The Employment Process Going To Japan for Direct Hires

Last Update: March 19, 2020

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--------------------------

Hi guys! Something useful for people wanting to work in Japan. I personally was not able to find any consolidated information online that explains the process, so I thought this would be a useful post.

Please do note that everything I wrote here were based on MY EXPERIENCES and I am, by no means, an expert on this subject. :)

Please also note that I DO NOT KNOW THE PROCESS ON THE OTHER SIDE. Meaning I don't know what my hiring company did. Everything written here is what I did on my side only.

The process involves the following:
1. Getting a CoE (Certificate of Eligibility)
2. Getting a VISA
3. Processing your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA)

Getting a COE
The first step involves the most waiting time. It's said the processing of the COE can take up to three months. I personally had to wait a month for mine. We filed for a COE  February 2nd and my COE was released March 3.

I had to send the following ORIGINAL documents to Japan:
1. Certification of Graduation (For as many courses you took. I'm an RN and also a teacher so I had to submit two certificates)
2. Diploma (For as many courses you took)
3. Transcript of Records (TOR)
4. Original PRC license
5. Certificate of Authentication of your PRC license
6. NSO Birth Certificate
7. Curriculum Vitae
8. Original Passport
9. Work Contract (Two copies. Signed. All pages. This should have been previously sent to you by your employer)

All of this will be verified by Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

My documents were sent via EMS on March 4 and arrived at my house March 10th.

Getting a VISA
On the same day I received my CoE, I headed straight to the travel agency.

Things I brought:
1. Passport
2. CoE
3. Birth Certificate

If you are married, you also need to bring a marriage certificate. I got my VISA March 17th.

Medical Certificate
One of the requirements for processing in POEA is a medical certificate. I opted to have mine taken before going to POEA to save time. On March 11th, the day after I got my COE, I went to a clinic for my medical check-up.

Continuing
Monday, March 16, I received my Medical Certificate saying I was "fit to work." On March 17, I got a text message from my travel agency and got my VISA. On March 18, I went to POEA and was scheduled for a PDOS seminar the next day. I finished EVERYTHING March 19th.

So, all in all, the process took me 9 days to complete from the moment I got my COE! That was quite fast, right?

Here is a timeline so you can picture it clearer:

Feb 2 --- My employer submmited my documents (and the company's documents) for CoE
Mar 3 --- My CoE was released
Mar 4 --- CoE and other documents sent via EMS
Mar 10 --- I got my CoE, applied for VISA
Mar 11 --- Took medical exam
Mar 16 --- Received medical certificate
Mar 17 --- Received VISA
Mar 18 --- Went to POEA
Mar 19 --- Finished the POEA process

QUESTIONS you may be asking! :)

Q: How much money is needed?
A: Aside from the payments needed for my documents, here is a breakdown of my expenses:
2,500 | VISA application - (Reli Tours & Travel at Mega Mall, for other accredited agencies, go here.)
1,100  |Medical Exam - (Angelina Apostol-Punzalan Medical Clinic, Inc., for a list of accredited clinics and hospitals, go here.)
8,027 | POEA Fees. This one varies depending on the exchange rate

Total: 11,627 php

Q: When did you buy your air ticket?
A: I bought mine early in March because my boss wants me to come for Sakura season (and this is a peak season). BUT it's advisable you buy your plane ticket AFTER the POEA process so you don't have to pay Travel Tax and Terminal Fee (you will have to present the OEC you will be getting from POEA). If your company is buying for you, then no need to worry! Haha. :)

Q: What documents did your employer send you along with your CoE?
A: Aside from my CoE, I received most of the documents I sent to them (which were checked by POLO) and a copy of my contract (verified by POLO).

Q: Can my contract be in Japanese?
A: No. POEA employees must be able to read and understand the contents of your contract to approve it. At the same time, you should have been able to understand what your contract says before signing.

Q: What did you bring to POEA?
A: My passport with VISA and CoE, Medical Certificate, employment contract in Japanese and/or English, verified by POLO, and with appropriate signatures/name stamps on all pages (plus photocopies of all of these).

Q: Can you explain more about the POEA process?
A: I found a blog that explained this really well. Here's the link!

Q: COE? OEC?
A: They are different. You get your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) from the Japanese government. Your OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) comes from POEA.

Just an additional tip: I went to POEA around noon time, so my PDOS was scheduled for the next day. If your destination is not the Middle East, PDOS is only in the morning at 9:00. The afternoon session is for people going to the countries in the Middle East only. So, come to POEA early (7am or 8am) and you might just finish it in one day!

That's all for now!

Feel free to ask questions below and I try my best to answer. Please do note that I'm answering you based on my experience and I'm a NAME HIRE or DIRECT HIRE. I didn't go under an agency. ^^

God bless! :)

Comments

  1. hi, thank you for your blog.....

    nag apply po ako last april 20, 2015 for my working visa

    submitted, passport, pic, application form, ang my certificate of eligibility,

    lasr wednesday, may 6, tumawag po ang japan embassy, asked:
    paano ko nakuha ung work,
    saan ako mag stay,
    magkano ang sahod,
    tuwing kelan ang rest day,
    is it my first time,
    have i ever been to japan,

    un po, pero til now wala pa dn result.....

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi! Minsan kasi may additional questions talaga sila. I just wanna ask, nag travel ka na ba before sa ibang bansa? Nakalagay kaya sa passport mo?

      Anyway, dahil tinawagan ka naman nila, all you can do is wait. Try mo rin follow-up sa travel agency mo. Hopefully, makuha mo na yung visa mo. :)

      God bless!

