OFWs need not to pay travel tax, POEA fees

In a newly approved memorandum circular, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are returning abroad have been exempted from paying fees such as the travel tax, the securing of overseas employment certificate, and paying the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) processing fee.

File photo from Philstar

This is a government effort to streamline the processing of the OFWs’ documents before they go or go back to their employers abroad.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured the Filipino household service workers (HSWs) and other OFWs that they will have better protection because the International Labor Organization has adopted a guideline (Fair Recruitment Principles and Operational Guidelines) last week.


The Balik Manggagawa (BM) or returning workers’ group has been asking the government to improve the processing of their documents or exit clearance as they are require to secure it before their departure.

According to POEA, workers who will still have the same employers can register online in order to update their personal and employment data. This would then be forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration.

POEA also said that BM members need to present valid work visa or employment contract so they can be exempted from the terminal fee and travel tax. ASCS

Source: Philstar

Love this article? Sharing is caring!