OFW guides: your papers and the government help you can use

Two agencies, two jobs

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) handles the papers you need to work abroad: the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), the Balik Manggagawa exemption for returning workers, and the OFW Travel Pass. The Department of Migrant Workers Act (RA 11641) merged the POEA into DMW, so older guides that say “POEA” now mean DMW. DMW’s steps change often, so each guide shows the date its steps were last checked.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) looks after members’ welfare: benefits when something goes wrong, scholarships for dependants, and help to start a livelihood when you come home. RA 11641 attaches OWWA to DMW, but it keeps its own fund and its own membership.

Abroad, both work through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Leaving or going back: the papers

• What an OEC is. DMW’s exit clearance for OFWs, who needs one and who is exempt.
• Balik Manggagawa. Going back to the same employer after a holiday: the exemption, the papers, and what changes if you switched jobs.
• The OFW Pass. The OFW Travel Pass in the eGovPH app, which returning workers with unchanged details can use instead of a printed OEC.
• Getting your OEC online. The DMW Online Services steps, screen by screen.

OWWA in one screen

• Who is a member. “An OFW with a paid contribution or membership fee” (RA 10801 Sec. 7(f)).
• The fee. USD 25, or its peso equivalent (Sec. 9). The law says it “must be paid by the employers or principals”, and by the agency for new hires if the employer does not pay (Sec. 18).
• How long it lasts. Until your current contract ends, or two years from the start of the contract, whichever comes first (Sec. 9).
• Renewing. With proof that you are still employed, through the OWWA Mobile App or at the OWWA desk where you work. Family at home can renew for you at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (OWWA Citizen’s Charter 2026).

What membership covers:

• OWWA benefits: death, burial, disability and welfare help.
• OWWA membership: the fee, validity and renewal in detail.
• OWWA scholarships: education programmes for members and their dependants.
• OWWA reintegration: cash help and training when you come home for good.

Money help

• OWWA and LANDBANK: the OFW-EDLP business loan for members who finish OWWA’s entrepreneurship training.
• SSS: the salary loan, open to land-based OFW members with enough posted contributions.
• Pag-IBIG: the Multi-Purpose Loan, for members with at least 12 monthly savings.

Who can borrow, the rates the agencies publish, and where to apply are in our guide to OFW loans.

The cover agency hires already have

If a licensed recruitment or manning agency deployed you, the law says you are covered by compulsory insurance “secured at no cost to the said worker”, for the length of your contract (RA 10022 Sec. 37-A). It includes at least USD 15,000 for accidental death, USD 10,000 for natural death and USD 7,500 for permanent total disablement, plus repatriation and other cover. Direct hires, name hires and rehires are not covered automatically, but the law lets them opt in. The agency arranges this policy. This site does not sell or arrange it.

Which agency to contact for what

Scroll the table sideways for more

Channels from the DMW and OWWA Citizen’s Charters 2026, OWWA’s contact page and DMW’s MWO in Osaka (22 October 2025), checked 20 October 2026.

Next: your contributions and savings

Working abroad, you keep paying into three Philippine programmes, and you can save on top:

• SSS for OFWs: compulsory for OFWs not over 60, and your pension later.
• Pag-IBIG: savings, loans and MP2.
• PhilHealth: national health insurance, which you keep paying from abroad.
• Saving while you work abroad: a plain order for an overseas salary, with country guides.