EO No. 758

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 758

PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SPECIAL VISA TO NON-IMMIGRANT FOR
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

WHEREAS, there are foreigners who want to maintain a lawful presence in the Philippines by actually directly or exclusively engaging in lawful, viable, and sustainable trade, business, industry, or activity offering local employment;
WHEREAS, according to the April 2008 survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO), there are 2.9
million Filipinos who are currently unemployed;

WHEREAS, creation of job opportunities for the Filipino is one of the advocacies of the Arroyo
Administration under its 10-point Agenda;

WHEREAS, Commonwealth Act (CA) No. 613, otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act of
1940, as amended, authorizes the President, when public interest so warrants, to admit as non-
immigrants, foreigners not otherwise provided for by the Act, who are coming for a temporary period only, under such conditions as may prescribed;

WHEREAS, public interest, particularly on an aspect of employment generation for Filipinos warrants the admission of these foreigners as special non-immigrants under Section 47 (a)(2) of CA No. 613, as amended;

NOW, THEREFORE, I GLORIA MACAPAGAL – ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG). – The SVEG is a special visa issued to
a qualified non-immigrant foreigner who shall actually employ at least ten (10) Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry. Qualified foreigners who are granted the SVEG shall be considered special non-immigrants with multiply entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines.

The privileges of this Executive Order may extend to the qualified foreigner’s spouse and dependent unmarried child/children below eighteen (18) years of age whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted.

SECTION 2. Who may avail. – Non-immigrant foreigners who wish to avail of the SVEG should comply with the following conditions:

a. The foreigner shall actually, directly or exclusively engage in a viable and sustainable commercial investment/enterprise in the Philippines, exercises/performs management acts or has the authority to hire, promote and dismiss employees;
b. He evinces a genuine intention to indefinitely remain in the Philippines;
c. He is not a risk to national security; and
d. The foreigner’s commercial investment/enterprise must provide actual employment to at least ten (10) Filipinos in accordance with Philippine labor laws and other applicable special laws.

The above-mentioned requirements must be continually satisfied by the foreigner for him/her to continue to be a holder of the SVEG.

SECTION 3. Application for SVEG. – (a) Upon payment of regulatory fees, the Commissioner of
Immigration shall receive and resolve SVEG applications within forty five (45) days from the date of filing. Documentary proofs required by the Commissioner of Immigration shall be evaluated and reviewed without strict observance to the technicalities of evidence and procedure.

(b) Upon favourable review, the Commissioner of Immigration shall issue a Notice of Approval directing the foreigner-applicant to report for registration and documentation at the Bureau of Immigration. An Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card and an Identification Certification (IC) shall be issued upon payment of appropriate fees. The ACR I-Card and the IC shall indicate among others, the following:

“Status Adjusted without Departure as a Special Non-Immigrant with Multiply Entry Privileges and
Conditional Extended Stay in the Philippines under (this Executive Order)”

(c) Otherwise, the Commission shall issue a Notice of Disapproval informing the foreigner applicant of the denial of his application. Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of such disapproval, the foreigner-applicant may file a motion for Reconsideration (MR) for the review of his application. Only one (1) such Motion shall be entertained.

(d) The Commissioner of Immigration shall monitor the continued compliance by the foreigners of the requirements of the SVEG.

(e) All fees collected by the Bureau of Immigration shall be acknowledged by bonded collecting offices via issuance of official receipts. These collections shall be accounted for as government funds and subject to strict auditing procedures.

SECTION 4. Revocation of the SVEG. – (a) The Commissioner of Immigration shall revoke the SVEG
granted: (i) If the SVEG holder fails to maintain compliance of any of the conditions see forth in Section 2 hereof; (ii) If it was obtained through fraud or willfull misrepresentation of material facts; (iii) Upon conviction of the foreigner by final judgment for a crime or offense in the Philippines; or (iv) A final determination by competent authority that the foreigner poses a risk to national security.

