What Is the Total Cost of Applying for a Philippines Work Visa for Indians?

The total government cost of a one-year Philippines work visa is about ₹33,000 per person. This covers four main fees. The 9(a) entry visa from the Philippine Embassy in India costs ₹3,840. The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE costs PHP 6,000, and the 9(g) work visa from the Bureau of Immigration costs PHP 10,130 for one year. The ACR I-Card costs USD 50 plus a PHP 500 express fee. If you need to start work before your 9(g) visa is ready, a Provisional Work Permit adds PHP 4,040. Many employers pay the AEP and 9(g) fees. Your own costs are mainly document apostilles, a police clearance certificate, flights and your first rent payments.
 

*Want to work in the Philippines? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.

 

 

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Philippines Work Visa Cost Breakdown for Indians: Fees, Documents & Requirements

A Philippines work visa involves separate steps, and your employer leads most of them. First, you get a 9(a) visa from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in India to enter the country. Next, your employer applies to DOLE for your Alien Employment Permit. After the AEP is approved, your employer files a 9(g) visa petition with the Bureau of Immigration. You then receive your 9(g) visa and an ACR I-Card.
 

The table below highlights the cost of applying for a Philippines work visa from India

Cost Item	Approx. Amount	Paid By	When
9(a) temporary visitor visa (single entry)	₹3,840	Employee or employer	Before you travel
Express visa processing (optional)	₹960 extra	Employee or employer	When you apply
Alien Employment Permit (1 year)	PHP 6,000 (about ₹9,000)	Employer	After DOLE approves the application
9(g) visa (1 year, main applicant)	PHP 10,130 (about ₹15,200)	Employer or employee	When the employer files the petition
9(g) visa (2 years or 3 years)	PHP 17,170 or PHP 24,210	Employer or employee	When the employer files the petition
ACR I-Card and express lane fee	USD 50 plus PHP 500 (about ₹5,150)	Employer or employee	With the 9(g) visa
Provisional Work Permit (optional)	PHP 4,040 (about ₹6,100)	Employer or employee	If you start work before the 9(g) visa
Annual report to the Bureau of Immigration	About PHP 300	Employee	Within the first 60 days of each year
Document apostille (degree and police certificate)	₹50 per document at MEA, plus agency charges	Employee	Before applying
Police clearance certificate	₹500	Employee	Before applying

 

Note: INR amounts use an approximate rate of ₹1.5 to the Philippine peso (PHP) and ₹88 to the US dollar. Exchange rates change daily. Fees can change, so check the latest amounts before you apply.
 

The documents and requirements you need for a Philippines work visa are as follows:

• Job offer: A signed employment contract from a Philippine employer that is legally registered to do business in the country.
• Labour market test: Your employer must show that no qualified Filipino is available for the role, as part of the AEP process.
• Alien Employment Permit: An approved AEP from DOLE, which your employer applies for on your behalf.
• Valid passport: A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
• Entry visa: A 9(a) visa from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in India. Visa-free entry and the e-visa cannot be converted to a work visa.
• Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs that meet Philippine visa specifications.
• Qualification documents: Your degree certificate and experience letters, apostilled by India’s Ministry of External Affairs where requested.
• Police clearance certificate: A police clearance certificate from India, apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs where requested.
• Application form: The Bureau of Immigration’s Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) with your employer’s letter of request.
• Employer documents: Company registration papers, such as the SEC registration and business permit, provided by your employer.
   

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Expenses to Consider While Moving to the Philippines From India

Government fees are only a small part of the cost of moving to the Philippines. Most of your budget goes on housing and your first weeks in a new city. Planning these costs early helps you settle in smoothly. Here are the main costs to plan for:

• Flights: A one-way ticket from India to Manila usually costs ₹15,000–₹35,000, depending on the route and season. Some employers pay for this.
• Temporary housing: Budget for 2–4 weeks in a hotel or serviced apartment while you search for a rental.
• Rent and deposits: A one-bedroom flat in Makati or Bonifacio Global City often costs PHP 25,000–50,000 a month. Landlords usually ask for one month’s advance rent and a two-month security deposit. Many employers offer a housing allowance.
• Family visas: Your spouse and children can join you on 9(g) dependent visas. The one-year fee for a spouse is PHP 8,120, and each family member needs an ACR I-Card.
• Health insurance: Many employers provide health insurance. If yours does not, budget for a private plan.
• Daily living costs: Plan for groceries, transport, mobile and utility bills. Open a local bank account early to receive your salary.
• Exit clearance: When you leave the Philippines for good, you may need an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Bureau of Immigration.
• Emergency fund: Keep at least 2–3 months of living costs as a buffer.
   

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Who Pays for a Philippines Work Visa: Employer or Employee?

