If you're hiring a foreign national to work in the Philippines, the 9G pre-arranged employment visa is almost always the document you're aiming for. But it doesn't stand alone — there's a permit you need first, and a card you need after. Here's the full picture.
What the 9G visa is
The 9G is a non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals coming to work for a specific Philippine employer. It's tied to that employer and that role: change jobs, and the visa generally has to be re-petitioned. It's the standard route for foreign managers, technical specialists, and staff on the payroll of a local company.
Tip
The 9G is sponsored by the employing company. You can't apply for one on your own — a registered Philippine entity has to petition for you.
Step 1: Secure the Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
Before the visa itself, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must issue an Alien Employment Permit. The AEP confirms that the role genuinely requires a foreign hire. It's the prerequisite for the visa petition, so it comes first.
Step 2: File the 9G petition
With the AEP in hand, the employer files the 9G petition with the Bureau of Immigration (BI). This is where the company's registration documents, the employment contract, and the applicant's qualifications come together into a single application.
Step 3: Get the ACR I-Card
Once the visa is approved, the foreign national receives an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) — the physical proof of immigration status that registered foreign residents carry.
Key takeaways
- The 9G is employer-sponsored and role-specific.
- The AEP (DOLE) comes before the visa (Bureau of Immigration).
- Budget roughly 2–4 months end to end after the AEP is secured.
- Dependents can usually apply for derivative 9G visas tied to the principal.
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