How to Renew OWWA Membership in Osaka, Japan

Wherever you may be in the world, whether you’re a land-based or a sea-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW), it’s important to keep your OWWA membership active. One of the ways you can do this is by renewing your membership at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) office.

If you happen to be living and working in Japan — specifically in or near Osaka, for that matter — you can head to the POLO-OWWA office at the Philippine Consulate General office in this city. Keep on reading to learn more about the requirements, steps, and other details regarding OWWA membership and renewal applications.

How to Renew OWWA Membership in Osaka Japan — Image Credit: OWWA / Facebook (OWWA logo)

What is OWWA?

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an agency of the Philippine government that protects and promotes the well-being of OFWs and their families. Together with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), it provides several programs and services that are truly helpful for overseas Filipinos and their dependents.

Typically, an OFW becomes a member of OWWA upon processing his/her contract at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). However, Filipinos may also apply for membership at any POLO-OWWA office stationed abroad.

To become an OWWA member, an OFW needs to pay a membership contribution of USD 25 (or its equivalent in Japanese Yen). This entitles him/her to a two-year membership, after which he/she must renew to continue benefiting from the agency’s programs and services.

Benefits of OWWA Membership

What can you gain from being an OWWA member? Plenty! Through the agency’s offices abroad and regional offices in the Philippines, you can expect to access the following services:

Information and guidance;
Psycho-social counseling and conciliation services;
Legal assistance, training, outreach missions, and more.

In addition, OWWA provides various education and training programs for OFWs and their families, namely:

Country Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). This involves a whole day orientation for OFWs, focusing on the country of destination, health and safety, government programs and services, and other matters.
Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP). This is a 3 to 6-day training for Household Service Workers (HSWs). It covers language training, culture familiarization, and other subjects.

Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP). This is a program for seafarers who are attending a short-term course. It comes with training assistance worth PHP 7,500 per course.
Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). This is a scholarship program for qualified dependents of OFWs who are taking up a 4 to 5-year course in any college or university. It includes a maximum of PHP 60,000 per school year.
OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP). This is a scholarship program for dependents of OFWs who are taking up an associate or baccalaureate degree in a state college or university. It comes with a maximum of PHP 20,000 per school year.

Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). This is a program for survivors of deceased OFWs. It includes educational assistance worth PHP 5,000 for elementary, PHP 8,000 for high school, and PHP 10,000 for college per school year. For the surviving spouse, livelihood assistance worth PHP 15,000 will be provided.
Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). This is a scholarship program for OFWs and dependents. It comes with a maximum of PHP 14,500 for a course that leads to the completion of a vocational or technical course in a school accredited by TESDA.
Information Technology Program. This involves Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training for OFWs and their families, covering topics such as the Internet and basic computer applications.

Aside from all of these programs, OWWA has a Welfare Assistance Program that handles situations on a case-to-case basis. For OFWs who are in distress, Repatriation Assistance is also given. Furthermore, the agency has a Reintegration Program for OFWs who have recently returned to the Philippines, equipping them with skills on business management, financial literacy, capacity building, and more.

Requirements for OWWA Membership or Renewal

Before applying for OWWA membership or renewal, you need to prepare several documents, as follows:

Accomplished OWWA OFW Information Sheet;

Accomplished Declaration of Intent to Join OWWA (for new members);
Photocopy of Philippine Passport with your name, signature, and photo;
Photocopy of valid Residence ID Card;

Photocopy of official Visa Stamp in your passport (if you have an official visa);
Copy of current Employment Contract or Certificate of Employment;
Employer’s Corporate Registration Number (if employer is a company);

Employer’s National ID Number (if employer is an individual); and
Membership Fee of JPY 3,000 (more or less, depending on monthly average rate that is equal to USD 25).

NOTE: You can download the OWWA OFW Information Sheet and Declaration of Intent to be an OWWA Member Form from this link. Meanwhile, for documents written in Japanese (e.g. Employment Contract or Certificate of Employment), please include an English translation with the name and signature of the translator.

