Every country in the world regulates and records who is allowed to enter, live and work within their sovereign borders. Some people are refused entry for various reasons, others find themselves falling afoul of the authorities once they are living there. Others are just there for a few days or weeks and are genuine tourists but everyone who isn’t a Filipino citizen needs a Visa.

The good news for foreigners is that the Philippines is a welcoming country that has fewer restrictions than the USA, Canada, UK or Australia or other industrialized countries as to who can enter and for how long. The visa fees are very affordable and reasonable compared to some of the charges levied by western governments. But you MUST obey the Law and have the correct visa and one that is in good standing.

This web site will look at the different types of visa available, keep you up to date with any changes, advise on which visa might be best and how to get it and also offer suggestions for those ‘visa runs’ across the border to renew your residency.

SVEG Visa Philippines – Requirements

The SVEG is a special visa issued to a qualified non-immigrant foreigner who will employ at least 10 Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry. Qualified foreigners who are granted the SVEG shall be considered special non-immigrants with multiply entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines.

SVEG Requirements for Foreigners

1. Directly or exclusively engage in a viable and sustainable commercial investment/enterprise in the Philippines, exercises/performs management acts or has the authority to hire, promote and dismiss employees
2. Evince a serious intention to indefinitely remain in the Philippines
3. Not a risk to national security of the Philippines
4. Commercial investment or enterprise must provide actual employment to at least 10 Filipinos in accordance with Philippine labor laws and other applicable special laws

The above-mentioned requirements must be continually satisfied by the foreigner for him/her to continue to be a holder of the SVEG in the Philippines.

SVEG Application

(a) Upon payment of regulatory fees, the Commissioner of Immigration shall receive and resolve SVEG applications within 15 days from the date of filing. Documentary proofs required by the Philippine Commissioner of Immigration shall be evaluated and reviewed without strict observance to the technicalities of evidence and procedure.

(b) Upon favourable review, the Commissioner of Immigration shall issue a Notice of Approval directing the foreigner-applicant to report for registration and documentation at the Bureau of Immigration. An Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card and an Identification Certification (IC) shall be issued upon payment of appropriate fees. The ACR I-Card and the IC shall indicate among others, the following:

“Status Adjusted without Departure as a Special Non-Immigrant with Multiply Entry Privileges and
Conditional Extended Stay in the Philippines under (this Executive Order)”

(c) Otherwise, the Commission if Immigration shall issue a Notice of Disapproval informing the foreigner applicant of the denial of his application. Within 15 days from receipt of such disapproval, the foreigner-applicant may file a motion for Reconsideration (MR) for the review of his application. Only 1 such Motion shall be entertained.

(d) The Commissioner of Immigration shall monitor the continued compliance by the foreigners of the requirements of the SVEG.

(e) All fees collected by the Bureau of Immigration shall be acknowledged by bonded collecting offices via issuance of official receipts. These collections shall be accounted for as government funds and subject to strict auditing procedures.

Source:Bureau Of Immigration, Philippines

Down Under Visa- Improve Your Chances Of Success

Jeff Harvie is a professional Migration Agent, registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority, a statutory body set up by the Australian Government to regulate the standards of the profession, and to give protection to consumers. He specialises in visas from the Philippines to Australia, and spouse/partner and fiancé visas are his particular favourite.

Jeff understands the fears, stresses, problems and pitfalls that the migration process has for those who have not been through it before. His wife Mila, originally from the Philippines, was working in Hong Kong when they met years ago.

Before venturing into migration law, Jeff had a background in business management consultancy, and in rural land development. He has unique skills in problem-solving and in structuring effective applications to Government departments. He finds migration law consultancy far more personally fulfilling that anything else he’s ever done in his career.

They alternate their time between Australia and the Philippines, and have offices both in Manila (Philippines) and in Australia. They know that success depends not only on filling out forms properly, but also depends on knowledge of the red-tape processes and complex cross-cultural differences.

Their service not only includes making sure all the legislative and Departmental requirements are met, but also to make sure that overseas forms and checks are carried out properly. We have an office and staff in Manila who can even meet you (or your relative, partner or fiancée) at Manila airport and take you/them to the Embassy for interviews. We even arrange safe hotel accommodation. We’re with you every step of the way, from your first enquiry all the way through to getting that visa and starting your new life!

Visit the website and fill out the FREE online assessment form.

Jeff Harvie RMA, MMA, MMIA

Registered Migration Agent MARN 0959797

Down Under Visa

P.O. Box 3500

Nth Rockhampton, QLD 4701

Australia

www.downundervisa.com.au