For OFWs in Tokyo, you can ensure to have an active OWWA membership by renewing it at the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office. In addition, Filipinos who are not yet members of OWWA can also apply for membership by visiting or mailing their requirements to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office. And to do so, follow the guide below for the OWWA appointment and membership in Tokyo, Japan.
Also Read: For OFWs based in Osaka, here’s a guide about renewing OWWA in Osaka
The membership that OWWA offers gives access to OFWs of different services, programs, and support, which can benefit their career and families. So it’s good to keep your account active to avoid missing out on claiming any benefits in times of need.
Contents
Overview
The Overseas Workers Welfare (OWWA) is an institution built by the Philippine government working with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to promote and protect the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents.
Through the OWWA membership, OFWs can also seek help if ever they encounter problems with their employer and need legal assistance and avail educational or livelihood programs, which can improve their living condition. Thus, being an active OWWA member is essential to have an insurance policy that OFWs can always lean on in times of need.
Requirements
The first step in renewing or applying for the OWWA membership at POLO-OWWA Tokyo is to secure the listed requirements below:
- Duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet with signature
- Photocopy of Active and Valid Proof of Employment
- Employment Contract with Employers Hanko issued in 1 month of applying for membership
- Duly accomplished Declaration of Intent for OWWA Membership (For New Members)
- Original and photocopy of passport (showing the data page)
- Photocopy of Valid Residence ID Card
- Photocopy of passport with valid official visa stamp for OFWs with official or mission visa
- Proof of Company/Employer existence and validity
- Renewing with Previous Employer
- Corporate Registration Number (for Company employer)
- National ID Number or Gaimusho ID number ( for Individual employer)
- Renewing Membership for Changed/New Employer or New Members
- Photocopy of Tokibo Tohon/Corporate Registration Certificate (for Company employer)
- National ID Number or Gaimusho ID number ( for Individual employer)
- Renewing with Previous Employer
- OWWA Membership fee of JPY 3,000 or less, or $25 converted to local currency based on the monthly foreign exchange rate
- Returning Letter Pack 370 Yen, containing written full name, address, contact number for claiming the official receipt and sent documents
Qualifications
Other than the listed requirements above, OFWs need to meet OWWAs qualification criteria. OWWA members should be actively and continuously working and “legal” or “documented” worker processed at POEA with valid work permits and visas. Also, OFWs who have obtained permanent residency status in foreign countries with permanent or full-time employment and are still Filipino citizens can apply or renew their OWWA membership.
On the other hand, considering that OWWA only accepts members that are actively and continuously working, the following individuals are not qualified to apply or renew their membership, including:
- Due for termination
- Terminated
- Due for cancellation
- Canceled
- Resigned
- No work, No pay
Booking an OWWA Appointment in Tokyo
As of writing, there is no appointment system for a membership application at the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office, and OFWs can go directly to their office if they want to apply or renew their OWWA membership.
However, the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office has suspended physical transactions for now. So it is advised to check their official website and Facebook page for the latest announcement.
Applying for OWWA membership in Tokyo
According to the official website of POLO Tokyo, there are two ways to apply for the OWWA membership, via walk-in/appointment visit or mailing the requirements. But the walk-in/appointment visit is suspended due to Covid-19, so OFWs can renew or apply for the OWWA membership by following the steps below.
Renewing OWWA membership in POLO Tokyo via Letter Pack
- Download and fill out the OFW Information Sheet.
- Download and fill out the Declaration of Intent for OWWA membership if you’re a first-time applicant.
- Secure the requirements and make sure it’s complete.
- Then, mail your requirements to POLO-OWWA, Philippine Embassy, 5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8537, Japan.
- Also, include a Returning Letter Pack 370 Yen containing your written full name, address, and contact number, to mail back your documents and official receipt.
- For the OWWA membership fee payment, send another mail to their mailing address POLO-OWWA, Philippine Embassy, 5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8537, Japan, via Genkin Kakitome, a licensed cash envelope of Japan Post.
Paying OWWA Membership at POLO-OWWA Tokyo
While visiting the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office is currently suspended, it might be open soon depending on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is better to check their Facebook page and website from time to time. Here are the steps to pay the membership fee at POLO-OWWA Tokyo.
Step by step process of paying the OWWA membership
- Download and fill out the OFW Information Sheet.
- Download and fill out the Declaration of Intent for OWWA membership if you’re a first-time applicant.
- Secure and complete all the requirements.
- Head to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo.
- Submit your documents for verification.
- Pay the OWWA membership fee and claim your official receipt the same day of the application.
Reminders with POLO-OWWA Tokyo
To successfully apply or renew your membership at the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office, here are the following reminders during the application:
- There are two ways to apply for membership at the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office, by visiting them or mailing your documents. However, they don’t do physical transactions for now due to Covid-19, so OFWs cannot go to their office.