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    2. hello, thank you po for the reply....

      yes po, nakapag travel na, hk, sg, at japan last 2013, nakakakaba po kasi, once in a lifetime chance ko na po ito to work sa dream country ko, household helper po sa isang embassy, andun po kasi nanay ko,

      sana po talaga ma grant ako ng visa, sa friday pa po ako ulit tawag sa agency,

      wish me luck ms ja..... again, maraming, maraming salamat po sa blog nu.....

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  2. Hi, I hope you can help me regarding my question, we have almost same case and situation. A company in Tokyo Japan hired me as an Engineer. My question is, required po ba talaga lhat ng mga nabanggit mo na ipa verify lhat sa polo? Kasi ang pina-verify at sinubmit ko lang is my Employment Contract eh based sa instruction sakin ng Poea...

    1. Certification of Graduation (For as many courses you took. I'm a RN and also a teacher so I had to submit two certificates)
    2. Diploma (For as many courses you took)
    3. Transcript of Records (TOR)
    4. Original PRC license
    5. Certificate of Authentication of your PRC license
    6. NSO Birth Certificate
    7. Curriculum Vitae
    8. Original Passport
    9. Work Contract (Two copies. Signed. All pages. This should have been previously sent to you by your employer


    Thanks

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    1. I'm sorry for the late reply. I think that at this time, you've already flown to Japan. :) We submitted all of these documents along with the contract to POLO to be verified. If POEA only asked you to submit your contract, then I guess it's fine. To be safe though, have everything be verified so you don't waste time.

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  3. Hi Jona,

    I need your help.
    I will also be teaching in Japan this March.
    Do you have an email or SNS that you actively check so I can see your response right away?
    I will receive my COE by late December.
    I can have it processed too at Reli. But, can I also personally process it at the Embassy?
    I also have concerns on the Visa Application Form.
    Re: Date of Arrivall in Japan and Name of Airline
    I will not be able to answer these since I plan to buy my ticket after I got my OEC.
    What did you write there since you bought your ticket after you process your papers at POEA?

    Guarantor and Inviter (would this be my Employer?

    Purpose would be to work in Japan right?
    Length of Stay would be your contract duration right?

    Should I also bring my contract to the agency?

    Is Angelina Apostol Punzalan clinic a giod choice to have my Medical done? And were you able to do it without a referral rom POEA?

    I will be waiting for your response or
    You could email me personally @ roxie_koreana@yahoo.com

    Thank you very much!

    Best,
    Roxie



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  4. Please let me know. Thank you. Take care too! 😊

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  6. hello dear, ask ko lang about sa medical na nirerequire nila.. pag nagpamedical ka naba sa pinas eh hindi na magpapamedical ulet sa japan? Thank you :) Sana makareply ka. :)

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    1. You will need to do medical tests yearly after you start working in Japan. ^^ So yes, I guess papamedical ka talaga uli. It's a once a year thing!

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  7. Balak ko sana magwork as a teacher sa Japan, pero I have a blood medical condition kase so nagwoworry ako kung anong klaseng blood test ang kailangan for medical nila. Sna makareply ka :)

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  10. hello, everyone.

    i would like to ask about the VISA processing.
    I have gotten my COE and my documents will be verified by POLO Japan [according to my japanese employer] this week will be the final result.
    may i know, what shall i do after this. do i need to wait for the documents before processing my work visa here, or shall i start with my medical examination whilst waiting.
    please give me some advice.
    thank you.

    -pinoygaijin

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Sorry I never seem to get notices when replies are made here. I suppose you're already in Japan! Welcome! ;)

      The timeline is posted above! Please check it!

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  11. Hi. Basically the answer is already in the post. :) You need your CoE to process the VISA. Your medical certificate should be valid even if you didn't have the visa when you had it done. I think the only rule is that it shouldn't be more than a month old (corrections welcome).

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    1. thank you, ja.

      it's a big help.
      sorry, i am just a little bit confused on the process since my japanese employer was the one who process all my documents e.g COE and POLO Certification in Japan.

      I'm just waiting for the documents and start processing my work visa here in pinas. Also, it seems that it is better to work on the medical stuff whilst waiting for the COE. good idea.

      thank you.

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  12. Hi guys. I wanna ask about the medical examination. i have concerns to wit;
    1. do i really need to remove all my clothes and even showing your ass to the doctor. amn ot sure if this is true.
    2. 2 of my molars were extracted, and usually we did not care about it cos it's not visible when you smile that your teeth had been removed. But for medical exam, IS IT NECESSARY to put dentures on my 2 molars...
    please reply. i wanna know coz honestly, dental services are pretty expensive. lols

    thankz.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. A correct and complete PC would require you to show your anus for the doctor to check for disease.

      You don't have to be naked. You will be wearing a lab gown.

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  13. Hi Ja,

    Regarding on Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Is verification is here in Philippines itself or POLO Office in Tokyo Japan?

    Thank God I bump your blog, this will help get started.

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    1. POLO is in Japan so you need to send your documents to your employer in Japan! ^^

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  14. Hi,

    I read that you applied for a visa at a travel agency after receiving your CoE. Did you apply for (and get) a working visa or a tourist visa?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I applied for and got a working visa. :)

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  15. Hi... What portals you can find employers that do direct hiring?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Try Gulliver Offshore Outsourcing (http://www.gulliverbpo.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/gulliveroffshoreoutsourcing/)

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  16. Hi Ja,

    My employer from Japan sent me my COE, but without the authenticated contract. Can I still go to POEA?

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    1. You need authenticated documents before going to the POEA. Otherwise, sayang punta. :(

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  17. Hi Ja,

    Yung sa part ng Intended length of stay sa Visa Application, ano niligay mo dun? If may Asked.

