Whether you’re renewing a job contract, getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), or renewing your Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership, there’s a necessary step that you must take: having your employment contract verified.
For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, job contract verification is done by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), the overseas operating arm of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Generally, there are four ways to avail of contract verification, depending on your time and preference.
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Guide to Individual Contract Verification in Dubai
Before discussing the different ways to avail of contract verification, let us review the documentary requirements first.
Requirements for Individual Contract Verification
Below are the requirements for contract verification, based on the MWO Dubai website. The list varies slightly for domestic workers, skilled/company-sponsored workers, and sea-based workers.
Skilled or Company-Sponsored Workers
- Valid employment contract corresponding to the worker’s visa/Emirates ID with minimum basic wage of AED 1,500 per month (2 copies);
- Valid passport of the worker (2 copies); and
- Valid visa/Emirates ID of the workers issued in Dubai/Northern Emirates (2 copies).
Domestic Workers
- UAE Domestic Labor Contract/POEA Standard Employment Contract (whichever is applicable), with minimum basic wage of AED 1,500 per month, duly signed by the employer and the worker (2 copies);
- Addendum to the employment contract (2 copies), click here to download addendum;
- Valid passport of the workers (2 copies); and
- Valid visa/Emirates ID of the worker issued in Dubai/Northern Emirates (2 copies).
Sea-based Workers
- Valid employment contract corresponding to the worker’s visa/Emirates ID with minimum basic wage of AED 1,500 per month (2 copies);
- Accomplished one-page contract for seafarers, duly stamped and signed by the employer and the worker (2 copies);
- Valid passport of the worker (2 copies); and
- Valid visa/Emirates ID of the workers issued in Dubai/Northern Emirates (2 copies).
NOTES: For workers without previous overseas employment record and/or those with changes in their line of work and/or those employed in companies with MOHRE violations, additional documents may be required. Likewise, for those who are submitting documents through a representative, an authorization letter and copy of the Emirates ID (of the representative) will be required.
Ways to Avail of Contract Verification
As mentioned earlier, there are four ways to avail of contract verification for OFWs in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. These methods include: appointment, online verification, walk-in, and authorized representative.
Method 1: Appointment
Before going to MWO Dubai for in-person onsite verification, OFWs need to set an appointment through this link. On the day of the appointment, be sure to bring the complete set of requirements along with a copy of your confirmed appointment. Please note that setting an appointment is free; beware of fake/unauthorized appointments. Through this method, your contract verification will be processed on the same day as your confirmed appointment.
Method 2: Online Verification
Online contract verification is available for all OFWs, with or without flies, provided that they have a valid employment visa issued in Dubai/Northern Emirates. All they have to do is visit this link to apply for verification through the online submission system.
Every Monday, MWO Dubai publishes a link to a new form, which has a capacity of 500 applications for each form. This link will close automatically once the limit has been reached, or at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, whichever comes first.
As a reminder, please submit one application per person only. Do not submit multiple applications, as this could result in the disapproval of your application. Moreover, keep in mind that submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Your application will still be reviewed and evaluated by MWO Dubai.
Within 10 days of submitting an application online, you will receive an email regarding the result of your application. Once your application has been approved, you just need to collect and pay for your verified contact at the date and time stated in the email.
Be sure to collect your contract on the date and time mentioned in the email. MWO Dubai will discard all unclaimed contracts one month after the email notification is sent.
Method 3: Walk-In
If you have a confirmed flight booking, you can go to the MWO to get your contract verified one day before your flight to the Philippines. Walk-ins are accepted; appointment is not needed. Just be sure to bring your flight ticket along with your documents. For this method, your application will be processed on the same day.
If your flight falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, you can “walk-in” at the MWO on Thursday.
Method 4: Authorized Representative
If you have already arrived in the Philippines, but you were not able to avail of contract verification in Dubai, you can ask a representative to process your contract verification on your behalf.
Your authorized representative can “walk-in” at MWO Dubai five days before your flight back to the UAE, or three days before your OEC appointment at the DMW. Make sure that your representative brings an authorization letter, a copy of his/her ID, a copy of your flight ticket, and other requirements for verification.
Important Reminders
Regardless of the method of contract verification you take, don’t forget that there is a processing fee of AED 40 for each contract. Please note that the MWO accepts cash payment only.
In addition, here are some more important reminders:
- There’s no need to queue at night or early in the morning. You can go to the MWO during office hours: Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm, Fridays from 7:30 am to 11:00 am.
- Bring the complete set of requirements.
- Do not submit fake or tampered documents. Cases of fake/tampered documents will be reported to the authorities.
- Fixers are strictly prohibited. Only the official Cashier of the MWO is authorized to collect payment. Do not transact with fixers regarding your appointment and application. Such actions are illegal and will be reported to the UAE and Philippine authorities.
- Taking pictures and videos of transactions at the MWO is not allowed. Those who are caught posting pictures, videos, or recordings will be reported to UAE and Philippine authorities.
- Always be respectful of the staff and other clients at the MWO.
Contact Information: MWO Dubai
For more information contract verification, you can get in touch with MWO through the following contact details:
Address: Street #2C, Beirut St., Near Al Qusais Police Station, Al Qusais 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 50 652 6626
Email: mwo_dubai@dmw.gov.ph
Website: http://www.mwodubai.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWODubaiAndNorthernEmirates/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
Employment contract verification is a necessary part of working abroad. Depending on their situations and preferences, OFWs in Dubai and the Northern Emirates can avail of contract verification through different ways, including online and walk-in applications.
Another important part of being an OFW is membership with the Pag-IBIG Fund. Read this article for more information about Pag-IBIG and how to pay Pag-IBIG contributions for OFWs in Dubai.