11 June 2026
On 8 June 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Administrative Order No. 199, series of 2026 (AO 199) (copy attached), directing the full centralization of the processing, evaluation, and issuance of all new and renewal applications for Alien Employment Permits (AEP) at the DOLE Central Office.
In depth
Effective 9 June 2026, the processing, evaluation, and issuance of all new and renewal applications for AEPs shall be fully centralized at the DOLE Central Office.
As such, starting 9 June 2026, all DOLE Regional Offices shall cease the acceptance, processing, evaluation, and issuance of AEP applications.
Applications received by DOLE Regional Office prior to the close of business hours on 8 June 2026, shall be "systematically frozen" and expedited for immediate digital routing to the DOLE Central Office.
AO 199 mandates the turnover of all AEP records and inventory (i.e., pending AEP applications and related documents) from the Regional Offices to the Central Office.