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    1. This should be in your contract. If your contract ends in a year then you should put one year, even if it's renewable. :)

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  18. Hi,gud afternoon, i just have a question, i went to poea today and the officer said they need authenticated employment contract, does this mean the POLO that you're talking about?

    Thank u..
    Hope to receive a reply from you.

    Best regards,
    Sheila

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's correct. All your documents should have been verified by POLO before you head out to POEA.

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  19. Can we authenticate it here?is there any POLO here?mine is not authenticated so they rejected me.

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    1. I'm sorry but where is "here"? If you're talking about the Philippines, no. There is no POLO there. The company hiring you will need to process it in Japan.

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  20. Good day Ms. Ja.

    I applied for a teaching position here in one of the legite agencies in the Philippines. I already submitted all the necessary documents to the agency. I attended the PDOS as instructed by the agency and I also gave them my passport. Yet, I havent heard anything about my departure date.

    Can we exchange messages via email? Please do notify me if its okay to ask a lot of things about working as teacher in Japan.

    By the way here is my email address xian_lee_10@yahoo.com. Thanks and God bless Ms. Ja.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Xian sorry I couldn't see this. I find it weird. Did you already have a contract before you went to POEA and attended the PDOS? If that's the case, then if your contract says your work starts on whatever day, you are free to fly out of the country. The departure date does not come from POEA.

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  21. Hi just want to ask how did you fill up the visa application form to enter japan.

    ano po nakalagay dapat sa guarantor? yung name po ba ng boss ng company or yung name lang po ng company? same ng inviter sa japan.

    Also pag company name po ilalagay ok lang po ba wala na pong date of birth and gender.

    I hope makapag reply po kayo agad

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    1. Your guarantor is the person or entity that will be responsible for you in case you can't afford to live in Japan, you need to go home, etc.

      So whoever is responsible for that, yun yung is usually nyo. If it's your boss then write your boss's name. Also remember that on your boss's side, he will also need to fill out a form to certify that he will be your guarantor. That paper will also be submitted to the immigration.

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    2. Hi Ja I just want to ask if yun bang work contract na need isend sa POLO dapat nakanotary? If yes, kahit saan ba pede ipanotart? Thanks

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  22. Hi! Nabasa ko kasi sa reply mo sa isang comment na need magFillOut ng form ng employer as guarantor kc hinahanap ng immigration un. San po madodownload un? Need din bang authenticated ng POLO un? Or pwede bang letter na lang from the employer stating that he/she will be my guarantor?
    Please reply. Thanks a lot.

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    2. Here is the link to the guarantor letter directly from the Japanese Foreign Affairs website:
      http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/pdfs/application2.pdf

      You will need it when applying for your VISA. It will be one of the documents sent to you by your employer. I don't think POLO has anything to do with it though! :) Just be sure it is signed/stamped correctly. Not very sure but I think it is needed in processing your COE. It will be submitted to the immigration office in Japan para makakuha ka ng COE.

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  24. Hi Jona, what to do if my employer is in Osaka and POLO is in Tokyo? Employer doesn't have time to go to Tokyo but I found out that there is a consular office in Osaka. Can my employer have my employment contract verified/authenticated in the consular office? Many thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I replied to you on a separate message you sent :)

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    2. Hello Ja,

      POEA considers employment contract authenticated from consular offices. 👍

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    3. Thanks for going back to spread the info, Christine! I hope your applications is going well! ^^

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  25. Hi Ja,

    Good thing I bumped into your blog. Meron na kasi akong Employment Contract. I'm not aware of the POLO thing. So si employer ko ba ang mag papaaunthenticate ng employment contract ko? Or ako Mismo ang co2ntact sa POLO-Tokyo and then send ko docs ko? Please send me reply on my email: ejmendiguarin_28@yahoo.com

    TIA.

    regards

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  26. Hi! Kindly HELP my friend's case. Thank you!

    Direct Hire sya ng company dito. May visa na sya and certificate of eligibilty. Kaya lng she can't get oec kc need ng contract stating the salary , diploma etc.

    Her diploma, TRO etc were submitted here in Japan. Pde ba mag-bayad na lng sya ng travel tax para maka-alis?


    then, pagbalik na lng nya in June ung other docs?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You submitted originals and didn't get it back? That's a problem. You can NOT skip the POEA process. I didn't use my OEC when I bought my ticket either so I paid tax, but I still needed to go through POEA. Otherwise your friend will not be registered as an OFW and will effectively be working illegally in Japan, visa or no visa. The contract needs to be reviewed by the Philippine government to ensure that the OFW will be safe and properly compensated for his work. AGAIN, YOU CAN NOT SKIP THE POEA PROCESS. You'll have to have the contract rewritten. Kung walang information ng salary yan, did you even have it verified by POLO??? They will never approve a contract like that. Your friend is not ready to work abroad, sadly. :(

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  27. Hi Ja,

    I'd just like to ask how you got around the POLO verification. You mentioned that you paid for your own ticket but POLO requires the contract to be amended that the employer should shoulder the cost of the ticket to Japan and back. Can you clarify?

    Thanks!

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    1. Hi! As far as I know, the employer is only responsible for repatriation costs when the worker becomes unfit to work. It's not a requirement that they pay for your fare going to Japan. Good luck! ^^

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    2. Oh okay! Thanks, Ja! Hope to see you there ^^

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  28. Mahigpit ba medical exam kapg sa japan, katulad b ng under ng GCC?

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    1. I don't what GCC is but if you go to a certified clinic and tell them you are going to Japan, they would already know the necessary procedure that you have to go through. :)

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  29. Hello po, regarding po sa employment contract authentication sa POLO, ano po ang requirements ng POLO to authenticate the contract?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, I believe this link will help you :)

      https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=E07C157AC58DBA72&id=E07C157AC58DBA72%21293&parId=E07C157AC58DBA72%21299&o=OneUp

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    2. Thank you for the useful link, Cristine!

