Sometime last year, the government released the iDOLE OFW card, which OFWs can use to avail of various government benefits. Unfortunately, there were tons of issues such as confusing guidelines and the photo of President Duterte in the card.
The government decided to change that and issue a new OFW card – the OFW e-Card.
What is the OFW e-Card?
The OFW e-Card is the new card issued to OFWs. It serves as a proof of membership to OWWA as well as an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for legitimate OFWs.
To avail of OWWA benefits, all you need to do is to present the card at OWWA Regional Welfare Office, POEA, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Embassy in your respective employment country among others.
Why should you get an OFW e-Card?
There are several benefits that come with it. This includes:
- Serves as a valid government issued ID
- Also serves as an OEC or exit clearance, thereby proving the legitimacy of your status as an Overseas Filipino Worker
- Makes OWWA programs and services easier to access for OFWs
- Entitles you to waived airport fees like terminal fees and travel tax
- Comes with security features like QR code and unique OFW membership number for proper verification. This also prevents data breach as well.
The best part is unlike the iDOLE OFW Card, the e-Card application is easy since physical documents are no longer required. There is also now an OWWA mobile app so you can easily keep track of your information.
How to Apply for OFW e-Card:
You need to meet the following requirements:
- Active OWWA membership of at least 90 days from the time of card application
- Passport with at least six months validity
- Valid OEC or exemption number
In other words, a Balik Manggagawa may apply for OFW e-Card. Per POEA, a Balik-Manggagawa is an OFW who has completed or is completing his or her employment contract and has an intention to return to the same employer, regardless of the job site.
If you meet the requirements above, here’s how you can get an OFW e-Card:
- Visit the OFW e-Card application form site from the OWWA website. You can also click this link to load the online application form.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Choose the OWWA Regional Office where you plan to pick up your card.
- Check the box that says “I accept the Data Privacy Policy.”
- Click Submit Application button.
- At this point, a Confirmation page will appear. Make sure you take a screenshot or list the tracking number. The tracking number will be used to check the status of the card. Don’t forget to input your email address or Facebook profile name for the status of your card.
- Use this link (Delivery Status page) to track the status of your card.
- Once the card is ready for pickup, claim your e-Card at the place you designated.
Take note that OFW e-Card is FREE of charge. You can also apply for one even while you’re abroad. Apparently, you can only claim this in the Philippines, which means you can get this while on vacation or assign someone to get it for you.
If you want someone to claim the card on your behalf, make sure your representative will submit original Authorization Letter with your signature and a photocopy of your passport.
For further concerns, you may contact OWWA through the following numbers:
- Landline: (02) 804-0639 / 833-0244 / 551-3647
- Globe: (0977) 396-2809 / (0977) 3962-819 / (0977) 396-2818 / (0977) 396-2804
- Smart: (0918) 605-3017 / (0918) 605-3026 / (0918) 605-3037 / (0918) 6053-046
There are also OWWA and POEA Assistance Desks in the airport to help you address e-Card issues.
What are you waiting for? Get your OFW e-Card ID now.
IT DOES NOT WORK. As you expect from a government website. When I click on the submit it always tell me to check my first, middle, last name and date birth. I’m sure I inputted those correctly as I have using them since birth.
Hello Alberth. How was you experience? Surely, the government will do something to perfect the system 🙂
Pwede rin po ba ito sa mga nag exit na?
Hi Leonardo. Please make sure that you have the three requirements to qualify for OFW e-Card:
1. Active OWWA membership of at least 90 days from the time of card application
2. Passport with at least six months validity
3. Valid OEC or exemption number
Hi po! Panu po kung nag change Employer and country pero naregister sa BM is previous employer ?
Hello Shiela. You may refer to this post for detailed info about your concern – https://www.balikbayad.ph/blog/returning-land-based-ofw-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ 🙂
Hi good morning itatanong ko lang po it takes how long bago makuha yong ofw e card kasi yong mga frend ko sabi nila 2 weeks lang apos na ung e card nla ready for collection na po but sa akin 15 days na since nag apply ako but for printing pa rin tanks!!!
Hi Fe. We’re not sure po as to how long. You could contact them po and inquire narin regarding the status of your ID. Hopefully, the agency will do something to speed up the process.
