How to Verify a Job Order / Recruitment Agency
Before applying for any overseas job, it is critical to verify whether the recruitment agency is licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and whether the job order is legitimate. Illegal recruitment is a serious crime in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by RA 10022, and further strengthened by RA 11641 (Department of Migrant Workers Act). Verifying an agency's license status and job order validity is a free service provided by the DMW and can be done online or in person. This step can protect you from scams, excessive fees, contract substitution, and other forms of exploitation.
Why Agency Verification Matters
Illegal recruitment is one of the most common problems faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Every year, thousands of Filipinos fall victim to unlicensed recruiters who promise high-paying jobs abroad but deliver nothing — or worse, lead applicants into trafficking situations. Under Philippine law, the following acts constitute illegal recruitment:
- Recruiting workers without a valid license or authority from the DMW (formerly POEA)
- Charging or accepting fees greater than what is allowed by law or DMW rules
- Failing to deploy workers without valid reason and without refunding documents and fees already collected
- Substituting or altering employment contracts without the worker's knowledge and consent
- Furnishing false information or documents to applicants in relation to recruitment and deployment
Legal Basis: RA 8042 (as amended by RA 10022), Sections 6 and 7; RA 11641 (DMW Act)
Red Flags of Illegal Recruitment
Be alert and watch out for these warning signs when dealing with recruitment agencies or individuals offering overseas employment:
- Collecting excessive placement fees: The agency charges more than one (1) month's salary as a placement fee, or imposes hidden charges not reflected in official receipts
- No official receipts: The agency or recruiter does not issue official receipts for any payments made — legitimate agencies always provide ORs
- No POEA/DMW license: The agency cannot show a valid DMW license or authority to recruit, or the license displayed is expired or fake
- Jobs that sound too good to be true: Promising unusually high salaries for low-skilled positions, guaranteed employment, or “no interview needed”
- Asking for upfront payment before contract signing: Demanding fees before you have signed an employment contract or before the job order is verified
- Recruiting in unofficial locations: Conducting recruitment activities in malls, hotels, residences, or through social media without proper authorization
- Withholding your passport or documents: Taking your passport, IDs, or original documents as “collateral” for the job placement
How to Verify Online
DMW Verification Portal
- Visit the official DMW website at dmw.gov.ph or the verification portal
- Navigate to the “Verify License” or “Agency Verification” section
- You can search by agency name, license number, or location
- Results will show the agency's license status (active, suspended, revoked, or expired)
- The portal is available 24/7 and is completely free to use
Job Order Verification
- On the same portal, look for the “Verify Job Order” section
- Enter the job order number provided by the agency
- Check if the job order is approved, active, and matches the position offered to you
- Cross-reference the employer name, country of destination, and position with your contract
- A valid job order means the employer has been accredited and the vacancy is legitimate
Note: If the agency or job order does not appear in the DMW verification system, do not proceed with the application. Contact DMW directly at the 1348 hotline to confirm before making any payments.
How to Verify In Person
Visit DMW Regional Office
- Go to the nearest DMW Regional or Satellite Office during office hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Bring the name of the agency, its address, and any documents you received from the recruiter
- The DMW staff can verify the agency's license status and any active job orders on the spot
- You may also file a report if you suspect the agency is engaging in illegal recruitment
Call 1348 Hotline
- Dial 1348 from any landline or mobile phone in the Philippines
- The hotline is operated by the DMW and is available during office hours
- You can ask the operator to verify an agency's license, check a job order, or report illegal recruitment
- Have the agency name, license number, or job order number ready when you call
Step-by-Step Process
How to Verify a Recruitment Agency / Job Order
Step 1: Access the DMW Verification Portal
• Open your web browser and go to the official DMW website (dmw.gov.ph)
• Look for the “Verify License” or “Agency Status Inquiry” link
• The portal is free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection
