Recently, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration issued a strong enforcement signal: even with a legal visa, if the employment unit does not match the visa information, it may constitute illegal employment and lead to direct arrest. This announcement has once again sparked vigilance in the Filipino-Chinese community.
Just yesterday, the Bureau of Immigration, in collaboration with the police, conducted a raid in the Metro Manila area, arresting several foreigners suspected of illegal employment, most of whom were Chinese citizens. Shockingly, most of these individuals had work visas, but were taken away on the spot because their actual employers did not match the companies listed on their visas.
This operation highlights a key signal: the Philippines is cleaning up the "gray visa zone." From the cancellation of ASRV visas, the detention of 39 Chinese nationals from DITO company, to frequent surprise inspections, the government's stance is clear: to crack down on identity affiliations and break industry unwritten rules.
Many Chinese in the Philippines do not intend to break the law, but concepts like "the agent said it's fine," "the company promises to change the visa after the probation period," and "everyone else is doing it," are putting many at risk.
To protect oneself, it is crucial to immediately check one's identity and visa status:
Does the visa employer match the actual work unit? If not, it is urgent to apply for an employer change (Amendment), otherwise, it will constitute illegal employment.
Avoid using shell companies for visa applications. Such visas have become a primary target of immigration enforcement.
Keep complete documentation. In addition to the visa card, documents such as AEP, DOLE, and employment contracts are needed to prove legal status.
Beware of the "probation to visa change" trap. As soon as you start working, it must be legal and compliant, otherwise both the company and the individual will face consequences.
This "visa cleaning storm" no longer targets traditional illegal workers, but rather those with unclear procedures and ambiguous identities for precise crackdowns. Please check immediately, as it will be too late to regret once something happens.
