Philippines consolidates AEP processing in Manila Central Office

What Administrative Order 199 changed

The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) pulled all Alien Employment Permit (AEP) processing into its Central Office in Manila on June 9, 2026, ending regional office authority over the permits. The directive came through Administrative Order No. 199, signed June 8 and routed through the Bureau of Local Employment in Intramuros.

Regional offices stopped accepting new and renewal applications immediately. Pending files received by close of business June 8 are being transferred digitally to the Central Office, with regional branches given five calendar days to hand over records and inventories under data privacy safeguards. DOLE said the consolidation tightens oversight and enforces consistent rules on hiring foreign nationals.

Who feels the shift

The change hits any foreign national in gainful employment with a Philippine employer, including managers, specialists, intra-company transferees and most expats on local contracts. Their sponsoring employers must now route every filing through Manila.

Remote workers earning from foreign clients on tourist status don't need an AEP, so the procedural change doesn't reach them directly. Anyone moving into a local contract or taking on Philippine clients does fall into AEP territory and now deals only with the Central Office. Tourists on standard visitor visas aren't affected, though DOLE flagged that centralization may sharpen enforcement against unauthorized side work.

Companies based far from Manila lose their nearest filing window. Expect heavier reliance on courier submissions, online channels and accredited Manila-based agents.

Filing through the Central Office

AEPs authorize a specific foreign hire for a specific role with a specific employer under DOLE Department Order No. 146-15. Core requirements still apply:

• Employer letter, completed application form and employment contract listing duties, salary and benefits
• Passport copy with appropriate visa
• Company papers: SEC or DTI registration, business permit, PEZA certificate where relevant
• Newspaper publication of the vacancy plus an affidavit that no qualified Filipino was hired
• Understudy Training Program or Skills Development Program plan, where required

Statutory processing clocks under the Ease of Doing Business Act (Republic Act No. 11032) keep running through the transfer, so applicants shouldn't face official delay penalties tied to the move. Practical slowdowns during the handover are likely. DOLE Department Order 248-A sets a 15 working-day action window once a file is complete.

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