(b) A foreigner whose special non-immigrant status is revoked under Sections 4 (a) (i), 4 (a) (ii) or 4 (a) (iv) hereof shall be deported via summary proceedings. In the case of revocation under Section 4 (a) (iii), the foreigner shall be deported after the service of sentence.

(c) A foreigner deported by the BI Board of Commissioners under this Section shall be transported to the country whence he came, or to the foreign port where he embarked for the Philippines, or the country of his nationality of or of which he is a citizen or subject, or to the country in which he resided prior to his coming to the Philippines.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations and the One-Stop-SVEG Facility. – Within thirty
(30) days from the signing of this Executive Order, the Commissioner of Immigration, together with representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Intelligence Coordination Agency (NICA) as well as other concerned government agencies, local or foreign chambers of commerce, and stakeholders as determined by the Commissioner of Immigration, shall promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to ensure the orderly issuance of the SVEG.

Such IRR shall provide for the establishment of a One-Stop-SVEG Facility within the Bureau of Immigration with the participation of the departments and agencies abovementioned, to assist interested foreigners in the processing of documentary requirements to support their SVEG application (i.e. Alien Employment Permit from the DOLE, etc.)

The IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Copies of the IRR shall be sent to the Office of the President, the Secretary of Justice, and the National Administrative Register at the U.P. Law Center.

SECTION 6. Reportorial Requirements. – The Commissioner of Immigration shall submit regular monthly reports on the implementation of this executive order to the Office of the President and the Secretary of Justice.

Certified copies of the SVEG issued by the Commissioner of Immigration pursuant to this Executive Order, including the supporting documents thereon, shall likewise be furnished to the Secretary of Justice for proper departmental recording and review.

SECTION 7. Construction. – Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to diminish or otherwise preclude the President as Chief Executive, and the Secretary of Justice as Department Head, from exercising their respective powers and authorities over the Bureau of Immigration, pursuant to the provisions of the Revised Administrative Code and other existing laws, executive issuances, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Executive Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue in force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – The provisions of other executive issuances, departmental/administrative orders, circulars, instructions, directives and memoranda incostinent herewith are hereby repeal or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 17th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

REVISED IRR FOR EO No. 758

SUBJECT: REVISED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 758, SERIES OF 2008, ENTITLED “PRESCRIBING GUILDELINES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SPECIAL VISA TO NON-IMMIGRANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION”

Section 1. Title. – These rules shall be known as the “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)” and shall govern the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 758, Series of 2008 entitled “Prescribing Guidelines for the Issuance of a Special Visa to Non-Immigrants for Employment Generation.”

Section 2. SVEG, To Whom Issued. – Subject to the restrictions imposed by the Constitution and existing laws, the SVEG shall be issued to a foreign national who shall employ at least ten (10) Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry in the Philippines. The foreign national shall actually, directly and exclusively engage in a viable and sustainable investment in the Philippines and perform management acts or the authority to hire, promote and dismiss employees therein.

The foreign national must show proof that the has substantial investment in an entity, firm, partnership or corporation that establishes, expands or rehabilitates a business activity, investment, enterprise or industry and that said investment enables the initial or additional employment of at least ten (10) Filipino workers on a regular basis, provided that the foreign equity participation is consistent with the Constitution, the Foreign Investment Act and other special laws.

In case said investment is for rehabilitation of business, enterprise or industry, the foreign national must show satisfactory proof that said investment enabled the retention of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis, and without said investment, existing Filipino workers or employees would suffer loss of employment.

Section 3. Definition of Terms  – For purpose of these Rules, the terms hereunder shall be construed as follows:

        a. Substantial Investment is an amount of investment which is sufficient to maintain at least ten (10) full-time Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis, taking into consideration the amount of wages or salary and duration of work as reflected in their employment contacts.
        b. Viable and sustainable investment is any business activity, investment, enterprise or industry in the Philippines, not prohibited to foreign nationals by any law, rules and regulations, and which provides employment to at least (10) full-time Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis.
        c. Household workers are those who render services in the foreign national’s home which is usually necessary or desirable for the maintenance and enjoyment thereof and includes ministering to the personal comfort and convenience of the members of the household of the foreign national.
        d. Rehabilitation of a business, enterprise or industry is any act by a foreign national of infusing substantial investment that enabled a business, enterprise or industry in financial distress to continue its business activities.

