A Special Work Permit (SWP) is an authorization document that foreign nationals should obtain if they plan to work in the Philippines for a short-term period not exceeding six (6) months. The Special Working Permit has an initial validity of three (3) months and may be extended for three (3) more months. It should be noted that a Special Working Permit is not a visa but only a temporary permit that enables the foreign national to do partial work in the country if he is already a holder of a visitor visa.
Difference between Special Work Permit (SWP), Provisional Work Permit (PWP), and Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
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A
Special Work Permit (SWP)
is a permit that foreigners should acquire if they will work on short-term employment contracts in the Philippines that can last for up to six months. It should be noted that a sponsorship petition should be obtained from the Philippine-based employer before you can apply for an SWP.
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A
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
, on the other hand, is issued to foreign nationals who are in the process of applying for a pre-arranged employment visa or a 9g visa. The PWP is given to those who are currently holders of temporary visitor visas and who plan to work in the Philippines. A provisional work permit is usually valid for three months from the date of issuance or until the 9g visa is issued.
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Lastly, an
Alien Employment Permit
(AEP)
is a requirement for foreign nationals or non-resident aliens before working in gainful employment –except for those specifically exempted by law. Obtaining an AEP should be a top priority for all foreigners and aliens since all other visas –including
Special Investor’s Resident Visa
(SIRV),
Special Resident Retiree’s Visa
(SRRV),
Treaty Traders
(9D) Visa, or Special Non-Immigrant Visa like the
PEZA Visa
and E.O. 226 Visa– require an Alien Employment Permit.
Who is eligible to get a Special Work Permit?
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Artists, performers, and their staff who perform before an audience for a fee, subject to compliance with the requirements of the concerned agency, office, or body;
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Foreign nationals on an emergency or temporary mission;
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International performers with exceptional abilities, including their staff;
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Professional athletes, coaches, trainers, and assistants who will compete for a limited time;
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Service suppliers coming primarily to perform temporary services and who will not receive salary or other remuneration from a Philippine source other than expenses incidental to their temporary stay;
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Treasure hunters that are authorized to research for hidden treasures with permits from the concerned government agencies and instrumentalities
Where should I apply for a Special Work Permit?
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Apply for a Special Working Permit at the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
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Get a CGAF at the Bureau of Immigration Main Office or from the BI website.
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Submit accomplished documents for pre-screening or to the officer in charge.
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Claim the Order of Payment Slip (OPS) and pay the charge and then submit a copy of the official receipt.
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For those with ACR I-Card, check the schedule and the venue for the hearing, the biometrics, and image capturing.
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Attend the scheduled hearing and have your photo and fingerprints captured.
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Head to the Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter of the Alien Registration Division (ARD), and submit the requirements for the ACR I-Card application.
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Claim the SWP and ACR I-Card.
The process of this application can also vary depending on the needs of each individual’s circumstances and situations.
Alternatively, instead of doing these tedious tasks yourself, you canContact Us Here, fill out the form below, call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623, or email us at
info@araraa.com
to book an initial consultation with one of our Special Work Permit experts.