Back to visas

🌍 SNIV 47(a)(2)Special Non-Immigrant Visa

Complete guide to the special visa for consultants, volunteers, NGO experts, technicians, and special economic zone professionals.

📋 What is SNIV 47(a)(2)?

Overview

The Special Non-Immigrant Visa 47(a)(2) is a temporary visa for foreign professionals working in specialized fields: consulting, volunteering, NGOs, special economic zones, and technical assistance.

Temporary stay (1-3 years)
Specialized activities
Local sponsor required
Renewable

Main Categories

Consultants

Experts and advisors

Short missions
Technical expertise

Volunteers/NGOs

Humanitarian missions

Social action
Development

Important

Each category has specific requirements and different authorized sponsors.

🎯 Types of SNIV 47(a)(2)

Consultants

  • • Management consultants
  • • Technical experts
  • • Financial advisors
  • • IT specialists
  • • Professional trainers

Duration: 6 months to 2 years

Volunteers

  • • International volunteers
  • • Humanitarian missions
  • • Exchange programs
  • • Technical cooperation
  • • Development aid

Duration: 1 to 3 years

NGO Experts

  • • NGO directors
  • • Project coordinators
  • • Sector specialists
  • • Program managers
  • • Development experts

Duration: 1 to 3 years

Economic Zones

  • • PEZA employees
  • • Clark/Subic personnel
  • • Free zone experts
  • • SEZ managers
  • • Specialized technicians

Duration: 1 to 2 years

Technicians

  • • Industrial technicians
  • • Equipment specialists
  • • Maintenance experts
  • • Technical trainers
  • • Production supervisors

Duration: 6 months to 1 year

Government

  • • Government advisors
  • • Policy experts
  • • Technical assistants
  • • Institutional trainers
  • • Reform specialists

Duration: 1 to 3 years

✅ Eligibility Requirements

General Criteria

Expertise:

Recognized specialized skills

Experience:

Minimum 3-5 years in the field

Sponsor:

Authorized Philippine organization

Mission:

Defined project with clear objectives

Integrity:

Clean criminal record

Authorized Sponsors

Companies:

Philippine-registered companies

NGOs:

Non-governmental organizations

Government:

Government agencies

Organizations:

International institutions

Special zones:

PEZA, Clark, Subic, etc.

📄 Required Documents

Personal Documents

Valid passport (6+ months)
Birth certificate (apostilled)
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Police clearance (apostilled)
Medical certificate
ID photos (2x2 inches)

Professional Documents

Mission letter from sponsor
Contract or service agreement
Detailed CV
Degrees (apostilled)
Experience certificates
Professional references

💰 Costs and Procedure

Visa Fees

Application fee500 USD
Processing fee300 USD
ACR I-Card3,000 PHP
Legal fees1,000-3,000 USD
Extension200 USD

Estimated total: 2,000-4,000 USD depending on category

Application Procedure

1
Sponsor agreementSigning agreement with sponsor
2
File preparationGathering all documents
3
SNIV applicationSubmission to Bureau of Immigration
4
EvaluationFile review and verifications
5
ApprovalSNIV 47(a)(2) visa issuance

Timeline: 2-4 months depending on category and mission complexity.

🎯 SNIV 47(a)(2) Benefits

Flexibility

  • • Duration adaptable to project
  • • Renewal possible
  • • Multiple missions
  • • Sponsor change

Family Inclusion

  • • Spouse and children
  • • Same length of stay
  • • Schooling possible
  • • Stable family life

Development

  • • International experience
  • • Professional network
  • • Cultural skills
  • • Positive social impact

Ready for a Professional Mission in the Philippines?

Contact us for advice on the SNIV 47(a)(2) visa and your specialized project.

View GuidesOther Visas