21 foreign traders in Ilocos get SVEGs

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – At least 21 foreign businessmen in Ilocos Norte were granted special visas by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during the launch of the BI’s Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) program at Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino in Laoag City last Wednesday.

Foreigners availing themselves of the job generation visa are exempt from securing re-entry and exit permits whenever they enter and leave the country.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said foreign businessmen employing at least 10 or more full-time or regular Filipinos could qualify for the SVEG, an indefinite visa that the government introduced to encourage more foreign investors and generate jobs for Filipinos amid the financial crisis. – Jun Elias