SVEG succeeds in Attracting
Foreign Business
March
2010
The complete documentation - EXPAT March 21. / 3,2010 by Jahzeel AbihalinG.Cruz
Senate ratifies RP Immigration Act of 2009 August 2009
Article Manila Bulletin, 6. June 2010 by Rolly T. Carandang
The
Bureau of Immigration (BI) reports that more than 400 foreign
businessmen have availed of its special visa for employment generation
(SVEG) since its inception last year, creating more than 33,000 jobs
for Filipinos in the process. The SVEG, fueled by the signing into law
of guidelines for its issuance late in 2008, accords indefinite stay
and multiple entry privileges to qualified non-immigrant foreigners
that employ at least ten Filipinos full-time. The project is part of
the BI’s current thrust to attract foreign
investment to the country with friendly policies and programs.
According to BI legal officer Cris Villalobos, the SVEG holders ranged
from foreigners maintaining investments in the country to expats
already employed here. Metro Manila remained the main hub for business
generated by the visa, with 107 visa holders residing in the city,
employing 20,000 locals. As of January this year, Koreans accounted for
the most recipients with 120 visa holders.
Chinese, Taiwanese, American, British, Australian, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, and Singaporean businessmen made up the rest of the SVEG holder list. Aside from the bulk of jobs created in Metro Manila, Regions IV (Southern Luzon), VII (Central Visayas), and III (Central Luzon, including the Subic and Clark economic zones) also experienced a similar boost in employment with a combined 10,000 jobs created by SVEG holders there. Expats, visa holders and immigration rights advocates (among them, Foreign Assistance Center Founder Alfred Lehnert ) alike have so far lauded the BI on the project, both for the benefits it accords and the ease of the visa’s processing. SVEG holder Richard Upton, who has been spending the most recent of his 38 years in the country as president of skills development company John Robert Powers, especially commends BI commissioner Marcelino Libanan on the project. “I thought it was the most sensible idea relative to people who own businesses who have to come and go a great deal.” Upton says the Philippines is apt especially for service-oriented businesses, which can take advantage of the country’s highly skilled and driven workforce at reasonable cost. “Also, you get all the support staff here. This is a marvelous place for creative work,” he adds. In fact, he says John Robert Powers’ curriculum for its entire operations across Asia is developed here. As for the efficiency of the BI’s SVEG One-Stop-Shop Center, he says visa processing was never more hassle-free. According to him, the bureau staff was very easy to deal with, and time spent at the bureau itself never reached more than an hour. “It made me feel as though small businessmen were being recognized,” Upton adds about the special visa. Upton had come to settle in the Philippines by virtue of being married to a Filipina, Ballet Philippines founder Alice Reyes. To foreigners yet to arrive in the country and who are still exploring the idea of doing business here with the SVEG, he strongly suggests, “Do [avail of] it. If you qualify, you’re a fool if you don’t.”
Chinese, Taiwanese, American, British, Australian, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, and Singaporean businessmen made up the rest of the SVEG holder list. Aside from the bulk of jobs created in Metro Manila, Regions IV (Southern Luzon), VII (Central Visayas), and III (Central Luzon, including the Subic and Clark economic zones) also experienced a similar boost in employment with a combined 10,000 jobs created by SVEG holders there. Expats, visa holders and immigration rights advocates (among them, Foreign Assistance Center Founder Alfred Lehnert ) alike have so far lauded the BI on the project, both for the benefits it accords and the ease of the visa’s processing. SVEG holder Richard Upton, who has been spending the most recent of his 38 years in the country as president of skills development company John Robert Powers, especially commends BI commissioner Marcelino Libanan on the project. “I thought it was the most sensible idea relative to people who own businesses who have to come and go a great deal.” Upton says the Philippines is apt especially for service-oriented businesses, which can take advantage of the country’s highly skilled and driven workforce at reasonable cost. “Also, you get all the support staff here. This is a marvelous place for creative work,” he adds. In fact, he says John Robert Powers’ curriculum for its entire operations across Asia is developed here. As for the efficiency of the BI’s SVEG One-Stop-Shop Center, he says visa processing was never more hassle-free. According to him, the bureau staff was very easy to deal with, and time spent at the bureau itself never reached more than an hour. “It made me feel as though small businessmen were being recognized,” Upton adds about the special visa. Upton had come to settle in the Philippines by virtue of being married to a Filipina, Ballet Philippines founder Alice Reyes. To foreigners yet to arrive in the country and who are still exploring the idea of doing business here with the SVEG, he strongly suggests, “Do [avail of] it. If you qualify, you’re a fool if you don’t.”
