Immigration in Philippines

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) offers expertise in handling diverse and multifaceted issues concerning immigration and citizenship. The firm’s clients include government institutions, local conglomerates, international banks, and multinational companies operating in the Philippines. The immigration practice has a strong reputation for facilitating successful petitions for administrative and judicial naturalization, recognition, and dual citizenship, among others, alongside handling the swift processing of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, work permits and other various reportorial requirements. Maria Khristina Garcia-Angel is the head of the practice group.

Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano provides comprehensive advice on immigration matters and transactions, coordinating with government agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Justice in the Philippines. Its services include the processing and securing of immigrant or non-immigrant visas and permits, the representation of clients in immigration transactions and compliance with the terms of stay of foreigners. The firm also occasionally represents clients in blacklisting and deportation proceedings. The firm notably processed an application for Travel Ban Exemption and the issuance of special 9(a) entry visas to allow Invicta Cyber Defence Corporation’s President and his family to enter the country. The immigration team is headed by Shirley Alinea and Phil Ivan Chan.

Working alongside its corporate department, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan provides a full-service immigration practice, advising on the provision of a range of work permits and visas, as well as occasional adversarial proceedings such as deportation and blacklisting. In partnership with non-profit organisation Justice without Borders, the firm provides multi-jurisdictional pro bono services to returning overseas Filipino workers, who seek compensation from their employers following labour exploitation. Key contact Rodelle Bolante has extensive experience representing banking and manufacturing companies in collective bargaining negotiations, as well as in performing immigration advisory work for business process outsourcing companies. Dante Pamintuan leads the practice alongside Bolante.

Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) advises a wide range of major multinational clients on immigration matters; its client list includes names such as PayPal Philippines and Bacardi Spain. The firm has advised Bacardi on securing Overseas Employment Certificates for direct hires, as well as advising on the quotas set per entity for direct hires. Practice co-head Paul Rodulfo Imperial and associate Mark Benjamin Yam continuously adapt processes and procedures to align with changing requirements from the Philippine labour authority regarding work permit applications due to the pandemic. As a key contact for immigration and emigration matters, Yam oversees all manner of advisory work for clients in the practice group. Leading the immigration practice alongside Imperial are Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta.

Fortun Narvasa & Salazar advises clients on visa options, helping clients with working visas to secure Alien Employment Permits with the Department of Labor and Employment. The firm also provides family law services to foreign clients who are espoused to Philippine citizens. The practice is lead by Mylene T Marcia-Creencia and Roderick Salazar.