      Guys, I'm just going to put it out there, I have no clear idea what was done to get my COE. My employer processed that, not me.

      If you are being hired, I think your employer should have consulted the necessary agencies in Japan already and have researched on how to get you to Japan. I don't think na kayo pa dapat namomoroblema kung ano ang ipapasa sa POLO para sa contract nyo, etc. ^^;

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  33. Hi ja.

    Good day just call me Prince.

    nag apply ako for japan. then I hired as a Farmer in Ishigaki. Our J.O is Done. also my My Employment contract was already in my agency. Perma nlng ang kulang. Lahat ng Hiningi nilang papers nabigay ko na lahat na kailangang docs passport,medical,All oF my Certificates. para ipasa sa POEA, pra sa LOR. Matagal po ba talaga ang proseso nyan sa POEA. Nababahala na kasi ako kung ano ba talaga or Gaano katagal ang pag proseso sa POEA.Tapos ang Employeer ko nagmamadali na makapunta kami doon. At baka sa tagal naming makaalis dito mag Back out ang Employeer ko. At Araw2 akong tumatawag sa agency ko for any update. ang sinabi sakin Perma nlng kulang para ma release ang docs ko sa POEA. Dapat po ba akong mabahala?? Thank you. More power and Godbless us.!

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    1. Hindi ko po alam yung process mo because it seems you were hired by an agency? The only process I did with POEA is the one I posted above. Good luck. :)

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  34. Hlo, gusto ko Lang pong itanong kung kailangan ko pa bang ipapasa sya agency ang recebo ko ng medical,, kasi tapos ko na pong na Ipasa ang result eh,, fit to work na pro, ako,,,, gusto ko lang malaman kung required ba talaga ng poea ang resibo ng medical kasi, nawala ko ang making recibo,,salamat wait ko reply Nyo

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    1. I have no idea. I don't think asked for it since I didn't list it above. But it's been a long time and my memory regarding this particular detail isn't clear.

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    1. You need original documents.

      I do not know the process in Japan po. It's only what I did on my part. Your company should know what to do.

      It only took me about two months, I guess? But time varies from person to person.

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    2. Hi ja,

      Thanks for the response.

      You mean i still need to send my orig docs to japan for verification by POLO?

      Thnx.

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    3. I submitted original documents. They will have no way to verify your photocopies. :)

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    5. I see.. Now im bit confused why they did not require me to send my orig docs. Sabi kasi nila on process na documents ko (emailed docs).

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    6. Can't be sure as I didn't do the process on the other side. I did email them my documents initially as well, but it's a government agency they will be submitting it to. Unless authenticated somehow I don't think it would be enough. Personally, I submitted my originals eventually, as stated above.

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  37. Hi Jona!

    I'm currently applying as a teacher in Japan and I was asked by my prospective employer to come to Japan for a three-day trial this July before they decide to hire me. They also asked me to bring with me my documents so in case they decide to hire me, I do not need to send them my documents and they can already start to process my visa. I saw your list of the documents that your employer asked from you when they processed your COE. Just like to ask if you just send the documents (eg., TOR, diploma, certificates, etc.) as is or you had to apply for the DFA red ribbon per document? I have all the documents (original copies) you have listed, but I just want to clarify if I need to take this extra step to make my documents valid. There is very little information over the internet about this specific step so I hope you can kindly assist me as you have already went through the process. I understand that you have so many readers asking for responses to their queries...so I really apologize if I''m going to add up to those..Really hoping for your reply. Thanks in advance and God bless! Hope you are doing well in whatever career you are in now ;) - Abby

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    1. Hi Abby. I did do the red ribbon certification but they didn't really ask for that. In the end it was wasted money on my side. But if you want, and just to be sure, I think it's best if you do that. All the documents submitted were original.

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  38. Tanung ko lang kung yung employer mo ba e nag set ng deadline sa pagsubmit ng documents? o ikaw na nag set?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. No one set a deadline as it wasn't an urgent job.

      If your employer has a specific date in mind when you will start, then perhaps you need to follow a schedule, including deadlines when you have to submit your documents.

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  39. Hi jona. just wanna ask. If there's such thing fruit picking job in japan?

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    1. I've heard of it, but I have no information about that. Sorry. :(

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    2. Thank you for the reply dear. But please if ever, you will know someone doing that kind of job. Kindly post any info im here, just wanna know if its real...it will be a great help to us..thank you again
      God bless you

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  40. HOW FAST POLO WORKS? I just want to share my experience. Ok, as of now my papers are at the POLO-Tokyo office. I'm really frustrated on how our system works here in the Philippines. Even my employer didn't like it.

    I will shorten it. It all started when direct hire was just fine then all of a sudden, banned. So, needed an agency to do the process. Again went back to POLO - Tokyo but it's taking too long. The process here in the Philippines took me about 3 months and by the way I have my visa which is near it's expiry date. OMG!, So frustrating...

    I'm very sorry if I tainted your blog. I just want to scream in frustrations...

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    1. Hi! I would just like to share things that i just have found out. Direct hiring ban was there already for a very long time in the rules and regulations for hiring OFWs. But there is also an exemption to the direct hiring ban.

      http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Revised%20POEA%20Rules%20And%20Regulations.pdf

      Please see the Section 123,and Section 124 on that site.

      What just had happened in the current government administration is the strict implementation of the rules and regulations. I am also affected by this (strictness) but i guess their strictness meant only to ensure our deployment.

