The Philippines has centralized all Alien Employment Permit processing at the Department of Labor and Employment Central Office, ending AEP processing by Regional Offices with immediate effect.
On June 8, 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment issued Administrative Order No. 199, transferring all Alien Employment Permit processing from DOLE Regional Offices to the DOLE Central Office under the Bureau of Local Employment.
The change took effect on June 9, 2026. From that date, Regional Offices stopped accepting, evaluating, and issuing AEP applications.
All new and renewal AEP applications must now be submitted to the DOLE Central Office. Regional Offices will no longer accept or process AEP-related submissions.
Pending Applications
AEP applications received by Regional Offices before the close of business on June 8, 2026, but not yet issued, will be digitally routed to the Central Office for continued processing.
The original processing timeline under Republic Act No. 11032, the Ease of Doing Business Act, will continue to apply. Applicants should not incur a processing delay or penalty solely because of the transfer.
However, short-term delays are expected during the transition period. The Bureau of Local Employment will only assume processing responsibility after the physical and digital turnover is complete.
Labor Market Test And Publication Requirements
The Bureau of Local Employment will directly administer mandatory local publication and Labor Market Test requirements through a centralized digital platform.
Records Transfer
All AEP records, documents, and related inventories held by Regional Offices must be transferred to the Central Office within five calendar days from June 8, 2026.
The transfer must comply with data privacy requirements.
DOLE Regional Office IV-A, covering CALABARZON, separately confirmed that it has stopped AEP processing and is participating in the records turnover process.
Employer Impact
The centralization is a significant structural change to AEP processing in the Philippines and took effect immediately, giving employers limited time to adjust.
Businesses with urgent or time-sensitive AEP applications should monitor pending cases closely during the transition, as delays are likely while records and processing responsibilities move to the Central Office.
Source article: newlandchase.com
