Visa and Employment · 9(g) Visa
9(g) Working Visa in the Philippines
We prepare and coordinate 9(g) pre-arranged employment visa petitions for foreign hires and the companies that employ them.
Overview
The standard visa for long-term employment
The 9(g) is the pre-arranged employment visa for foreign nationals hired to work for a Philippine employer. It is filed with the Bureau of Immigration on the strength of a petition by the employer, and it is tied to that employment. A 9(g) is typically valid for one to three years, can be renewed while the employment continues, and is downgraded when the employment ends.
For most employment routes, an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE comes first, issued for a specific position with a specific employer. Certain positions are exempt, which changes the paperwork. We confirm the correct route for your case, prepare the employer and employee documents, and coordinate the filings so the visa, the permit and the ACR I-Card stay consistent with each other.
What we handle
What we handle on a 9(g)
Employer-side and employee-side work, coordinated as one file.
Route assessment
We confirm whether the position needs an AEP first or falls under an exemption.
Employer petition
We prepare the petition and the company documents the Bureau of Immigration expects to see.
Employee documents
We review passports, contracts and credentials and flag anything that needs authentication.
Dependent visas
We file for a spouse and unmarried children under 21 where they qualify to accompany the visa holder.
How it works
How a 9(g) application works
The order matters, and getting it wrong is the most common cause of a rejected filing.
Assess the role
We check the position, the employer’s registration and whether an AEP or exemption applies.
Secure the AEP
Where required, we file the Alien Employment Permit with DOLE before the visa petition.
File the petition
We lodge the 9(g) petition with the Bureau of Immigration and respond to any requests.
Implement and register
Once approved, we coordinate visa implementation and the ACR I-Card.
Why work with ILA on your 9(g)
Correct sequence
We line up the AEP, petition and registration in the order the agencies expect.
Employer support
We work directly with HR and company officers to assemble the corporate documents.
Status continuity
We track renewals and changes so the visa stays aligned with the job.
Frequently asked questions
9(g) questions
Can I start work before my 9(g) is approved?
You should not work without the correct authority in place. Depending on the case, there may be interim options, and we confirm what applies to your situation before any work begins.
What happens to my 9(g) if I change jobs?
The 9(g) is tied to a specific employer. A new employer generally means new filings, and the old visa is downgraded when that employment ends. We plan the handover so your status is not left exposed.
Can my family come with me?
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally be included as dependents. We confirm eligibility and the documents needed for each family member.
Hiring a foreign national in the Philippines?
Book a free consultation and we will confirm the right visa route for the role and map out what both employer and employee need to prepare.
