Immigration Services at EPEEQ Law
Immigration Services at EPEEQ Law
Your Legal Bridge to Life and Business in the Philippines
At EPEEQ Law, we understand that moving to a new country—whether for business, career, or personal growth—is both exciting and complex. With our deep knowledge of Philippine immigration, tax, corporate, and labor laws, we help foreigners legally enter, stay, and thrive in the Philippines.
Whether you’re an investor looking to set up a company, a skilled professional joining a Philippine firm, or a multinational expanding operations—we make the legal process smooth, strategic, and stress-free.
What We Do Best: Comprehensive Immigration Solutions
9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visas
We help employers and foreign hires obtain the proper work visa to start or continue employment in the Philippines. We handle everything from Alien Employment Permit (AEP) to visa issuance and renewals.
AEP Exemption and Exclusion Processing
Not all work engagements require an AEP. We assess your situation and secure exemption or exclusion if applicable—saving you time and avoiding unnecessary paperwork.
Special Work Permits (SWP) & Provisional Work Permits (PWP)
Need to work on a short-term basis or while your visa is pending? We help you legally begin work with the right interim permits.
Business Entry and Entity Set-Up
Beyond visas, we guide you in choosing the right corporate structure, registering with the SEC, PEZA, or DTI, and ensuring full compliance with Philippine laws.
Investor and Executive Visa Support
We assist executives and high-level personnel under treaty investor categories or through visa conversion and extension services.
Government Liaison Services
We coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration, DOLE, SEC, BOI, PEZA, and other key agencies—so you don’t have to.
Why Foreigners Trust EPEEQ Law
Clear Communication, No Legal Jargon
We speak your language—legally and professionally. We explain requirements, options, and risks in a way that makes sense.
Business-Minded Legal Advice
We understand that time is money. Our lawyers are trained not just in immigration law but in helping businesses make smart, compliant, and profitable moves.
Clear Communication, No Legal Jargon
We speak your language—legally and professionally. We explain requirements, options, and risks in a way that makes sense.
Business-Minded Legal Advice
We understand that time is money. Our lawyers are trained not just in immigration law but in helping businesses make smart, compliant, and profitable moves.
Why Foreigners Trust EPEEQ Law
Clear Communication, No Legal Jargon
We speak your language—legally and professionally. We explain requirements, options, and risks in a way that makes sense.
Business-Minded Legal Advice
We understand that time is money. Our lawyers are trained not just in immigration law but in helping businesses make smart, compliant, and profitable moves.
Strategic, End-to-End Support
From visa planning to corporate registration and labor compliance, we offer complete support from entry to execution.
Proven Track Record
We’ve helped hundreds of expatriates, foreign executives, start-ups, and multinationals legally enter and establish operations in the Philippines.
Supporting Growth, the Right Way
At EPEEQ Law, we believe that foreign investment should empower—not overwhelm. That’s why we work not just for you, but with you, as your partner in ensuring that legal requirements don’t get in the way of growth.
Let us help you make the Philippines your next smart move.
We Respect Your Time and Your Plans
We take timelines seriously. We understand that delays can disrupt your business plans, travel schedules, or project launches. That’s why we:

Map out realistic, customized timelines for your visa and permit applications

Align government processing times with your operational goals

Proactively manage your application milestones to keep everything on track

Flag and address potential delays early, to avoid last-minute problems
We work closely with clients to ensure that all steps are clear, coordinated, and executed on schedule, so your move or expansion to the Philippines is seamless and stress-free.
FAQs about Immigration Law
The 9(g) visa, or Pre-arranged Employment Visa, is the most common work visa for foreign nationals employed by a Philippine-based company. It allows the holder to legally reside and work in the Philippines for the duration of their employment.
Applicants must secure a valid job offer from a Philippine company, obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and submit required documents to the Bureau of Immigration, including a notarized employment contract, passport, and company registration documents.
A 9(g) visa is issued for one (1) to three (3) depending on the contract of employment and subject to compliance with immigration and labor regulations.
An AEP is a permit issued by DOLE allowing a foreign national to work in the Philippines. An AEP (exclusion or exemption as may be applicable) is required before applying for a 9(g) visa, and is valid only for the position and employer indicated.
All foreign nationals seeking gainful employment in the Philippines must secure an AEP, unless they are specifically exempted or excluded under DOLE regulations.
- Exemption means the foreign national is not required to secure an AEP at all due to their position or status (e.g., members of the diplomatic corps, elected board members with no operational involvement).
- Exclusion applies when the nature of the engagement does not constitute regular employment under DOLE rules (e.g., intra-corporate transferees, consultants for short-term projects).
An application must be filed with DOLE with supporting documentation (e.g., board resolutions, contracts, appointment papers). If granted, DOLE will issue a Certificate of Exclusion or Certificate of Exemption, which can be submitted in place of an AEP when applying for work visas.
An SWP is a short-term work permit issued by the Bureau of Immigration, allowing foreign nationals to work in the Philippines for up to 6 months. It is suitable for consultants, project-based workers, or foreign artists/performers.
A PWP is issued to a foreign national who needs to begin working while their 9(g) visa is still being processed. It is valid for three (3) months, depending on the status of the main visa application.
Yes, but only if you have been issued a Provisional Work Permit (PWP) by the Bureau of Immigration.
No. The 9(g) visa and AEP are employer-specific. A change of employer requires cancellation of the current visa and permit, and a new application under the new employer.
Foreign nationals working without valid authorization face possible fines, deportation, and blacklisting. Employers may also be sanctioned for hiring undocumented workers.
Processing times vary, but typically range from 2 to 3 months from the filing of complete requirements to issuance of the ACR I-Card. Processing a Provisional Work Permit can allow legal work in the interim.
The employer must sponsor the visa, secure the AEP (or its exemption/exclusion), provide employment contracts and company documents, and assist with filings to both DOLE and the Bureau of Immigration.
EPEEQ Law offers full-service assistance for foreign nationals and companies, including:
- Review of Contracts of Employment
- Visa and permit applications (9[g], SWP, PWP)
- AEP applications, exemptions, and exclusions
- Business structuring and incorporation
- Liaising with DOLE, BI, SEC, PEZA, and other regulatory agencies
- Immigration compliance and policy advisory
Our goal is to help clients enter and thrive in the Philippines with legal clarity, efficiency, and peace of mind.