WITH the digital OFW Pass now being pilot tested in 10 countries, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of the various identifications they may use as “visa requirement” when applying for it.
In an advisory, the DMW said there are different identifications accepted as “visa requirement” depending on the location where the OFW Pass will be processed.
The DMW said visas and ID cards will be accepted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while residence cards are accepted in the United Arab Emirates.
In Singapore, OFWs can use their employment cards and ID cards, while the ID card and Permanent ID card will be allowed in Hong Kong.
For those in Qatar, migrant workers can submit copies of their residence permits and visa, and for those in Malaysia, their ID card and Permanent Residence card will suffice.
In Oman, DMW will accept ID cards and residence cards, while the ID card, Mu Number card, residence card and visa are accepted in Japan.
For OFWs in Taiwan, they may submit their Alien Resident cards and residence cards, while the Application Registration Card and Residence Permit visa are accepted in the United Kingdom.
The DMW last Friday held the ceremonial launch of the OFW Pass with 10 pilot testing sites identified.
These are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, Taiwan, and United Kingdom (UK).
DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are expecting glitches to be reported in the coming days and weeks since the system is still being pilot tested.
“In any online system, whether a public or private online system, there will be birth pains, there will surely be glitches,” said Cacdac in a media forum on Saturday.
He said the DMW has also established a technical support team that will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address issues that may arise.
“We have a 24/7 technical support. In the (DMW) app, there is a tech support ready to assist our OFWs in need of help,” he said.
The OFW Pass is set to fully replace the traditional Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) after the transition period.
