Overseas Filipino Voter Registration for 2028 Philippine Elections

DUBAI: Filipinos living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates can register as overseas voters for the May 8, 2028 Philippine national elections.

Overseas voter registration services in the UAE opened on December 3, 2025 and will continue until September 30, 2027, according to announcements concerning the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

If you are not yet registered, here is the step-by-step procedure.

Step 1: Check If You Are Eligible

You may apply if you are a Filipino citizen who will be at least 18 years old on May 8, 2028 and will be overseas during the election period.

This includes:

• Land-based OFWs
• Seafarers
• Filipino immigrants
• Dual citizens
• Other qualified Filipino citizens living abroad

Step 2: Download and Fill Out the OVF-1 Form

The official form for the 2028 elections is the OVF-1 (Revised 2025).

COMELEC released an updated fillable OVF-1 PDF specifically for the 2028 National and Local Elections.

Download the official fillable OVF-1 form

Online option: Use COMELEC iRehistro

You can also prepare the form online using COMELEC’s iRehistro for Overseas Voters.

Open COMELEC iRehistro

Enter your personal information, overseas address, contact details and Philippine voter information.

Important: Filling out iRehistro does NOT complete a first-time overseas voter registration. You still need to appear personally for processing and biometrics.

Step 3: Prepare Your Requirements

Bring your completed OVF-1 together with your identification documents.

For most applicants, the main requirement is a valid Philippine passport.

Additional documents may apply:

• Seafarers: Seafarer’s Record Book or equivalent document
• Dual citizens: original or certified true copy of the Order of Approval of Filipino Citizenship or Identification Certificate

UAE registration announcements listed these documents among the requirements for overseas voters.

Step 4: Go Personally to the Philippine Consulate in Dubai

Filipinos based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates may process their overseas voter registration through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

The Consulate is located at:

851 Beirut Street
Al Qusais 3
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

New applicants should personally appear because voter registration includes identity verification and biometrics.

Philippine Consulate General in Dubai official website

Step 5: Have Your Biometrics Captured

At the registration site, the Overseas Voting team will process your application.

This may include capturing or updating your:

• Photograph
• Fingerprints
• Signature

Step 6: Keep Your Acknowledgment Receipt

After your application is processed, keep the acknowledgment receipt provided with your registration.

Registration applications are still subject to approval or disapproval by the Resident Election Registration Board or RERB.

Step 7: Check Your Registration Status Later

Once your application has been approved, check future COMELEC or Philippine Consulate announcements concerning the list of registered overseas voters.

Note: The Consulate and COMELEC normally release voter lists and RERB notices as election preparations continue.

Important 2028 Election Dates for Filipinos in Dubai

For Filipinos in the UAE, these are the dates to remember:

UAE Overseas Voter Registration:
December 3, 2025 to September 30, 2027 (ongoing)

COMELEC continuing overseas registration period:
December 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027 (ongoing)

Expected Overseas Voting Period:
April 9 to May 8, 2028

Philippine Election Day:
May 8, 2028

Latest UAE Update

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi announced ahead of the opening that Filipinos in the UAE could register through either the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, depending on their location.