Section 4. Nature of Employment of Filipino Workers. - Under these Rules, the employment of at least ten (10) Filipino workers shall be for managerial, executive, professional, technical, skilled or unskilled positions in a business activity, investment, enterprise or industry in the Philippines, excluding personal employees of the foreign national such as household workers and the like.

Section 5. Immigration status of SVEG holders. – Foreign nationals who are granted SVEG shall be considered special non-immigrants with multiple entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines. The privileges of SVEG may extend to the legal spouse of the qualified foreign national as well as their unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted.

The special non-immigrant status of children of SVEG holders shall cease upon reaching the age of eighteen (18), in which case, they are required to downgrade their visas to temporary visitor’s visa under Section 9(a) of Commonwealth Act (C.A.) No. 613, as amended, and apply for any appropriate visa.

Section 6. One Stop SVEG Facility (OSSF). – A One-Stop SVEG Facility is hereby established at the Bureau to assist, facilitate, and oversee the processing of SVEG applications, including the issuance of permits, licenses and clearances. The OSSF shall provide adequate office space and facilities to all duly authorized representatives of the government agencies concerned.

Section 7. Filing and Contents of SVEG Application. – SVEG applications may be filed in the BI Main Office or any of its satellite offices in which case, the documents shall be forwarded to the Main Office for processing.

Any SVEG application shall not be accepted for processing unless the following documents are submitted:

    (a) Notarized letter-request of the applicant that contains the following statements at a minimum:

            (i) that he/she undertakes the generation of employment of at least ten (10) full time Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis and/or;
            (ii) in case of rehabilitation, that his/her investment intended for rehabilitation of a business activity, investment, enterprise or industry enabled the retention of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis, and without said investment, existing workers or employees would suffer loss of employment.
            (iii) that all documents submitted in support of the application were legally obtained from the corresponding government agencies;

    (b) Photocopy of applicant’s passport showing its biopage, admission and authorized stay valid for at least twenty (20) calendar days from the date of filing;
    (c) Certified true copies of the following:

For investors in a corporation or partnership:

        (i) Certified True Copy or Machine Validated Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Partnership; and
        (ii) Certified True Copy or Machine Validated latest General Information Sheet duly stamped “Received” by the SEC and showing the name of the applicant as investor or stockholder.

For Sole or Single Proprietorship:

        (i) Certified True Copy of Proof of Business Name Registration from the Department of Trade and Industry showing the name of the applicant as owner or operator of the business; and
        (ii) In case of an alien retailer, a permit to engage in retail business under RA 1180, as amended by RA 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.

    (d) Certified true copy of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) if the applicant foreign national is elected or appointed to occupy a position in the company;
    (e) Original DOLE Certification that the entity, firm, partnership or corporation where the applicant foreign national is an investor employed an initial and/or additional of at least ten (10) Filipino workers on a regular basis;
    (f) Valid Medical Certificate;
    (g) Valid Police Clearance from abroad authenticated by the Philippine Embassy / Consular Office, and translated into English, if executed in any other languages;
    (h) Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, for applicants whose stay in the Philippines is more than 30 days from date of last entry;
    (i) NICA clearance;
    (j) BI clearance;
    (k) For every principal applicant, the list of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees, together with certified true copies of the following:

            (i) individual notarized contract of employment signed by the SVEG applicant and the Filipino employee containing details of compensation, nature of work and duration of employment;
            (ii) Social Security System (SSS) ID card; and
            (iii) Philhealth membership card.

