How do you get a work permit in the Philippines in 2026?

Your Philippine employer generally applies for an Alien Employment Permit at the DOLE regional office that covers the workplace. DOLE materials treat the AEP as a labour-market clearance requirement for many foreign hires, not as freestanding authority to work without the matching visa. Publication or labour-market test steps can appear before release. Confirm live DOLE Department Order rules for exemptions and certificates of exemption rather than copying an older blog fee table.

With an AEP in hand, the employer and you file for conversion to a Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G) at BI under the commercial employment track. BI checklists commonly ask for the Consolidated General Application Form, employer SEC or DTI papers, the AEP with publication proof, passport pages, and English apostilled or authenticated foreign documents where required: Apostille documents. After approval, finish ACR I-Card biometrics and keep the BI Annual Report calendar: Get an ACR I-Card.

Get a TIN for payroll and BIR desks: Get a TIN. Open a bank account once passport and ACR match: Open a bank account. Register a stable Philippine mobile number for OTPs: Get a mobile phone. Keep private health cover while employer HMO and PhilHealth enrolment catch up: Choose health insurance. Tourist extensions buy time; they do not replace 9(g). Workplace Tagalog still matters outside multinational English rooms: Tagalog for work. Place the whole chain on your arrival checklist: Paperwork after moving.