• The Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Bureau of Immigration signed a data-sharing agreement aimed at expediting visa issuance for foreign nationals working in PEZA ecozones
• As of December 2024, 21,585 PEZA visas have been issued, including 16,299 for principals of registered enterprises and 5,286 for dependents
• The agreement is also meant to foster a more investor-friendly environment
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) signed on January 21 a data-sharing agreement aimed at expediting issuance of visas for foreign nationals working in PEZA ecozones.
“This agreement is part of a broader initiative to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of information exchange, which is essential for the seamless implementation of PEZA Visas for foreign nationals working within ecozones,” PEZA said in a statement.
As of December 2024, PEZA has issued 21,585 visas — 16,299 visas to principals of PEZA-registered businesses and 5,286 to their dependents. Japanese nationals comprised the largest share (35.01%), followed by Indian (18.73%), Chinese (11.46%), South Korean (10.64%), and Taiwanese nationals (2.92%).
Aimed at fostering a more investor-friendly environment, the new agreement reaffirms the agencies’ commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and related regulations issued by the National Privacy Commission.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga said the collaboration “is essential in facilitating trade and investments”, including “the movement of people. These are your locator company foreign nationals—top executives, production and R&D engineers, machine technicians, and knowledge workers who form part of the ecozone supply and value chains.
“With the steadfast support of the Bureau of Immigration coupled with the green lane policy of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., we will continue to advance our efforts to further attract investments to the country. PEZA remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards and tackling the challenges that hinder the flow of investments into the Philippines.”
Immigration commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado highlighted the agreement’s benefits, saying, it “facilitates effective collaboration among our agencies, enhances data integrity, and contributes to overall security and efficiency of the issuance of PEZA Visas to foreign nationals and their dependents,” aligning with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
The partnership builds upon a memorandum of agreement established in 2021. PEZA previously entered a similar agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment on December 16, 2024.
The reduction in bureaucratic hurdles will enable foreign investors to better navigate the regulatory landscape with greater ease and allow them to commence their projects without unnecessary delays, PEZA said.
