All About the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)

Are you an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is about to start living and working abroad? Or perhaps you’re an emigrant who will soon be joining your family in another country? Either way, one of the things that you will have to do is attend a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).

The PDOS is mandatory for all OFWs and emigrants who are moving abroad. Facilitated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), this seminar talks about employment contracts, workers’ rights, airport procedures, and travel regulations, along with basic information about the country of destination.

Topics Covered by PDOS

The PDOS covers subjects relevant to the country of destination and the OFW’s specific field of work. It usually takes about six (6) hours to complete, with resource speakers discussing several topics, including:

• Workers’ rights and obligations;
• Employment contracts and country’s labor laws;
• Travel regulations, airport and immigration procedures;
• How to avoid illegal recruitment scams and trafficking;
• Country-specific information (e.g. weather, local laws, culture and norms, religious practices, dress code, business etiquette, social etiquette);
• Financial literacy, how to save and manage money;
• Healthcare, health insurance, and occupational safety;
• What to do in case of emergencies;
• Government programs and services for OFWs; and
• Tips for living abroad and dealing with homesickness.

Eligibility

A person needs to attend a PDOS if he/she is:

• A first-time OFW about to live and work abroad;
• An experienced OFW who is moving to another country, and is required to attend a PDOS covering the new destination.

Aside from OFWs, emigrants, or those who are moving abroad to live with their families, may also be required to attend the PDOS. In these cases, the seminar is usually conducted by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and not by OWWA.

Requirements

The specific requirements for attending the PDOS may vary, depending on the applicant’s type of work, and the country of destination. That being said, the checklist of requirements usually includes the following documents:

• Original and Photocopy of Passport and Working Visa;
• Endorsement Letter (care of the recruitment agency); and
• Employment Contract verified by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in the country of destination.

Procedure

For OFWs, as soon as they have received a job offer, the recruitment agency usually facilitates the schedule for them to attend a PDOS. Prospective OFWs need to fill out a PDOS application form and prepare the supporting documents. Once their application has been approved and processed, they will receive an invitation regarding their PDOS schedule.

Meanwhile, the CFO facilitates the scheduling of PDOS for emigrants, or those who are going abroad to live with their families. In this case, it is a family-sponsored move, and seminars may be held in person or online.

For more information about the PDOS, prospective OFWs are invited to visit the OWWA official website; on the other hand, emigrants are urged to visit the CFO official website.

Notably, OFWs should also learn more about the OWWA e-Card, a smart card that’s designed for OFWs and their families. Check out this link for more details about it.