Bureau of Immigration Extends Submission Window for Documents Requiring Legalization
June 27, 2014
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Philippines
Work visa applicants are now permitted to submit a signed Letter of Undertaking (LOU) in lieu of supporting documents that require authentication abroad, such as legalization or notarization. Employees who have submitted a LOU with a visa application will then have 60 days in which to submit the required documents. The new filing allowance is a consequence of a new Philippine Bureau of Immigration Operations Order that took effect immediately.
Depending on the case, authenticated police clearances, birth certificates, marriage contracts, family registers or other documents may be required. A Philippine police clearance issued by the National Bureau of Investigation may also be required.
Failure to submit the authenticated documents within the 60-day period will result in any approved visas being canceled.
The LOU option only applies to visa applications that are processed by the Bureau of Immigration. It does not apply to visas processed by other agencies, such as 47(a)(2) visa applications that are submitted to the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and approved by the Department of Justice.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
The new policy should benefit foreign nationals by allowing them to file the visa applications while required supporting documents are being authenticated. The new procedure means the Bureau of Immigration will begin adjudicating applications while the applicant is obtaining the authenticated documents, rather than afterward.
How Fragomen Can Assist
Fragomen can assist clients in the preparation and filing of Letters of Undertaking. Fragomen’s teams can also assist clients in legalizing police, marriage and birth certificates.
Fragomen worked closely with Follosco, Morallos & Herce in Manila to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email [email protected].
© 2009 - 2015 © Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Depending on the case, authenticated police clearances, birth certificates, marriage contracts, family registers or other documents may be required. A Philippine police clearance issued by the National Bureau of Investigation may also be required.
Failure to submit the authenticated documents within the 60-day period will result in any approved visas being canceled.
The LOU option only applies to visa applications that are processed by the Bureau of Immigration. It does not apply to visas processed by other agencies, such as 47(a)(2) visa applications that are submitted to the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and approved by the Department of Justice.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
The new policy should benefit foreign nationals by allowing them to file the visa applications while required supporting documents are being authenticated. The new procedure means the Bureau of Immigration will begin adjudicating applications while the applicant is obtaining the authenticated documents, rather than afterward.
How Fragomen Can Assist
Fragomen can assist clients in the preparation and filing of Letters of Undertaking. Fragomen’s teams can also assist clients in legalizing police, marriage and birth certificates.
Fragomen worked closely with Follosco, Morallos & Herce in Manila to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email [email protected].
© 2009 - 2015 © Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
