VISA OFFICER

About the Role:

The Visa Officer is responsible for managing and processing Philippine visa, immigration, and work permit applications for foreign employees and clients. This role involves preparing and reviewing immigration documents, coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other government agencies, and monitoring applications throughout the entire processing cycle.

The Visa Officer ensures that all applications are complete, accurate, and compliant with current Philippine immigration and employment requirements. The role also requires strong follow-up, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to handle confidential documents while managing multiple foreign applicants and immigration cases simultaneously.

Responsibilities:

• Handle and process Philippine visa, immigration, and work permit applications for foreign employees and clients.

• Process 9(g) Pre-arranged Employment Visa applications, including preparation, filing, monitoring, and completion of requirements.

• Process and coordinate other immigration and work permit applications, including 9(g) visa conversion/extension, AEP, SWP, PWP/PPW, ACR I-Card, 9(a) visa extensions/conversions, dependent visa applications/inclusions, visa downgrading, cancellation, and other related BI transactions.

• Prepare, review, and organize required immigration documents, including CGAF forms, documentary checklists, affidavits, letters, certifications, notarized documents, apostille/authentication documents, and other supporting requirements.

• Review foreign applicants' passports, visas, employment documents, personal records, and other supporting documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

• Coordinate and communicate with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other relevant government agencies regarding visa, immigration, and work permit applications.

• Monitor applications from document preparation, filing, payment, hearing/evaluation, approval, implementation, and claiming/release to ensure timely completion.

• Follow up on pending applications, government requirements, appointments, hearings, approvals, and other immigration-related transactions.

• Assist foreign employees and clients with immigration-related concerns, including visa requirements, extensions, conversions, downgrading, cancellations, and other related matters.

• Identify missing, inconsistent, or problematic documents and coordinate with applicants and relevant departments to resolve issues promptly.

• Maintain organized and updated records of visa applications, government submissions, payment receipts, approvals, passports, and other immigration documents.

• Prepare visa-related letters, affidavits, certifications, endorsements, and other documents required for immigration and work permit applications.

• Monitor changes in Philippine immigration and work permit requirements and ensure that applications are processed in accordance with current government regulations and procedures.

• Handle multiple immigration cases simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and timely follow-up.

• Coordinate internally with HR, Operations, and other departments regarding foreign employee documentation, visa status, and immigration requirements.

• Serve as a liaison with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), DOLE, and other relevant government agencies, including handling in-person government transactions when necessary for visa, work permit, and immigration-related matters.

• Handle confidential passports, personal information, immigration records, and other sensitive documents with a high level of trust and professionalism.

• Perform other related duties assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in any course. Candidates without a bachelor's degree may be considered if they have substantial and relevant immigration processing experience.

• At least 1–2 years of relevant experience in Philippine visa and immigration processing.

• Required: Hands-on experience processing 9(g) Pre-arranged Employment Visa applications.

• Experience processing other immigration and work permit applications, including 9(g) Visa Conversion/Extension, AEP, SWP, PWP/PPW, ACR I-Card, 9(a) visa extensions/conversions, dependent visa applications/inclusions, visa downgrading, cancellation, and related BI transactions.

• Familiarity with Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) procedures and requirements.

• Knowledge of CGAF forms, documentary checklists, affidavits, notarization, apostille/authentication, and other immigration supporting documents.

• Experience coordinating with BI, DOLE, and other government agencies.

• Able to independently monitor immigration applications from document preparation and filing through payment, hearing/evaluation, approval, implementation, and claiming/release.

• Strong attention to detail, particularly when reviewing passports, visas, employment documents, and other documents of foreign applicants.

• Strong organizational, coordination, and follow-up skills with the ability to manage multiple foreign applicants and immigration cases simultaneously.

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Chinese language ability is an advantage , particularly for communicating with Chinese clients and employees.

• Willing to handle in-person transactions with government agencies when necessary.

• Must be trustworthy and capable of handling confidential passports, personal information, and immigration documents.

• Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous employment in a visa consultancy, immigration consultancy, law firm, manpower agency, HR company, or corporate immigration department.

• Existing network or familiarity with BI and DOLE procedures.

• Experience handling Chinese nationals and other foreign nationals.

• Experience preparing visa-related letters, affidavits, certifications, and government forms.

• Knowledge of Philippine immigration rules and current BI requirements.

• Experience dealing with visa problems, derogatory records, overstays, visa downgrading, cancellation, and other complicated immigration cases.