How to Verify Employment Contract in Washington DC, USA

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Prior to granting an OEC to an OFW, the POEA requires that the employment contract be verified. Contract verification is the process used by the Labor Attaché to make sure that the employment rights, benefits, and welfare of Filipino migrant workers are properly protected and respected at the worksite/place of employment.

The Labor Attaché will make sure that the OFWs’ work contracts adhere to the current employment laws, regulations, and practices in both the Philippines and the host nation. They will also make sure that the POEA-mandated documentation requirements for overseas employment are met.

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Employment contract verification in the United States is handled by POLO Washington, USA. Upon visiting the POLO Washington, USA it is important to wear a facemask and keep social distance.

In this article, you’ll learn about the procedures, requirements, and guidelines for acquiring an Employment Contract Verification in Washington, USA.

individual contract verification process in washington dc usa

Qualifications

  • Filipino workers that have changed jobs onsite and are registered with POEA.
  • Filipinos working in USA without a POEA record.
  • Filipino nationals who have been authorized for an employment visa by the Immigration Department.
  • Change of employer and/or name of employer for the first time in USA (for example, from a tourist or from another nation).
  • Others on a fixed-term contract (this needs contract verified every renewal).

Note: OFWs who have already had their contracts verified with their present employer do not need to have their renewal contracts verified again. They can just show their old verified contract and their renewed contract when applying for BM, as long as the Employer remains the same.

Requirements

The qualified Filipinos’ employers will process the verification of their employment contracts.

Agency Hire – Individual Employment Contract Verification for Professional and Skilled Workers

Agency Hire – Individual Employment Contract Verification for Land-Based Domestic Workers

Note: Please attach a copy of the POLO verified Job Order if the Individual Employment Contract verification will take place after the accreditation process with the POEA.

Direct Hire – Individual Employment Contract Verification for Professional and Skilled Workers

Note: If the Employer just has an Offer Letter (US) or its own Employment Contract. Please submit an ADDENDUM that is verbatim from Sections 8, 12, 14, and 15 of the Individual Employment Contract for Various Skills and have it notarized. Link: https://polowashingtondc.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1-ADDENDUM-COMPLIANCE-general.docx

Direct Hire – Individual Employment Contract Verification for Land-Based Domestic Workers

Note: Employers from California, Guam, Hawaii, and other US states can send their workers employment contracts for verification to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Embassy of the Philippines, 1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC, USA 20036. The employer or its representative must call POLO Washington at 1-202-467-9425 or email wdcpolousa@gmail.com before mailing any documents.

How to Process Contract Verification in Washington DC, USA

Check out the procedure below on how to process employment contract verification in Washington, USA.

Step 1: Gather all the requirements.

Step 2: Send the original and one (1) photocopy of all required documents for employment contract verification and Money Order through mail/courier to:

Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Embassy of the Philippines, 1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC, USA 20036

Note:

  • Washington (WA) is NOT the state of the Philippine Embassy; rather, it is the District of Columbia (DC).
  • POLO Washington, USA is currently using the services of FedEx. Prepare an electronic FedEx shipping form if the employer has a FedEx account. An example is:
  • Sender: Name of the FedEx account holder (Do not put POLO-WDC as the sender)
  • Address: Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Embassy of the Philippines, 1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC, USA 20036
  • Please visit the FedEx website, enter the POLO address as the shipping address, the employee’s address or the PRA address as the recipient, and then calculate the cost IF the company does not have a FedEx account. Then send a check made payable to “FedEx” using:

US Postal Money Order (For workers in US)

US Bank Draft for island banks with a US Bank Counterpart (For workers in Islands)

Step 3: The POLO-WDC will examine the documents’ completeness after receiving them.

Step 4: Incomplete documents will be returned, along with the fees, in the return envelope provided. POLO staff will call or email you for more information.

Step 5: You will receive an e-mail notification once your documents have been verified by POLO and are ready for return.

