BI issues new rules on work permits

February 6, 2019

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is imposing stricter requirements and procedures in issuing special work permits (SWP) and provisional work permit (PWP) to foreigners intending to work in the country.

According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the bureau will require foreign applicants to submit additional documents before they are issued work permits, according to a press statement Tuesday.

Morente said the BI will see to it no work permit will be issued to aliens who will be employed as construction workers, cashiers, janitors, carpenters, and other blue-collar jobs.

Professions classified as regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will also not be allowed without the approval of the commission.

“This is to ensure that these work permits are issued only to aliens whose jobs could not be performed by Filipinos,” the BI chief said.

Morente said that the new rules were issued to address the reported increase in the number of foreigners employed in the country to the alleged detriment of Filipino workers.

“These new rules are meant to protect the interest of local workers, as we have observed that in the past, foreigners may abuse their permits and take away jobs from our countrymen,” he stressed.

Among the requirements that work permit applicants will submit are: validity of stay as tourists; address, existence, nature of business, and financial viability of petitioning company; and SEC and other government licenses to operate.

Only authorized BI officers at the main office and alien control officers in the bureau’s field offices may approve or disapprove applicants for SWP and PWP.  DMS