Permit applications in Q1 2025.
Additional Information: Authorities informed that non-compliance shall mean outright denial of applications. Employers (or their authorized third parties) must submit a certified true copy of the approved business/mayor’s permit within 60 days.
In consideration of the annual business permit processing that takes place each January, officials stated the temporary relaxing of the business permit requirement is being implemented in the interest of service and continuous improvement processing Alien Employment Permits applications.
Philippine officials issued a reminder notice to certain foreign nationals to complete mandatory annual reporting between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025.
Additional Information: Certain foreign nationals are exempted from the personal appearance requirement, including those under age 14 or over age 60; those who hold a person with a disability ID; and pregnant women and foreign nationals with a medical condition who can present a medical certificate.
Virtual annual reporting is available to all registered foreign nationals except for paper-based ACR holders present in the Philippines during the annual reporting period who are holders of valid visas. Individuals may register and schedule their online interview and pay the assessed fee.
BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities will issue administrative fines or prosecute individuals who fail to report. Foreign nationals should be aware of their reporting responsibilities and schedule their appointments accordingly.
The Philippine government is in the process of implementing a new e-Visa system, most recently expanding e-Visa capabilities for applicants for temporary visitor visas (9a visa) in India.
Additional Information: The Philippine government describes the e-Visa system as a convenient, accessible and user-friendly interface for foreign nationals who need to secure an e-Visa, which will no longer be affixed to their passports. The e-Visa is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted to the country, and it is not valid for conversion to other types of visas or for extension of an authorized period of stay.
BAL Analysis: The president of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has declared the implementation of the e-Visa part of his administration’s digital transformation agenda, and the government’s attempt to fast-track the full implementation of the e-Visa system by the end of 2024 highlights a growing trend of easing visa policies to increase tourism in order to return to prepandemic figures.
The Philippine government has created a new online system for tourists who wish to extend their stay beyond the initial period granted on their tourist visa.
Additional Information: The online extension for the temporary visitor visa is available to foreign nationals admitted under section 9(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act. There are certain groups that are ineligible. These individuals must still apply for extensions at a Bureau of Immigration office.
BAL Analysis: The new process should create a faster application process for eligible foreign nationals and save time and costs by offering an alternative to visiting a Bureau of Immigration office in person.
Philippine officials have recently implemented key changes, including the suspension of filing fees for motions for reconsideration and changes to the process for downgrading applications.
Additional Information: The downgrading process involves a reversion of an immigration visa to a temporary visitor/tourist visa for continued stay. Employers and applicants should be aware that if a formal notice is received with an order to leave as part of the downgrade application, the foreign national is given 15 days to depart the country upon receipt. Since the email now serves as formal notice, the order to leave commences on that date, as opposed to the previous procedure that commenced upon receipt of a physical copy of the downgrade order. The Bureau of Immigration PEZA Extension Office would previously stamp the downgraded visa in the passport and the departure date would be retroactive to the date the passport was submitted.
BAL Analysis: Employers and applicants should be aware of the important changes to motions for reconsideration and carefully monitor the email address provided in downgrading applications. BAL will continue following the implementation of these directives and will provide updates as information becomes available.
The Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region has announced that Alien Employment Permit transactions are suspended through Feb. 29.
Background: DOLE NCR said the suspensions are necessary due to the migration of the Alien Employment Permit Management System to another cloud hosting service provider. DOLE NCR said this step will improve clients’ user experience and strengthen security of all stakeholders’ data.
Philippine officials issued a notice that a medical clearance is no longer required for certain nationals and visa applications.
BAL Analysis: The memorandum will take effect immediately and should create a faster application process for the respective nationals as well as save time and costs.
Philippine officials issued a reminder notice to foreign nationals to complete mandatory annual reporting between Jan. 1 and March 1.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Certain foreign nationals are exempted from the personal appearance requirement, including those aged below 14 years or 60 years and above; those who hold a person with a disability ID; and pregnant women and foreign nationals with a medical condition who can present a medical certificate.
Virtual annual reporting is available to all registered foreign nationals except for paper-based ACR holders present in the Philippines during the annual reporting period who are holders of valid visas. Individuals may register here and schedule their online interview and pay the assessed fee.
BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities will issue administrative fines or prosecute individuals who fail to report. The Bureau of Immigration offices that participate in the 2024 annual report can be found here. Foreign nationals should be aware of their reporting responsibilities and schedule their appointments accordingly.