Card shortage forces use of provisional permits for alien job applicants

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Thursday that it will continue to accept applications for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) and will resort to provisional permits while it works through a shortage of physical cards.

The DoLE said the resort to temporary measures will remain in effect “until such time that the physical AEP cards are available for release.”

In an advisory, the DoLE said its regional offices continue to accept and process all applications for new permits, renewals, and certificates of exclusion or exemption. To facilitate these transactions, it is implementing a flexible filing system that accepts physical or electronic submissions.

“The Department hereby confirms that submission of all Alien Employment Permit applications remains OPEN and ACTIVE,” it said.

The DoLE said the provisional process involves the issuance of a Temporary Certification of AEP Approval in place of the standard physical cards.

This certification is intended to act as “valid proof of employment authorization until such time that the physical AEP cards are available for release.”

DoLE said all applicable fees must be settled through regional cashiers. It added that upon payment, applicants will receive a manual tracking number or barcode, which will serve as the official reference for the duration of the evaluation process.

Despite the resort to paper certificates, the DoLE said it “remains committed to its prescribed processing timelines.”

Evaluators have been made available for on-site consultations to assist clients with filing requirements or status inquiries at various regional public assistance desks. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking