Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 758)
The SVEG is a special visa issued to qualified non-immigrant foreigners who shall actually employ at least ten (10) Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade, or industry, granting them multiple entry privileges and conditional extended stay without the need to depart the Philippines.
Non-immigrant foreigners who directly engage in a viable and sustainable commercial enterprise in the Philippines, have authority over employment decisions, demonstrate intention to indefinitely remain, are not a risk to national security, and whose enterprise employs at least ten Filipinos in compliance with Philippine labor laws.
The foreigner must continually engage in the followed conditions: sustainable commercial enterprise, authority to manage employees, genuine intention to remain, no risk to national security, and maintain employment of at least ten Filipinos according to labor laws.
Applications are filed with the Bureau of Immigration with payment of regulatory fees; the Commissioner of Immigration shall resolve applications within fifteen (15) days, issue Notice of Approval or Disapproval, and upon approval, register the foreigner and issue Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card and Identification Certification (IC).
SVEG holders are designated as special non-immigrants with multiple entry privileges and conditional extended stay without need for prior departure. Privileges also extend to their spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years old.
The Commissioner of Immigration may revoke the SVEG if the holder fails to comply with conditions, obtained the visa through fraud or misrepresentation, is convicted of a crime by final judgment, or poses a risk to national security.
The foreigner shall be deported by summary proceedings if revoked for non-compliance, fraud, or security risk, or after serving sentence if convicted of a crime. They will be returned to their country of origin, nationality, or prior residence.
The One-Stop-SVEG Facility is to be established within the Bureau of Immigration to assist foreigners with processing documentary requirements supporting their SVEG application, including coordination with various government agencies.
All fees collected by the Bureau of Immigration are handled by bonded collecting officers with official receipts, accounted for as government funds, and subject to strict auditing procedures.
The Commissioner of Immigration must submit regular monthly reports on the implementation of the Executive Order to the Office of the President and the Secretary of Justice, furnishing certified copies of issued SVEGs and supporting documents for proper departmental review.