Hiring a Japanese Chef in the Philippines: AEP, Labour Test, 9(g)

The Philippines is a small but growing Japanese restaurant market, and one where the paperwork for a foreign chef is handled by two separate agencies: the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the right to work, and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the visa. A 2025 change also moved the job of advertising the vacancy from DOLE to the employer. This guide covers the process for a restaurant hiring a Japanese chef, as of September 2026.

1. The Philippines in numbers

• MAFF counted 940 Japanese restaurants in the Philippines in 2025, up 180 on 2023, an increase of about 24%.
• 13,342 Japanese nationals lived in the Philippines on 1 October 2025, up 5.5% on the year. Of these, 4,592 (34%) were permanent residents, a much higher share than in Thailand or Vietnam (MOFA).
• Metro Manila had 6,513 Japanese nationals, up 9.6%.

The relatively high permanent resident share means some Japanese nationals in the Philippines are long settled and may already hold the right to work. Check that before starting a permit application.

2. Two permits, two agencies

For a chef hired on an ongoing contract, you need both an AEP and a 9(g) visa. The SWP suits short projects, such as a chef coming for an opening. If an SWP holder is going to stay on, the AEP application must go to DOLE at least 21 working days before the SWP expires.

3. The labour market test under DOLE Department Order 248

DOLE Department Order No. 248, series of 2025 (issued in January 2025), introduced an updated AEP framework with a labour market test carried out by the employer. Previously DOLE itself published details of AEP applicants on its website and in a newspaper for 30 days so that Filipinos could object. That step has been replaced.

Under DO 248, as summarised by JETRO:

• The employer publishes the vacancy, including the foreign worker's name, in a newspaper of general circulation. This is mandatory.
• Posting on PhilJobNet and with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) or relevant job placement office is optional.
• The AEP application must be filed after 15 days from publication, and within 15 days of signing the employment contract or issuing the appointment.
• Some cases are exempt from publication, for example officers named in the company's articles of incorporation.
• The employment contract takes effect only once the AEP is issued, and the AEP can be applied for before the foreign worker enters the Philippines.

4. Applying for the AEP

The application goes to the DOLE regional office with jurisdiction over the workplace. Points to prepare:

• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Required with every AEP application since 1 September 2006. The chef will need to obtain one from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
• Fees. Under DOLE orders from 2015 and 2017, the fee for an initial one year AEP is PHP 9,000, with PHP 4,000 for each additional year and for each year of a renewal. Check whether DO 248 has changed these before paying.
• Renewal timing. A renewal cannot be filed earlier than 60 days before the permit expires.
• Exemptions. Some foreigners are excluded from the AEP requirement (for example certain board members and co-owners with no role in management). They need a Certificate of Exclusion from the DOLE regional office instead. A working chef is unlikely to fall into these categories.

5. The understudy requirement

For AEP applications for non-managerial technical staff, DOLE has required an understudy training programme to transfer the foreigner's skills to two Filipinos, and DO 248 continues this with requirements for skills development and understudy training programmes, particularly in priority sectors. DOLE publishes a template.

For a restaurant this is easy to make real. Name two Filipino cooks, set out what they will learn (knife work, rice, fish preparation, the core menu) and over what period, and keep records. It is also the most direct way to reduce your dependence on one imported chef. See training local staff in Japanese cuisine.

6. The 9(g) employment visa

The 9(g) visa, under section 9(g) of the Philippine Immigration Act, is for foreigners with pre-arranged employment in the Philippines. It is normally granted for 2 years and can be extended, and a spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany the holder. The position must be one that cannot be filled by a Filipino, such as a manager or a highly skilled technician. For a chef, that means the application must present the role as specialist.

The BI's document checklist includes:

• the company's General Information Sheet;
• audited financial statements and income tax return;
• a copy of the AEP issued by DOLE; and
• a notarised statement of the number of foreign and Filipino employees.

The employer can apply directly to the BI. Once approved, the visa order goes through the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Philippine embassy or consulate where the chef is. The chef must travel within 90 days of issue and then have the visa implemented and registered at the BI after arrival. Foreigners holding visas and staying 6 months or more also generally need an Emigration Clearance Certificate from the BI when they leave.

Japanese nationals can visit the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days for business or tourism, which is useful for an in person interview or site visit. It does not allow work.

7. A realistic sequence

1. Confirm the chef's profile fits a specialist role and collect proof of experience, with translations.
2. Help the chef obtain a TIN.
3. Publish the vacancy with the chef's name in a newspaper of general circulation (and optionally PhilJobNet and PESO). Keep proof of the publication date.
4. Sign the contract so that you can file within 15 days of signing and after 15 days from publication.
5. File the AEP with the DOLE regional office, with the understudy programme.
6. Once the AEP is issued, file the 9(g) application with the BI.
7. The chef collects the visa abroad, travels within 90 days and registers with the BI.
8. Put renewals in the calendar: the AEP renewal window opens 60 days before expiry.

For a regional comparison, see Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Our contract checklist covers what the offer should include.

General information checked in September 2026 against JETRO's summaries of Philippine rules and Japanese government statistics, not legal or immigration advice. DOLE and BI requirements and fees change by department order and memorandum. Confirm with the DOLE regional office, the Bureau of Immigration or a Philippine lawyer before filing.