QuestionsQuestions (2018 RULES AND REGULATIONS ON APECO VISAS)
They apply to visas and Certificates of Exemption from Alien Employment Permits and Working Visas issued by APECO to foreign consultants, foreign investors/employees of APECO and/or APECO-registered enterprises, and qualified permanent residents of the Aurora Ecozone.
BI is mandated to coordinate and cooperate with APECO in visa issuance, as supported by Section 3(j) of RA 10083, which requires national government cooperation and coordination to ensure speedy development of the ecozone.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old, not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, not afflicted with loathsome/dangerous/contagious disease, and not institutionalized for mental disorder or disability; and must invest at least US$150,000 in cash and/or equipment in an APECO-registered enterprise.
Minimum investment is US$150,000 (or peso equivalent). The investment may be in cash and/or equipment (as described for ASIV), and for documentation it may include cash, bonds, stocks, capital investment, money market, bank deposit, or equipment.
If the alien withdraws the investment from the Philippines, the investor’s visa automatically expires.
The AWV has a validity of not more than three (3) years and is renewable every three (3) years (as stated under the statutory authority portion).
It has indefinite validity and multiple entry and exit privileges for qualified aliens who establish or are in the process of establishing residence within the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport, through acquisition or lease of a residential unit for at least five (5) years, and the alien must maintain ownership of the residential unit.
The legal spouse and dependent children of holders of a valid APECO Working Visa (AWV), APECO Special Investor’s Visa (ASIV), and APECO Permanent Resident Visa (APRV). Dependent children are unmarried and below 21 years old, or unmarried children above 21 but dependent for support due to mental or physical disability.
They are exempt from: (1) obtaining Alien Certificates of Registration (ACR) and Immigration/Emigration Clearance Certificates; (2) securing an Alien Employment Permit (AEP); and (3) all types of clearances, permits, licenses, or their equivalents required by any government department or agency (as stated in the text).
They may only engage in gainful occupation in an APECO registered enterprise located within the Aurora Ecozone or within any APECO/PEZA accredited/registered Information Technology (IT) Buildings, Parks, or Centers in the Philippines.
Subject to submission of requirements, APECO may convert a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV) or an authorized stay admitted under EO 408 into ASIV, AWV, APRV, and/or ADV without need to exit the country.
It is an identity card that may be issued to aliens with APECO issued visas and/or Certificates of Exemption. Its validity is co-terminous with the validity of the APECO-issued visa or five (5) years—whichever is shorter.
They shall be denied exit and required to secure a clearance from APECO; unless other grounds defer departure, they may be allowed exit upon submission of the APECO clearance.
Within thirty (30) days after issuance of the grant, APECO must report the names of foreigners granted permanent resident status and working visas.