Alien Employment Permit (AEP) in the Philippines

The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and is a foundational requirement in Philippine labour law for most foreigners taking up employment with a Philippine entity. Before the Bureau of Immigration will process a 9(g) work visa, the AEP must be in hand.

What the AEP does

The AEP serves as DOLE’s certification that:

1. The position cannot be filled by a qualified, available Filipino worker — the labour market test
2. The foreign national’s employment is consistent with national development objectives
3. The employer has published the vacant position publicly (as part of the application process)

It is not simply a registration — it is an active determination by DOLE that foreign employment in this role is warranted.

Who needs an AEP

Any foreign national employed by a Philippine-registered entity generally needs an AEP, including:

• Executives, managers, and professionals employed by local companies
• Foreigners employed by foreign-owned Philippine subsidiaries
• Working owners placing themselves on the payroll of their Philippine company

Exemptions apply in certain categories — holders of a 47(a)(2) visa (PEZA-registered entities), SVEG holders, and diplomats, among others. Exemption eligibility must be confirmed with DOLE — do not assume exemption without verification.

Requirements

• Job vacancy publication (employer must advertise the position before filing)
• Employer’s business registration documents (SEC, Mayor’s Permit)
• Foreign national’s passport copy and qualifications (CV, certificates)
• Employment contract or appointment letter
• Applicable DOLE filing fee
• Completed AEP application form

DOLE may request additional documents depending on the industry or position. Requirements are subject to regulatory change.

The process

1. Employer publishes the vacancy — the position must be advertised (typically through the DOLE Public Employment Service Office) to demonstrate that no qualified Filipino applicant is available
2. File the AEP application — the employer files on behalf of the foreign national. As of June 2026, DOLE has centralised AEP processing at its Central Office / Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) rather than the regional offices that previously handled applications; confirm the current filing channel before submitting
3. DOLE review — DOLE evaluates the application and may schedule an interview or request clarification
4. AEP issued — on approval, the AEP card is released; it specifies the employer, position, and validity period
5. File the 9(g) petition — the AEP is submitted with the BI as part of the 9(g) work visa application
6. Renew annually — the AEP is typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually while the foreign national remains employed

AEP and the 9(g) together

The AEP and 9(g) visa are sequential requirements: AEP first, then 9(g). Chamberlain files both as part of a single engagement — so timelines are managed end to end. See the 9(g) work visa page for the full visa picture.

If you need the employee to start before the 9(g) is approved, the Provisional Work Permit (PWP) bridges the gap.

What Chamberlain does

We handle the full AEP process — job posting compliance, DOLE filing, follow-up, and renewal — alongside the 9(g) petition. Fixed pricing, no surprises.

Book a consultation to get started, or review our transparent pricing. Explore the full Philippine Visas hub.