Migrant Workers Office

Philippine regulations require that employment contracts of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are submitted to the Migrant Workers Office for verification. Contract verification is intended to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of OFWs are consistent with the prevailing employment laws, standards and practices in both the Philippines and the host country.

Documentary Requirements for Verification

Pursuant to existing issuances of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its subsumed agency, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the following are the documentary requirements for verification of employment contract of direct hires and returning workers:

For Direct Hires (OFWs exempted from direct-hiring ban policy as provided under the 2023 DMW Rules and Regulations on Landbased OFWs):

1. Notarized original employment contract which contains terms and conditions over and above the DMW-prescribed employment

2. Copy of the worker’s passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of intended

3. Valid and appropriate visa or work

4. Letter of the employer requesting exemption from the ban on direct

5. Accomplished Worker’s Information Form.

6. Accomplished Employer’s Information Form.

For Returning Workers or Balik-Mangagawa (OFWs returning to same employer and jobsite, returning to same employer in a new jobsite based on POEA Memorandum Circular No. 24-2021):

1. Notarized original employment contract.

2. Copy of the worker’s passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of intended departure.

3. Valid and appropriate visa or work permit.

4. Accomplished Worker’s Information Form.

5. Accomplished Employer’s Information Form.

6. Copy of business registration/license of employer (only for hiring professional/skilled worker).

7. Copy of any valid ID of employer (only for hiring domestic worker)

8. Additional documents as referred below:

For workers returning to a previous employer but with gap/interruption in the duration of employment service with that employer:

• 8.1. Any proof establishing previous employment with the employer who is rehiring the worker such as employment contract, certificate of employment, company ID or pay slips.

For workers who changed employer onsite and had started employment with the said new employer; or for workers without existing records/not registered with the DMW:

• 8.1. Any proof of existing employment with the current employer to which the worker is resuming employment such as current certificate of employment, valid company ID or recent pay slip; and

• 8.2. Sworn statement of the worker providing explanation on how/she was hired by the current employer. 

For more information/inquiries and copies of required forms, please e-mail mwo_washingtondc@dmw.gov.ph or contact +1-202-467-9426.

Philippine regulations require that all employers, foreign recruitment/placement and staffing agencies should first apply for accreditation before recruiting/hiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Accreditation is the grant of authority by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to recruit and hire OFWs through a Philippine licensed recruitment agency.

Documentary Requirements for Accreditation

Pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 16-2022 of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) (now subsumed under the DMW), the following are the documentary requirements for accreditation, which should be submitted to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) for verification.

1. Notarized Recruitment Agreement (RA) or Special Power of Attorney (SPA). This is an agreement between the employer or foreign recruitment/placement/staffing agency and the Philippine licensed recruitment agency containing, among others, the responsibilities of the parties with respect to the orderly deployment, employment, and return of Filipino workers with the following attachments:

• A. Photocopy of any valid ID or other acceptable forms of valid identification of the signatories in the RA/SPA;

• B. Business registration, charter, or other similar document that establishes the legal personality of the employer or foreign recruitment/placement/staffing agency; and

• C. Undertaking by the employer or foreign recruitment/placement/staffing agency to to monitor the employment of OFWs and to submit a report of significant incidents concerning OFWs.

2. Notarized Service Agreement (SA). This is an agreement executed by and between the foreign recruitment/placement agency and their client employer.

3. Job Order (JO). This is a document indicating the manpower request of the employer, containing the classification of occupations, positions, number of workers required per position, and standard salary and allowances per position.

For foreign recruitment/placement agency, the following shall be attached to the JO:

• A. Manpower demand from clients/direct employers in support of JO;

• B. Business registration or other similar document establishing legal personality of client companies;

• C. License to operate as recruitment/placement agency in the host country; and

• D. Proof of escrow deposit for specific occupations, as applicable.

For Staffing/Outsourcing Company, the following shall be attached to the JO:

• A. List of clients; and

• B. Manpower demand from client companies in support of JO.

4. Notarized Master Employment Contract (MEC). This is an agreement which sets forth the principal terms and conditions of the workers’ deployment, employment, and return, as well as the rights and obligations of the parties of the contract.

Additional Requirement for those Hiring Domestic Workers:

5. Notarized Undertaking to Hire Filipino Welfare Officer/Counsellor. The Undertaking shall indicate that the foreign recruitment/placement/staffing agency will employ a Filipino Welfare Officer/Counsellor who shall monitor and resolve domestic workers’ problems/complaints at the jobsite. The Welfare Officer/Counsellor shall be at least a high school graduate with minimum two (2) years of work experience in handling welfare cases involving OFWs; and conversant in the language understood by both the employer and domestic worker.

For more information/inquiries and copies of required forms, please e-mail mwo_washingtondc@dmw.gov.ph or contact +1-202-467-9426.

Membership in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is mandatory for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). All OWWA members and their beneficiaries are covered by social benefits and programs implemented by the agency. Onsite OWWA membership enrolment/renewal covers the following OFWs who are in their country of work:

1. OFWs whose OWWA membership had expired; and

2. OFWs who enroll as first-time members, provided they are gainfully employed onsite at the time of registration.

Documentary Requirements for OWWA Membership

1. Copy of passport (page showing photo, personal data and signature);

2. Accomplished OFW Information Sheet (OWWA Form);

3. Copy of work visa/work permit

4. Latest employment contract verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO).

If no latest employment contract, submit recent pay slip or Certificate of Employment issued by employer with the following details: employment start date, position, contract duration and salary.

For more information/inquiries and copy of OWWA Form, please e-mail washington@owwa.gov.ph or contact +1-202-467-9413.

For more information about OWWA’s programs and services, please visit owwa.gov.ph.