Indefinite stay
Residency for as long as your business maintains the required Filipino workforce.
Visas & immigration
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
The Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) is a resident visa for foreign business owners whose company gives regular, full-time jobs to at least ten Filipinos. It rewards employment rather than capital: there is no fixed investment amount.
4.9 across 100+ Google reviews Offices in Cebu and Manila
Manila Cebu Work with us from anywhere
1,500+ happy clients since 2019
- Requirement
- 10 regular Filipino employees
- Investment
- No fixed amount
- Processing time
- 3 to 4 months
- Filed at
- Bureau of Immigration, Manila
About the visa
Key Benefits of the SVEG
The SVEG is issued by the Bureau of Immigration and allows an indefinite stay with multiple entries for as long as the business keeps employing at least ten Filipino workers in a lawful, sustainable enterprise.
No minimum investment
The test is ten regular Filipino employees, not the size of your capital.
Multiple entry
Travel in and out of the Philippines freely.
Family included
Your spouse and dependent children can be included in the application.
Covers rescued businesses too
It also applies where your investment rehabilitated a business and saved at least ten Filipino jobs.
Built around your business
Your status rests on the company you run, not on an employer or sponsor.
Who can apply
SVEG Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for an SVEG if you and your business meet these conditions.
-
You have a controlling interest in an entity, firm, partnership or corporation registered in the Philippines.
-
The business employs at least ten Filipinos on a regular, full-time and long-term basis.
-
Every employee is paid at least the minimum wage and is enrolled for SSS and PhilHealth contributions.
-
The business is lawful and sustainable, and is up to date with its tax, labor and permit obligations.
-
You hold an Alien Employment Permit or an AEP exclusion from DOLE.
-
You are in the Philippines with a valid authorized stay and have no derogatory record.
How it works
SVEG Application Process
The exact requirements and timing depend on your circumstances, but most applications follow these stages.
-
DOLE inspection and certification
We request a company inspection from the Department of Labor and Employment, which certifies that the business employs at least ten Filipinos on a regular basis. -
Clearances and medical
You secure an NBI clearance, if required, and a medical certificate from the Bureau of Quarantine. -
Preparing the application
We prepare the letter request, sworn statement and application forms, and compile the company documents and latest contribution and tax remittances. -
Filing at the Bureau of Immigration
The application is filed at the Bureau of Immigration main office in Manila. -
Biometrics and hearing
You travel to Manila twice: once for your biometrics appointment and once for the hearing. -
Approval and implementation
On approval the visa is implemented in your passport and your ACR I-Card is issued.
What the C&G SVEG Service Includes
Since 2019 we have helped more than 1,500 clients secure their Philippine visas. Our service fee covers everything below, from the first document to the final approval.
- Documents prepared and notarizedWe prepare every document your application needs, and our in-house attorneys notarize them.
- With you at government officesOur staff assist you on site at your government appointments, so you never face an agency alone.
- We deal with the agenciesWe coordinate with the agencies, follow up on your application and keep you updated at every step.
- Accredited with PRA, DOLE and BIC&G is accredited with the Philippine Retirement Authority, the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Immigration.
- An experienced teamOur team, including two attorneys, has more than 10 years of experience in immigration and business consulting.
- No hidden feesYour quote shows our service cost and the government fees separately, so you know the full cost before we begin.
- Manila, Cebu or remoteMeet us at our Manila or Cebu office, or work with us remotely from anywhere.