Step 2: Search by Agency Name or License Number
• Enter the full name of the recruitment agency in the search field
• Alternatively, enter the agency's license number if you have it
• You can also search by location or country of deployment
Step 3: Check the License Status and Validity
• The system will display the agency's license status: Active, Suspended, Revoked, or Expired
• Verify the license validity dates — ensure the license is currently valid
• Note the agency's registered address and contact information
Step 4: Verify the Specific Job Order Number
• Ask the agency for the job order number assigned to the position they are offering
• Enter the job order number in the DMW verification portal
• The system will show if the job order is approved and active
Step 5: Cross-Reference with Employer Details
• Check that the employer name matches what the agency told you
• Verify the country of destination and job position
• Confirm the number of available slots and salary range
Step 6: Confirm Job Order is Approved and Active
• Ensure the job order status shows “Approved” or “Active”
• Check that the job order has not expired or been cancelled
• Verify that deployment slots are still available
Step 7: Report Suspicious or Unlicensed Agencies
• If the agency does not appear in the system, do NOT proceed with the application
• Report the agency to DMW via the 1348 hotline or the nearest DMW office
• You may also file a formal complaint for investigationWhat to Check
Agency License Details
- License Status: Must be “Active” — agencies with Suspended, Revoked, or Expired status cannot legally recruit
- License Validity Dates: Check the issuance and expiration dates to ensure the license is current
- Approved Job Orders: The agency should have approved job orders for the specific position and country they are recruiting for
Employer & Job Order Details
- Employer Accreditation: The foreign employer must be accredited by the DMW and linked to the agency
- Placement Fees: Confirm fees are within DMW-prescribed limits — generally not exceeding one (1) month's salary equivalent
- Deployment History: Check if the agency has a track record of successful deployments for the same employer and destination
Example Explained
Step 1: Linda opens her browser and visits the DMW official website at dmw.gov.ph. She navigates to the “Verify License” page to check the status of the recruitment agency that contacted her about a nursing job in Saudi Arabia.
Step 2: She types the agency name — “ABC International Manpower Services” — into the search field. She could also enter the license number if the agency provided it. The search returns a matching result.
Step 3: Linda checks the license status. The portal shows the agency's status as “Active” with a license valid until December 2026. She also notes the registered office address matches what the agency told her.
Step 4: Next, Linda asks the agency for the specific job order number for the nursing position in Saudi Arabia. The agency provides the number, and she enters it in the “Verify Job Order” section. The system confirms the job order exists.
Step 5: She cross-references the employer name displayed in the system with the employer name on her preliminary contract. Both match — a good sign. The country (Saudi Arabia), position (Staff Nurse), and salary range also align with what the agency offered.
Step 6: Linda confirms that the job order status is “Approved” and still active, with available deployment slots. She is now confident that the agency and job order are legitimate.
Step 7: Because everything checks out, Linda proceeds with her application. Had the agency not appeared in the system, she would have reported it to DMW via the 1348 hotline and walked away from the deal.
Complete Example: Verifying Before Applying
Real-World Scenario
Scenario: Linda is a registered nurse looking for work in Saudi Arabia.
She saw a Facebook post from “ABC International Manpower Services”
offering nursing positions with a monthly salary of SAR 5,000.
Before submitting any documents or paying fees, Linda decides to verify.
What Linda Does:
• Goes to dmw.gov.ph and clicks “Verify License”
• Searches for “ABC International Manpower Services”
• Finds the agency with an ACTIVE license (valid until Dec 2026)
• Asks the agency for the Job Order Number: JO-2026-001234
• Verifies the job order on the DMW portal — status: APPROVED
• Confirms employer name: “Al-Faisal Medical Center”
• Cross-checks position (Staff Nurse), salary (SAR 5,000), and country (Saudi Arabia)
Verification Results:
Agency License: ACTIVE ✔
License Validity: Jan 2024 – Dec 2026 ✔
Job Order Status: APPROVED ✔
Employer Accredited: YES ✔
Position Matches: YES ✔
Salary Matches: YES ✔
Result: Linda is confident the agency and job are legitimate!
She proceeds with her application, knowing she is protected by law.
