Question & AnswerQ&A (CID LAW INSTRUCTIONS NO. 42)
The maximum period of validity for a Special Work Permit (SWP) shall not exceed the authorized stay of the temporary visitor, and the aggregate continuous period of validity cannot exceed 1 year and 59 days, or the temporary visitor's authorized stay, whichever comes first.
No. The period of validity continues to run despite the absence of the temporary visitor from the Philippines, and no expired segment is reinstated upon re-entry.
An application for an SWP is assessed a fee of P300.00. If the SWP is issued for more than 3 months or extended beyond the initial validity, an additional fee of P100.00 per month is charged. An overtime fee of P200.00 applies for Express Lane Service.
Under the Express Lane Service, applications received between 8:00-11:30 a.m. are released the same day; those received in the afternoon are released the next morning. Regular processing takes up to three working days.
Yes. Alien journalists or foreign correspondents are granted an indefinite SWP as long as they remain accredited with the International Press Center.
Due to delays in visa processing, expatriates with pending pre-arranged employment visa applications in hotels/restaurants may be issued an SWP valid for 3 months, with possible extensions while the application is pending.
An initial fee of P300.00 is assessed, with an additional P100.00 per month for extensions beyond the initial validity. Express Lane Service fees and processing times also apply.
An applicant must submit complete documents supporting the pre-arranged employment visa application, certified by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
It was adopted by Regina Padilla Geraldez, Associate Commissioner of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation, on August 19, 1988.