In detail
SVEG document checklist
For the DOLE inspection
Payroll showing the name, position, length of employment and nature of appointment of each Filipino worker
Notarized affidavit that the business in which you have a controlling interest employs at least ten full-time, regular Filipino workers on a long-term basis
Business permit, SEC and BIR registrations
Proof that employees receive government-mandated benefits and at least the minimum wage, such as payslips
For the Bureau of Immigration
Letter request to the Commissioner stating that you generate employment for at least ten full-time Filipino workers, or that your investment preserved at least ten such jobs
Completed Consolidated General Application Form
Passport bio-page and latest admission stamp showing a valid authorized stay
For corporations and partnerships: SEC certificate of registration, articles of incorporation and the current year's General Information Sheet
For sole proprietorships: DTI certificate of business name registration
Certified true copy of your Alien Employment Permit or AEP exclusion
DOLE certification that the business employs at least ten Filipino workers on a regular basis
Medical certificate from the Bureau of Quarantine
Sworn statement listing the names and addresses of your Filipino employees, undertaking to pay PhilHealth and SSS contributions, and confirming that no employee is paid below the minimum wage
NBI clearance, if you are filing six months or more after your first arrival
BI clearance certificate
Latest proof of remittance of SSS contributions, PhilHealth contributions and income tax withheld
Each dependent
Completed application form
Passport bio-page and latest admission stamp
Proof of relationship to the principal applicant
BI clearance certificate
In detail
SVEG fees and processing time
Government fees
Bureau of Immigration filing fee: PHP 29,330 plus $250
NBI clearance: PHP 160
Medical examination: about PHP 1,400 in Cebu or PHP 1,800 in Manila
Bureau of Quarantine validation: about PHP 3,000
Government fees can change without notice, and the amount assessed at filing is final. Our service fee is separate and is quoted during your consultation.
How long it takes
An SVEG application typically takes three to four months from filing.
SVEG applications are filed only at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. Allow extra time beforehand for the DOLE inspection and for the NBI clearance, which can take three to four weeks to be released.
FAQs
SVEG Frequently Asked Questions
For the SVEG, you must employ at least ten full-time Filipino workers on a regular basis. They must be genuine, regularly paid employees who appear on your payroll and are covered by SSS and PhilHealth contributions.
No. The SVEG condition is employing at least ten Filipino workers, not a set amount of capital.
Yes. For the SVEG, the ten employees must work for a business in which you hold a controlling interest. It can be a corporation, a partnership or a sole proprietorship.
Yes. Rehabilitating a business qualifies for the SVEG if your investment kept at least ten regular Filipino employees in work who would otherwise have lost their jobs.
Yes. You can establish and grow the business first and apply for the SVEG once it employs ten regular Filipino workers and is fully compliant with labor and tax rules. We can help with incorporation too.
Yes. Dependents on an SVEG apply with their own form, passport copies, proof of their relationship to you and a BI clearance certificate.
The Bureau of Immigration filing fee for the SVEG is PHP 29,330 plus $250. The amount assessed at filing is final.
An SVEG application typically takes three to four months from filing, once the DOLE certification and your clearances are in place.
For the SVEG, you prove it with your payroll, a notarized affidavit, a DOLE certification and the latest proof of SSS, PhilHealth and withholding tax remittances. You also give a sworn statement listing the employees and confirming that none is paid below the minimum wage.
Yes. For the SVEG, DOLE inspects the company before it certifies that you employ at least ten regular Filipino workers. Have your permits, employee list, payslips and proof of government contributions ready.
Yes. All SVEG applicants travel to Manila twice during processing: once for biometrics and once for the hearing.
The SVEG is a resident visa. You still need an Alien Employment Permit, or an AEP exclusion, which is also one of the application requirements.
The SVEG allows an indefinite stay, provided you keep the required number of employees and stay compliant with immigration and labor regulations.
The SVEG depends on maintaining at least ten regular Filipino employees. If your headcount is about to change, speak to us before it does.
The SIRV is based on investing $75,000 in a Philippine corporation. The SVEG is based on the jobs your business provides.
Written and reviewed by the C&G immigration team. Last updated . Government requirements and fees change, so confirm the details for your case before filing.
★★★★★
4.9 across 100+ Google reviews.
Read what clients say about working with our Cebu and Manila teams.
You may also need
Related services
Ready to get started?
The Philippines Made Easy
Get clear advice on visas, business setup, and your next steps in the Philippines.