Avenida Law Office

09/07/2026

Staying ahead of regulatory shifts to better serve our clients!

Our Immigration Team Head, Tin Avenida, recently attended and actively participated in the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Town Hall Meeting organized by the DOLE Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) and DOLE National Capital Region (DOLE NCR). The session provided crucial updates on the transition to fully centralized AEP filing and processing nationwide, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 199, Series of 2026.

By engaging directly with DOLE leadership and key focal persons, our team ensures that Avenida Law Office remains at the forefront of streamlined, compliant corporate immigration workflows for foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Thank you to DOLE BLE and DOLE NCR for organizing this collaborative and timely forum!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19H1dmEPtC/

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃: 𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐄𝐏 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐂𝐑

In line with Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino’s directive on strengthening employer-employee relationships with foreign nationals and ensuring more effective monitoring and accessibility of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) processes, a transitory town hall meeting took place at the Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle on July 6, 2026.

Following the previously conducted One AEP Townhall Webinar via Zoom last July 1, the face-to-face meeting, led by DOLE Bureau of Local and Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., served as a collaborative platform to discuss the updated transitioning protocols and workflows for AEP pursuant to DOLE Administrative Order No. 199, Series of 2026, effective June 9, 2026.

Said town hall focused on the following key topics, namely: Cessation of AEP Regional Processing and Evaluation, and Mandatory Turnover of AEP Records and Inventory) and Department Order No. 248-B, Series of 2026 (Centralization of the Processing, Evaluation, Approval, Issuance, Release, Adjudication, and Enforcement Functions Relation to Alien Employment Permits (AEPs), and Amending Relevant Provisions of Department Order Nos. 248 and 248-A, Series of 2025).

A total of 220 participants were present with representatives from the Labor Department, employers from various industries, law offices, and consultancy firms.

DOLE-NCR Regional Director Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol was also in attendance together with TSSD Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (TSSD-EPWW) Chief Rey D. Sanglay as accompanied by Regional AEP focal persons.

With the improved, standardized, and streamlined AEP processes introduced, participants were encouraged to do their due diligence in compliance with the procedures and requirements needed to ease matters concerning the employment of foreign nationals.

END / Report and photos by Denise Jhoelle Manalang / Labor Information Unit

Visit our website: https://ncr.dole.gov.ph/news/dole-transitions-to-centralized-aep-filing-applications-holds-townhall-meeting-in-ncr/

15/06/2026

Pursuant to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Administrative Order No. 199, Series of 2026, DOLE has issued Department Order No. 248-B. This directive mandates the complete centralization of all functions related to Alien Employment Permits (AEP).

The key operational changes and their immediate impact on your organization are detailed below: https://bit.ly/4xyUhFy

09/06/2026

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued Administrative Order No. 199, Series of 2026, which fundamentally alters the jurisdiction and procedure for the issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEP) in the Philippines.

Effective immediately, the processing, evaluation, and issuance of all AEP applications have been completely transferred from DOLE Regional Offices to the DOLE Central Office, specifically through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE).

Key Implications for Employers and Foreign Nationals: Read more: https://bit.ly/43Vzoqd

24/03/2026

Celebrating Heritage and Partnership: Avenida Law Office at La Fiesta 2026 🇪🇸🇵🇭

Last March 18, 2026, Avenida Law Office (ALO) had the distinct pleasure of joining the vibrant La Fiesta celebration, hosted by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (La Camara).

As a proud member of La Camara, ALO was honored to participate in this spectacular tribute to the enduring ties between Spain and the Philippines—an evening filled with cultural pride and professional camaraderie.

We were grateful for the platform to showcase our legal services to the wider Hispanic-Filipino business community, reaffirming our commitment to bridging legal complexities across borders. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for our team to connect with our esteemed Spanish clients and fellow chamber members, deepening partnerships we value immensely.

The night was well-attended and graced by the presence of the First Lady, Liza Marcos, and the Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Miguel Utray, underscoring the significance of this bilateral relationship.

20/01/2026

We’re pleased to share that Avenida Law Office has been recognized in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 rankings for Labour and Employment (including Immigration).

How Legal 500 ranks firms: rankings are based on independent research, including detailed submissions, client and referee feedback, and interviews conducted by Legal 500 editors to assess practice strength, work quality, and market reputation.

Thank you to our clients and partners for the trust that made this recognition possible. ⚖️

https://www.legal500.com/c/philippines/labour-and-employment-including-immigration

Market-leading analysis, rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers in Labour and employment (including immigration) in Philippines

20/01/2026

Proud to support the next generation of lawyers. ⚖️

We’re honored to be one of the partner firms for DESTINATIONS 2026 at the UP College of Law—a space where students can explore career paths, learn from practitioners, and build meaningful connections that shape the future of the legal profession.

From insightful talks to hands-on opportunities and real conversations, this journey is about helping law students find the direction that’s right for them. We’re glad to be part of the signs pointing forward.
See you on the road ahead. 🚦

https://bit.ly/45gQeB9

31/12/2025

Pursuant to DOLE AEP Advisory No. 260-01, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) now requires the submission of a notarized affidavit of undertaking for all Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications, in view of the delayed release of Business Permits for 2026.

https://bit.ly/4bcQWmC

29/12/2025

Pursuant to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 562 (Alien Registration Act of 1950), as amended, all registered foreign nationals in the Philippines are required to file their Annual Report with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) within 01 January to 01 March 2026.

Requirements:
1. Completed online registration via https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/
2. Original ACR I-Card or original paper-based ACR
3. Original valid passport

For special circumstances (expired passport, no passport for native-born aliens, refugees/stateless individuals, RA 7919 visa holders), additional documents may be required pursuant to the BI’s 2026 Advisory.

REPORTING OPTIONS:
• In-person reporting at BI Main Office, Robinsons Place Manila (3rd Level, Center Atrium; 9AM to 6PM, daily except holidays)
• Virtual Annual Report via https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph (available to foreign nationals who are physically in the Philippines, with payment via Maya, GCash, Visa/Mastercard, or Landbank)

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR DEPARTING FOREIGN NATIONALS:
Payment of the Annual Report is required prior to issuance of ECC-B in compliance with Section 22(a) of C.A. 613 and Section 10 of R.A. 562.