The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is reminding Filipinos who want to work and move to Canada to follow the proper process.

Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized this after hearing about cases where Filipinos went to Canada without doing things correctly, instead relying on illegal recruiters who charged them way too much.

He mentioned that on April 12, the DMW issued Advisory 9, which lays out the steps and rules for Filipinos going to Canada through its immigration programs.

The main issue here is making sure all documents are verified properly and the workers are processed correctly before going to Canada. There are different programs in Canada for things like permanent residency, but first, you typically need a job offer or a work permit.

According to Advisory 9, Filipinos going to Canada through various programs like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot or different work permits need to have their contracts and documents verified by the DMW to avoid illegal recruitment.

Cacdac explained that the DMW will handle the documentary process for OFWs, usually through licensed Philippine Recruitment Agencies.

He also mentioned that certain types of work, like clerical or administrative roles, even if with a religious institution, still need DMW verification.

However, certain individuals, like spouses of foreign nationals in high-skilled jobs or full-time students with valid permits, don’t need to go through the DMW process.

Lastly, Cacdac emphasized the importance of the “no placement fee policy” for OFWs applying to Canada.