COMELEC Overseas Absentee Voting: How to Apply (OAV)
Absentee voting allows qualified Filipino citizens who cannot vote in their registered precincts on election day to still exercise their right to suffrage. There are two types: Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) under RA 9189 (as amended by RA 10590) for Filipinos abroad, and Local Absentee Voting (LAV) under RA 7166 §12 (covering government officials/employees and AFP/PNP) as expanded by RA 10380 (covering media). Both OAV and LAV are limited to national positions only: President, Vice-President, Senators, and Party-List.
Overview
Cost
FREE registration
Timeline
Must register during the designated period; overseas voting period is typically 30 days before election
Key Fact
Both OAV and LAV are limited to national positions only (President, VP, Senators, Party-List)
Overseas vs. Local Absentee Voting
Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV)
- For Filipino citizens abroad (OFWs, immigrants, dual citizens)
- Register at Philippine Embassy/Consulate or online via iRehistro
- Can vote for national positions only (President, VP, Senators, Party-List)
- Governed by RA 9189
Local Absentee Voting (LAV)
- For government officials/employees and AFP/PNP on election duty (RA 7166 §12), and media on election coverage (RA 10380)
- Gov employees / AFP / PNP file through their Head Office, Commander, or Supervisor; media file with the Regional Election Director, City Election Officer, or Provincial Election Supervisor
- National positions only — same as OAV (President, VP, Senators, Party-List)
- Governed by RA 7166 §12 and RA 10380
Who Can Apply for OAV?
- Filipino citizens abroad (OFWs, permanent residents, immigrants)
- Dual citizens under RA 9225
- Filipino seafarers
- Must be at least 18 years old on election day
- Must not have been disqualified by law
Requirements for Overseas Absentee Voting
| Document | Details | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas Voter Registration Form | Available at Embassy/Consulate or online via iRehistro | Required |
| Valid Philippine Passport | Current and valid Philippine passport | Required |
| Proof of Identity | Any government-issued ID | Required |
| Proof of Foreign Residency | For immigrants/permanent residents (e.g., residence visa, green card) | If applicable |
| Seafarer's ID & Record Book (SIRB) | For Filipino seafarers | If applicable |
Fee: FREE - No fees required for overseas voter registration.
Requirements for Local Absentee Voting
| Document | Details | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Local Absentee Voting | Filed through head of agency | Required |
| Certificate of Assignment/Deployment | Proof of assignment or deployment on election day | Required |
| Valid ID | Any government-issued ID with photo | Required |
| Registered Voter | Must already be a registered voter in the Philippines | Required |
Fee: FREE - No fees required for local absentee voting application.
Step-by-Step: Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV)
Step 1: Register as an Overseas Voter
Register at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your host country. You may also register online through the iRehistro system. Registration must be done during the designated registration period announced by COMELEC.
Step 2: Submit Registration Form and Documents
Submit your completed Overseas Voter Registration Form along with your valid Philippine passport and supporting documents. Immigrants and permanent residents must also provide proof of foreign residency. Seafarers must present their SIRB.
Step 3: Wait for COMELEC Processing
Wait for COMELEC to process your application and include your name in the Certified List of Overseas Voters. You can check your registration status through the Embassy or COMELEC website.
Step 4: Go to Voting Center During Voting Period
During the overseas voting period (typically 30 days before election day), go to the designated voting center at your Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Bring a valid ID for verification.
Step 5: Vote Using the Official COMELEC Ballot
Cast your vote using the official COMELEC ballot. Remember that overseas voters can only vote for national positions: President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List representatives.
Step 6: Ballot Transmission
Your ballot is securely transmitted to COMELEC in the Philippines for official counting. The Embassy/Consulate handles the secure transmission of all overseas ballots.
Step-by-Step: Local Absentee Voting (LAV)
LAV lets eligible Filipinos who will be on election duty away from their home precinct cast their vote in advance. The application channel depends on which group you fall under.
Step 1: Confirm You Qualify
You must be a registered voter who will be on official duty on election day away from your home precinct. Eligible groups: government officials and employees, AFP and PNP personnel (under RA 7166 §12), and media personnel actually covering the elections (under RA 10380).
Step 2: File Your Application Through the Right Channel
LAV is filed before the election period closes; COMELEC announces the exact deadline per election cycle via resolution. File through:
Government officials & employees — submit your LAV application to your Head of Office, who consolidates and forwards applications to COMELEC.
AFP & PNP personnel — submit to your Unit Commander or immediate supervisor, who forwards to COMELEC through the chain of command.
Media personnel — file with the Regional Election Director, City Election Officer, or Provincial Election Supervisor covering your assigned area. Include proof you are actually covering the elections (assignment letter, press ID).