    If the SSS and Philhealth membership cards are not available at the time of filing of the applicant, the SVEG applicant shall provide the Bureau with such cards within thirty (30) days upon filing of the application;

    (l) In case the applicant is joined by his/her spouse and unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age:

            (i) For Spouse: Marriage Certificate
            (ii) For the Children: Birth Certificate

Documents executed or issued abroad must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy / Consular Office or certified by the foreign national’s embassy or the embassy of the place where the document was executed or issued, and must be translated into English, if executed in any other language.

            (iii) Photocopy of the passports of the spouse and unmarried children below eighteen years of age showing the biopage, admission stamp and authorized stay of at least twenty (20) days.”

Section 8. Processing. – Upon payment of the appropriate fees, the SVEG application shall be forwarded to the OSSF for raffling to designated hearing officers. A specific control number shall be assigned for each application.

The Hearing Officer shall examine and evaluate the application within fifteen (15) working days from the date of filing and may require the appearance of the applicant for clarificatory hearing. The Hearing Officer shall forward his recommendation to the Commissioner of Immigration for the approval or denial of the application.

Documentary proof shall be received and evaluated without strict observance of the technical rules on evidence and procedure.

Section 9. Notice of Approval/Denial. - Upon resolution of each application, the Bureau shall inform the applicant of the outcome by sending a Notice of Approval or Notice of Denial.

Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Notice of Denial, the applicant may file a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) to the Commissioner of Immigration upon payment of the appropriate fees. Only one MR shall be allowed. The Commissioner of Immigration shall resolve the MR within a period of five days (5) from receipt. Such resolution shall be final and executor.

Section 10. Implementation of SVEG. – Within thirty (30) days upon approval of the application, the Commissioner of Immigration shall cause the implementation of the SVEG in the applicant’s passport upon payment of the appropriate fees.

The SVEG applicant may file a request for revalidation in case the application was approved while he/she is outside the Philippines. The SVEG shall be implemented only upon revalidation of the visa by the Office of the Executive Director.”

Section 11. Registration and Documentation. – After the SVEG implementation, the SVEG holder shall proceed to Bureau’s Alien Registration Division for registration and documentation. An Alien Certificate of Registration (ARC) I-Card shall be issued to the SVEG holder upon payment of appropriate fees. The ACR I-Card and SVEG Certificate shall indicate, among others, the following:

Status Adjusted Without Departure as a Special Non-Immigrant with Multiple Entry Privileges and Conditional Stay in the Philippines under E.O. No. 758, Series of 2008, in relation to C.A No. 613, Section 47(a)(2) under BI Control No. ____.

SVEG holders are exempt from securing Special Return Certificates and Exit Clearance Certificates. However they shall be required to submit and/or file their annual report pursuant to the requirements of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended.

Section 12. Replacement of Lost or Damaged SVEG Documentation. – Lost or damaged SVEG-related immigration documents issued under these Rules shall be replaced within 24 hours upon application at the BI Main office or satellite office concerned, after submission of a duly-notarized affidavit of the loss of the SVEG documents or proof of damage of such documents upon payment of damaged I-Card, the procedure as provided for in the Citizens Charter of the Bureau for its re-issuance shall be followed.

Section 13. Applicable Fees. – For purposes of these Rules, there shall be collected and paid to the BI Cashier the following fees, which are subject to change upon prior notice;

Basic Application Fee	Php	10,000.00
MR Fee	Php	3,000.00
Implementation Fee	Php	10,000.00
BI clerance Fee	Php	1,000.00
Express Lane Fee	Php	1,000.00
ACR-I Card Fees	US$	50.00 or its peso equivalent

Dependents of principal SVEG holders shall be subject to payment of Application, Implementation and ACR-I-Card Fees in the same amounts paid by the principal SVEG holders.

All payments shall be acknowledged by bonded collecting officers via issuance of official receipts. All collections shall be accounted for as government funds and shall be subject to usual accounting and auditing procedures.

