47(a)(2) and PEZA visas: get, renew, downgrade, and fix an expiry or overstay

Estimated budget

BI implementation of the PEZA visa: ₱2,520 (BI Citizen's Charter 2023). Provisional Work Permit if needed: ₱4,040. Plus the AEP fees (see the work guide).

Processing time

PEZA order within 5 working days of a complete file; BI implementation 3 to 5 days

• Since November 2021, employees of PEZA-registered companies get a PEZA visa through PEZA and the BI, no longer a 47(a)(2) through the DOJ.
• The PEZA visa is tied to the employer and lasts at most two years, coterminous with the contract; the BI also requires an AEP (or an exclusion card) from DOLE.
• Foreign personnel under this scheme may not exceed 5% of the company's workforce, and the company must train Filipino understudies.

Myth: A PEZA visa means I do not need an AEP. Reality: The BI asks for a valid AEP or exclusion card for conversion and extension.

Estimated budget

DOJ and BI fees for the 47(a)(2): not published online, confirm with the DOJ and the endorsing agency. AEP fees: see the work guide.

Processing time

Usually several weeks: agency endorsement, DOJ approval, then implementation by the BI or a consulate

• The 47(a)(2) is a special non-immigrant visa granted by the Secretary of Justice, at the request of the agency where the company is registered.
• It covers the position and the employer named in the approval; it ends when the contract ends, even if a later date is printed.
• It is usually issued for one year and can be renewed for further periods as long as the employment continues.

Myth: The 47(a)(2) is a permanent resident visa. Reality: It is a non-immigrant visa tied to one job; it does not lead to residence on its own.

Estimated budget

Not published online: confirm with the DOJ and the sponsoring organization.

Processing time

Several weeks; start well before the program begins

• The DOJ covers exchange professors, fellows, students, scholars, trainees, volunteers and social workers sponsored by recognized educational, scientific, cultural, relief or charitable organizations.
• The sponsor must show its financial capacity and guarantee your return fare.
• The visa covers the program only: paid work outside it needs its own authorization.

Myth: Volunteers can come on a tourist visa without any formality. Reality: A structured volunteer program normally needs the right visa; check with the sponsor.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa extension at the BI: ₱2,520 (BI Citizen's Charter 2023). DOJ 47(a)(2) renewal: confirm with the DOJ. AEP renewal: see the work guide.

Processing time

File at least one month before expiry; PEZA now also accepts renewals filed less than 30 days before expiry

• The day after expiry you are out of status: downgrading fees go up and you can no longer work legally.
• The renewal needs a valid AEP; since 2026, PEZA accepts proof that the AEP renewal was filed.
• Former DOJ 47(a)(2) holders in PEZA companies had to convert to a PEZA visa before expiry, or be downgraded.

Myth: There is a grace period after expiry. Reality: The 59 days are given by a downgrading order, not automatically; after expiry you are out of status.

Estimated budget

Downgrading at the BI: from ₱3,520 (express) to ₱5,030 depending on the case (BI Citizen's Charter 2023, PEZA visa), then a new PEZA visa.

Processing time

Downgrading: about 7 to 10 working days, then the new visa application

• The visa covers one position: a change of title or job description requires a new visa.
• For a PEZA visa in the same company, you can ask PEZA to exempt you from the Order to Leave when downgrading.
• You must not take up the new duties before the new visa is approved.

Myth: A promotion changes nothing for the visa. Reality: A new position needs a new visa; the downgrade can be done without an Order to Leave.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa downgrading: ₱3,520 express; regular lane ₱4,520 if the visa expired less than 59 days ago, ₱5,030 beyond (BI Citizen's Charter 2023). ECC when leaving: about ₱710 plus other BI charges.

Processing time

The company must notify PEZA within 5 working days of the end of employment; downgrading takes about 7 to 10 working days

• When the job ends, the visa loses its basis: you must be downgraded to a temporary visitor (9(a)) visa.
• After downgrading you get 59 days from the end of employment or expiry, and must leave within the period of the Order to Leave unless you obtain another visa.
• For a DOJ 47(a)(2), the BI also asks for the DOJ indorsement that granted the visa and proof of downgrading from the DOJ.

