Big Change for Foreign Workers in the Philippines: AEP Applications Now Fully Centralized

The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Administrative Order №. 199 in 2026, announcing major reforms to the application, evaluation, and issuance process of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) for foreign workers.

Page 1: DOLE Administrative Order № 199

Page 2: Page 1: DOLE Administrative Order № 199

01 Key Highlights of the New Policy

Point 1: All Applications Centralized at the Central Office

Original text: “Starting June 9, 2026, all processing, evaluation, and issuance of new and renewal Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications shall be fully centralized at the DOLE Central Office. Accordingly, all Regional Offices shall immediately cease accepting, processing, evaluating, and issuing AEP applications.”

Simple explanation: From now on, you can no longer apply for a work permit at local DOLE regional offices. All applications must be submitted to the Central Office.

Point 2: Already Submitted Applications Will Not Be Affected

Original text: “Any applications received by Regional Offices before the close of business on June 8, 2026, but not yet issued, shall be systematically frozen at their current stage of evaluation and promptly digitally routed to the Central Office… The remaining processing timeline shall continue to run to ensure applicants are not penalized under Republic Act №11032 due to delays.”

Explanation: If you already submitted your application before the end of June 8 but it has not yet been completed, it will be transferred to the Central Office. The processing time will not restart, ensuring applicants are not penalized due to the transition or delays.

Point 3: More Standardized Labor Market Testing

Original text: “The Central Office, through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), shall directly manage and implement mandatory local posting and labor market testing protocols using localized digital platforms and coordinated employment registry systems to preserve the integrity of domestic labor market review processes.”

Explanation: Before hiring foreign workers, companies must prove that no suitable local worker is available. This “labor market test” will now be conducted through a unified digital platform, making the process more standardized and transparent.

Point 4: All Documents Must Be Transferred Within 5 Days

Original text: “This transfer shall be completed within five (5) calendar days from the effectivity of this Order, and shall strictly comply with data transmission protocols with end-to-end encryption and verified chain-of-custody logs.”

Explanation: Regional offices must transfer all AEP-related documents to the Central Office within 5 days. All transfers must use encrypted systems to ensure data security.

02 Impact of the New Policy

For Individuals:

• More unified application process: Previously, regional offices had different interpretations and processing standards. Now, everything follows one centralized system, making it fairer and more transparent.
• Better data privacy protection: All document transfers use encryption and proper tracking logs, in compliance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act.
• Fairer labor market testing: The shift to a digital platform ensures all employers follow the same standards when proving no suitable local talent is available, reducing bias or inconsistency.

For Employers:

• More structured application requirements, with stricter documentation.
• Stronger labor market testing requirements to justify hiring foreign workers.
• All applications must be processed through the Central Office, which may require longer coordination times.

Overall Conclusion

In the short term, the transition may cause some inconvenience. However, in the long run, this reform is expected to improve fairness, consistency, and efficiency in the AEP application process.

If you have any further questions about the new policy, feel free to contact us anytime.

Thank you for reading our article on the updated AEP (Alien Employment Permit) application rules in the Philippines.

Due to recent regulatory changes by DOLE, the application, evaluation, and issuance process for AEP has become more centralized and strict, requiring proper documentation and compliance to avoid delays or rejection.

Our team provides end-to-end assistance for AEP processing, including consultation, document review, compliance guidance, and application support for both employers and foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Whether you are:

• Hiring foreign employees
• A foreign professional working in the Philippines
• A business handling compliance for foreign staff

We can assist you in navigating the updated requirements and completing the process correctly under current regulations.

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