Immigration

Philippines | Continued delays in Alien Employment Permit (AEP) processing

Summary

In June 2026, Alien Employment Permit (AEP) processing was centralized under the DOLE Central Office as part of ongoing efforts to standardize and streamline the administration of AEP applications nationwide.

The detail

Although centralization was intended to improve consistency and oversight, employers and foreign nationals continue to face lengthy processing times for new and renewal AEP applications. The delays affect employee onboarding, work authorization, permit renewals, and other immigration processes that require a valid AEP.

What this means 

Employers should:

• Identify upcoming AEP expirations and renewal requirements early
• Allow additional lead time in hiring and mobility plans
• Closely monitor pending applications and assess potential business impacts
• Keep affected employees and stakeholders informed of expected timelines and potential delays

How we can help

Organizations with pending or planned AEP applications should assess how current processing times may affect workforce and mobility plans. Contact your Vialto representative to discuss case-specific impacts and strategies to mitigate delays.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Larissa Dalistan-Levosada
Director

Kimberly Cantor
Senior Manager

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