Myth: My visa stays valid until the date on the card. Reality: It ends with the job; the downgrading gives you 59 days to leave or change status.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa re-stamping: ₱1,010 (BI Citizen's Charter 2023). DOJ 47(a)(2): confirm the fee at the BI.

Processing time

About 3 working days

• The visa is attached to your old passport: travel only after it is transferred to the new one, or carry both passports.
• A lost passport needs a police report and an affidavit of loss before re-stamping.
• Re-stamping does not extend the visa: the expiry date stays the same.

Myth: My visa is in the BI system, the passport does not matter. Reality: Airline and airport checks look at the stamp in the passport you travel with.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa downgrading, regular lane, visa expired less than 59 days ago: ₱4,520 (BI Citizen's Charter 2023), then the new PEZA visa (₱2,520 implementation).

Processing time

Downgrading about 8 to 10 working days, then the new visa

• An expired visa cannot simply be renewed: it must first be downgraded.
• When you stay with the same PEZA employer, the expired visa can be downgraded without an Order to Leave and you can then get a new PEZA visa.
• While out of status you should not work: ask whether a Provisional Work Permit can cover the gap.

Myth: A few weeks late does not matter if the employer is the same. Reality: You are out of status from the day after expiry; the procedure is only simpler.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa downgrading, visa expired less than 59 days ago: ₱4,520 (BI Citizen's Charter 2023). ECC: about ₱710 plus other BI charges.

Processing time

Downgrading about 8 to 10 working days

• The 59 days run from the end of employment or the expiry, not from the day you file.
• The downgrading comes with an Order to Leave unless you obtain another visa.
• Leaving the Philippines after holding a work-related visa usually needs an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Myth: I can just leave, the BI will cancel the visa itself. Reality: Without downgrading and ECC, the departure can be blocked and the file stays open.

Estimated budget

Downgrading on return: from ₱4,520 to ₱5,030 depending on how long ago the visa expired (BI Citizen's Charter 2023, PEZA visa).

Processing time

Plan the downgrading or the new visa as soon as you arrive

• An expired visa does not let you re-enter as a worker: you can only enter with the status your nationality allows, usually as a temporary visitor.
• Holders whose job ended or whose visa expired while abroad must go through downgrading on their return.
• Do not resume work until a new visa or a Provisional Work Permit is issued.

Myth: My visa expired abroad, so nothing needs to be done. Reality: The BI expects the downgrading to be done when you come back.

Estimated budget

PEZA visa downgrading after more than 59 days: ₱5,030, plus penalties of ₱15,000 to ₱25,000 depending on the length of overstay and the updating of the tourist stay (BI Citizen's Charter 2023).

Processing time

Weeks; decisions on long overstays are taken at the BI Main Office

• Beyond the 59 days, the BI charges extra for updating the tourist stay, on top of the downgrading fee.
• Updating a long overstay usually comes with an Order to Leave; the Commissioner may also blacklist.
• Any work done while out of status is unauthorized work and worsens the case.

Myth: An expired work visa is treated more leniently than a tourist overstay. Reality: Once downgraded, you are a temporary visitor in overstay, with the same exposure plus the downgrading fees.

Estimated budget

Cannot be estimated: downgrading, overstay penalties, possible administrative fines, lawyer's fees and the return ticket.

Processing time

Months; the decision rests with the Commissioner of Immigration

• Beyond 12 months of overstay, or when found through a complaint or a mission order, the usual outcome is deportation.
• Deportation generally comes with inclusion in the blacklist, which bars re-entry until formally lifted.
• Detention at the BI is possible while the case is processed.

Myth: My former employer is responsible, so the BI will not act against me. Reality: The overstay is assessed on the foreign national; the employer's failure is no defence.