Section 14. Revocation of SVEG. – The Commissioner of Immigration shall revoke the SVEG under these Rules:
        (a) Upon finding that it was obtained through fraud or willful misrepresentation of material facts;
        (b) Upon conviction by final judgment of the SVEG holder for a crime or offense in the Philippines;
        (c) Upon final determination of the Board of Commissioner that the SVEG holder poses a risk to the general welfare or national security;
        (d) Upon the death of the principal SVEG holder, in which case, the SVEG of any dependents shall also be revoked;
        (e) Withdrawal of investment or termination of the operation of the business activity, investment, enterprise or industry, except when there is only a change in the type of business activity, investment, enterprise or industry duly notified to the Bureau of Immigration at least thirty (30) days before the actual closure or change of the type of business; and
        (f) Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the SVEG. In case of failure or inability to comply with the employment of ten (10) Filipino workers, the SVEG holder shall immediately submit to the Commissioner of Immigration the reasons for non-compliance. For meritorious reasons, the SVEG holder shall have a period of thirty (30) days to comply with the employment requirement. Otherwise, the Commissioner of Immigration shall revoke the SVEG.

The revocation of the SVEG under paragraph (a), (b) and (c) shall cause the deportation of the foreign national via summary proceedings. In the case of revocation under paragraph (b) the deportation shall be implemented after service of sentence.

Section 15. Monitoring Requirement; Annual Report. – For the purpose of monitoring compliance with the conditions of SVEG, the SVEG holder shall, at least sixty (60) days after the end of every year, submit the following documents to the OSSF:
        (a)Latest General Information Sheet (GIS) of the business activity, enterprise or industry of the SVEG holder, duly stamped “RECEIVED” by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
        (b) Latest Income Tax Return of the SVEG Holder; and of the business entity where the SVEG Holder has substantial investment.
        (c) List and inventory of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees including their individual notarized contact of employment signed by the SVEG applicant and the Filipino employee containing details of compensation, nature of work and duration of employment; Social Security System (SSS) ID card; and Philhealth membership card.
        (d) Certification from the Corporate Secretary that the SVEG holder is a bonafide stockholder in good standing;
        (e) Mayor’s Business Permit of the City / Municipality where the principal place of business is located;
        (e) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Inspection Report stating that the corporation / employer has no violation of existing labor laws and other applicable laws and proof of existing employment of at least ten (10) regular Filipino workers; and
        (f) Affidavit of the principal SVEG holder declaring the eligibility of his/her SVEG dependents by stating his/her relationship with his/her legal spouse and filiation with his/her unmarried children below eighteen years of age.

Section 16. Periodic Inspection. Promulgation of Additional Rules. Creation Oversight Committee. – The Commissioner of Immigration is empowered to:
        (a) Conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these Rules;
        (b) Promulgate additional rules as may be necessary to effectively carry-out provisions of these Rules; and
        (c) Create an Oversight Committee to regularly monitor the implementation of the Rules.

Section 17.Regular Reports. – The Commissioner of Immigration shall submit regular monthly reports to the Office of the President and the Security of Justice.

Section 18. Repealing Clause. -  All rules and regulations, instructions or order inconsistent with these Rules are hereby superseded and/or repealed accordingly.

Section 19. Effectivity. - This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Let copies of this Memorandum Circular be filed with the Office of National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the UP at the UP Law center, UP Complex, Diliman, quezon City.

Done this 14th day of DEC. 2011, in the City of Manila.

(Sgd)Ricardo A. David, Jr.
Commissioner

APPROVED:

(Sgd)Leila M. De Lima
Secretary of Justice

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPECIAL VISA FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION (SVEG)

• 1.What is an SVEG?

The SVEG is a special non-immigrant visa issued to a foreigner who shall employ at least ten (10) Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry in the Philippines. The foreign national shall actually, directly and exclusively engage in a viable and sustainable investment in the Philippines and perform management acts or the authority to hire, promote and dismiss employees therein.

• 2. How much investment is needed to avail of the SVEG?

The foreign national must show proof that the has substantial investment in an entity, firm, partnership or corporation that establishes, expands or rehabilitates a business activity, investment, enterprise or industry and that said investment enables the initial or additional employment of at least ten (10) Filipino workers on a regular basis, provided that the foreign equity participation is consistent with the Constitution, the Foreign Investment Act and other special laws.

