LGI NEWS via PEREGRINE | PHILIPPINES – Requirements Eased for Promoted 9(g) Visa Holders

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has exempted 9(g) Commercial Visa holders promoted to a higher position in the same company from the previous requirement of downgrading their 9(g) visas to 9(a) visitor visas and then applying again to convert these back into 9(g) visas.

The change has been made with the aim of avoiding unnecessary inconvenience and expense.

Further Details

Board Resolution No. EED-15-01 (approved on 29 January 2015) sets out the following requirements to qualify for the exemption:

• Promoted 9(g) visa holders must apply for a new Alien Employment Permit (AEP) corresponding to the new position;

• They must apply for extension of their 9(g) visas coterminous with their new AEPs; and

• They must provide the Bureau of Immigration with a certified true copy of their new AEPs.

What is the 9(g) Visa?

The 9(g) Commercial Visa is the work visa applicable to companies which are not registered with the Board of Investment (BOI) or Philippines Economic Zone (PEZA) to fill executive, technical, managerial or highly confidential positions for at least one year.The 9(g) visa may be issued for more than one year up to three years at a time, not to exceed the period granted under the Alien Employment Permit issued by the Department of Labour and Employment.

Action Items

• On the promotion of any 9(g) visa holder within the same company, ensure that they meet the criteria listed above to avoid the long, inconvenient and expensive process of applying for another 9(g) visa.

This news alert was prepared using information provided by Follosco, Morallos & Herce.

Luminary Global Immigration, LLC thanks Peregrine Immigration Management, Ltd for this news alert.  For questions or more information, contact us at info@luminary-global.com

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