July 22, 2009

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Immigration Consultancy Agencies


Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is mandated by law to promote and develop the overseas employment program as well as to protect the rights of migrant workers. Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 provides that POEA shall regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and placement of workers through a licensing and registration system.

One of the common questions I receive from clients is if Canadian Immigration Consultancy is accredited by POEA. Thus, I though of writing about POEA and Immigration Consultancy Agencies.

First off, Canadian Immigration Consultancy is not a recruitment agency and does not engage in recruitment and placement activities. That being said, I wish to refer you to POEA Memorandum Circular No. 10 Series of 2003.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Immigration Consultancy Agencies
http://www.poea.gov.ph/docs/MCs/mc%202003/mc10.pdf


So there. Only those immigration consultancy agencies which do not limit themselves to document facilitation and visa assistance for immigrants, but engage in recruitment and placement activities are required to obtain a license.

Canadian Immigration Consultancy (CIC) is not accredited by Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) because it is not a recruitment agency. CIC has been doing immigration business for 20 years now!