OFW Pass app: Filipino workers urged to register now; exit pass is free for certain categories — download app ASAP

OEC IS FREE OF CHARGE: Securing an overseas employment certificate (OEC) was a major pain for every overseas Filipino worker (OFW). It meant having to fall in line in serpentine queues, as early as 4 am, outside a Philippine Consulate or embassy in a foreign country especially during peak travel season. The reason, the decades-old OEC is paper-based. That was then. Things have changed, thanks to a new app. It is important to note that the OEC is free of charge for "re-hires" (those who are going back to their workplace on old/new contract).

DOWNLOAD DMW MOBILE APP: The DMW Mobile free app is available for download on Google Play and Apple Store. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are urged to complete their registration on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) e-registration system in order to obtain an OFW Pass.

REGISTER FOR OFW PASS, SECURE AN E-REGISTRATION NUMBER: The process has been simplified. OFWs are urged that before proceeding with the registration process using the DMW mobile application, they must first secure an e-registration number (ERN). A senior Philippine government official explained that even if an OFW's employment contract has not yet been verified, they can already initiate the registration process as long as they hold a valid employment visa.

MANDATORY: In the existing/old system, a paper-based OEC certifies the regularity of recruitment and documentation. More important, it is an OFW's proof of registration with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), a government watchdog. Without it, a departing OFW will be barred by immigration authorities at Philippine airports.

PERKS: Before departing the Philippines (after a holiday or for the first time), every OFW must secure an OEC (earlier fee was Php100, about $2) and present it to the immigration officer at the point of exit. The OEC also serves as an exit clearance, and carries some perks. All departing OFWs — new hires or returning (known as “Balik Manggagawa”) — are mandated to secure it. On paper, it’s designed to protect Filipino expat workers. Among the perks: travel tax exemption, airport terminal fee exemption and reduced travel tax for spouse or dependents. An OEC also comes with a number of perks.

DIGITAL PUSH: For years, due to manual processing, and the manpower required, other important consular work had been affected. OFWs have long sought a system overhaul using technology. In September 2022, Philippine Consul-General in Dubai Renato Dueñas Jr met Filipino community members during which it was announced that physical queues will be a thing of the past as the exit pass will be digitised.

PAIN POINT: Due the surge in the volume of applicants, many OFWs found their pre-travel travails a nightmare. Throughout the world, Philippine labour staff issue an average of 6,719 OECs to OFWs daily, according to official data. A scene outside the Philippine Labour Office in Dubai taken at 6am on July 2022, showing OFWs in the UAE queueing up from as early as 4am.

‘STRICT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY’ POLICY: In May last year, things came to a head. Due to high travel demand in the post-pandemic rebound, the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Dubai started implementing a “strict by-appointment only” transaction for those applying for employment contract verification and OEC, resulting in more frustrations from OFW customers. Photo show Filipinos at a pre-dawn queue outside Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Dubai.

ORDER FROM THE TOP: On July 25, 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to automate OFW services, curb bureaucratic red tape and ease the burden of OFWs. The president ordered the DMW to work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to digitise OFWs' documents processing, including the OEC and employment verification.

FROM OEC TO OFW PASS: This is how the paper-based OEC looked like. To digitise the process, teams from the two agencies worked together to develop and test the new app. On July 25, 2023, DMW issued Memorandum No. 110 stating the issuance of the OEC is now “free-of-charge to rehires”. Department Circular 02 also renamed OEC to "OFW Pass”.

DIGITISATION DRIVE: Digitisation of the OEC process started in earnest from October 15, 2022, allowing OFWs to download the OEC on their smartphones. The move is part of the raft of enhancements in the government's drive toward paperless transactions. The OFW Pass was launched after the DICT tested it and gave its green light. Besides digitising the OEC application process, the department is also digitising contract verification.

DOWNLOAD DMW MOBILE APP: The DMW mobile app is undergoing rigorous tests and continuous enhancement jointly with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The DMW Mobile free app is available for download on Google Play and Apple Store.

WHAT USERS SAY: Returning OFWs may download the app from App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android), submit valid documents, key in one-time-password and they’re good to go. Some users (OFWs) reported minor glitches, especially when submitting some documents, but are generally happy with the new development.

ITERATIONS: The DMW said they will continue to improve the OFW Pass. Tests for the mobile app had been conducted in the Philippines, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UAE), Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman, Taiwan, Japan, and the UK. DMW is also digitising job contract verification as well as accreditation and registration of employers. To help improve it, DMW encourages OFWs to send feedback and suggestions to ofwpass@dmw.gov.ph; https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph, WhatsApp/Viber/SMS +63 908-326-8344, +63 927-147-8186.