Republic of the Philippines · work sponsored
9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 5 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
The main employer-sponsored work visa for foreign nationals taking up pre-arranged employment in the Philippines.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Granted in line with the employment contract, commonly for periods of one to three years and renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa for Republic of the Philippines is a sponsor-led Philippines immigration route. Sources: official Republic of the Philippines government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/philippines/9g-work-visa#answer
What is the 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa in Republic of the Philippines?
9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa is a sponsor-led Philippines route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal; typical duration is Granted in line with the employment contract, commonly for periods of one to three years and renewable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa is the principal route for foreign nationals employed by a Philippine company. It is sponsored by the employer and is normally preceded by an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which gates the right to work. The Bureau of Immigration then grants or converts the visa itself. It is a non-immigrant employment visa rather than a settlement route.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A genuine pre-arranged offer of employment from a Philippine company acting as petitioner.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓An Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE for the role, as a prerequisite to the work visa.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓Qualifications and experience suited to the sponsored position.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ✓A passport valid for the required period and no disqualifying record.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Common blockers
- !No Philippine employer petitioner or no underlying job offer.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !No DOLE Alien Employment Permit for the role where one is required.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- !Attempting to work on a temporary visitor (9A) status.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Employment contract or appointment letter from the petitioning company.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·DOLE Alien Employment Permit (AEP).Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
- ·Employer registration and supporting corporate documents.Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the role and employer qualify and that an AEP will be obtained for the position.
Build the evidence pack
Secure the DOLE Alien Employment Permit and assemble the employment contract and employer documents.
Submit through the official channel
The employer petitions and the application is filed with the Bureau of Immigration for grant or conversion of the 9(G) visa.
After approval
Receive the visa implementation, take up employment and renew in line with the contract.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa.
Bureau of Immigration (Philippines) · verified
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Related routes
9(A) Temporary Visitor Visa
Short-term non-immigrant visa for tourism, business meetings or short visits to the Philippines.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
Special resident visa for foreign nationals who run a sustainable enterprise that employs a qualifying number of Filipino workers.
Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13)
The Philippines' numerically limited immigrant visa, capped per nationality each year, for applicants who can contribute to the country.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a work permit as well as the 9(G) visa?+
Yes. The 9(G) visa is normally preceded by an Alien Employment Permit issued by DOLE, which authorises the employment, while the Bureau of Immigration grants the visa itself. Confirm the current sequence and requirements on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
Can I start working on a tourist visa while the 9(G) is processed?+
A temporary visitor (9A) status does not authorise employment. You should not work until the proper permit and visa are in place. Check the current rules and any provisional work authorisation on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the Philippines 9(G) work visa?+
Yes. The 9(G) requires a genuine pre-arranged offer of employment from a Philippine company acting as petitioner, and having no employer petitioner or underlying job offer is a common blocker. Confirm the current requirements on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
Does the 9(G) work visa lead to permanent residence in the Philippines?+
No. The 9(G) is a non-immigrant employment visa rather than a settlement route, so it does not by itself lead to permanent residence. Confirm the current rules on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
How long is a Philippines 9(G) work visa valid, and can it be renewed?+
The 9(G) is granted in line with your employment contract, commonly for periods of one to three years, and it is renewable. Confirm the current grant and renewal terms on the official Bureau of Immigration page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in PhilippinesHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Bureau of Immigration (Philippines)
Last checked: 1 June 2026