POEA Guidelines

Filipino workers can work abroad through direct hiring by foreign employers or by applying to a POEA licensed
Philippine recruitment agencies. Our guide below outlines the important information you need to know.

Working Abroad thru Philippine Recruitment Agencies

DEFINITION

Foreign Placement Agency refers to a foreign principal indirectly engaging the services of Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs.

Private Employment Agency refers to any person, partnership or corporation engaged in the recruitment and placement of workers
for a fee, which is charged, directly or indirectly, from the workers or employers or both.

If the job you are applying for was posted by a recruitment agency (either a foreign placement agency or a local employment agency);
verify, first, to make sure the agent you are dealing with is authorized or licensed by POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration) and has the proper job order and the person transacting business with you is legitimately connected with the
licensed agency. You should apply only at the registered office of the recruitment agency. If the recruitment is conducted outside the
registered office address, verify if it has a provincial recruitment authority issued by POEA or has been allowed to conduct recruitment
activity outside their office. Ask for a copy of employment contract and study the terms and conditions. Do not pay the any fee unless
you have been hired and signed the employment contract. Always ask for a receipt corresponding to any payment

Agencies shall charge from their principals a service fee to cover services rendered in the recruitment, documentation and placement
of workers.

Documentation costs to be paid by the worker shall include, but not limited to, the following: a. Passport

b. NBI/Police/Barangay Clearance
c. Authentication
d. Birth Certificate
e. Medicare
f. Trade Test, if necessary
g. Inoculation, when required by host country
h. Medical Examination fees

In the event that the recruitment agency agrees to perform documentation services, the worker shall pay only the actual cost of the
document which shall be covered by official receipts.

These are the only authorized payments that may be collected from a hired worker. No other charges in whatever form, manner or
purpose, shall be imposed on and be paid by the worker without prior approval of the POEA.

Direct Hire

DEFINITION

Direct or Name hires are Filipino workers who are able to secure an overseas employment opportunity with an employer without the
assistance or participation of any agency. They may have been directly contacted by a foreign employer by referral or have directly
applied to their company.

Although your future employer would take care of your requirements (plane ticket, work visa, etc.), you must still have certain
documents processed at POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration).

The requirements are the following: passport, work visa or work permit, employment contract verified or authenticated by the
Philippine embassy or Philippine consulate in the country of your destination. You are also required to undergo a medical examination
by a DOH-accredited clinic or hospital and a pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS).

Fees and Costs

POEA Processing Fee - US$100 or its peso equivalent

OWWA membership fee - US$25 or its peso equivalent
OWWA Medicare - Php900.00

Required Documents

You shall be issued an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), which serves as the OFW travel exit clearance at the airport and
immigration counters. The OEC is also an exemption for OFWs from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fees. You shall likewise
get a free OFW electron ID card or e-Card, which is your permanent identification card to facilitate your departure and access to
services as OFW.

Note: WorkAbroad.ph only advertises job openings and does not guarantee and will not take responsibility for their
accuracy and reliability. Also, it does not collect any payment from jobseekers.