      My employer doesn’t have previous experience for direct hiring procedures for OFW. We have been accomplishing too many things na,then we found out from POEA na may direct hiring ban pala. (At this time hindi pa ako ngrresearch about ban for direct hiring)And so they proceed to get private agency. just this week, circumstances gave me reason to contact directly the office of POLO-TOKYO through email and to my surprise they replied immediately (I sent my email @ around 6pm they replied around 9pm and telling me that they will contact my employer on the following day regarding my concern. Added to my surprise they sent me email to give me follow up after they talked to my employer. (I hope this will give you little courage or confident to our dear Philippine system.hehe

      You can contact directly to POLO-TOKYO JAPAN email - polotokyo@gmail.com

      Write to them,tell them your case so that they can respond to you according to your inquiries or concerns.

      When they updated me after they’d talked to my employer, i found out that my employer was given an option to make a letter to Sec of labor ( i guess to Sec.Bello) to exempt us from direct hiring ban or to proceed the process of getting a private agency. ( perhaps your employer can also get the same advice)

      I hope this message will help you in anyways it can do to you. Hehe :)

      Advance Merry Christmas

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  41. Hims jona..ano un poasition na inapplyn mo sa japan?kpg ang documents ba ay authenticated ng polo sure na mkkpunta ng japan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teacher po. Yung authentication po ng POLO ginagawa lang po pag may work ka na at company na naglalakad, not before.

      Delete
  42. Hi mam pano po pag tapos ka ng BS pharmacy tas walang license anu po pdeng applyan sa japan na related sa course ? Thank you po

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry po. This post is only about the process of getting a visa. Di po ako agency. Hehe

      Delete
  43. Hello po! I am currently processing my employment for Japan. I already sent the documents that my Japanese employer asked including the signed contracts. I do have two questions tho. They didn't ask me for my TOR, only college diploma and PRC license ID. I sent both original without the red ribbon authentication from DFA. Would that cause a problem? Secondly, should my documents be verified by POLO Tokyo first before my employer uses them to file for the certificate of Eligibility on my behalf? Or they can apply for the COE first, wait for the COE release then finally submit all documents to POLO for verification before finally sending them back to me along with the contract?
    I really hope you'll take the time to answer my questions. I believe my employer isn't so familiar with our country's standard procedure and bureaucracy. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure if there will be problems arising from that. If it is one of the requirements, then it's better to have submitted it. As far as I'm concerned, excess in documents is better than the opposite. >< I didn't have mine verified with Red Ribbon either, so I don't think that will be an issue.

      Second question. Your documents will need to go through POLO first. As far as I know, without POLO approval, the JP government will not issue you with a COE.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for taking the time to answer Ms. Just an hour ago, POLO Tokyo sent me a reply to my inquiry email. It is very saddening to know that following a controversy about the issuance of OEC to unqualified applicants in exchange for bribe, POEA and Labor Offices has now tighter rules on direct hires. They'll only approve direct hires if the employer falls on any of the categories below:
      - Member of the Diplomatic Corps;
      - International Organisations such as the United Nations; or
      -Local Government Office at the job site.

      Otherwise, the employer would need to use the services of a licensed recruitment agency to carry out their deployment needs.

      Huehuehue kailan pa mababago ang bolok na sistema ng Pinas.. (excuse me for ranting here)

      Delete
    3. That’s unfortunate. The last I heard is that a company is allowed to hire up to 5 people directly, and then afterwards they’d have to hire through an agency. :O Are you the first foreign employee in that company?

      Delete
    4. I think I'm not the first foreign employee there. They're an English Academy so they must have hired several foreigners previously. Perhaps I'm the first Pinoy hire. :(
      I don't know how I can explain this matter to my employer. I hope POLO Tokyo can at least help me explain this to them and possibly give them some advise on their options.

      Delete
    5. Not sure what's going on. It's either they've hired more than 5 people from the Philippines before, or they've completely abolished name hire. ; 3 ;

      Delete
    6. Huhu.. Sounds like it nga Ms. Cge nalang.. Tuloy q nalang yung pagprocess baka sakali may favor from the Lord. Anyway, thanks sa time mo Ms. Jona. If ever I'd still make it to Japan, hopefully I'll bump into you there. Hehe God bless Ms. Jo.! ;)

      Delete
    7. Hi same unknown name ;)

      I’m just reading comments and replies of ms jona here with a hope to get more infos regarding direct hiring- and yes i did get more infos. Thanks to the thread of comments here. :)

      Just want to share to you what i just have found out regarding direct hiring ban. It was been there for a very long time under Rules and Regulations for hiring OFWs.

      SECTION 123. Ban on Direct Hires. — No employer shall directly hire an Overseas Filipino Worker for overseas employment.

      SECTION 124.Exemption from the Ban on Direct Hiring. — The following are exempted from the ban on direct hiring:
      a. Members of the diplomatic corps;
      b. International organizations;
      c. Heads of state and government officials with the rank of at least deputy minister;
      or
      d. Other employers as may be allowed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment,
      such as:
      1. Those provided in (a), (b) and (c) who bear a lesser rank, if endorsed by the POLO, or Head of Mission in the absence of the POLO;
      2. Professionals and skilled workers with duly executed/authenticated contracts containing terms and conditions over and above the standards set by the POEA. The number of professional and skilled Overseas Filipino Workers hired for the first time by the employer shall not exceed five (5). For the purpose of determining the number, workers hired as a group shall be counted as one; or
      3. Workers hired by a relative/family member who is a permanent resident of the host country.

      Under Section 124.(d) section perhaps you may consider to contact POLO again through their email and ask POLO if your employer can write to our Sec. of Labor to appeal if they can hire you through exemption from the ban. Because it is in the discretion of our Secretary if he will allow the exemption from the ban or not.

