The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) provided a mandatory seminar called Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for all Filipinos who are going to work abroad. This is usually done at Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) office or online. This seminar has a wide range of topics from labor laws, immigration, packing and shipping your belongings, culture adjustment, financial planning, and more.
The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is one of the requirements for OFWs before leaving the country. This is very helpful, especially for those who will leave the country for the first time, and will help them live a more comfortable and safer life.
PDOS Modules
There are seven (7) topics under the Pre-Departure Education Program. These topics are relevant and tailored information that will help them adjust to their new life abroad.
- Migrant Realities – In this topic, you will learn about travel documents, airport rules and processes, luggage allowances, and banned items in your host country.
- Destination Country Profile – This topic will provide you with information about your employers’ culture, religion, and cultural perspective.
- Employment Contract – In this topic, you will learn your rights and obligations as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
- Health and Safety – This topic will give you information about health and safety programs to ensure your overall well-being while staying in your host country.
- Financial Literacy – This topic will cover basic financial literacy on how you will manage your finances. It includes basic financial planning, joint planning, and sending remittances.
- Available Government Programs and Services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) – In this topic, you will learn the programs and services that the Philippine government can offer you.
- Travel Procedures and Tips – In this topic, you will learn about important protocols, rules, and travel information that will help you to have a smooth journey.
PDOS Requirements
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) requires the following documents for Filipino workers who plan to take PDOS.
- Original passport (with six months validity before the date of travel)
- Original Visa (attached to the passport)
- One valid government-issued ID with a picture
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ARC I-CARD)
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ID
- Barangay Clearance / Certificate
- Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
- Company/office ID, student’s ID, or school ID
- Consular ID
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ID
- Driver’s license
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) E-card
- Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or Pag-IBIG ID
- Marriage Certificate (PSA Authenticated)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- Birth Certificate (PSA Authenticated)
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) ID
- Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- Permit to Carry Firearms
- PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC)
- Philippine National Police (PNP) ID
- Philippines Overseas Employment Association (POEA) ID
- Police Clearance
- Postal ID
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- PRA Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) ID
- Seaman’s Book
- Senior Citizen’s ID Card
- Social Security System (SSS) ID
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
- Voter’s ID
- Other documents
- Copy of Visa Grant Notification Letter (Australia-bound emigrants)
- Attendance in PDOS, guidance counseling, or peer counseling session
- Employment contract
- Certificate of Eligibility (Japan-bound emigrant)
- Certificate of Permanent Residency (COPR) (Canada-bound emigrant) – No tear of signature before departure
- Registration Form
- Immigrant Data Summary (USA-bound emigrant) except for K Visa holder – must be attached from VISA packet)
- Letter of Approval for Work to Residence Visa (New Zealand-bound emigrant)
- Nulla Osta (Italy-bound emigrant)
- Registration Fee of Php400.00
Once you have completed the PDOS or Peer Counselling Program, you will receive the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) sticker. It will be placed inside your Philippine passport and will be inspected by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).
Applying for PDOS Seminar
The online registration for the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is from Monday to Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Follow these steps on how to apply for PDOS Seminar:
- Visit the https://cfo.gov.ph/ and click the “Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)”.
- Click your preferred box.
- Prepare to answer these questions:
- What is the relationship of the registration to the petitioner?
- What is your Country of Destination?
- What is your visa hype/category classification?
- Enter your e-mail address then click submit
- Check your email. Click the “Confirm E-mail” link your received from CFO Manila.
- Provide personal information such as last name, first name, middle name, suffix, birthdate, gender, civil status
- Once you have finished entering your personal information, you will be directed to the PDOS schedule. Choose your preferred country, day, and hour for the seminar.
- After choosing the timeslot, click the “Proceed to Registration”.
Reminders
- Individual/First-Time-Registration – This is only for an individual emigrant or a first-timer.
- Family Registration – If you are registering for your family or two or more people, click “Register Family Member”.
- Take note of your 8-digit reference number. It is important for Family Registration and for those who want to have PDOS.
PDOS Attendees
The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) was created for:
- Emigrants
- Temporary Workers
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
- Aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
PDOS Exemption
All emigrants must use the Reservation and Registration Online System (R&R) to get Emigrant Registration Sticker from the Commission. However, some emigrants are exempted to attend the PDOS/PEER. Here is the list of people who are allowed to get a sticker without attending the mandatory seminar.
- Children below 12 years old.
- Senior citizens (60 years old and above)
- People with mental illness or psychological disorder
- People with chronic or long-term illnesses and are not able to work.
- Residents/immigrants/emigrants that have proof of stay for a total of two months such as issued ID, traveled abroad, visa from your country of destination.
For proxies, only the children’s legal/natural/biological/adoptive parents are the only ones who are allowed to be their representatives. Others must present the following documents:
- Medical report/certificate (Except 60 years old and above)
- Authorization letter from the emigrant
- Proxy’s original and valid identification card with photo.
Attending the PDOS
If you applied under a recruitment agency, they will schedule you for your Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). However, if you are a direct hire you will do the scheduling on your own. For household service workers or domestic workers, their recruitment agency will handle the registration.
If you intend to attend the seminar face to face, then just proceed to OWWA office in Pasay City on your chosen appointment. However, if you want to attend online, you have to make sure you have a ZOOM app (You can download it via Play Store).
Once you are in the seminar, take down all the important information and make sure you understand the speaker. After finishing it, you can now receive your certificate.
PDOS Benefits
The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) addresses all the concerns of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). It gives information on how to adjust to a new environment, lessens the culture shock, prepares them for what can and will happen once they are in another country, and gives them information on who to call in case of an emergency.
Video: PDOS Registration Procedure
Watch this infomercial by the Commission on Filipino Overseas to learn more about the PDOS Registration:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the PDOS Registration Fee?
The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is only Php400 per person.
Do I have to pay the PDOS Registration Fee if I’m applying as a domestic helper?
No. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Registration Fee will be handled by the recruitment agency.
Where can I pay the PDOS Registration Fee?
You can pay thru GCASH or Bayad Center. For GCASH, you can just click “Gcash” as a mode of payment on the website. For Bayad Centers, use your 10-digit reference number to pay. It has 72 hours of validity.
How many hours does the seminar last?
It takes approximately six hours to cover all seven modules.
Can I be exempted from attending the PDOS?
No. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a mandatory seminar for all emigrants. Only minors under 12 years old and adults ages 60 years old and above are exempted.
Do I need to attend the PDOS even if I’m holding a tourist or a student visa?
Yes. All Filipinos who wanted to settle abroad whether permanent or temporary needs to attend the mandatory seminar.
Do I need to present my PDOS certificate even if I’m not a first-timer?
No. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Certificate is only for first-Timers.
Where can I attend the PDOS?
For those who want to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), it is available via OWWA website. For those who prefer to have a face-to-face seminar, they can go to OWWA office in Pasay City, Manila.
Summary
The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) wanted to make sure that all Filipinos leaving the country are well-prepared and well-informed about their host country. This is why they created the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). This seminar will give them guidance on what to expect and to understand the situation.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a very much-needed seminar, especially for first-timers to give awareness of the danger of living in another country and to those who know nothing about the life of an OFW.