Step 3: Wait for COMELEC Inclusion
Approved applicants are included in the LAV list and assigned to a designated LAV polling place (usually at COMELEC main office, regional offices, or other COMELEC-designated centers).
Step 4: Vote Early on the Scheduled LAV Day
LAV voting is held on COMELEC-designated days before the regular election day. Bring a valid government-issued ID and your assignment paper. You can vote only for national positions (President, VP, Senators, Party-List) — same scope as OAV.
Step 5: Ballots Transmitted to COMELEC
Your sealed ballot is securely transmitted by COMELEC and tallied with the national vote on the official canvass.
Complete Example: Ana's Overseas Voting in Dubai
Scenario: Ana, a Filipina OFW in Dubai, wants to vote in the 2025 electionsRegistration:Ana registered as an overseas voter at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai during the registration period. She submitted:
- Overseas Voter Registration Form
- Valid Philippine Passport
- Emirates ID (as proof of foreign residency)Voting Day:During the 30-day overseas voting period before the 2025 election, Ana went to the Philippine Consulate's voting center. She brought her passport for identification.Positions Voted For:- President
- Vice President
- Senators (up to 12)
- Party-List representativeTime Spent: The entire process took about 30 minutesCost: FREE - Registration and voting are completely free of chargeFrequently Asked Questions
Can overseas voters vote for local positions (mayor, governor)?
No. Under RA 9189, overseas absentee voters can only vote for national positions: President, Vice President, Senators, and Party-List representatives. Voting for local positions such as mayor, governor, congressman, and councilors is not available for overseas voters.
Can I register online for overseas absentee voting?
Yes! You can register online through the iRehistro system for Overseas Absentee Voting. Visit the COMELEC iRehistro portal and follow the instructions for overseas voter registration. You may still need to appear at the Embassy/Consulate for biometrics capture.
What if I'm a dual citizen? Can I still vote?
Yes. Under RA 9225 (Dual Citizenship Act), Filipino dual citizens retain their right to vote in Philippine elections. You can register as an overseas absentee voter at the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence.
When can I register, and how long is my OAV registration valid?
Under RA 10590 §11, the OAV registration window opens not later than 6 months after the last national election and closes about 7 months before the next one. For the 2028 national elections, the current registration period runs 01 December 2025 – 30 September 2027 (per DFA and COMELEC notices). Like local voters, overseas voters can also be deactivated for missing 2 consecutive national elections — file for reactivation with your Embassy/Consulate if that happens.
Can I vote by mail from abroad?
Postal voting is available in some countries. COMELEC designates certain countries where postal voting is allowed. Check with your Philippine Embassy or Consulate to find out if postal voting is available in your host country. If not, you must vote in person at the designated voting center.
What if I return to the Philippines permanently?
If you return to the Philippines, you should deactivate your overseas voter registration and register as a local voter at your COMELEC office in your city or municipality. You cannot be registered both as an overseas and a local voter simultaneously.
Important Reminders
- Registration is FREE: Never pay any amount for overseas or local absentee voter registration
- Register during the period: COMELEC sets specific registration periods; don't miss the deadline
- OAV registration window is set per election cycle: opens within 6 months after the last national election and closes about 7 months before the next (RA 10590 §11). Current window for the 2028 elections: 01 Dec 2025 – 30 Sep 2027.
- OAV and LAV are national-only: both cover President, VP, Senators, and Party-List. You cannot vote for local positions (governor, mayor, district representative) under absentee voting.
- Bring valid ID when voting: Always bring your passport or valid ID to the voting center
- Check your status: Verify that your name is on the Certified List of Overseas Voters before the voting period
- Vote during the voting period: Overseas voting is held 30 days before election day; do not miss your chance
Need Help?
Contact COMELEC
- Website: comelec.gov.ph
- Address: Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila
- For phone/email, see the COMELEC Contact Information page.
Philippine Embassy/Consulate
Contact your nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for overseas voter registration inquiries. Find your nearest post at dfa.gov.ph.
Sources
- COMELEC — Republic Act No. 9189 (Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003).
- COMELEC — Republic Act No. 10590 amending RA 9189 (continuous 30-day OAV voting period; §11 sets the registration window).
- DFA Hapeville (Atlanta PCG) — Notice of Resumption of OAV Registration for the 2028 Philippine Elections (01 Dec 2025 – 30 Sep 2027).
- Alburo Alburo & Associates — Absentee Voting: Local and Overseas (RA 7166 §12 scope; national positions only).
- Supreme Court E-Library — Republic Act No. 10380 (Local Absentee Voting for Media).
- Respicio & Co. — Local and Overseas Absentee Voting (bar reviewer) — application channels for AFP/PNP, gov employees, and media.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the COMELEC you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest COMELEC first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.