How to Apply for OWWA Membership

There are two ways to apply for OWWA membership or renewal: (a) by going straight to the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka (“walk-in”); or (b) by sending your documents to the POLO-OWWA office in Tokyo. Here are the steps for each option:

By Walk-in:

Download, print, and accomplish the OWWA OFW Information Sheet.
Download, print, and accomplish the Declaration of Intent to Join OWWA (for new members).

Gather all the requirements. Double-check all your information and details.
Go to the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka and submit your documents.
Pay the membership fee and get your official receipt. That’s it!

By Postal Mail:

Download, print, and accomplish the OWWA OFW Information Sheet.
Download, print, and accomplish the Declaration of Intent to Join OWWA (for new members).
Make an extra copy of your documents. Double-check all your information and details.

Gather all your documents and mail these to: POLO-OWWA, Philippine Embassy, 5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8537, Japan.
Include a return postal envelope with a stamp, along with your complete name and address, so that the office can send you the official receipt.

Video – Social Benefit Programs of OWWA

Would you like to know more about the social benefit programs offered by OWWA? Check out this video shared by the agency’s official Facebook page. It talks about how OFWs can avail of OWWA’s programs and services, in the event that they get sick while working abroad:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To learn more about applying for OWWA membership or renewal — and about the POLO-OWWA Osaka office in general — here are some commonly asked questions, along with their corresponding answers:

1. What are the areas of jurisdiction under the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) office in Osaka?

The Philippine Consulate General office in Osaka covers the following areas or prefectures: Ehime, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Nara, Oita, Okayama, Saga, Shiga, Shimane, Tokushima, Tottori, Wakayama, Yamaguchi, and of course, Osaka.

If you are based in any of these areas, you can head to the Philippine Consulate General Office for passport-related services, POLO-OWWA concerns, and other matters.

2. How do I apply for OWWA membership?

As mentioned earlier, you can apply for OWWA membership or renewal by going personally to the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka, or by sending your documents via mail. As of this writing, applications by mail are directed to the POLO-OWWA office at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

3. Can I go directly to the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka?

Yes, you can go directly to the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka to apply for membership or renewal. You do not need to book an appointment in advance.

That being said, do visit the official website and Facebook page of POLO-OWWA Osaka so that you can be updated about any changes to their appointment system.

4. How much does it cost to be an OWWA member?

The OWWA membership fee is around JPY 3,000 (more or less), depending on the monthly average equivalent rate of USD 25.

5. When do I become a member of OWWA?

As soon as your application is processed and your payment is received, you automatically become a member of OWWA.

6. Will my OWWA membership expire?

Your membership with OWWA is valid for two (2) years. After this, you will need to apply for renewal to remain as an active member.

7. Are there any other things that I should remember?

Yes. Here are some additional reminders:

Check and double-check the information on your application forms to avoid any problems.

Regularly visit the official website and Facebook page of POLO-OWWA and the Philippine Embassy for the latest announcements.
When you go to the POLO-OWWA office, be sure to wear a face mask and practice social distancing for everybody’s health and safety.

Summary

In cases of emergencies, such as accidents, calamities, or political conflict — being a member of OWWA is definitely a big help. After all, the agency is mandated by the Philippine government to provide assistance, repatriation, and other services for OFWs and their families. Hence, always make sure that your OWWA membership status remains active!

Contact Information: POLO-OWWA Osaka

If you have any queries or concerns, you can get in touch with POLO-OWWA Osaka by contacting the details below. Please note that the office is open from Mondays to Fridays, except during holidays.

Address: 7/F FPG Links Midosuji, 4-3-5 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 541-0047
Telephone: +81 665 757 593 / +8170 2275 6082 (Hotline for Labor Documentation Concerns) / +8170 2447 4016 (Hotline for Welfare Concerns)
Email: pcg.osaka.welfare@gmail.com (Welfare Concerns)
Website: https://poloosaka.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POLO.Osaka

Google Map Location

Here is the location of the POLO-OWWA office in Osaka, for your reference:

DISCLAIMER: We hope that the above guide has been helpful, especially if you are going to apply for OWWA membership or renewal soon. Also, please note that the above guide is presented for general, information-sharing services only. To learn more about the latest requirements, fees, and procedure for OWWA membership applications, please visit the official website of POLO-OWWA Osaka.