In case said investment is for rehabilitation of business, enterprise or industry, the foreign national must show satisfactory proof that said investment enabled the retention of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees on a regular basis, and without said investment, existing Filipino workers or employees would suffer loss of employment.

• 3. What are the privileges of being a SVEG holder?

Foreign nationals who are granted SVEG shall be considered special non-immigrants with multiple entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines.

SVEG holders are exempt from securing Special Return Certificates and Exit Clearance Certificates. However they shall be required to submit and/or file their annual report pursuant to the requirements of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended.

The privileges of SVEG may extend to the legal spouse of the qualified foreign national as well as their unmarried children below eighteen (18) years of age, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted.

The special non-immigrant status of children of SVEG holders shall cease upon reaching the age of eighteen (18), in which case, they are required to downgrade their visas to temporary visitor’s visa under Section 9(a) of Commonwealth Act (C.A.) No. 613, as amended, and apply for any appropriate visa.

• 4. What is the nature of employment of the Filipino workers?

The employment of at least ten (10) Filipino workers shall be for managerial, executive, professional, technical, skilled or unskilled positions in a business activity, investment, enterprise or industry in the Philippines, excluding personal employees of the foreign national such as household workers and the like.

• 5. How much would it cost to apply for the SVEG?

There shall be collected and paid to the BI Cashier the following fees, which are subject to change upon prior notice;

FEES
Basic Application Fee	Php	10,000.00
MR Fee	Php	3,000.00
Implementation Fee	Php	10,000.00
BI Clerance Fee	Php	1,000.00
Express Lane Fee	Php	1,000.00
ACR-I Card Fees	US$	50.00 or its peso equivalent

Dependents of principal SVEG holders shall be subject to payment of Application, Implementation and ACR-I-Card Fees in the same amounts paid by the principal SVEG holders.

6. Where do I process the SVEG?

SVEG applications may be filed in the BI Main Office or any of its satellite offices in which case, the documents shall be forwarded to the Main Office for processing.
Upon payment of the appropriate fees, the SVEG application shall be forwarded to the OSSF for raffling to designated hearing officers. A specific control number shall be assigned for each application.
The Hearing Officer shall examine and evaluate the application within fifteen (15) working days from the date of filing and may require the appearance of the applicant for clarificatory hearing. The Hearing Officer shall forward his recommendation to the Commissioner of Immigration for the approval or denial of the application.
Documentary proof shall be received and evaluated without strict observance of the technical rules on evidence and procedure.

• 7. Are SVEG holders required to be registered under the Alien Registration Act?

After the SVEG implementation, the SVEG holder shall proceed to Bureau’s Alien Registration Division for registration and documentation. An Alien Certificate of Registration (ARC) I-Card shall be issued to the SVEG holder upon payment of appropriate fees. The ACR I-Card and SVEG Certificate shall indicate, among others, the following:
Status Adjusted Without Departure as a Special Non-Immigrant with Multiple Entry Privileges and Conditional Stay in the Philippines under E.O. No. 758, Series of 2008, in relation to C.A No. 613, Section 47(a)(2) under BI Control No. ____.
SVEG holders are exempt from securing Special Return Certificates and Exit Clearance Certificates. However they shall be required to submit and/or file their annual report pursuant to the requirements of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended.

• 8. What are the grounds for the cancellation of the SVEG?

The Commissioner of Immigration shall revoke the SVEG:
(a) Upon finding that it was obtained through fraud or willful misrepresentation of material facts;
(b) Upon conviction by final judgment of the SVEG holder for a crime or offense in the Philippines;
(c) Upon final determination of the Board of Commissioner that the SVEG holder poses a risk to the general welfare or national security;
(d) Upon the death of the principal SVEG holder, in which case, the SVEG of any dependents shall also be revoked;
(e) Withdrawal of investment or termination of the operation of the business activity, investment, enterprise or industry, except when there is only a change in the type of business activity, investment, enterprise or industry duly notified to the Bureau of Immigration at least thirty (30) days before the actual closure or change of the type of business; and
(f) Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the SVEG. In case of failure or inability to comply with the employment of ten (10) Filipino workers, the SVEG holder shall immediately submit to the Commissioner of Immigration the reasons for non-compliance. For meritorious reasons, the SVEG holder shall have a period of thirty (30) days to comply with the employment requirement. Otherwise, the Commissioner of Immigration shall revoke the SVEG.