Procedural Guidance

Here are some helpful tips and reminders to keep in mind during the contract verification process:

  • Make sure that the employment contract is dated and signed on all pages by both the employee and the employer.
  • All documentation should be submitted in two (2) sets or copies.
  • Incomplete document submissions, payments, or other deficiencies, such as missing signatures, will not be accepted.
  • The old FedEx hand-written form used for shipping labels purchased/paid for directly from FedEx outlets will not be accepted by POLO Washington.
  • If the employer completed the employment contract verification, the employer must give the original processed document to the employed worker or to the Philippine Recruitment Agency, which will then present it to POEA as part of the procedures for the issue of exit clearance.
  • OFW’s California, Guam, Hawaii, and other US states who are visiting the Philippines and returning to work after can process their employment contract verification to POLO Washington through mail.
  • All applicants are encouraged to arrive at the Embassy and POLO office well-dressed. Shorts, transparent clothing, or slippers are not permitted.
  • To avoid delays, employers should closely comply with all requirements.
  • Feel free to call +1 (202)-467-9426 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm (Closed on USA and Philippines public holidays).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding “How to Verify Employment Contract in United States of America”, see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.

1. What is Employment Contract Verification?

Employment Contract Verification verifies that the OFW has a job and an employer, and that the contract conditions match the POEA and host government’s minimum requirements.

2. Is it possible to get OEC without a verified contract?

A verified employment contract is the most important requirement for the issue of an OEC. Only the POLO or the POEA can provide verification services.

3. Can I skip getting employment contract verification?

No, you can’t skip getting your employment contract verification because it’s one of the first steps in getting your OEC.

4. How long does contract verification take?

After the POLO receives your documents, you can have your contract verification within three (3) to five (5) working days.

5. Can I go to the POLO Washington, USA office directly to verify my employment contract?

Yes, you cannot go directly to the POLO Washington, USA office. Prior to visiting, the POLO Washington, USA office requires an appointment. It is recommended that you process your employment contract verification via MAIL.

6. What is the POLO Washington, USA’s office hour?

The POLO Washington, USA is open from Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm (Closed on USA and Philippines public holidays).

7. What is the POLO Washington, USA’s address?

The POLO Washington, USA’s address is Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Embassy of the Philippines, 1617 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington DC, USA 20036.

8. What is the POLO Washington, USA’s hotline number?

You can reach the POLO Washington, USA office at +1 (202)-467-9426. You can also send a message to Polo Wdc and POLO Washington, D.C. via messenger.

9. What is the email address of POLO Washington, USA?

The email addresses of POLO Washington, USA are laborofficewdc@gmail.com, wdcpolousa@gmail.com, and washington@owwa.gov.ph.

10. Can I verify my employment contract instead of my employer?

Yes, as long as you have all of the requirements, you can process your employment contract verification, although it is preferred that the employer perform it. Because foreign employers that hire Filipinos must work through a legally licensed Philippine recruitment agency and sign a recruiting agreement with them.

11. How much does it cost to process employment contract verification?

The processing fee for employment contract verification is US$10.00 (per document).

Summary

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) requires POLO contract verification in order to register a recruited or employed Filipino worker and process the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

Authorities in United States of America (USA) are on high alert for illegal immigrants, so make sure your contract is verified. You’ll have access to all of POLO’s benefits and services, as well as those given by POLO’s USA-based partners, once you’ve verified your contract.

POLO Washington, USA will only verify employment contracts of workers who have not previously been registered with the Administration. The POLO Washington, USA office will process employment contract verification from other US states through mail.

Contact Information

POLO-OWWA Washington DC, USA
Address: 1600 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone Number:  +1 (202)-467-9426
Email: laborofficewdc@gmail.com, wdcpolousa@gmail.com, washington@owwa.gov.ph
Website: https://polowashingtondc.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/polo.wdc,
https://www.facebook.com/POLO-Washington-DC-1730811803835481/
PH Embassy in USA FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA/

Google Map Location

Below is the map guide location of the POLO-OWWA office in Washington DC, United States of America for your reference. This is also the location of the Embassy of the Philippines in the USA.

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