PH Gov’t Implements Stricter Foreign Work Permit Guidelines
In an effort to regulate foreign workers, government departments and commissions issued the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, series of 2019, which details on the requirements for foreigners intending to work in the country.
The joint memorandum was formed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Signed July 11, Thursday, the JMC 1 covers the issuance of the following documents:
- Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE;
- Special Temporary Permit (STP) from the PRC;
- Special provisional Work Permits and 9(g) visa from the BI;
- 47(a)2 and Authority to Employ Alien from the DOJ;
- Authority to Hire from the DENR; and
- 9(g) and 47(a)2 visas from DFA
Further, the newly released set of regulations now requires foreign workers to have a BIR-issued Tax Identification Number (TIN) and a “No Derogatory Record/Information” from NICA and the NBI.
And in the interest of national security, a background investigation on the foreign applicant will also be conducted by NICA.
Involved government offices are required to submit a monthly report on the permits they issue to DOLE through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) and NICA.
The JMC is set to take effect 15 days after its publication in the official gazette or in a national newspaper.
Also read: Expats’ Guide to Working in the Philippines
Source: Department of Labor and Employment
