Highlights
- Filipino expats in the UAE gain access to the Philippine government’s new mobile app for the OFW Pass, replacing the printed OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate).
- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) activates the app shortly after its official launch, with the UAE among the ten pilot test countries.
- Other pilot test regions include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
- The OFW Pass can be obtained through the DMW Mobile app using residents’ cards (Emirates ID), providing a digital alternative to the traditional OEC.
- The new smart pass is given free of charge and eliminates the need for booking appointments and visiting onsite centers, simplifying the process for Filipino expats.
- The OFW Pass serves as a hassle-free way for expats to fly back to the UAE after a trip home.
- Further guidelines on using the DMW Mobile App to obtain the OFW Pass are expected to be released.
- The move represents a significant step towards embracing digital solutions for expat workers and making travel documentation more convenient for those working abroad.
Starting today, Filipino expats in the UAE have a reason to rejoice as they gain access to the Philippine government’s new mobile app for the OFW Pass. This digital pass is set to replace the traditional printed Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) wasted no time after its official launch on Friday and has begun activating the new app, making it available to users in the UAE. However, it’s important to note that the app’s roll-out is currently limited to a pilot testing phase and is not yet accessible to all Filipino expats worldwide.
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The UAE is one of the ten selected countries and territories participating in the pilot test of the OFW Pass. The list includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
Filipinos in the UAE can now obtain their OFW Pass through the DMW Mobile app using their residence cards, also known as Emirates ID, as reported by local media.
The OFW Pass, provided free of charge, is a digital alternative to the traditional OEC, which expats typically need to present when returning to the UAE after a trip home. This innovative pass streamlines the process significantly compared to the conventional method of booking appointments, visiting onsite centers, and paying a Php100 fee.
With the DMW Mobile App, obtaining the OFW Pass is as easy as a few taps on a mobile device, providing a hassle-free experience for Filipino expats. More guidelines on how to use the app to acquire the OFW Pass are expected to be released soon.
This progressive move by the Philippine government and the DMW represents a significant step towards embracing digital solutions for expat workers, making the journey smoother and more convenient for those working abroad in the UAE and other pilot test regions.
As the pilot test progresses, more details and updates will be shared, and soon the entire Filipino expat community may benefit from the convenience of the OFW Pass app. Stay tuned for further developments as this new era in travel documentation unfolds.