The complete documentation - EXPAT March 21. / 3,2010 by Jahzeel AbihalinG.Cruz
Senate ratifies RP Immigration Act of 2009 August 2009
The
Senate ratified yesterday the proposed Philippine Immigration Act of
2009, one of the last actions made by the Senate as Congress adjourned
since die last Friday night. Under the new Immigration Act, the
immigration chairman and his two associate commissioners would act as
transition officials of the panned Commission on Immigration (col) for
only one year, not for three years. Proponents have stressed that a new
Immigration Act fot the country in long overdue, since the present
Immigration Law is already antiquated and is no longer attuned to the
needs of the times. "The bill calls for the institution of
policies and procedures that make it easier for foreigners to visit or
do business in the Philippines," Immigration Commissioner Marcelino
Libanan said. Libanan also cited provisions in the bill that strengthen
the government`s ability to thwart the entry of undesirable aliens,
including foreign terrorists, fugitives, drug traffickers, and human
traffickers.
Mr. Alfred Lehnert was one of the Draft-Writer for the new Immigration Ast. This is a moment that takes your breath away, said Mr. Lehnert today, after he`d read this article. At that precise moment rings the phone. One diplomatic person congratulates Mr. Lehnert to be a joint drafter to the Immigration Act (NOW LAW) and the new Broadcasting by DW-TV Asia, and means, "You`re few steps away from becomming an Hero." The new law also aims to streamline and strengthen the governmental structure charged with the admin-istration and enforcement of Immigration, asylum, and related laws rules and regulations to make them adaptive to the growing Immigration demands of the country. It also aims to professionalize the Immigration Service by instituting a rigid system of screening and selection of Imigration officials and employees. Under the provision en titled "Presidential Prerogatives," the President may. 1. Deny the entry and admission into the Philippines of any foreign national or a class of foreign nationals whenever the President finds that the entry would be detrimental to the interest of the Philippines or impose such restrictions as he may deem appropriate. 2. Waive passport and/or documentary requirements for Non-Immigrants and Immigrants under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe. 3. Change the status of Non-Immigrants by allowing them to acquire permanent residence status without necessity of a visa.
Mr. Alfred Lehnert was one of the Draft-Writer for the new Immigration Ast. This is a moment that takes your breath away, said Mr. Lehnert today, after he`d read this article. At that precise moment rings the phone. One diplomatic person congratulates Mr. Lehnert to be a joint drafter to the Immigration Act (NOW LAW) and the new Broadcasting by DW-TV Asia, and means, "You`re few steps away from becomming an Hero." The new law also aims to streamline and strengthen the governmental structure charged with the admin-istration and enforcement of Immigration, asylum, and related laws rules and regulations to make them adaptive to the growing Immigration demands of the country. It also aims to professionalize the Immigration Service by instituting a rigid system of screening and selection of Imigration officials and employees. Under the provision en titled "Presidential Prerogatives," the President may. 1. Deny the entry and admission into the Philippines of any foreign national or a class of foreign nationals whenever the President finds that the entry would be detrimental to the interest of the Philippines or impose such restrictions as he may deem appropriate. 2. Waive passport and/or documentary requirements for Non-Immigrants and Immigrants under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe. 3. Change the status of Non-Immigrants by allowing them to acquire permanent residence status without necessity of a visa.
Article Manila Bulletin, 6. June 2010 by Rolly T. Carandang