      If you wish to see the full site of Rules and Regulations for us OFWs.This is the site.
      http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Revised%20POEA%20Rules%20And%20Regulations.pdf

      I hope this can do something for you. :)

      Have a Good day! :)

      Delete
    8. Thank u for taking the time to share this. Yes, just last week, POLO Tokyo explained everything to me na including the options for my employer. Last week ko pa rin nabasa itong sec. 123&124 sa rules nila. Hehe.. At least may glimmer of hope pa rin aq. Now, im still waiting for my COE.

      Delete
  44. Hi! For the processing of COE, Do I have to put a Red Ribbon seal from dfa? Also, while waiting for my COE, is there anything I could do while waiting for it? like processing my POLO (if that is possible)?

    I hope you could help me answer my questions.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Also, my work contract is all in Japanese. Do I have to ask for English version as well?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you do, primarily because you can not sign a contract you don't understand. POEA also has to approve your contract, and they can not approve it if they do not understand it either. :)

      Delete
  46. Hi ilang buwan ba lalabas yong coe?ksi yong sa amin ng apply kmi for jitco..sobrang tagal na i think more than 3 mos waiting na at yong employeer nmin ng antay din ng coe nmin ksi nka file sya sa tokyo

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi. My husband has the same case as yours. His eligibility was released last august 2017 and was expired nov29 2017. Fortunately, we applied for visa before expiration Nov 24, 2017. Visa was released dec 5, pdos dec. 18. Until now feb 2, were still waiting for polo. As per Ms. C (the one whos fixing my husband's documents) the employer will be the one to apply for my husband's polo. How many days will we wait for the polo to be released? And whats the next step after the release of polo. (Note: contract were forwarded to employer jan. 19, 2018). Please help us,, we really need his employment to Japan for our children. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I have had the privilege of exchanging email with POLO Tokyo regarding my employment papers. As far as I can remember, they mentioned that they verify and release documents on the same day that they receive them and the verification can be done personally by your employer there or via postmail(your employer sending the complete documents to POLO Tokyo). I highly suggest that you ask your employer to coordinate with POLO Tokyo via email first, to confirm the list or required documents for verification. I hope your husband can make it there soon. God bless.!

      Delete
    2. The end result of your documents being approved by POLO and your employer submitting documents to the Immigration is getting the COE.

      Unfortunately, I don't know the time frame of waiting for POLO to verify the documents, as mentioned above I do not know the details of what my employer did on their side.

      I don't think they take too long though! Because I had changed my job once already and they were able to verify my documents on the same day.

      By the way, getting the COE can take up to three months (as mentioned in the blog).

      It would have been better if you waited for the COE to be released before getting a VISA. How were you able to get a work visa without the COE though? I didn't think that was possible.

      Delete
    3. Thank you for the info. Unfortunately my brother in law was the one wh0 directly talks to my husband's employer (my brother in law is working at japan). How I wish we could do something to fasten the processing of my husband's documents aside from waiting. His visa will expire this feb. 24, 2018. Is there stil a chance that he will make it to japan before the expiration of his visa? What will prabably happen if his visa expires and he's still in yhe philippines?

      Delete
    4. Ms. Ja he already have a coe (certificate of eligibility) last august 2017 pa. That's why he have working visa already and he's also done with pdos.

      Delete
    5. If your husband doesn't have a COE yet, it might be difficult to beat the deadline. ; 3 ;

      Personally it took me a very short time from getting my COE to being able to fly to Japan--9 days.

      Delete
  48. My husband's visa will expire this feb 24, 2018. And were worried because we have no news on his polo. What will happen if in case his visa will expire and his not yet allowed to go to japan due to the absence of polo?

    ReplyDelete
  49. question po.. your COE came from japan right, so its written in japanese. When u submit documents including COE to POEA is it translated in English already ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The COE will be in both languages, so ok na yun.

      Regarding other documents though...

      You will have to have your Japanese documents (like your contract) translated to English (for POEA processing) and your English documents (like your TOR, diploma, birth certificate, etc.) translated into Japanese (for JP Immigration processing).

      Good luck!

      Delete
  50. I think aside from japanese characters meron din naka sulat ng english sa taas. Yun ung sa coe ko dati e.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hello po tnung ko lng pohigpit po b sa japan embassy sa dokumento? Lalo na po sa tor.. Ngoagawa po kasi ako tor malalaman po kya un sa embassy? ..
    Thankspo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If your TOR is fake, I advise you not to go through with it. Syempre mahigpit. Baka makalusot ka, pero pag nahuli ka forever banned ka na. You might even face a case for falsification of documents. Your call.

      PLEASE if you want to go abroad, do it properly.

      Delete
  52. Hi Ms. Sy,

    Someone hired me poh in Japan by first week of May. Gusto ko po sanang malaman if okay lng poh ba mag tourist while processing the COE in japan and while waiting po sa approval mag start na poh yong work. Office work poh yung papasukan ko. Please advise. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a gray area. Some people do it, but it is not exactly legal.

      COE processing can last up to three months. A tourist visa is at 2 weeks max for a Philippine passport. You are not allowed to work on a tourist visa. Kahit pending application yung work visa mo. It's simply illegal.

      Again. You will be working illegally if you work without a proper work visa.

      I doubt your company will let you do that? It's kinda shady!

      Delete
  53. Hi! I just wanted to ask how long did you wait for the verification of your Employment Contract from POLO in Japan? And what did they require for the verification? Because POEA is requiring me to have this done before I can have my medical and PDOS.

    Appreciate your reply. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia,
      In my case I waited for 1month and 2weeks. Usually it takes 1-3months to receive your COE.
      The requirements that you will submit in polo depends on what will your employer will ask you. In my case I just submitted my TOR,Pictures,Contract,Pictures,Photocopy of my passport.

