Centralized AEP Processing in 2026: What Employers of Foreign Nationals Should Know
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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has centralized the processing of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications under the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE). The reform is being implemented through Administrative Order No. 199 and related 2026 guidance, with DOLE regional offices conducting orientations to help employers transition to the updated system.
DOLE’s official regional announcements explain that the centralized system covers the filing, processing, evaluation, approval, issuance, adjudication, and enforcement of AEP applications, including certificates of exemption and exclusion. Employers should therefore confirm the current filing channel and payment procedure instead of relying on an earlier regional-office workflow.
An AEP generally concerns the employment authorization of a foreign national, while the Bureau of Immigration separately evaluates immigration status, including a petition for a 9(g) Pre-arranged Employment Visa where applicable. The two processes are related, but approval of one should not be treated as automatic approval of the other. Employers should coordinate the employment, immigration, corporate, and professional-licensing requirements as one compliance timeline.
Before filing, the employer should review the position description, employment contract, corporate documents, publication or labour-market requirements, the foreign national’s credentials, and the consistency of information across DOLE and BI submissions. Changes in employer, position, work location, or employment terms may require additional action. Starting work without the required authority can expose both the foreign national and the employer to enforcement risk.
DOLE’s Central Luzon office describes the centralized system and online-payment rollout in its report on the One AEP Townhall. For coordinated AEP and 9(g) assistance, see BizzureVisa’s Working Visa (9G) service or contact us. Requirements and procedures should be reconfirmed at the time of filing; this article is general information and does not guarantee approval.
