OFWs no longer need to get an Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC prior to deployment per advisory of DOLE and POEA. This is because OFWs will be given an iDOLE – OFW Identification Card.
This OFW card will be given free to OFWs who are duly registered with POEA. If you are working abroad illegally and as such you are not in the POEA official list of registered OFWs, you may not qualify to receive an OFW ID card.
The OFW card can be used as a bonafide, valid ID that the overseas worker can use to transact in other government agencies like Pag-IBIG HMDF, SSS, Philhealth, among others.
There will be an online portal wherein the OFW can use to access their government records in different agencies, as well as to request for services. It is also projected that this card can be used in the future as a debit and atm card, as well as a BEEP card for use in the LRT and MRT.
Secretary Bello of DOLE also said that the Department of Labor and Employment will try to create a system that will enable OFW to use their exclusive ID as a valid electronic passport that can be used anytime, if OFW will go out of the country or returning home to the Philippines.
Our opinion though at iSensey is that this possible acceptance of the OFW card as a valid ePassport is still so far off in the future. It would probably take several years before this can be realized, if ever, because of all the involved legalities and technicalities that needs to be hurdled.
The OFW Card as BEEP card, atm or debit card is easier to accomplish and we hope that this will be implemented soon for the benefit of our Overseas Filipino Workers.
What is the update on the OFW ID Card? How to claim and get it?
There is no need to apply to get the OFW ID!
As of July 7, DOLE is in coordination with POEA to get the official list of OFWs. Once they have this list, the government will start printing the OFW IDs. Malacanang will officially announce this new identification card system for OFWs this coming July 12, 2017. All OFWs duly registered with POEA will get their card. How to get?
- Those who are still in the Philippines, waiting for their deployment or departure date – You will get your OFW ID from either thru DOLE or POEA (The exact procedure or where to claim the card is still unclear as of today, all details might be released by the government on launch date July 12. Let’s wait for that.)
*OFWs are no longer required to get OEC, instead they will use and show their ID for immigration check / departure purposes. ID printing is projected to start this August 2017.
*For those who will depart from today and before availability of ID (assuming the IDs are not yet ready or not yet distributed ) – please wait for official directive from the government if you still need OEC. We recommend that you call or visit POEA branch to ask about your case.
- Those who are currently working abroad – no official details yet on how you can claim your own OFW ID card, if it will be sent to your current address overseas or if you need to claim it via Embassy or if you will claim it when you come home to the Philippines for a visit.
The thing that is very clear right now is that when you come home for a visit and will go back abroad to work, you no longer need to secure an OEC because you will be using the OFW iDOLE card instead.
UPDATE July 12, 2017
DOLE Secretary Bello said that an estimate 4 Million IDs will be generated. Ex-OFWs or inactive OFWs will also be issued an iDOLE OFW ID.
Here now is the PROCEDURE in getting the iDOLE OFW ID.
1. Visit the main office of DOLE or regional office nearest you. Check directory of regional and field offices of Department of Labor and Employment. Wait for official announcement on the starting date to process the ID before you go visit.
2. Prepare primary or secondary identification ID or materials to confirm your identity. Check here for list of IDs.
3. Approach to the DOLE personnel in the regional office and request for the processing.
4. You may be ask for your current Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or contract to prove that you are a bonafide OFW, applying for the ID for the first time.
5. The DOLE officer will start verification process. Your name will be checked if it is in the roster of official OFWs as furnished by POEA.
6. Once verification is successful and your status is validated, the officer will start processing your new iDOLE OFW ID bearing your unique OFW ID number.
7. Once processing is completed, you will be given your new IDOLE OFW ID card.
*If there are changes to this guideline and procedure, please update this post. To be 100% sure, we recommend that you contact or visit DOLE or POEA directly.
MORE GOOD DEVELOPMENTS FOR OFWs
There are more good news coming for our OFWs!
- This October 2017, the Duterte Administration will launch the OFW Bank. Once the important details are available like requirements to open a savings account in OFW Bank, if dependents can open a bank account for the OFW who is currently deployed abroad, how much minimum deposit requirement for savings and time deposits in OFW Bank, etc., iSensey will update this post as soon as possible.
