Core Service
Work & Employment Visas
FIS provides end-to-end immigration support for employment in the Philippines, coordinating the appropriate work authorisation, documentation, application process and follow-up.
Employment-related immigration in the Philippines can involve interconnected requirements spanning the foreign national, the employer, the applicable work authorisation and supporting documentation, sometimes across more than one connected process. Foreign nationals taking up pre-arranged employment may require a 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa, together with other applicable employment and immigration authorisations depending on the circumstances. Foreign Immigration Services assesses your circumstances, identifies the appropriate pathway, and coordinates the process from preparation through submission and follow-up, where permitted.
Are you the employee or the employer? FIS can work with the foreign national, the employer, or both sides of the matter to coordinate the relevant immigration requirements. If you are hiring or coordinating immigration matters for more than one foreign employee, our Corporate & Global Mobility service may be the better starting point.
How We Can Assist
- Assessing the proposed role or assignment and identifying the appropriate employment and immigration pathway
- Mapping the applicable requirements, including where a 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa or another employment authorisation applies
- Coordinating with the foreign national and employer to gather the required information and documentation
- Helping prepare and organise the required documentation, and reviewing it for apparent gaps before submission
- Coordinating relevant employment-permit requirements, including liaising with the Department of Labor and Employment where an employment permit is a prerequisite
- Liaising with the Bureau of Immigration on your behalf, where representation is permitted
- Submitting or lodging applications on your behalf, where applicable and permitted
- Following up on applications and keeping the employee and employer informed
- Identifying and helping organise relevant next steps once an outcome is reached
One coordinated process for you and your employer. Rather than managing separate immigration and documentation requirements, the employee and employer can work through FIS as a central point of coordination throughout the matter.
Does your employment matter connect with another immigration requirement? If your matter forms part of a wider immigration situation, tell us at the outset. We can identify related requirements and discuss whether FIS can assist with them as part of the broader process.
Common Situations We Handle
- Taking up a longer-term role with a Philippine employer
- Coming to the Philippines for a short-term or project-based assignment
- An employer hiring or transferring a foreign national
- Uncertain whether you may begin work while a longer-term application is still being processed
- An employer coordinating immigration requirements for more than one foreign employee
How the Process Works
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Tell us about the role or assignment
Tell us about the role or assignment, the employer, your current immigration status and the relevant circumstances.
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Assessment and pathway planning
We assess the information and identify the appropriate employment and immigration pathway based on the information available.
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Requirements and employer coordination
We map the applicable requirements and coordinate the relevant documentation with the foreign national and employer.
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Application preparation and submission
We help prepare and organise the application, and coordinate submission or lodging on your behalf, where applicable and permitted.
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Follow-up and next steps
We follow up on the application, keep the relevant parties informed, and help organise any relevant next steps. You can track the progress of your transaction through the FIS Client Portal or contact our team directly if you need assistance.
What We May Need From You
From the Foreign National
- Passport and current immigration status
- Relevant personal or supporting documentation for your specific application
From the Employer
- Employer and company information
- Details of the role or assignment
- Employment contract or assignment letter, and other employer-provided documentation relevant to the specific process
The specific documents required depend on your circumstances. We will confirm exactly what applies once we understand your situation.
Need More Hands-On Support? Depending on your circumstances, FIS can provide additional support alongside your work visa application, including priority internal document preparation for time-sensitive matters, document collection and delivery, translation and certification coordination, and in-person assistance where available. Tell us what level of support you need when you enquire. Government processing times remain subject to the relevant authority.
Start Your Work & Employment Visa Matter
Tell us about the role, assignment or foreign employee. We will assess the circumstances, identify the appropriate process and discuss how FIS can assist with coordinating the matter from preparation through follow-up.
Can I start working before my long-term visa is approved?
This depends on your specific circumstances, including your current immigration status and the type of application involved. Tell us about your timeline and current status, and we will assess whether work may lawfully begin before your application is finalised, and if so, what is required.
Is this only for individual employees, or can employers use this too?
Both. FIS can work with the foreign national, the employer, or both sides of the matter to coordinate the relevant immigration requirements. If your organisation is hiring or managing more than one foreign employee, or has broader workforce mobility needs, our Corporate & Global Mobility service may be the better starting point.
Can FIS coordinate directly with my employer?
Yes. Where relevant, FIS can coordinate directly with your employer to gather the information and documentation required for your application, reducing the back-and-forth between you and your employer.