How To Get a Philippines 9D Investor’s Visa [Treaty Trader’s Visa]

Here’s a guide on How To Get a Philippines 9D Investor’s Visa [Treaty Trader’s Visa] for foreign traders or investors wanting to stay in the Philippines.

This is under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. On the Non-Immigrant, section 9D it states, “A person seeking to enter the Philippines solely to carry on trade between the Philippines and the foreign state of which he is a national, his wife, and his unmarried children under twenty-one years of age if accompanying or following to join him, subject to the condition that citizen of the Philippines under similar conditions are accorded like privileges in the foreign state of which such person is a national.”

A Philippines Treaty Trader’s visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa is for foreigners with ongoing treaties with the Philippines or those invested in the country.

Application is done in the Philippines and can be done abroad in Philippine Embassies or Consulate. However, you’ll need to ask permission first from the Bureau of Immigration; please coordinate with them as instructions may vary. Read more.

Who can apply for a Philippines 9D Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa?

As per the Philippine Consulate General, a treaty trader is a foreign national of the United States of America (USA), Japan, and Germany who is entering the Philippines solely to carry on trade or commerce according to their country’s existing treaty of commerce and navigation with the Philippines. Those nationals can apply for a Treaty Trader’s Visa.

While a treaty investor, as per the Philippine Consulate General, is a foreigner who seeks admission to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in the Philippines where (a) he has invested or is actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital or where (b) his employer has invested or is actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital. Those who are under this can apply for a Treaty Investor’s Visa.

In case they don’t qualify, a 9a visa or a temporary visitor visa (for business) may be given.

Requirements Needed for those applying for a Philippines 9D Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa

1. This Checklist – read this before proceeding with the other numbers

2. Letter addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant and/or the petitioner

3. Duly accomplished CGAF for Non-Immigrant Visa

4. Copy of the applicant’s passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay

5. Business Documents

For Corporations or Partnerships (copy of):

• SEC Certificate of Registration
• Articles of Incorporation
• General Information Sheet (GIS), current year and received by the SEC (with stamp)

For Single Proprietorships (copy of):

• DTI Certificate of Registration
• Mayor’s Permit
• Petitioner’s latest Income Tax Return with the corresponding proof of payment (OR, bank teller’s, validation slip, BIR’s eFPS payment details’ print-out or the like)

6. Duly acknowledged Employment Contract, Secretary’s Certificate of Election, Appointment, Assignment, Secondment or Deployment of the applicant, or equivalent document indicating the duration of employment, compensation and other benefits, and scope of duties

7. Board Resolution if the signatories of the letter of application and employment contract are other than those appearing in the Articles of Incorporation and in the latest GIS

8. BI Clearance Certificate

9. Original or certified true copy of the Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if from the following countries

For those with Dependents:

1. Duly accomplished CGAF for Non-Immigrant Visa 

2. Copy of dependent’s passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay

3. Proof of filiation with the applicant

4. BI Clearance Certificate

5. Original or certified true copy of the Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance – please see the list above

6. Additional Information on Applicant’s children – if with children

Requirements for an ACR I-Card

• ACR I-Card Checklist 
• Application Form 

Fees to be for a Philippines Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa

How to Apply for a Philippines 9D Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa

STEP 1: Gather all requirements for your application.

STEP 2: Go to the BI Main office or any office that can process this kind of visa. Submit it to the staff in charge of the pre-screening.

STEP 3: Pay the necessary fees. Get an official receipt and not of the schedule to come back.

STEP 4: Attend a hearing during your scheduled date—Ready also your requirements for the ARC I-Card Application. Go to the registration division so that your biometrics will be captured.
Proceed to Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter of the Alien Registration Division (ARD) and submit requirements for ACR I-Card application

STEP 5: To know if your visa and ACR I-Card has been approved, you may check the BI’s Website. If you are approved, you need to submit your passport so that a sticker will be pasted.

STEP 6: Claim both your passport and ACR I-Card

Offices That Receives and Processes a Philippines Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa

That’s how to get a Philippines 9D Treaty Trader’s Visa or Treaty Investor’s Visa (9D Visa). With this, a foreigner can live in the Philippines with his dependents for 1 or 2 years and can be extended. In case you are not under this category but want to work and live in the Philippines, you can check our other article about the 9G Working Visa.

About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.

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