- There are now more branches of OSSCO or the One-Stop Service Center for OFWs and more will be set-up in the future. This one stop shop is aimed to make services easier to avail of especially those who are residing in the provinces, and away from major cities.
Update July 14, 2017
The cost of the OFW iDOLE ID card will be shouldered by the employers per Presidential Spokesperson Abella. Read the post on “OFW ID – Is It Really Free?“.
As a n OFW, if you have something to request from the government to make your life easier, what would it be?
What do you think of the new OFW ID card? Please share it on the comment below.
Nival maricel says
how to get OFW I’D CARD
Nezaberzo1987@gmail.com says
Im still in hongkong.how can i get that idole card?
Risa D. Almacin says
Pano ko po makuha iDOLE id ko nasa La paz bolivia South america ako?
Floribelle T. D. says
I hope OFWs who are licensed professionals be given priority for permanent positions when they go home for good to the Philippines. I am a Registered Nurse and working as DH here in HK. If time comes that I plan to go back home, I hope I will be given the priority.
Honesto Alindogan says
Floribelle,
Why do you have to be prioritized??? Dahil OFW ka? and kapatid ko ilang taon nagtrabaho as volunteer sa mga centers bago naging permanente sa Ospital na pinasukan nya ngayon. Ikaw naging DH ka dahil choice mo yan. Hindi lang ikaw ang “Licensed Professional” sa Pilipinas kaya hindi ka dapat umasa na priority ka porket OFW ka. Registered ka nga pero ano experience mo sa ospital? meron ba? so bakit ikaw ang uunahin at hindi yung mga nagtyagang mag volunteer muna? Hindi ka po espesyal porket OFW ka.
sam gomez says
i agree.. selfish naman nia na ipriority sia, buti nga sia nagkadolyar na. at naranasan ang matinong environment kung saan may subway may bus..
nais ko lang ipahieatig, nanaranasan nia ang environment ng developed country..
sana hopefully, maabutan ko pa na maayos at systematic ang pamamalakad sa pilipinas.
ika nga, dapat fair and square.. yan mn din ang gusting ipabahagi ni pangulong duterte.. respeto at equality sa lahat ng mamamayang pilipino.
Quirino Limbaro Hinacay Jr. says
Hi Sam,
Good Day to us ALL,
Choice nya yan, tama ka pero sana man lang floribelle ma realize mo na lahat tayo ay manggagawa at nagsusumikap, porket ba professional may priority agad, hindi karin namin ma blaime dahil yan yong pamaraan mo at nakasanayan mo sa buhay ceguro, what matter most ay yong andito na tayu halos masakatuparan na ang parang US na po na dapat hi-tech na lahat, at matupad lang yong pag magtiwala tayu sa gobyerno at pangulo natin, pagsamsamahin sa ating pagsusumikap at pagiging tamang mamayang filipino.
Sana tanggalin mo ang mga ganyang isip dahil hindi ka aasenso dyan pag lage mo inuuna ang sarili.
better give more to others, for God will give you in return twofold blessings.
Jenie says
Registered NURSE and working as DH…why……
Francis says
What if an OFW is not being registered in POEA and would like to have OFW ID card, how could they apply for it.
iSensey says
Hi Francis, this is something we all have to wait for sa official launch baka matackle ng DOLE/POEA regarding undocumented Filipino workers abroad or those unregistered with POEA. Pag may update regarding dito, rest assured we will update this post too.
Mac Almeron says
InshaAllah
Matagal ko na itong tinatanong sa POLO OWWA/DFA nun pero wala silang alam isagot. Siguro yun ang turo sa kanila ng mga nagdaang administration OFW ID lang hindi kayang sagutin. Ngayon at si Pres Duterte ang naka upo, ngayon pa lang nasgaot ang aking katanungan noon na hindi alam sagutin ng mga employees ng POLO OWWA/DFA natin. Dahil ito kahit saan man tayo magagamit talaga natin ito, mainam pa sana maipatupad ang National ID sa lahat ng mga PILIPINO. Mabuhay ang ating Presidente Rodrigo ROA Duterte..
