Philippines – New Requirements and Restrictions for Special Work Permit and Provisional Work Permit
February 18, 2019
On January 29, 2019, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued Operations Order No. JHM-2019-002, prescribing supplemental guidelines for SWP and PWP issuance.
- A company applying for a Special Work Permit (SWP) for an employee must now submit, through its authorized representative, a notarized certificate stating that the request is the applicant’s first or extension (second) SWP application, and that the applicant works exclusively in the position and for the company stated in the application.
- Furthermore, Special Work Permits or Provisional Work Permits (PWP) will no longer be issued to manual laborer’s, such as (but not limited to) construction workers, cashiers, waiters, janitors, household help, carpenters, garbage collectors, security guards, warehouse caretakers and other analogous labor.
- Finally, to obtain an SWP or PWP for positions regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), a Special Temporary Permit (STP) issued by the PRC must be submitted in support.
Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact their immigration specialist for case-specific advice.