      Delete
  54. Hello po, direct hire po ako ng agency na nasa japan, March 6 inapply nila yung COE ko. Tinatanong ng agency ko na nasa japan kung ok lang sa akin mag process ng mga POEA documents after ko makuha COE. Regarding po sa rule ng POEA na ban for direct hire, need ba ng agency ko na nasa Japan na kumuha sila ng local agency para makaalis ako? Bago lang ba itong rule na POEA na ito??, sa tingin ko madami na silang pinoy na direct hire.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hello po! Yes, after mo ma receive ang COE mo kailangan mo ng local agency na tutulong sayo to process your papers.
    Bawal naman talaga yung direct hire even before but medyo mahigpit na sila ngayon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, yun pong local agency na tinutukoy nyo eh yung sa pagkuha ng visa or pati pagaasikaso sa POEA in general?

      Delete
    2. It’s not bawal? Not even now. Just more strictly regulated.

      They just prefer workers go through agencies because it’s easier to manage. Haha.

      But agencies take a cut from your salary, so there’s that!

      Delete
    3. FYI, Direct hire is not "bawal". You can even ask POEA about it. Ang catch lang, if more than 5 persons na ang hina hire ng employer na OFW, that's when they're required to process thru agency. Direct hire is still legal.

      Delete
  56. Hello,

    I’ve been reading the comments po pero somehow I’m still confused kung anong gagawin ko.

    I was directly hired by a school last December and I sent them all the documents necessary to obtain a COE. I finally received my COE po from Japan last February and they sent me back all the documents na binigay ko sa kanila including a copy of my contract in Japanese. I got my Work/SHIS visa last March 1, 2018 through Reli tours.

    Ngayon magpapamedical na sana ako and pupunta POEA tomorrow, however, nabasa ko sa mga comments yung tungkol sa POLO authentication. Marirelease ba yung COE from Japan kung hindi POLO authenticated? I was under the impression kasi na bago nila makuha COE at isend saken eh ginawa na nila yung POLO authentication.

    Also, original copy lang ng Japanese contract na signed and may seal ang binalik sila saken. I can print naman the English copy in PDF format via email kaso walang pirma yun. Acceptable na kaya yun?

    I am hoping for a response soon kasi gusto ko na din makaalis. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. POLO has to know you’re going to Japan to work, they be regulating you from within Japan. Any change in contract, change of job, shall be reported to POLO. In short, if your contract was not reviewed by POLO, POEA can not allow you to leave.

      Also, can you speak Japanese? Because you can’t sign a contract you don’t understand. POEA people are likely not Japanese-speakers either so they can’t approve your contract and let you leave. You can’t show them a translated version without legal signatures either because they wouldn’t know if it’s a correct translation or not (because they can’t read Japanese to compare with your original contract).

      So before going to POEA, be sure your contract has been reviewed by POLO and that it’s in a language you can understand (and the POEA people can understand, English).

      Good luck. :)

      Delete
  57. May i know the list of medical requirements for u to have medical cert? I reviewed ur blog and someone asked about this already but the answers were deleted.thanks

    ReplyDelete
  58. hi! may I ask ano yung mga test sa medicla na required kapag papuntang japan? kasi nagtatanong yung mga diagnostic clinics. Ako kasi yung first pinoy na hired ng company kaya di din sila sure. thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi!
    Ask ko lang po kung same ang process ng POEA philippines and POLO tokyo.
    Scenario is i enter japan as student and after that i applied directly as a customer service/Translator in an international chain hotels. I applied for the working visa here in japan and my employer provided all the docs and luckily got a 5 years working visa. I started working without registering to POEA and then after 6months i get back to philippines for a vacation and during my flight back to japan i got hold at the immigration because they needed the what they called OEC which i do not have. POEA in philippines issued a temporary OEC in order for me to pass the immigration that day but still need to continue the process of registration here in POLO tokyo japan.My company is not registered in POEA because they are not hiring from abroad instead they hire foreigners who has a legally working visa here in japan. My Question is does an EMPLOYER INTERVIEW required in POEA philippines? which is POLO Japan is requiring here.Anyone with the same case who is working in a big company here in japan and has an experienced to bring their employer to POLO office in tokyo. hope someone here could help.
    thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Any updates on your case? What did you do to return to japan? Thanks

      Delete
  60. Question lang po, what if already member ng OWWA at need ko lang mag change jobsite from Singapore to Japan? Meron ng company na gusto mag direct hire sa akin sa Japan.
    Ang kailangan ko lang ba ay yung COE? (assuming company will sent it to me via mail) then I can apply the working visa here from SG.


    Salamat po :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can not work in Japan without being issued COE by the Japanese government. Unfortunately, you still need to go through the entire process. Pero I have no firsthand experience sa ganyan kaya baka medyo iba din pagdating sa POEA. :)

      All I know is that you still need a COE and POLO still needs to verify your contract.

      Delete
  61. Hello :) Upon searching answers to my concern,Thank God I landed here. Ask ko lang po, direct hire din po ako and narelease na po ang COE ko last August 8,2018. Then 10days ago nag apply ang Employer ko for POLO, up to now still waiting parin po sa update and result. May Agency nadin na kausap dto sa Pinas for Visa and OEC application after. Ang concern ko malapit na kc ma expired ang COE this first week of November kaya medyo worried ako kung ano mangyayari if maabutan ng expiration COE? Wala kc ako makitang link about extention or re-application of COE. First time din kc ng employer na mag re-hire dto sa Pinas. Thank you in advance :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Ano yung inapplyan mo sa POLO?

      Do you mean nagpapaverify kayo ng contract? Ako kasi nung nag change job ako, within the day may approval na from POLO.

