Pre-Departure Seminars for Temporary Workers and Permanent Residents
Required Seminars
Important: Applicants who qualify and are issued visas to enter Canada as permanent residents and temporary workers are required by the Philippines government to register and attend a pre-departure orientation seminar before they leave the country.
These seminars are offered by the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) for immigrants and by the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) for temporary workers.
Free seminars
There are also other seminars offered freely in the Philippines through programs funded by the Government of Canada.
The Canadian government, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), also offers a voluntary pre-departure orientation seminar, Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA), for Temporary Workers in the Live-in Caregiver Program and all categories of immigrants.
For those immigrating to Canada as Skilled Workers or Provincial Nominees, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), offers in Manila session under the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP).
Before your departure you may also want to spend some time visiting the Going to Canada website and the Canada International website.
CFO Seminars
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)
Participants: compulsory for all Filipino immigrants older than 12 years old leaving the country to settle permanently abroad. Children of immigrants, with ages 13 to 19, are required to attend a Peer Counseling Program to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
Length: one day
Where: CFO’s offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: Travel regulations, Immigration procedures, Cultural differences, Settlement concerns, Employment and social security concerns, and rights and obligations of Filipino immigrants.
Peer Counseling Program
Participants: compulsory for children of immigrants, with ages 13 to 19
Length: one day
Where: CFO’s offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
Guidance and counseling program
Participants: compulsory for Filipino spouses and other partners of foreign nationals
Length: one day
Where: CFO’s offices in Manila and Cebu.
Cost: for the latest registration fee visit CFO web site
Program: to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.
For more information and registration:
For more information on the registration and counseling requirements of CFO, their offices in Manila and Cebu may be contacted
Manila Office
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave. corner South Superhighway, Manila
Tel. Nos.: (632)5618321 ext. 104, 105, 201 to 204
Fax No.: (632)5618332
Email Addresses: cfodfa@info.com.ph; cfomieo@info.com.ph
Cebu Extension Office
Causing-Lozada Bldg., Osmena Blvd. corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City
Telefax No.
032)2555253
Email Address: cfocebu@mozcom.comCFO
Website: Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Via SMS: Type CFO then send to 700236 (for SMART) subscribers only)
Attendance of the pre-departure orientation seminar is normally the last step in the registration process with CFO. After which, a registration sticker is affixed to the immigrant’s passport. Without the sticker, an immigrant would not be allowed to leave the country.
OWWA Seminar (PDOS)
Participants: compulsory for all Filipinos leaving the country as temporary workers
Length: half-day
Where: Recruitment agency for those assisted by an agency. Those with a direct hire contract must attend PDOS at the following address: POEA Bldg., EDSA corner Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City
Cost: free-of-charge
Program: The seminar discusses topics on health and migration, the features of a standard employment contract, airport procedures, what to do upon arrival at the country of employment, offenses that could affect overseas employment, what to do in case of a contract violation by the employer, and travel tips. Since OWWA performs the welfare function of the POEA, the seminar also focuses on the benefits one can get from being an OWWA member and the various credit and social programs offered by OWWA.
For more information and registration:
OWWA may be contacted at the 2nd Floor, POEA Bldg., EDSA corner Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City. Their 24/7 OWWA Operations Center Hotlines are (632)8336992, 5516641, 5511560, or 09178986992. Their email address is: owwancr_poea@yahoo.com.ph. Website is: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
After attending the PDOS seminar, a Certificate of Attendance is issued. The certificate and the medical exam result (if required) are then presented to secure an Order of Payment form to pay the necessary fees for registration. The processing fee is US$100.00; the OWWA contribution is US$25.00; and the Phil Health premium is PHP900.00. As proof of payment of the above fees, an e-RECEIPT is issued which will also serve as the TRAVEL EXIT PASS.
IOM Seminars – Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA)
Participants: voluntary for all Filipinos leaving the country as temporary workers under the Live-in Caregiver Program or in any permanent resident category
Length: one full day
Where: IOM office on the 24th Floor of the Citibank Tower Bldg. at 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Cost: free-of-charge
Program: In the seminars, participants learn about the nature of the Canadian society, common problems of adaptation faced by newcomers, the rights and obligations of temporary workers and immigrants, the Canadian health and educational systems, how to find a job, how to look for a place to live in, the cost of living, and facts about the city in which you will be living in.
While attendance in these seminars is not mandatory, there are a lot of benefits that can be obtained in attending it. It will give you a lot of information on skills necessary for a successful adaptation in Canada; reliable information on issues and concerns regarding Canadian labor laws, contract expiry/extension, permanent resident status, sponsorship; and practical tips about life in Canada.
For more information and registration:
To register, accepted applicants must call the IOM office upon receiving instructions included in their visa package.
The COA seminar is held at the IOM office. Their telephone number: 811-3445, SMS: 09175684868, Fax: 848-1272, E-mail: COAmanila@iom.int
Program sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
ACCC seminars - Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP)
Participants: voluntary for all adult immigrants selected in the Skilled Worker or Provincial Nominee category
Length: one full day seminar and half day individual counseling
Where: CIIP, 7th floor. Port Royal Place, 118 Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.
Cost: free-of-charge
Program: The CIIP is intended to guide newcomers through the integration process while still in the country of origin and then following arrival in Canada. The seminar will provide a general overview of trends in the Canadian economy, as well as a focus on labour market prospects in the province of destination. CIIP staff also provides a case study of two or more occupations to demonstrate licensing and entrance requirements for both regulated and non-regulated fields of employment. Presentations on opportunities are balanced by an examination of labour market and settlement challenges, and options for addressing these challenges are discussed. The day concludes with a session on job-searching in the Canadian environment.
Participants are invited to return the following day for one-on-one counselling interviews at which they can develop an Individual Integration Plan (IIP).
More information and registration
Seminars are held at CIIP, Telephone: 8170726 to 29 fax: 812-9391
E-mail: info@ciip-accc.ph
Program sponsored by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
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