The revocation of the SVEG under paragraph (a), (b) and (c) shall cause the deportation of the foreign national via summary proceedings. In the case of revocation under paragraph (b) the deportation shall be implemented after service of sentence.

• 9.  What are the obligation of SVEG holders ?

The SVEG holder shall, at least sixty (60) days after the end of every year, submit the following documents to the One Stop Shop Facility (OSSF):
 (a)Latest General Information Sheet (GIS) of the business activity, enterprise or industry of the SVEG holder, duly stamped “RECEIVED” by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
(b) Latest Income Tax Return of the SVEG Holder; and of the business entity where the SVEG Holder has substantial investment.
(c) List and inventory of at least ten (10) Filipino workers or employees including their individual notarized contact of employment signed by the SVEG applicant and the Filipino employee containing details of compensation, nature of work and duration of employment; Social Security System (SSS) ID card; and Philhealth membership card.
(d) Certification from the Corporate Secretary that the SVEG holder is a bonafide stockholder in good standing;
(e) Mayor’s Business Permit of the City / Municipality where the principal place of business is located;
(e) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Inspection Report stating that the corporation / employer has no violation of existing labor laws and other applicable laws and proof of existing employment of at least ten (10) regular Filipino workers; and
(f) Affidavit of the principal SVEG holder declaring the eligibility of his/her SVEG dependents by stating his/her relationship with his/her legal spouse and filiation with his/her unmarried children below eighteen years of age.

• 10. Who are hearing officers of the SVEG?

Hearing Officers
Atty. Henry B. Tubban -	Rm. 403	(632) 527-5663
Atty. Ronaldo G. Deray -	Rm. 415	(632) 338-4532
Atty. Amulfo D. Maminta -	Rm. 404	(632) 527-3301
Atty. Antonio V. Rivera -	Rm. 411	(632) 339-1109
Atty. Zaniah B. Siton	Rm. 416	(632) 309-7667
Atty. Anna Katrina Sy -	Rm. 408	(632) 336-7753
Atty. Archimedes A. Aldaba	Rm. 417	(632) 336-7978
Atty. Homer R. Arellano	Rm. 407	(632) 336-7978
Atty. Jing Oliver A. Balina	Rm. 406	(632) 309-7751

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SFFR IRR

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE REVISED IRR FOR Special Visa for employment Generation (SVEG)

• 1. SVEG is issued to foreigner or foreigners who shall employ at least 10 Filipinos in a lawful and sustainable enterprise, trade or industry in the Philippines and actually, directly and exclusively engage in a viable and sustainable investment in the Philippines and perform management acts or the authority to hire, promote and dismiss employees therein (Section 2).

Old IRR: the foreigner must have controlling interest or investment in the company

• 2. Substantial investment is defined as an amount of investment which is sufficient to maintain at least 10 employees on a regular basis (Section 3a).

Old IRR: no definition of substantial investment;

• 3. If the investment is for rehabilitation of the business, the foreign national must satisfactorily prove that said investment enabled the retention of at least 10 employees on a regular basis and without said investment, existing Filipino workers would suffer loss of employment (Section 3d).

Old IRR: no provision on business rehabilitation

• 4. The foreign nationals who are granted SVEG shall be considered non-immigrants with multiple entry privileges. They will be issued an ACR I-Card but exempted from payment of exit and special return certificates (Sections 5 and 11).
• 5. The SVEG will be issued for indefinite period (Section 5).

