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OFW Pass Valid 90 Days: What Changed for Balik-Manggagawa
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Quick answer
The DMW made the OFW Pass valid 90 days from the date of issue. This applies to the OFW Travel Pass you get for free in the eGovPH app. You can void it or renew it in the app whenever you need to. The rule comes from DMW Advisory No. 38, Series of 2025, signed on 27 November 2025.
The pass is for returning workers (Balik-Manggagawa) going back to the same employer and the same country. It does not cancel the other options. Printed OFW Passes from DMW Online Services are still valid exit clearances. For the full exit clearance process, see our OFW Pass and OEC exemption guide.
What does the 90-day validity mean for my OFW Pass?
Your OFW Travel Pass works for 90 days, counted from the day the app issues it. You do not have to get it the night before your flight. If you book a ticket for next month, you can make the pass now and it will still be good when you fly.
If your trip moves past the 90 days, renew the pass in the app. The advisory says you can void or renew it at any time without filing a service ticket. For workers whose plans change, that means no waiting for a DMW office to fix the pass.
The app shows the status of your pass with a color:
| Color | Status |
|---|---|
| Gray | Not yet made, or voided |
| Green | Active |
| Blue | Used |
| Amber | Expiring |
| Red | Expired |
OFW Travel Pass status colors, source: https://wcms.dmw.gov.ph/uploads/DMW_ADVISORY_038_2025_94e76471f6.pdf
Each pass has a QR code. Airport staff can check it with the scanner on the DMW website. Before you leave home, make sure your pass is green.
Who can get the OFW Travel Pass in eGovPH?
The advisory covers rehired and returning workers, called Balik-Manggagawa. This includes workers who got an OEC exemption through the DMW online systems before.
Two conditions apply:
- You go back to the same employer and the same destination country.
- Your contract is active and already in the DMW records.
If your contract has expired in the records, the app asks you to update your employer and jobsite details first. If you changed employer or jobsite, the app sends you to DMW Online Services. There you book an in-person visit at the nearest DMW Regional Office or Migrant Workers Office. Our Balik-Manggagawa documents guide lists the papers to bring.
How do I get the OFW Pass in the eGovPH app?
The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You must pass its identity check before you can use it.
- Download the eGovPH app and register. Our eGovPH help page covers sign-up and login problems.
- Open the NGA (National Government Agencies) section.
- Choose the DMW tab, then the Balik-Manggagawa service.
- Make your OFW Travel Pass. The app makes it for you if your contract is active in the records.
- Save a screenshot of the QR code, in case the airport has no signal.
Your record is sent to the Bureau of Immigration and the eTravel system. That is why the details you enter must match your passport and contract.
Is my printed OFW Pass still valid?
Yes. The advisory says printed OFW Passes issued through DMW Online Services are still valid exit clearances and proof of overseas employment. This includes passes issued on a temporary basis or by hand at the Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (MWAAC) at the airport.
DMW Online Services also stays open for cases outside the Travel Pass system. These are worker types and transactions that need a separate review or more paperwork. Country pages explain what the Migrant Workers Office there asks for. See the OEC pages for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
What should I check before I fly?
A short check the day before your flight can save you trouble at the airport:
- Status color. Your pass should be green. If it is amber or red, renew it in the app.
- Employer and country. They must match your current contract. If they changed, the Travel Pass is not for you, so book with DMW Online Services.
- Screenshot. Keep the QR code on your phone, plus a printout if you have one.
- Exemptions. The advisory says the pass serves as added proof of overseas employment for the travel tax and terminal fee exemptions. Airlines and airport counters are told to accept it.
- Help. DMW lists support.hub@dmw.gov.ph for problems with the Travel Pass.
More OFW guides, from OWWA to SSS abroad, are in our OFW section.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the OFW Pass valid?
The OFW Travel Pass you get in the eGovPH app is valid for 90 days from the day it is issued. This rule comes from DMW Advisory No. 38, Series of 2025. When the 90 days are up, the pass turns red in the app. You can renew it in the app at any time, and you do not need to file a service ticket.
Can I renew my OFW Pass in the eGovPH app?
Yes. The advisory says you can void or renew your OFW Travel Pass at any time in the app, without filing a service ticket. Open the NGA section, choose the DMW tab, then the Balik-Manggagawa service. If your contract has expired in the DMW records, the app will first ask you to update your employer and jobsite details.
Is my printed OFW Pass still accepted at the airport?
Yes. DMW Advisory No. 38, Series of 2025 says printed OFW Passes issued through DMW Online Services are still valid exit clearances. This includes passes issued by hand or on a temporary basis at the Migrant Workers Airport Assistance Center (MWAAC). They are also accepted as proof of overseas employment.
Can I get the OFW Travel Pass if I changed employer?
No, not in the eGovPH app. The Travel Pass is only for workers going back to the same employer and the same country. If your employer or jobsite changed, the app sends you to DMW Online Services. There you book an in-person appointment at the nearest DMW Regional Office or Migrant Workers Office.
Does the OFW Pass give a travel tax and terminal fee exemption?
The advisory says the OFW Travel Pass serves as added proof of overseas employment when you claim the travel tax and terminal fee exemptions. It also tells airlines and airport counters to accept it. Keep the QR code ready on your phone at the airline counter, and make sure the pass is still green on the day you fly.
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