If you’re an Overseas Filipino Worker in the Czech Republic, you can renew or apply for an OWWA membership to benefit from the programs, assistance, and services offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Some OFWs have obtained employment abroad using their visit visas, and they are also encouraged to process their OWWA account to enjoy life insurance protection and benefits.
Whether you’re a first-time applicant or renewing your account for the second time, it’s important to consider all the requirements and qualifications before processing your application. Also, you need to pay a contribution fee to activate your status and keep it valid for two years. You can visit the MWO office in Prague to get the latest updates on how to renew your OWWA.
Requirements for OWWA in Czech Republic
Your OWWA membership gives you protection from any job-related issues including maltreatment, injustice, and job loss. In this case, you can get legal assistance to resolve employee conflicts in your job site. To enjoy all these benefits, you need to secure all the requirements before processing your renewal or getting an OWWA appointment.
Labor concerns for OFWs in the Czech Republic are no longer managed by POLO Geneva. Instead, the OWWA office in Berlin now handles all job-related concerns for Filipino migrant workers in Prague. The following are the renewal requirements you need to complete to process your application:
- Duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet including your contact details and signature
- If you’re an AKAP applicant, provide your DOLE-AKAP application with signature of the employer, OWWA membership, or other proof of employment such as work permit, latest payslip, or employment contract. If you can’t obtain your employer’s signature, present your remittance receipt
- Non-AKAP applicants must present their employment contract or proof of income
- Copy of Philippine passport
- Payment for the membership fee
OWWA Fees and Payment Process
The contribution fee for renewing your OWWA account in Prague, Czech Republic is the equivalent of US$ 25 to Euro based on the current foreign exchange rate. You can only settle the payment after submitting all the required documents to the OWWA officer. Once your requirements have been evaluated, you can proceed to the payment process at the payment counter.
Keep in mind that only after your application has been approved can you pay the OWWA contribution fee. There are instructions given in the email so you just need to follow them to settle the payment. You will also receive the transaction number via email so make sure your email address is active. Pay the fee individually to get an individual receipt for the renewal.
Check your employment information to see if you should update any details such as your passport number on the membership record. For the payment method, you can pay OWWA Berlin via their DEUTSCHE bank account. On the other hand, updating your details may not be allowed if you choose to pay via payment centers through the mobile app.
Here’s how you can pay your membership fee:
Step 1: Once you have received the approval request via email, you can pay the fee using your preferred method.
Step 2: Settle the payment through the OWWA-Berlin’s DEUTSCHE Bank account. You can check the email notification for the instructions.
Step 3: Take a photo of the payment confirmation.
Step 4: Send a copy of the photo or screenshot to owwamemb@gmail.com.
Step 5: Wait for the email that contains the official renewal receipt from OWWA Berlin.
Step 6: Reach out to the OWWA office in Berlin to schedule an appointment for claiming the original copy of the receipt.
Procedure for Getting an OWWA Prague Appointment Online
Currently, there is no online appointment system for applicants who want to apply for or renew their accounts in Prague, Czech Republic. The OWWA application can be done online so you don’t need to go to the OWWA-Berlin office. The processing is just the same as the application process in Berlin for OFWs in Prague.
How to Renew OWWA Membership in Prague, Czech Republic
According to the Philippine Embassy in Berlin’s official website, OFWs need to submit the renewal requirements through scanned copy to owwamemb@gmail.com to process their application online. However, the Embassy also provides an OWWA Online Membership Registration to facilitate faster transactions for OFWs in the Czech Republic.
The paperless transaction will help you renew or apply for an OWWA account using your mobile device. With this option, OFWs don’t have to submit a copy of OFW Information Sheet through email. Instead, you can process your application by simply following these steps:
Step 1: Go to this link: https://membership.owwa.gov.ph/.
Step 2: Complete the Personal Information section as well as the Legal Beneficiaries and Employment Details section.
Step 3: Upload your Certificate of Employment, latest payslip, work permit or visa, employment contract, or any proof of active employment.
Step 4: Upload your Philippine passport.
Step 5: Review everything and then tap on the Submit Application button.
Step 6: Wait for the text or email confirmation if your application has been successful.
Video: OWWA Membership and Renewal
In this video, you will find all the information you need when it comes to the requirements for OWWA renewal or application. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to renew your account in the most convenient way possible. Watch until the end to understand how the process works as well as how to keep your status active.
Summary
If you’ve reached this point, you probably already know how to process your OWWA application in Prague, Czech Republic. Since you can send a copy of your requirements via email, there’s no need for you to visit the actual office to renew your account. You can also use online payment methods to pay the contribution amount. Make sure to process your renewal every two years to continue enjoying the benefits, programs, services, and projects of OWWA to OFWs.