Quirino Limbaro Hinacay Jr. says
This is a good start for a new high end country just like here in UAE we definitely has an identity card that owns one registered number to identify all the accounts. So impressive at least we can easily govern all government transactions and legalities. I don’t need prioritization and competency, i wanted proper order of processing when it comes of travelling, first come first serve basis.
Thank You and Good Luck.
Mercy Nacion says
I’m in abroad now where can I get my idole i.d in oman?
Janice says
Ilang days po ba processing ng Idole uwi po kasi ako sa july 31 kung wala po ako oec at idole baka d po ako makakabalik sa hk. Salamat po sa sasagot ng concern ko. God bless
Norina says
I have appointment on July 13th for OEC here in Dubai, can I claim my ID on that day? Why I cannot update my details in my profile (EMPLOYER) bcze I already changed my employer.
Floremie B. Llena says
I want to apply the iDOLE Card
Floremie B. Llena says
Im here in kuwait
Remelito says
Ask ko lng po… iba na po kasi ang employer ko ngayun. Nung kumuha kc aq ng OEC dati ang nakaregister dun yung dati kong employer.. ngayun po tanong ko lng kailangan ko po ba ma-update yung bago kong employer para maging qualified po ako s OFW i.d system ngayun?.. nag pa schedule na din po ako ng appointement para sa OEC para ma update po ung bago kong employer.
iSensey says
Hi Remelito, we suggest that you will update your employer records in BM Online, para wala kang maging problema in the future. Also, based sa initial design of the OFW ID, the employer’s name will be indicated (although the design is not yet final pero mas maigi na manigurado ka nalang para walang maging issue kung sakali man).
Sharon pugong says
Hello I’m Sharon Pugong this month of July I’m waiting my visa to process..pwede na ba akong kumuha ng IDOLE ID ko jan sa POEA Ortigas total eto na ung pangalawa Kong puntang abroad..
Dominique says
My school emoloyer was told that they have reached the limit of direct hire teachers so they were required by POEA to get an agency to process my OEC. This process will take more time and money because of the mandated agency fee. And the hired teacher is also required to pay one month salary base on the employment contract. Now, with this OEC ID, will this help the processing of my papers at POEA without going through an agency or the new policy on the number of direct hires will still be implemented? Please advise. Thank you
iSensey says
Hi Dominique, the complete guidelines about the OFW ID is not yet disclosed by the government. Please watch out for the next development about the ID coming from DOLE or POEA.
Rogen says
Pwede po bang kumuha ng IDOLE card ang mga nasa abroad na hindi pa namn uuwi or mag ba bakasyon sa Pinas?
iSensey says
Sa ngayon po wala pa ang guidelines for OFWs na currently nasa abroad now. Wait nalang po tayo sa next announcement ng DOLE and POEA.
Jenilyn says
Sir/maam
Mg vacation po ako ngaung aug 1st week…one week lng ang bakasyon q
Pwede bha ako pumonta ng dole para mgkuha ng OFW ID?
iSensey says
Hi Jenilyn, as of today OFW ID is not yet available. We feel na sa first week of August, hindi pa din available ang ID. We suggest before ka umuwi, mag login ka sa BM Online for the OEC exemption (if member ka na ng BM Online) para sure ka na may panghahawakan ka pag pabalik ka na sa work after your vacation.
Noemi Zuniga Estrella says
Dear Sir/Madam,
Salamat sa lahat ng inpormasyon ninyo. Hiling ko po na sana mabigyan din po ng biyaya ng IDOLE ID ang mga katulad naming residente dito sa H.K., dahil napakalaking bagay ito sa akin sa tuwing uuwi at may transaksyon sa ‘Pinas na lagi akong hinahanapan ng valid Phil. I.D. na wala akong maipakita maliban sa aking pasaporte na kung minsan dalawa pa ang hinihingi.
maraming salamat po sa ating butihing Pangulo R. Duterte, nagkaroon ng katuparan ang bagay na ito. Mabuhay po kayo!