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Legal documentation for OFWS and Travellers: Contracts, Passports, and Visas

December 26, 2023

Legal documentation for OFWS and Travellers: Contracts, Passports, and Visas

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) play a crucial role in the global workforce, contributing their expertise and skills to various industries around the world. As they go abroad, the importance of ensuring proper legal documentation cannot be underestimated. From visas to employment contracts and work permits, these documents form the foundation of a successful and secure overseas employment experience.

 

Passports

What does it contain?

A passport is the most essential travel document. It looks similar to a bank passbook. The document’s first page contains your personal info such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, expiration date, issuing authority, photo, personal identification number, and blank pages for visa, entry, and exit stamps. New versions include embedded biometric chips for faster processing and enhancing security.

 

What is the validity of passport?

Passport validity depends on the country. In the Philippines, it’s ten years from the renewal and six months before expiry. For frequently asked questions, visit:

 

Employment Contracts

Contract of employment sets the guidelines of the rights and responsibilities between the employee and the employer. As an employee, you must read the contract carefully and see to it that it indicates those things promised in the job advertisement and employee-employer or and recruitment agency conversation. Employment contracts include:

  • Personal info

  • Duration of employment

  • Compensation and benefits

  • Job responsibilities

  • Termination clause

  • Health and safety regulations

  • Grievance procedure

  • Repatriation and End-of-service Benefits

 

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

This digital document is provided for visa-exempt nationalities transiting or travelling to a certain country, typically by air, to identify potential risks posed by visa-exempt foreign nationals such as illegal immigration, public health hazards and security issues. In other words, it’s a pre-screening document. 

Some countries/political union providing ETA include Australia, Canada, European Union, South Korea, New Zealand, USA, and UK. Canada has already included Filipinos holding a Canadian visitor’s visa for the past ten years or a US non-immigrant visa as eligible for ETA. Documents needed for ETA application valid passport, bank card, email, and photograph.

 

Visa and working visa

The word “visa” came from Latin “charta visa” that means “paper that has been seen”. It should not be confused with the American multinational payment card services. In immigration terms, visa is an entry permit allowing a foreign person to enter a country for different purposes such as study, medical, travel, and work.

Important: Searching for work or working under tourist visa paid or unpaid is illegal under a country’s immigration laws.

Where can I get a visa or working visa?

You can apply for a visa through:

An embassy

  • Point of entry (airport or seaport) or visa on arrival

  • Online (electronic visa)

How visas are processed?

The process of visas for foreign workers is handled by the consulate or embassy of the host country in the Philippines. A visa comprises a sticker on a passport showing your name, gender, nationality, birthdate, contact number, days allowed to stay and expiration date. The processing time and method depends on the country and visa type being applied for, but generally it might involve the following steps:

  1. Application submission

  2. Document evaluation

  3. Interview

  4. Approval

  5. Travel

Some countries mutually exempt countries from visa requirement. These countries can be the same member of political or trade organizations such as European Union and Association of South East Asian Nation. Certain countries with high Human Development Index are exempted from needing visas to enter other countries. For example, Japan and Nordic countries  
 

Overseas Exit Certificate (OEC)

This document serves as a record for exiting OFWS who just finished their holiday in the Philippines or returning to their employers. It also exempts the OFW from paying the terminal and travel tax fees at the airport.

What do you need to get OEC?

Printed copy of Balik-Manggagawa Information Sheet (Online appointment information sheet)

  • Valid employment contract (proof of employment)

  • Valid work permit or visa

  • Valid passport (within 6 months of validity period from the departure date)

Where can I apply online for OEC?

 

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Certificate 

The PDOS refers to the online or in-house short course or training designed to raise awareness for departing OFWs about the culture, environment, laws, and realities of working in the host/destination country. The commission on Filipinos overseas facilitates the seminar. After attending the PDOS you can get your certificate delivered to your address. 

What are the two types of PDOS?

  • Country-specific PDOS: This is for emigrants going to a specific country. For example, there’s a PDOS for Japan and another for Saudi Arabia.

  • Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP): This is for Domestic workers (household service workers) and it includes country-specific PDOS.

Where to apply PDOS?

For domestic workers

  • PDOS are usually facilitated by the recruitment agency

For Emigrants

For more info:

The Bottomline

The significance of OFW legal documentation can’t be overlooked. Properly navigating the complexities of employment contract, work permit or visas is essential in safeguarding the rights, security, and well-being of OFWs as they go for work abroad. With a complete understanding of the legal compliance and requirements, OFWs can embark on their overseas employment journey with confidence and peace of mind. Remember always be vigilant of illegal recruitment and apply only to legit Filipino manpower agency.

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