      Unfortunately, pag nag-expire yung COE mo, you will need to re-apply.

      Kung may COE ka na pwede ka na mag-apply ng VISA, pwede ka na rin magpa-medical.

      Ang hihintayin mo is going to POEA, kasi sa POEA kailangan yung POLO-verified contract. Last part naman na yun. :) Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Hi again sis :)

      Thank you sa mabilis na pag sagot ha. Na appreciate ko talaga :) and Thank you din sa mga sinabi mo kahit papano naliwanagan ako.

      Anyway, regarding POLO. Yung employer kc from Japan ang mismong nag aasikaso ng mga papers namin. Sya ang nag submit ng mga documents namin sa POLO for verification of documents right after nya marecieved yung COE namin. Ang main concern talaga namin is yung expiration ng COE.

      From my own understanding, when you said "re-application: does it mean we need to undergo the same process and wait for maximum of 3months?


      Delete
  62. Hi, yung mother ko kasi naglakad ng lahat since nasa japan na siya almost 3 years. And now na-release na yung eligibility namin. Kailangan ko paba kumuha ng oec or pumunta sa poea kahit wala pa akong work na inapplyan dun? Thanks in advance! :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hello,
    How will I know po na my contract was verified by POLO? I have my COE already and my employer needs me ASAP. I thought with COE and visa I can go to Japan right away. Then yung COE ko po was processed by a lawyer which yung employer ko yung kumuha.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Good day po... I just want to ask about sa medical examination to japan. i have hemorrhoids po kasi, and recently, I'm having a vaginal yeast infection, which is kind of natural daw po , and is not considered as STD,, will I have a problem po ba sa medical exam???

    ReplyDelete
  65. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hi kakaapply ko lang po visa last Saturday meron na po ako COE and pirmado na din sa POLO. Hired ako as household worker ng isang diplomat. Then nung isang araw tumawag ang japanese embassy saken nag tatanong about sa magiging employer ko at past job ko at yung about sa pagpunta ko ng japan last june.. kinakabahan kasi ako baka hndi nila ako bigyan ng visa dahil ng tour ako sa japan last june..

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi Jona.

    Bakit wala sa procedure mo ung pag kuha ng Insurance for repatriation and notarized declaration kung pano mo nakuha ung work. Kakapasa ko lang sa POEA at yan lang kulang ko na hiningi nila. Bagong requirement ba to?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Barry!

      A repatriation clause should have been included in your contract. I did not write nor research for my contract (my company did), so I did not comment on it.

      As far as I know, your employer should be responsible for your repatriation in case you die. But if you decide to quit your job or just go back to the Philippines, it's on you.

      I will have no further comments regarding the contract or contents of it--like I said, I was not the one to write and research about contract-writing.

      That's all! Good luck!

      Delete
  68. hi po miss ja, true po ba na bawal ang naoperahan na mgwork sa japan?

    ReplyDelete
  69. on the last deployment date at last arrival date, ano ilalagay po doon pag hindi pa nakapunta ng japan dati at first time mag ofw

    ReplyDelete
  70. Direct hire ako!! Nagpapa virefy pa po ba ng passport ??

    ReplyDelete
  71. Tapos may pinirmahan po kami na sa POEA na nasa Coupon band lang na wala naman nakalagay kong kontrata yun?

    ReplyDelete
  72. hi miss ja! ask ko lng kc yung partner ko will work in japan.. may coe na sila nun may 24 pa that will expired this august he already have a working visa., the problem is wala pa yung mga docs nila coming from verified by polo.. kung sakaling mag expired na coe nila ng wala pa mga verified docs., may chance pa kaya siya maka alis., may agency siya dto sa pinas na nag aasikaso at yon ang update sknila.,
    TIA

    ReplyDelete
  73. hello good day ! mag ask lang sana ako , 1 year po akong banned sa japan as a overstay sumuko po ako . ngayon po gusto ko po bumalik ng japan pero mag aapply po ako as a trainee po tanong ko po sana kung tatanggapin pa po ba ako ng agency or makakapag apply pa po ba ako as a trainee? thank you po sa sasagot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they find your record, may good chance po syempre na hindi na kayo pababalikin kahit tourist.

      Delete
  74. Hello Po.. ask ko lang Po kung panu Po malalaman ung documents Po ee is POLO certified Po .. salamat Po...
    And nung pumunta Po ba kayo ng poea Po, may copy din Po kayo ng company nyo? I mean ung profile or background Po ng company mo Po dun sa say Japan? Salamat Po.. and God bless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sinubmit nyo po ba sa POLO? If you didn't hindi po verified of course.

      Delete
  75. Helo ask ko Lang po may inapplyn po ako PA Japan direct hired sya bat agent po nag aaskasko dn kme ang shoulder sa unang medical then ung visa for is 30k is it True po ba?

    ReplyDelete
  76. Hi. Would like to ask. Need po ba ng certificate na nagaral ka ng Nihongo for you to get working visa? Just curious. Since wala po nakalagay na you took up a nihongo class and you pass a cert in poea po for you to have working visa. 😊

    ReplyDelete
  77. hi ma'am. direct hire po ako. i am waiting for my coe na lang po (nasa manila central mail exchange na po sya) then i am going to apply for visa. (instructors visa to be exact kasi ayun po ang nakalagay sa coe) is it necessary po ba na kumuha ng agency to help me with my visa or pwede pong ako na lang deretso sa embassy dito sa philippines? second po, and pag kuha po ba ng oec is before you fly to japan or i can obtain one for example po mag babakasyon ako. third, I only have provisional contract as of now, i dont have the final contract because it will happen sa main office po nila (as per my employer) your response is highly appreciated. thank you so much ma'am. god bless you po.

    ReplyDelete

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