For many OFWs in the UAE, verifying our employment contract is one of those important routines we make sure to accomplish before heading home to the Philippines or applying for an OFW Pass/Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Fortunately, the Department of Migrant Workers announced that we can now do it online, no need to go to the MWO-Dubai office in Al Qusais in-person.
I went through this process recently, and while it seemed complicated at first, it turned out to be pretty simple once I knew what to do. A verified contract confirms that your employment is legitimate and that your job details match UAE government records.
NOTE: This procedure below is based on my experience in 2026. For questions/clarifications, best to contact MWO-Dubai.
Why Contract Verification Matters
If you’re heading back to the Philippines, a verified employment contract is a must before you leave. You’ll need it to process your OEC, and without it, returning to the UAE could be a problem.
Beyond that, verifying your contract also protects you from illegal recruitment, contract substitution, and employment disputes. It puts your salary, job title, and employment terms officially on record — giving you peace of mind while you’re away.
Requirements
- Original Labor Contract
- Emirates ID (EID)
- Residence Visa
- Copy of your Passport
Note: Your basic salary must be at least AED 1,500. If it is below AED 1,500, ask your employer for a Salary Certificate before verifying your contract.
Fees
- Processing Fee: AED21
- Verification Fee: AED40
Procedure
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you through it. Online verification is available for a faster, more convenient experience.
Step 1: Log In or Create an Account
Go to the DataFlowGroup website and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account yet, click Sign Up and complete the registration process before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Select Your Country of Employment
After logging in, select the country where you are currently working. Make sure to choose the correct country to ensure you receive the appropriate contract verification requirements and services.
Step 3: Select Where the Verification Report Is Needed
Choose the country where your verification report will be used or submitted. Make sure to select the correct destination country before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Select the Appropriate Migrant Workers Office (MWO)
Choose the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) based on where your UAE residence visa was issued:
- Abu Dhabi visa – Select Migrant Workers Office – Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, or Umm Al Quwain visa – Select Migrant Workers Office – Dubai.
Note: Make sure you select the correct MWO to avoid delays in processing your contract verification.
Step 5: Choose the Purpose and Verification Category
Select the purpose of your verification, then choose the category that matches your job:
- Skilled Worker – For professional or technical jobs such as engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants, office staff, technicians, electricians, company drivers, and hotel staff.
- Domestic Worker – For household jobs such as domestic helpers, nannies, caregivers, housekeepers, cooks, family drivers, and gardeners.
Note: Choose the category that matches the job title on your employment contract.
Step 6: Read the Eligibility Notice and Proceed
Carefully read the Online Employment Contract Verification System notice. It lists situations where online contract verification may not be available, such as:
- Domestic workers below 24 years old
- Seafarers or workers with seabased visa designations
- Workers involved in visa trading
- Domestic workers holding a company visa
- Workers not employed by their visa sponsor
- Invalid freelance visas or expired company licenses
If none of these apply to you, click “Okay, Proceed” to continue with your application.
Step 7: Upload the Required Documents
Upload clear copies of the following documents:
- Passport Copy
- Emirates ID (EID)
- Labor Contract
Important: Your basic salary should be at least AED 1,500. If your labor contract shows a basic salary below AED 1,500, you must upload a Salary Certificate issued by your employer. Otherwise, your contract may not be eligible for online verification.
Reminder When Uploading Documents
Before uploading your documents, make sure to:
- Upload clear and readable images or scanned copies. Do not upload blurry documents.
- Ensure all documents are valid and not expired.
- Upload both the front and back of documents when required (such as your Emirates ID).
Step 8: Pay the Processing Fee and Wait for the Result
After uploading all the required documents, review your application and proceed to payment. You will need to pay a processing fee of approximately AED 21 to submit your request.
Once your payment is successful, your application will be processed. The verification result is typically released within three (3) working days.
Note: Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications and document verification requirements.
Step 9: Wait for the Verification Result
After submitting your application and paying the initial processing fee, wait for approximately three (3) working days. You will receive an email informing you whether your employment contract has been successfully verified.
If your contract is approved, you will need to pay an additional verification fee of around AED 40 to complete the verification process.
Step 9: View Your Verified Contract
After your verification fee has been successfully processed, your verified employment contract will be available on the website.
The verified contract will look similar to the example below. You will notice a “VERIFIED” stamp at the lower-left corner of each document you submitted, confirming that your employment contract has been successfully verified.
Summary
So this is the process I did just recently this year. Before submitting your application, make sure all your documents are complete, valid, and clearly uploaded to help avoid delays or rejection.
Once your application has been submitted and the processing fee has been paid, simply wait for the verification result, which is typically released within three (3) working days.
For the latest requirements and announcements, always refer to the official Migrant Workers Office (MWO) or DataFlow website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will the onsite contract verification process be discontinued?
No, it will not. If you prefer to have your documents verified in person, MWO-Dubai will still offer onsite verification. You can complete this one working day before your flight, just as you always have. The new online verification is simply an added option to give you more flexibility and convenience.
2. How and where can I access the online verification system?
You can access the online verification system through this link: https://dmw.dataflowgroup.com
Just open the page on your device, and you can begin the process from wherever you are.
3. Who is disqualified from applying through the online contract verification system?
To help you avoid delays, please review the list below carefully. If any of the following applies to you, kindly do not apply online:
- You are not an employment visa holder (for example, investor, partner, husband/wife/dependent, student, or visit visa).
- Your basic salary is below AED 1,500.00.
- You are below 24 years old and working as a domestic worker.
- Your visa designation is categorized as sea-based work (for example, seaman, steward, deckhand, boat driver, boat captain, and the like).
- You engaged in visa trading (you or someone else bought the visa for you).
- You are a domestic worker but currently hold a company visa.
- You are not working in the company that sponsors your visa.
- You do not hold a legitimate freelance visa.
- Your company visa sponsor no longer exists (for example, it no longer has an office).
- You do not receive your salary through the Wages Protection System and/or directly to your bank account.
- Your company sponsor’s license has already expired.
4. What if I do not have the required documents?
The system will not let you move forward without uploading the mandatory documents, so please prepare these ahead of time. Optional documents, on the other hand, may be skipped if you do not have them. Having everything ready before you start will help make the process smoother for you.