Philippine law does not fix who must pay every work visa fee. However, the employer must apply for your Alien Employment Permit and file your 9(g) visa petition. For this reason, most employers pay the AEP and 9(g) fees, and many also cover the ACR I-Card and agent costs. You usually pay for your entry visa, documents and personal moving costs. Check your job offer or contract carefully, and make sure your employer is legally registered before you travel.
 

The Philippines offers different work permits based on how long you will work and who your employer is.

Permit Type	Who It Suits	Key Requirement	Approx. Cost
AEP and 9(g) work visa	Foreign professionals in long-term jobs of one to three years	Job offer, approved AEP and employer petition	PHP 6,000 AEP plus PHP 10,130 9(g) for one year, plus ACR I-Card
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)	Workers who must start before their 9(g) visa is approved	Pending 9(g) visa application	PHP 4,040
Special Work Permit (SWP)	Short-term assignments of less than six months	Philippine company as petitioner; no AEP needed	Bureau of Immigration filing fees, plus a valid 9(a) visa
Certificate of Exemption	Foreign nationals exempt from the AEP, such as certain diplomats and officials	Proof of exempt status	Set by DOLE

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Philippines immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!

 

 

FAQs

What is the total cost of a Philippines work visa for Indians?

The total government cost of a one-year Philippines work visa is about ₹33,000 per person. This includes the 9(a) entry visa of ₹3,840, the Alien Employment Permit of PHP 6,000, the 9(g) visa of PHP 10,130 and the ACR I-Card of USD 50 plus PHP 500. A Provisional Work Permit adds PHP 4,040 if you need to start work early. Document costs and agent fees are extra, and employers often pay many of these fees.

What is the 9(g) visa in the Philippines?

The 9(g) visa is the Pre-Arranged Employment Visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration. It allows a foreign national to live and work in the Philippines for a specific employer. Your employer files the petition after you receive an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE. The visa can be issued for one, two or three years. The government fee for the main applicant is PHP 10,130 for one year, PHP 17,170 for two years and PHP 24,210 for three years.

How much does an Alien Employment Permit cost?

The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) has a DOLE filing fee of PHP 6,000 for one year of validity. A longer permit costs more for each extra year, and an AEP is issued for a maximum of three years at a time. Your employer usually applies for and pays for the AEP. DOLE collects the fee only after it approves the application. Without a valid AEP, both you and your employer can face a fine of PHP 10,000 per year.

Who pays for the Philippines work visa?

Philippine law does not fix who must pay every work visa fee. However, your employer must apply for your Alien Employment Permit and file your 9(g) visa petition. For this reason, many employers pay the AEP, 9(g) and ACR I-Card fees, and sometimes agent fees too. You usually pay for your entry visa, documents, flights and moving costs. Check your job offer or employment contract to see which costs your employer will cover.

Can Indians enter the Philippines visa-free and then apply for a work visa?

No. Indian citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism, but this entry cannot be extended or converted to another visa. The Philippine e-visa also cannot be converted to a work visa. Indians who plan to work in the Philippines should get a regular 9(a) temporary visitor visa from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in India. The single-entry 9(a) visa costs ₹3,840.

What is a Provisional Work Permit and how much does it cost?

A Provisional Work Permit (PWP) lets you start working while your 9(g) visa application is still pending. The Bureau of Immigration issues it, and it is valid for three months or until your 9(g) visa is approved, whichever comes first. The total government fee is PHP 4,040, or about ₹6,100. You only need a PWP if your employer wants you to start work before the 9(g) visa is ready.

What is an ACR I-Card?

The Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) is a microchip-based ID card issued by the Bureau of Immigration. All 9(g) visa holders must have one. It proves your immigration status and records your visa details. The card fee is USD 50, plus an express lane fee of PHP 500. You must also file an annual report with the Bureau of Immigration within the first 60 days of each year.

How long does it take to get a Philippines work visa?

The process has two main stages. DOLE usually processes an Alien Employment Permit within 15 working days after the application is complete. After that, your employer files the 9(g) visa petition with the Bureau of Immigration, which usually takes one to three months. Delays can happen if documents are missing. Many employers apply for a Provisional Work Permit so that you can start work while you wait.

Can my family join me in the Philippines on a work visa?

Yes. Your spouse and children can apply for 9(g) dependent visas linked to your work visa. The one-year government fee is PHP 8,120 for a spouse, with slightly lower fees for children. Each family member also needs an ACR I-Card. Dependents cannot work on a dependent visa. If your spouse wants to work in the Philippines, they need their own job offer, Alien Employment Permit and work visa.

What is a Special Work Permit in the Philippines?

A Special Work Permit (SWP) is a short-term work permit for foreign nationals who will work in the Philippines for less than six months. The Bureau of Immigration issues it for three months at first, with one final extension of three more months. You do not need an Alien Employment Permit for an SWP. A Philippine company must act as your petitioner. For work longer than six months, you need a 9(g) visa.