The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reduced the processing time for Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications from 15 to 10 working days, as part of measures to simplify procedures for employers and foreign nationals.
Under Department Order No. 248-C, Series of 2026, signed by Labour Secretary Francis N. Tolentino on 27 October, the department has also reduced documentary requirements and revised application procedures to improve frontline services.
The new rules allow the processing period to be extended once by 10 working days, subject to a maximum of 20 working days. Applicants will no longer need to submit certain permits, licences or proof of applications from other government agencies when filing for an AEP.
These include the Philippine Construction Accreditation Board Licence, the Professional Regulation Commission’s Special Temporary Permit, the Department of Justice’s Authority to Employ Alien and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Authority to Hire Foreign National.
However, applicants must continue to comply with the relevant laws and requirements of these agencies.
DOLE has also discontinued the requirement to publish notices in a broadsheet at the applicant’s expense. Instead, notices for the Labour Market Test can be published through the department’s official portal or public repository, or filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.
Under the revised process, employers can handle applications through their own human resources officers, personnel or owners, with the option of engaging legal counsel. The previous requirements for accrediting agents and appointing authorised representatives have been removed. Employers will remain directly accountable for the documents submitted.
The department has also changed the payment process, with payment slips issued only after an application has been approved following technical evaluation. No fees will be collected at the time of submission.
To facilitate applications, Philippine embassies and consulates may endorse applications to the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), either directly or through the Department of Foreign Affairs, using official notes confirming the foreign national’s identity and absence of derogatory records.
The order also allows foreign applicants to be required to undergo an orientation on Philippine history and cultural diversity. Lawfully employed foreign nationals may also receive medical care benefits at government hospitals, including the Philippine General Hospital, on terms no less favourable than those available to Filipino workers, in line with relevant International Labour Organization conventions.
The revised order aligns with the government’s efforts to improve public service delivery under the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended by the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Department Order No. 248-C will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.