The OWWA Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a mandatory seminar for all Filipinos who are going to work abroad. The seminar provides important information and advice on how to prepare for a successful overseas deployment. Topics covered include immigration and labor laws, packing and shipping your belongings, cultural adjustment, and financial planning.
The CFO PDOS is offered at the OWWA headquarters in Pasay City. It is also available online via the OWWA website. All OWWA members are required to attend the CFO PDOS as it includes Filipino workers for foreign employers, employees of foreign companies in the Philippines, and OFWs returning to the Philippines after years abroad.
Contents
Overview
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been provided with a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) by the Philippines since 1993. This is part of the Pre-Departure Education Programs which provide relevant and tailored information to help them cope with their new work environment and the culture of their destination country.
The PDOS is a one-day session that must be attended. Workers, especially those who are leaving the Philippines for the first time to work overseas, are greatly benefited by PDOS. This includes a set of seven courses that are intended to provide a thorough guide for potential overseas Filipino workers who are about to start working.
What is PDOS?
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a mandatory program for domestic workers before they are allowed to leave the Philippines for work overseas.
There are many seminars accessible for different domestic job destinations because the training is tailored to a certain location or country. People who have previously worked in the destination countries are in charge of these programs. In a single day, the curriculum takes 6 hours to finish.
Modules under PDOS
The following topics are covered in the program:
1. Migration realities
This module will assist you in learning about travel documents, airport processes and rules, luggage allowances, and items that are restricted or prohibited.
2. Destination country profile
You’ll learn about the policies of your employer’s religion, as well as cultural perspectives.
3. Employment contract
As an OFW, you’ll learn about your rights and obligations.
4. Health and safety
You will learn about health and safety information to ensure your physical well-being and overall well-being while working and living in your new country.
5. Financial literacy
This module will cover basic financial literacy to assist you in managing your finances overseas to ensure your future, such as basic financial planning and joint planning, as well as sending remittances. This program will also cover the importance of credit history and credit rating in other countries.
6. Available government programs and services for OFWs
You will learn about in-country and international government services.
7. Travel procedures and tips
You’ll learn about important protocols, rules, and travel information to remember.
What are PDOS Benefits?
The Filipinos who attend PDOS will be prepared for the challenges of international migration, such as cultural and language changes, and will be able to address their concerns and provide information about permanent residence abroad.
What are PDOS Requirements?
- Original passport (must be valid about six months before the date of travel)
- Original visa (attached to the passport)
- One valid government-issued ID with photograph such as:
- 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 (NSO Authenticated)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- National Statistics Office (NSO) / Birth Certificate
- 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
- Country specific documents such as:
- A printed copy of Visa Grant Notification Letter for Australia-bound emigrants
- Attendance in the PDOS, guidance counseling, or peer counseling session
- Employment contract (for immigrant workers)
- Certificate of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrant
- Certificate of Permanent Residency (COPR) for Canada-bound emigrant (must not be torn or signed before departure)
- Duly completed registration form
- Immigrant Data Summary for USA-bound emigrant (must not be detached from visa packet) except for K visa holder
- Letter of Approval for Work to Residence Visa for New Zealand-bound emigrants
- Nulla Osta for Italy-bound emigrants
- Payment of P400.00 registration fee
Note: The CFO sticker will be placed on your Philippine passport if you have completed the PDOS or Peer Counselling Program. Before authorizing you to leave the airport, officials from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) will inspect the CFO sticker.
How to apply for PDOS Seminar?
1. Go to https://cfo.gov.ph/ then click the PDOS.
Note that the Commission’s cut-off period for emigrants’ online registration is only available during these hours (Monday – Thursday from [07:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.]).
2. Answer the following questions:
- What is the relationship of the registrant to the petitioner?
- What is your Country of Destination?
- What is your visa hype/category classification?
3. Provide your valid e-mail address then click to submit.
4. You will receive an email from CFO Manila. Click on “Confirm E-mail” link to continue.
5. You will be asked to provide personal information:
- Last Name
- First Name
- Middle Name
- Suffix
- Birthdate
- Sex
- Civil Status
6. Continue after you’ve completed all of your personal information. You will be directed to the PDOS schedule, which will display country-specific PDOS schedule information such as country, day, and hour, as well as the number of available slots.
If no slots are available, the dates on the calendar will be indicated in blue. Select a different day with slots available.
Then click “Proceed to Registration” after selecting a session time.
Important Reminders
Here are some important reminders for those who wish to register for the PDOS program:
- If you’re registering an individual or doing everything for the first time, go to “Individual / First-Time Registration” and click “Register.”
- If you’re registering for a family or two or more people, go to “Family Registration” and select “Register Family Member.”
- Click “View Registration Form On-Line and Print New Barcoded Confirmation Form” if you have a “New Barcoded Confirmation Form.”
- Note that an 8-digit reference number is necessary for Family Registration and those scheduling their PDOS.
Video: CFO Guide about PDOS Registration
To help you in applying for PDOS, you can watch the Commission on Filipinos Overseas YouTube video titled PDOS Registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can check out the following questions and answers about the PDOS registration and process:
1. How much does PDOS registration fee cost?
The registration fee for the PDOS is Php 400.00. Counter 7 is where you can pay your registration fee and get your official receipt.
2. How many hours does PDOS program last?
The program will be completed in six hours and will cover seven topics.
3. Is it required to register at PDOS?
Yes, registration at PDOS is required. One of the requirements for leaving the nation is a PDOS.
4. What is the OWWA Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)?
The OWWA Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a mandatory seminar for all Filipinos who are going to work abroad. The seminar provides important information and advice on how to prepare for a successful overseas deployment. Topics covered include immigration and labor laws, packing and shipping your belongings, cultural adjustment, and financial planning.
5. When is the CFO PDOS offered?
The CFO PDOS is offered every Friday at the OWWA headquarters in Pasay City. It is also available online via the OWWA website.
6 Who must attend the CFO PDOS?
All OWWA members are required to attend the CFO PDOS. This includes Filipino workers for foreign employers, employees of foreign companies in the Philippines, and OFWs returning to the Philippines after years abroad.
Summary
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) conducts a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are about to be deployed. The seminar aims to ensure that OFWs are aware of their rights and responsibilities, as well as the various processes and procedures they will encounter while working abroad.
It is good for OFWs to make sure to attend this seminar so that they can be properly prepared for their deployment. It is held in many locations around the Philippines, so interested workers can attend it close to where they live.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is a mandatory program for domestic workers before they are allowed to leave the Philippines for work overseas. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides relevant and tailored information to help them cope with their new work environment and the culture of their destination country. PDOS is a one-day session that must be attended.
The PDOS is one of the most important and advantageous requirements for leaving the country. You will be able to learn how other countries operate and how to get along with them.