The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered the full centralization of the processing, evaluation, and issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) at the DOLE Central Office, effective June 9, 2026.
Under Administrative Order No. 199 of 2026, all DOLE Regional Offices will immediately stop accepting, processing, evaluating, and issuing both new and renewal AEP applications, with all transactions to be handled exclusively by the Central Office.
The centralization of AEP processing also supports the Department’s broader initiatives on systems optimization, streamlined service delivery, and more effective monitoring and auditing of regulatory processes nationwide.
Any AEP application received by the DOLE Regional Offices on or before the close of business hours on June 8, 2026, that remains pending will be immediately prepared for digital transfer to the DOLE Central Office.
Upon receipt, the Central Office shall assume full responsibility for the evaluation, processing, and disposition of pending applications. The applicable processing period will continue from the point at which the application was transferred.
The Bureau of Local Employment, meanwhile, will directly administer and implement the required local publication and labor market test procedures through a localized digital platform and coordinated labor registries, thereby ensuring the integrity and consistency of the domestic labor market vetting process.
To protect the sensitive personal information of foreign nationals and ensure compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the transfer of all records and application data will be completed within five calendar days from the effective date of the Administrative Order. The transfer will strictly adhere to established Data Transfer Protocols, including end-to-end encryption and verified chain-of-custody documentation.
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Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.