Philippines Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Jobs 2024 – Eligibility, Purpose, Benefits

For international job seekers looking to find skill shortage jobs abroad, the Philippines offers a wealth of opportunities. Understanding the permits and visas required is crucial to legally securing employment. The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is a key document that facilitates legal employment for foreign nationals in the Philippines.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview about skill shortage jobs in philippines, where to look for those opportunities that offer work visa and AEP, the differences between AEP, 9(g) work visa, and Special Work Permit (SWP), along with benefits, eligibility, the current skill shortage list, and tips on finding AEP-sponsored jobs in the Philippines in 2024.

List of Skill Shortage Occupations in Philippines

The Philippines is experiencing significant skill shortages across various sectors for which you can apply for 9G Work visa and alien employment permit in 2024 and here are some of the key areas with high demand:

• Construction: The Philippines’ construction industry is facing significant shortages of skilled workers, particularly in carpentry, masonry, welding, plumbing, and electrical installation. This shortage is driven by a large number of ongoing infrastructure projects and rapid urban development in recent years, which have increased the demand for these trades.
• Technology: The rapidly growing technology sector in the Philippines struggles to find enough qualified professionals. There is a high demand for software developers, data analysts, cybersecurity experts, network administrators, and IT support and maintenance staff. The shortage is exacerbated by the fast pace of technological advancements, which outstrip the availability of trained professionals.
• Healthcare: In the healthcare sector, there is a critical shortage of doctors, nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, and healthcare assistants. This shortage is especially pronounced in rural areas, where healthcare services are less accessible. The growing population and increased healthcare needs have intensified the demand for these professionals.
• Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector is experiencing a shortage of skilled technicians and engineers, particularly in mechanical, electrical, and civil disciplines. Additionally, there is a high demand for quality control specialists and machine operators. The expansion of the manufacturing industry and the introduction of new technologies have contributed to these shortages.
• Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): The BPO industry, a significant contributor to the Philippine economy, faces shortages in customer service representatives, technical support specialists, data entry clerks, and finance and accounting professionals. The rapid growth of the BPO sector has created a continuous demand for these roles.
• Education: There is a shortage of teachers in specialized fields, including special education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and English language instruction. The growing emphasis on quality education and the increasing number of students have led to a high demand for qualified educators.
• Tourism and Hospitality: The tourism and hospitality industry is in need of skilled professionals, such as hotel and resort managers, chefs and culinary experts, tour guides, and travel agents. The Philippines’ status as a popular tourist destination has driven the demand for these roles.
• Finance: In the finance sector, there is a shortage of accountants, auditors, financial analysts, and compliance officers. The increasing complexity of financial regulations and the growth of the financial industry have heightened the need for these professionals.

What is an Alien Employment Permit (AEP)?

An Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines. It is not a work visa but a prerequisite for obtaining one, specifically the 9(g) work visa. The AEP certifies that the employment of a foreign national will not negatively impact local workers and that the required skills are not readily available in the local labor market.

Benefits of AEP

Obtaining an AEP comes with several benefits:

• Legal Work Authorization: Allows foreign nationals to work legally in the Philippines.
• Employment Security: Ensures that the job market is protected by validating the need for foreign expertise.
• Pathway to 9(g) Visa: Serves as a necessary step towards obtaining the 9(g) work visa.

Key Points

• • Requirement: Foreign nationals intending to work in the Philippines generally need an AEP.
  • Exemptions: Diplomats, permanent residents, and certain other categories are exempt from this requirement.
  • Validity: Typically valid for upto 3 years, based on employment contract, and renewable for up to 3 years.
  • Application: Filed by the employer at the DOLE Regional Office.

Eligibility for AEP

To be eligible for an AEP, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• • Valid Passport: Must have a passport with at least six months’ validity.
  • Valid Visa: Usually a 9(g) pre-arranged employment visa.
  • Employment Contract: Must have a valid employment contract with a Philippine-registered company.
  • No Criminal Record: Must have no criminal record in the Philippines or home country.
  • Health Clearance: Must submit a health clearance certificate from a Bureau of Quarantine-accredited clinic.

Differences Between AEP, 9(g) Work Visa, and SWP

Understanding the differences between the AEP, 9(g) work visa, and SWP is essential for foreign workers and their employers.

1# Alien Employment Permit (AEP)

• • Purpose: Certifies eligibility to work in the Philippines.
  • Validity: 1-3 years.
  • Requirement: Prerequisite for work visas.
  • Issuing Agency: DOLE.

2# 9(g) Work Visa

• • Purpose: Allows foreign nationals to stay and work in the Philippines.
  • Validity: 1-3 years, renewable.
  • Requirement: Requires an approved AEP.
  • Issuing Agency: Bureau of Immigration.

3# Special Work Permit (SWP)

• • Purpose: For short-term, project-based employment.
  • Validity: Up to 6 months.
  • Requirement: Strict requirements, employer must prove non-availability of local workers.
  • Issuing Agency: DOLE.

Difference Between AEP VS 9G Work VISA VS SWP

Here is the table explaining the basic differences between these three:

Where to Find AEP-Sponsored Jobs in the Philippines?

Finding AEP/9G Work VISA sponsored jobs can be found on any of these platforms:

• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), dole.gov.ph
• Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), poea.gov.ph
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), psa.gov.ph
• JobStreet Philippines, jobstreet.com.ph
• LinkedIn, linkedin.com
• Indeed Philippines, ph.indeed.com
• Kalibrr, kalibrr.com
• Manpower Philippines, manpower.com.ph
• Public Employment Service Office (PESO), peso.dole.gov.ph
• WorkAbroad.ph, workabroad.ph
• Prime Manpower, primemanpower.com
• Reedley Central Management (RCM), rcmglobal.com.ph
• Accenture Philippines, accenture.com/ph-en/careers
• Ayala Corporation, ayala.com.ph/careers
• Procter & Gamble Philippines, pgcareers.com
• Teleperformance Philippines, teleperformance.com/en-us/careers
• Shell Philippines, shell.com.ph/careers.html.