Ecozone investors, foreign workers to get visas faster

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) have entered into an agreement for a smoother issuance of visas to foreign investors to provide ease in doing business.

In a statement, the investment promotion agency said PEZA director general Charito Plaza and BI Commissioner Jaime Morente signed last Thursday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and the  implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the issuance of PEZA-visas in line with Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Following the signing of the MOA and IRR,  a one-stop shop will be set up at the PEZA head office in DoubleDragon Plaza in Pasay City to expedite the processing, approval and issuance of PEZA visas (PVs).

“This  (will now) allow PEZA to issue working visas to our foreign investors, non-resident foreign employees of PEZA-registered ecozone enterprises, and their respective qualified dependents,” Plaza said.

Starting Dec. 1,  the processing of visa applications would be reduced to 10 days from one month.

“Once approved and issued, the visa will no longer be called the 47 (a)2 visa, but it will be known as the PV with two years validity for qualified international employees and their dependents,” she said.

“The PVs will serve not only to facilitate the conduct of businesses in PEZA-registered ecozones, but also Ecozone highlight the many measures that have been taken by the national government to ensure the ease of doing business throughout the country,” Morente said.

Foreign employees of PEZA-registered enterprises will have to submit their application to the PEZA zone administrator or manager of the ecozone where they are located.

As for information technology/ business process outsourcing companies in Metro Manila, tourism, and medical-tourism ecozone enterprises, they can  submit their PV applications to the PEZA head office.

Foreign nationals employed in any PEZA-registered enterprises will need to submit a notarized application form, notarized company’s letter request addressed to the PEZA director general, checklist of application for PV extension or change of admission, certified true copy of PEZA certificate of registration, and photocopy of the foreign applicant’s passport.

As for dependents of foreign employees, they must submit a notarized application form, photocopy of their passport, birth and marriage certificates, and notarized affidavit of support or guarantee which is executed by the PEZA-registered company’s president or vice president.