Pre-arranged employment visas under Section 9 (g) of the Immigration Act are issued to foreigners proceeding to the Philippines to engage in any lawful occupation, whether for wages or salary or for other form of compensation where legitimate employer-employee relations exist. They may be professors and teachers for educational institutions, doctors and nurses for hospitals, scientists, professionals and other workers for banking, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other business enterprises. Special information pertaining to 9(g) visas for missionaries is available from BI here.
A pre-arranged employment visa is issued only upon receipt, by the Consular Office having jurisdiction over applicant’s place of residence, of authority to issue such a visa from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila. This authority is secured on petition, under oath, filed by the prospective employer in Manila with the Department of Labor and Employment for the contracting of services of the American employee. When DOLE’s requirements are met, it endorses the matter to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for the entry into the Philippines of the American employee. If meritorious, the Commissioner of the Immigration transmits his approval to the DFA. The DFA then authorizes the appropriate consular officer to issue the visa.
The applicant must appear personally at the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate (list of consulates) concerned and submit the following:
- Their valid U.S. passport;
- Two completed application forms;
- Four (4) identical pictures (passport size) of the applicant signed on the front bottom of each;
- Medical and physical examination report by an authorized physician. It must also include the chest x-ray film, laboratory reports and a certificate that the applicant is free from AIDS. The medical examination report is acceptable only if submitted to the quarantine officer at the port of entry in the Philippines, together with the visa application, within six (6) months from the date the examination is conducted;
- Police Clearance, issued by the police authorities of the place where the applicant resides. (Police Certificate based on fingerprint check); and
- Visa Application Fee
If the spouse is accompanying or joining the principal in the Philippines within six (6) months from the date of the principal’s admission, the spouse must submit their marriage certificate.
Unmarried children under twenty-one (21) years of age accompanying or joining their parent in the Philippines within six (6) months from the date of the parent’s admission, must submit their birth certificates showing the names of their parents.