Category Archives: Work Abroad Tips

Applying for an OWWA Membership

Posted on April 4, 2011 by admin in Work Abroad Tips

OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) is an agency of DOLE (Department Of Labor and Employment).

It’s main function is to protect the welfare and well-being of OFWs and their dependents.

Though you maybe an OFW, it will not automatically make you a member of OWWA.

How to become an OWWA Member

OWWA requires a fee of $25.

You become a member in two ways

1. By enrolling upon processing of contract at the POEA

2. Or by registering at field offices overseas

When you apply at OWWA be sure to bring your contract and a photocopy, your work permit, and passport.

Membership Benefits

Being a member of OWWA, you will be entitled to Life and Health insurance benefits.

The benefits provided by the agency has recently been expanded to include education and skills training. OWWA now provides scholarships to qualified OFW dependents.

How to Have a Fruitful OFW Career

Posted on January 28, 2011 by admin in Misc, Uncategorized, Work Abroad Tips

Work Abroad

Being an OFW is hard. You are working in a foreign land away from your family. But sometimes this is the best option you have because there is no good enough opportunities at home.

Unfortunately, not every OFW will stay family well after they retire. Some go home empty handed after working many years abroad.

What could have gone wrong?

I found two articles that could help us avoid this problem. If you are a Filipino who have just started working abroad or you are currently employed abroad, I recommend that you read them. They offer good suggestions:

How to Succeed as an OFW 9 Tips and Guides to Succeed as Overseas Filipino Worker

Some of the things you will learn in these two articles is the importance of saving, on educating your relatives to spend your remittance wisely, and that you should look to invest first rather than spending immediately for luxuries.

About the H-2B Visa

Posted on September 17, 2010 by admin in Work Abroad Tips

On a previous post we briefly mention about the need to have an H-2B Visa if you are going to take a Job in Guam.

Actually, H-2B is just one of the many Visa that is required if you are going to work in the United States. Out of the many types of Visa, two are the most popular.

1. H-1B Visa. This is the primary visa or permit for foreigners who are going to work in the United States. If you are in IT, Finance, Accounting, Banking, Marketing, Advertising, PR, Sales, Recruiting, Engineering (all types), Teaching, HealthCare/Medical, Legal, Lawyers, Networking, Telecoms, Business, Management and Hospitality or practically any professional skills you are going to need this Visa. The duration of the Visa is up to 6 years. Plus you are allowed to bring your family. But they cannot work unless they acquire their own visa.

2. H-2B Visa is for very short term work and usually for seasonal industries. Examples are: Hospitality workers, Hotels / Motels, Chefs, Resorts and Theme Parks, Ticket Sales, Cruise ships, Construction workers, Maintenance, Janitorial, Ski Resorts, Landscaping, Golf Courses, Water parks, Security, Ride Operators, Restaurants and bars, Warehouse, Retail Stores. The duration of this visa is only up to 1 year but it can be extended to 3 years.

For further details regarding the different US Visa and the application requirements you can refer to http://www.h1base.com/

How to Beat Homesickness

Posted on August 25, 2010 by admin in Misc, Work Abroad Tips

ofw homesick I once asked a friend if he ever cry when he is homesick. He has been working abroad ever since we graduated from college.

He said that during the first few years he not only cried – he wailed. He cried out really loud.

Homesickness is every OFW’s enemy.

So how can you beat homesickness?

My suggestion would be to stay in touch with your love ones. If possible keep in contact with them everyday.

This is easier these days thanks to the Internet. It is best if you can talk to them via video conference. If not a audio conference or chat will be just as good.

If you are able to talk to them most of the week it would feel like you never went away at all. It would like they are just in another room.

And then when you are at work, keep yourself busy with work. Keep yourself occupied so that the feeling would go away. Homesickness strikes you the strongest when you are idle.

But I think the most effective way is, when you are missing home, remind yourself your purpose why you had to work abroad in the first place. It’s for your family, for your love ones.

That is what I do whenever I am away.

ePassport Documentary Requirements

Posted on July 26, 2010 by admin in Misc, Work Abroad Tips

Philippine ePassport The first step you need to do to get your ePassport is to Setup an Appointment with the DFA.

After you are given an appointment date there are documents that you will need to bring.

New Application

1. NSO Issued Birth Certificate 2. Original Valid ID (Senior Citizen’s ID, Voter’s ID, SSS ID, GSIS, BIR, Driver’s License, School ID) 3. Marriage Certificate 4. Other Supporting Documents (NBI Clearance, Marriage Contract, Land Title, etc.)

Passport Renewal 1. Old Passport 2. NSO Birth Certificate 3. Valid ID 4. Other Supporting Documents

Loss Passport 1. Same Requirement with New Passport Application 2. Notarized Affidavit of Loss 3. Police Report if passport is still valid You will be required to pay 200 pesos for Replacement Fee if the passport is still valid.

For a more exhaustive explanation please refer to the DFA website.

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