You can tract your OFW E-CARD here;
http://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/applicationform/tracker.php
Hi po, jask ko lang po sana kase last February pa po kami ng partner ko nag apply tapos monthly chinicheck ko kung ready for pick up na ba. ngayon lang po sya nag ready for pick na nakabalik na kami dito sa ibang bansa. is ok po ba na mother ko nalang ang mag pick up? ano po requirements?
Hi Mae. Please check – “If you want someone to claim the card on your behalf, make sure your representative will submit original Authorization Letter with your signature and a photocopy of your passport.”
Bakit po laging provide philippine number po dalawang number na try ko sa anak ko ata asawa ko pero ayaw parin po pumasko..tnx
Hello there. Did you follow the format po? It should be +63 9773962804 and the number must be active as well.
Kailan po makukuha.thAnk u
Hi Minerva. You can check with the OWWA Regional Offices or download the OWWA app to track the status of your OFW e-Card. Thanks!
Hello , I already registered online pero pag submit ko it will appear that put Philippine mobile no. at yon naman gnawa ko gnaya ko ang sample step nila pero d parin ma submit. Paano kaya to?
Hi Evelyn. You may call po the numbers displayed on this link – https://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/ – regarding your concern. Its possible po that they are having issues with their system. Thanks!
I try how many time it’s show pls check your family name surname bday….
Hi Evangeline. It’s possible po that there is a discrepancy on your entered information and OEC. You may contact po the numbers shown on this link – https://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/ – for further assistance. Thanks!
kababalik ko lang nagbakassyon galing pinas nakuha ko n ung ecard ko nung mag check in n ako hinanapan ako ng oec pinakita ko ung ecard ko d daw pwed un kailangan daw ung oec talga…
HI Karen. Did you get a BM Exemption Number po from the BM online website? Baka yun po ang hinahanap nila to ensure that you are a documented OFW.
Good day,
Nag apply po ako ng OWWA ID online dito sa UAE at sa printed na po ang status at for pick-up na po sa POEA Tacloban. Hangan kailan po pwede ma claim ang ID? Wala bang option na ma pick-up didto sa UAE?
Hi Felipe. Sa OWWA Regional Office lamang maaaring mapick up ang OFW card. You can ask a member of the family to pick it up on your behalf. Mag-issue lang po kayo ng authorization letter and copy of your passport para po mapick-up ito ng inyong kamag-anak.
hello po si amerfel po ito may bakasyon ako nito july sa pinas ko kukunin e card ko.ready for pick up na po ba sa july.slmat po.
Hi Amerfel. Please check this link to track the status of your OFW e-card – http://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/applicationform/tracker.php
How many days po ang printing ng OFW card? Kaka apply ko lang po ng kahapon kasi, aabot po kaya sya bago ako umalis ng July 21?
Thanks
Not sure po Mam. You can check the status of your OFW e-Card through this link – http://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/applicationform/tracker.php
Hello po! Husband po ako ng ofw na nag apply ng e-card owwa. Anu po requirments kung ako po ang mag claim ng e-card ng asawa ko? THANK YOU AND MORE POWER!
Hi. OFW E-Card must be picked up po. If hindi po personally mapi-pickup ang card ng OFW, there must be an original and signed Authorization Letter plus photocopy of the passport ng OFW.
Hahaha. I know that your reply is already 6 months old but I couldn’t help but comment something.
Let me quote one of the benefits that they are bragging about (below):
“Also serves as an OEC or exit clearance, thereby proving the legitimacy of your status as an Overseas Filipino Worker”
And then … voila! No. Sorry. You need to get BM number to prove you are a documented ofw. Ecard basically useless. What??? Only in the Philippines! Palpak talaga.
Hi DPV. We understand your frustration. Admittedly, may mga flaws pa ang system and hopefully, maayos nila soon to make it more convenient for OFWs.
Mga ilang araw po ba makukuha yung ofw ecard mula pag file.? For printing pa kasi nakalagay hanggang ngayun. eh naabotan na ako ng 90 days validity. tanx…
Hello Roy! You can follow up po. It’s possible that because of the pandemic, nagkaroon ng mga delays sa printing due to limited workforce.