Immigration in Philippines

Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad

Led by Shirley Alinea and Reynaldo Dizon, Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad‘s immigration team is geared to handle the processing and securing of the full spectrum of visas. Associate Gino Paulo Uy is proficient in blacklisting, deportation as well as citizenship re-acquisition and recognition mandates.

Practice head(s):

Shirley Alinea: Reynaldo Dizon


Other key lawyers:

Gino Paulo Uy


Testimonials

‘They can deliver on our needs and work closely with us on immigration matters.’

‘They are great, reliable and helpful. It does not feel we are on the clock. ’

‘The team is very personable. Gino Uy communicates well and is very reassuring.’

Key clients

Invicta Cyber Defence Corporation


Dreamfit Consulting Corporation


800 Fitness West to East Corporation


Work highlights


  • Assisted Invicta Cyber Defence Corporation’s president on securing an Alien Employment and 9(g) Visa.
  • Assisted in the processing of Dreamfit Consulting Corporation’s top officer’s work documents.
  • Assisted in processing the AEP, Provisional Work Permit (PWP) and 9(g) Visa of 800 Fitness West to East Corporation’s senior officer.

Quisumbing Torres

Headed by Miguel Antonio Galvez, Quisumbing Torres is knowledgeable of legislative and regulatory immigration matters and often advises multinational companies on compliance issues. The practice’s workload also includes securing offshore visa applications, investor visas as well as petitions for dual citizenship.

Practice head(s):

Miguel Antonio Galvez


Testimonials

‘They work collaboratively with clients and their authorised representatives to deliver.’

‘They have very good technology that is highly essential in keeping record/files in tact.’

‘The individuals are well-versed in the areas that they are in-charge of.’

Key clients

Chevron


SBA Communications Corporation


Work highlights


  • Assisted various clients in securing domestic offshore 9(g) visa approvals during the pandemic.
  • Assisted various clients in securing Philippine entry exemptions from the travel ban occuring during the pandemic.
  • Assisted a European multinational conglomerate in reporting and investigating a former employee’s submission of falsified company documents to the Bureau of Immigration.

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)

With know-how of alien employment permits, Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) often secures special investor and work visas from a range of regulatory agencies. Key contact for clients on foreign national employee work permits and visa requirements Al-Shwaid Ismael co-leads the team with Phillip Don Recentes.

Practice head(s):

Al-Shwaid Ismael; Phillip Don Recentes


Key clients

CCL Label Industries Philippines Inc


Watermatic Philippines Corporation


TF BPO Inc.


Pivot International


Duke Manufacturing


STMPI Corporation


Mark Dohnalek


Work highlights


  • Advising TF BPO Inc on work permit and work visa requirements.
  • Advising Watermatic Phillippines Corporation on work permit and work visa requirements.
  • Advising Watermatic Phillippines Corporation on the inclusion requirements for the family members of one of its work visa employee holders.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s broad practice encompasses citizenship matters, deportation and blacklisting proceedings in addition to securing visas and permits. The team is also a key contact for sizeable domestic companies operating across various industries including banking, healthcare, insurance, and tech. Dante Pamintuan and Rodelle Bolante co-lead the group and the latter is particularly knowledgeable of the procurement and renewal of visa and work permits. Promoted to partner in January 2023, Emmar Benjoe Panahon is also highlighted.

Practice head(s):

Dante Pamintuan; Rodelle Bolante


Other key lawyers:

Emmar Benjoe Panahon


Testimonials

‘They provide organised and thorough discussions of the topics.’

‘They are competent, proactive, patient and intuitive, with great attention-to-detail.’

Key clients

Access Healthcare Services Manila, Inc.


ADP (Philippines), Inc.


AMMIC Philippines, Inc.


Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc.


Fordays Japan International, Inc.


Fragomen Singapore Pte. Ltd.


ISOC edotco Towers, Inc.


Quantrics Enterprises, Inc.


sanofi aventis Philippines, Inc.


TELUS International Philippines, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Assisted in the processing of work visas and work permits for Fragomen Singapore Pte. Ltd.
  • Advises Fordays Philippines on securing visas and permits for its foreign staff.
  • Assisted Quantrics Enterprises, Inc. on processing work visas and employment permits for personnel assigned to Philippine operations.

Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)

Led by Raoul Angangco, the team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) assists clients in all stage of visa and work permit applications, from extension of tourist visas to issuance of visas for foreign employees and their dependents. Mark Benjamin Yam is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Raoul Angangco


Other key lawyers:

Mark Benjamin Yam


Key clients

Erickson Immigration Group


Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc.


PayPal Philippines, Inc.


Remitly, Inc.


Twitter Philippines, Inc.


Bacardi Spain


Zendesk, Inc.


SpinalCare Chiropractic, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Assisting Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc. in all applications for the issuance of the proper visas and work permits in favour of client’s numerous expatriates for all steps of the process from assistance in entering to departure and downgrading.
  • Assisting Zendesk, Inc. in all applications for the issuance of working visas and permits for the client’s incoming and existing employees.
  • Assisting PayPal Inc. in its regular deployment of foreign national employees in the Philippines.

Divina Law

Geared to handle the full array of visa applications, extensions as well as renewals, Divina Law is headed by Floro C. Balato and is often engaged in the filing and defence of deportation cases. Marnelli A. Sales and Janna Mae B. Tecson provide the department with expertise in alien employment permit applications. Anna Katrina T. Singcol is also a key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Floro C. Balato


Other key lawyers:

Marnelli A. Sales; Janna Mae B. Tecson; Anna Katrina T. Singcol; Ma. Ninna Roem A. Bonsol


Testimonials

‘Everyone at the firm from the managing partner right down to the paralegal staff are results focused, highly capable and totally responsive to client needs.’

‘They get things done in an efficient, timely manner and communicate with clients effectively throughout the process. As a client you are always kept up-to-date on the critical matters of importance to you.’

‘The firm is very tech savvy as electronic files are always completely up-to-date and always available during discussions and case updates.’

‘They value effective communication and collaboration.’

‘Floro Balato and Marnelli Sales completely addressed and resolved the issues in a very short turnaround time. Both are consummate professionals, excellent communicators, fully versed in the law and very empathetic to the client.’

‘Floro Balato and Marnelli Sales were always available for updates, and I was always more than satisfied during my interactions with them.’

Key clients

One-Off Asia, Inc.


Maya Philippines, Inc.


Brent International School


Xyrus Hao


Work highlights


  • Secured the reversal of an Order to Leave issued by the Bureau of Immigration against a foreign employee of Maya Philippines, Inc.
  • Secured a grant of an appeal before the Bureau of Immigration to restore a client’s native-born visa status and the amendment of his nationality.
  • Secured the Department of Justice’s approval of the employment of a foreign corporate officer of Maya Bank, Inc.

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)‘s immigration group frequently advises clients on work permits and visas in addition to special non-immigrant visas for foreign investors. Cesar Santamaria spearheads the group and is supported by associate Carlo Cabrito who is knowledgeable of requests for reconsiderations on orders to leave the Philippines.

Practice head(s):

Cesar Santamaria


Other key lawyers:

Carlo Cabrito


Testimonials

‘Integrity, responsiveness, and expertise.’

Work highlights


  • Assisting a client with reviewing its ongoing arrangement with a Philippine recruitment agency for compliance with domestic laws on overseas employment.
  • Assisted in an application for Authority to Employ Alien for the the Department of Justice’s executive.
  • Advised a client in respect of various work permit and visa options available to its employees.