How to Renew Your OWWA Membership in Singapore
All Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are required to have an OWWA membership. For OFWs working in Singapore, you have the option to renew your OWWA membership at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, or you may do so in the Philippines. OWWA was established to guarantee the protection of the rights of OFWs. Do note that OWWA membership is not free. You will need to pay S$42.00 every time you renew.
Cards are no longer issued. Note that you will only receive a receipt. Keep the receipt.
When to renew:
You will need to renew your OWWA membership under the following circumstances:
Your Employment Pass (EP), S Pass or Work Permit Card has expired
You changed employers
You renewed your passport
If, for example, you have 1 year before your EP expires, but you just recently renewed your passport, you will need to renew your OWWA membership and pay $42. A year later, when your EP expires (and presumably renewed), you will again need to renew your OWWA membership and pay another $42.
Ex:
Component | Validity Upon Initial OWWA Issuance | OWWA Validity | When to Renew OWWA | OWWA Fee (as of 2015) |
EP/S Pass/Work Permit | 1 year | 1 year, same date with the EP / S Pass / Work Permit | Once the permit expires | S$42.00 |
Passport | 5 years | 2 years, on or before passport expiry and EP/S Pass/Work Permit expiry | After 2 years | S$42.00 |
What you need to prepare:
Along with the original docs, prepare 2 photocopies each for the following (just to be sure):
Your Employment Pass (EP), S Pass or Work Permit Card
Your passport
An OWWA Information Sheet which can be obtained here. Select "OWWA Information Sheet" under "Labor Forms".
S$42.00 membership fee.
For Work Permit Card holders: Original Contract of Employment.
How and where to renew:
You can renew your OWWA membership at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in your hometown in the Philippines or you can do so at the Philippine Embassy Singapore at 20 Nassim Road, Singapore 258359. The nearest MRT is Orchard (NS Line). You will need to walk roughly 20 minutes to get there though.
At the entrance, inform the personnel-on-duty that you are there for your OWWA renewal. You will be provided with a priority number. Prepare all your requirements.
Once your number is called, go to Window 4.
Your OWWA Membership can be collected on the same day as long as your requirements are complete.
Opening hours:
Please note that the Philippine Embassy Singapore is open from Mondays to Fridays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm only.
Attire and decorum:
You must dress appropriately when you visit the Philippine Embassy Singapore. Sandos, slippers, shorts, exposed underwear, shirts that show the navel, see-through shirts and pants, and pants/shorts with low waistline that reveal portions of the private parts are strictly not allowed.