Old IRR: foreigner will be issued SVEG probationary for 1 year then apply for amendment to indefinite stay

• 6. Foreigner’s spouse and dependent unmarried children below 18 years of age at the time of the application for SVEG was filed, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted may be included as SVEG beneficiaries but shall cease upon reaching the age of 18 in which case, they are required to downgrade their visa to temporary visitor.

Old IRR: no such provision on SVEG dependents

• 7. There is an increase of SVEG fees to Php22,020 plus $50 for ACR I-Card (Section 13).

Old IRR: Php 11,000 plus $50 for the I-Card

• 8. If the SVEG holder is elected or appointed to occupy a position in the company, he needs to secure alien employment permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (Section 7d).

Old IRR: Term used is whenever applicable

• 9. If the Foreigner’s investment is on single proprietorship, the alien retailer is required to submit a permit to engage in retail business under RA 1180 as amended by RA 8762 or the Retail Liberalization Act of 2000 (Section 7c).

Old IRR: no provision on retail business

• 10. Foreigner’s SVEG can be cancelled upon determination of the Commissioner that the SVEG holder is a risk to general welfare or national security (Section 14c).

Old IRR: SVEG could be cancelled if the alien is a risk to general welfare

• 11. SVEG Holders are required to submit the list and inventory of at least ten Filipino workers including their individual notarized contract of employment signed by the SVEG applicant and the Filipino employee containing details of compensation, nature of work and duration of employment; SSS ID Card and Philhealth Membership Card (Section 15c)

Old IRR: no such provision

• 12. The SVEG holder is required to execute an affidavit declaring the eligibility of his/her SVEG dependents by stating his/her relationship with his/her legal spouse and/or filiation with his/her unmarried children below 18 years of age (Section 15f).

Old IRR: no such provision

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FocalPerson

FOCAL PERSONS for SVEG

Special Visa for Employment Generation - One Stop Shop Facility (SVEG-OSSF)

Acting Associate Commissioner Hon. Siegfred B. Mison  - Commissioner-In-Charge, SVEG-OSSF
Atty. Vicente G. Uncad - Chief, SVEG-OSSF
Rm. 412 Tel. Nos.: (632) 527-5660
Atty. Zaniah V. Siton - Assistant Chief, SVEG-OSSF
 (02) 338-4536

Hearing Officers:
Atty. Reynan B. Perez -	Rm.413	(632) 527-3265
Atty. Henry B. Tubban -	Rm.403	(632) 527-5663
Atty. Ronaldo G. Deray -	Rm. 415	(632) 338-4532
Atty. Arnulfo D. Maminta -	Rm.404	(632) 527-3301
Atty. Antonio V. Rivera -	Rm. 411	(632) 339-1109
Atty. Zaniah B. Siton -	Rm. 416	(632) 309-7667
Atty. Anna Katrina Sy -	Rm. 408	(632) 336-7753
Atty. Archimedes A. Aldaba -	Rm. 417	(632) 336-7978
Atty. Homer R. Arellano -	Rm. 407	(632) 336-7978
Atty. Jing Oliver A. Balina -	Rm. 406	(632) 309-7751

NICA (BI 3rd floor Main Bldg, Intramuros, Manila)
Rodrigo J. Vasallo

BOI - Board of Investments
Ms. Lucita P. Reyes (Executive Director-Project Assesment Group)
and/or Ms. Erlinda F. Arcellana (Director -Incentives Department)
Tel: (632) 897-6682 Fax Nos:(632) 895-3521
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Provinces - Regional Directors of DOLE
DOLE-NCR -Ms. Lorna Obedoza
Tel: (632) 404.6011  (632) 303.0364  (632) 303.5921

DOLE Region I
Henry John S. Jalbuena
Tel: (072) 700.2520

DOLE Region III
Nathaniel Lacambra
Tel: (045) 455.1613 (045) 861.4383

DOLE Region IV
Atty. Ricardo Martinez
Tel: (049) 545.7360

DOLE Region VI
Aida M. Estabillo
Jaro, Iloilo
Tel: (033) 509.0400