- When mailing your documents to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office, ensure that it comes with an English translation if your original document is in Japanese.
- Download the Declaration of the Intent form if you’re applying for new membership.
- Ensure that your mailed documents are complete and enclosed with Returning Letter Pack 370 Yen to send back your documents and the official receipt.
- When applying for the OWWA membership via Letter Pack, make sure to send another mail to POLO-OWWA Tokyo office mailing address to pay the OWWA membership fee via Genkin Kikatome.
- Before paying the OWWA membership fee at POLO-OWWA Tokyo, check the latest exchange rate since its updated monthly every 1st working day. The payment for the OWWA membership fee should also be sent to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo mailing address before or on the 3rd week of the month to avoid disparity.
- For written communications, address it to Marie Rose C. Escalada, Ph.D. Labor Attaché II.
- Check the official website and Facebook page of POLO-OWWA Tokyo for the latest announcements.
Video: OWWA Membership in Tokyo
For more details on OWWA membership, please watch the video below:
If you’re looking for another convenient way to renew your OWWA membership, this video will show you the steps by steps process of how to pay the OWWA membership fee via 7-11 stores. With the OWWA mobile app, OFWs can renew their OWWA membership fee and choose the Cash Payment method to pay the membership fee at 7-11 stores nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the POLO office and the OWWA membership process in Tokyo:
1. How to book an appointment with OWWA in Tokyo?
As of now, there is no appointment system for the OWWA membership application at POLO-OWWA Tokyo, Japan.
2. How do I renew my OWWA membership in Tokyo?
The OWWA membership application process or renewal is by visiting or mailing your documents to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office, but now, they have suspended the physical visit due to Covid-19. So OFWs can only apply or renew their OWWA membership in Tokyo by mailing their document through Letter Pack.
3. How to renew OWWA membership online?
If you want a more convenient application process, you can renew your membership by downloading and signing up for an account at OWWA mobile app. Afterward, log in to your account, click Renew Membership Here, and choose the payment methods available.
4. How much is OWWA membership in Tokyo?
The OWWA membership in Tokyo is $25 or JPY 3,000 or less, based on the monthly foreign exchange rate.
5. Can I pay for the OWWA membership online?
Yes, you can pay the membership fee online if you renew your membership via OWWA mobile app and select payment methods from an online bank or e-wallet, like GCash.
6. How long is OWWA membership valid?
The OWWA membership is only valid for two years, expiring on the day of the application.
7. Why my OWWA membership is inactive?
Your OWWA membership will become inactive if you have surpassed the two-year validity, your work visa expired, or because you switch to a new employer. The OWWA membership is only valid for the same employer during the application, so changing to a new employer will result in inactive membership status.
8. Is OWWA membership mandatory?
Yes, OWWA membership is mandatory for OFWs who processed their employment at POEA.
9. Are all OFW member of OWWA?
No, not all OFWs are members of OWWA. Considering that OWWA has requirements and qualification criteria, OFWs who cannot meet them are not eligible to apply or renew their OWWA membership.
10. Who can avail of OWWA benefits?
The OWWA benefits are accessible by registered or active members and their legal dependents.
11. Which bank may be used by OFWs and OWWA to pay for their membership?
OFWs who wish to pay the OWWA membership fee through the bank can use Land Bank of the Philippines and ATM Bancnet members.
12. How to get to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office?
If you’re coming from Roppongi Station (Hibiya and Oedo Line) Exit 3, it will take a 9-minute walk to reach the office. On the other hand, from Azabujuban (Namboku and Oedo Line) Exit 7, it will take a 7-minute walk to get to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines.
Summary
In summary, the process of OWWA membership in Tokyo, Japan, is safe and convenient for OFWs. Although they’re currently not accepting walk-in or appointment visits, OFWs can renew or apply for the OWWA membership by mailing their documents to the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office.
In addition, OFWs can choose to renew their membership via OWWA mobile app, another convenient applicant process. So if you’re an OFW in Tokyo, Japan, always make sure that your OWWA membership is active to access the benefits.
Contact Details
POLO-OWWA Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday to Friday except for holidays
Address: Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, 5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8537, Japan
Telephone Number: Welfare Services- 03-6441-0959, Labor and Employment Facilitation Services- (+813) 6441-0428 / 644-10478
Email: Welfare Services- polo_tokyopost@yahoo.com.ph, Labor and Employment Facilitation Services- polotky@philembassy.net
Website: https://polotokyo.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/poloowwatokyo
Google Map Location
You may check out the location of the POLO-OWWA Tokyo office in Japan located in the same building as the Philippine Embassy Tokyo.