Total Cost: FREE (verification is a free DMW service)
Total Time: Less than 10 minutes online
Protection: Full legal protection under RA 8042 & RA 10022Licensed vs. Unlicensed Agency Comparison
| Criteria | Licensed Agency | Unlicensed Agency |
|---|---|---|
| DMW License | Has a valid, active license displayed in their office and verifiable on the DMW website | No license, expired license, or fake/forged license that cannot be verified online |
| Placement Fees | Charges fees within the DMW-prescribed limit (not exceeding one month's salary) and issues official receipts | Charges excessive fees, hidden charges, or demands payment without issuing official receipts |
| Job Orders | Has DMW-approved job orders that can be verified online; provides the job order number upon request | Cannot provide verifiable job order numbers; job orders are fake or non-existent in the DMW system |
| Employment Contract | Provides a DMW-approved standard employment contract; no contract substitution occurs | May substitute contracts after signing, change terms upon arrival abroad, or provide no contract at all |
| Office Location | Operates from a registered office address that matches DMW records; professional and accessible | Recruits in malls, hotels, residences, or online without a registered office; hard to trace |
| Legal Recourse | OFW can file complaints with DMW; agency has a surety bond and escrow deposit for claims | Difficult to hold accountable; no bond or escrow; operators may disappear; higher risk of trafficking |
| Legal Status | Legally authorized to recruit under RA 8042 and RA 11641; regulated and monitored by DMW | Operating illegally; subject to criminal prosecution under RA 8042 (illegal recruitment is a criminal offense, economic sabotage if large-scale) |
Note: Under RA 8042, illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate (3 or more persons) or in large scale (against 3 or more victims) is considered economic sabotage and is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine of not less than PHP 2 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I check if a recruitment agency is licensed online?
Visit the DMW official website at dmw.gov.ph and navigate to the “Verify License” or “Agency Status Inquiry” section. Enter the agency name or license number in the search field. The system will display the agency's current license status (Active, Suspended, Revoked, or Expired), validity dates, registered address, and approved job orders. This service is free and available 24/7. You can also call the DMW hotline at 1348 to verify by phone.
Q: What should I do if the agency's license is suspended?
If the DMW verification portal shows that an agency's license is “Suspended,” do not apply or submit any documents to that agency. A suspended agency is temporarily prohibited from recruiting and deploying workers. The suspension may be due to violations, complaints, or pending investigations. Wait until the agency's status is restored to “Active” before considering them. You may also report the agency to DMW if they continue to recruit despite the suspension.
Q: Can I still apply to a recently licensed agency?
Yes, you can apply to a recently licensed agency as long as their license status is “Active” in the DMW verification system. However, exercise extra caution with newly licensed agencies. Check if they have approved job orders and accredited employers. You may also want to research the agency's reputation online or ask for references from previously deployed workers. A valid license is the minimum requirement, but a good track record provides additional assurance.
Q: What are the maximum placement fees allowed by DMW?
Under DMW rules, the maximum placement fee that a recruitment agency can charge is equivalent to one (1) month's salary of the worker. This is the general rule, though some bilateral labor agreements with specific countries may have different fee schedules. For certain destinations (such as countries that follow a “no placement fee” policy), the employer shoulders the recruitment cost. Always ask for official receipts for any payment you make, and never pay fees that are not documented or that exceed the prescribed limit.
Q: How do I report illegal recruitment?
You can report illegal recruitment through several channels: (1) Call the DMW hotline at 1348; (2) Visit the nearest DMW Regional or Satellite Office and file a formal complaint; (3) Report online through the DMW website; (4) Contact the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for trafficking-related cases; (5) File a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group if the recruitment was conducted online. Provide as much evidence as possible, including the agency name, recruiter name, receipts, screenshots of messages, and any documents you received.
Important Reminders
- Agency verification through the DMW is completely FREE — never pay anyone to verify an agency or job order for you
- Always verify BEFORE submitting documents or paying any fees — once you hand over money to an illegal recruiter, it may be extremely difficult to recover
- Illegal recruitment is a criminal offense under RA 8042 — if committed by a syndicate or in large scale, it is considered economic sabotage punishable by life imprisonment
- Never surrender your original passport, IDs, or documents to a recruitment agency as “collateral” — this is illegal and a common tactic of unscrupulous recruiters
- Always demand and keep official receipts for any payment made to the agency — payments without receipts cannot be proven in case of a dispute
- If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is — exercise caution with promises of unusually high salaries, “guaranteed” jobs, or “no interview required” offers
- The DMW hotline 1348 is your primary resource for verifying agencies, reporting illegal recruitment, and seeking assistance as an OFW or prospective OFW
- Share this information with family and friends who are planning to work abroad — awareness is the first line of defense against illegal recruitment
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the DMW you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest DMW first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.