DMW License Renewal Requirements: A Step-by-Step Guide for Recruitment Agencies

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) regulates private recruitment and manning agencies that deploy Overseas Filipino Workers. A license is the document issued by the Secretary of the DMW authorizing a person, partnership, or corporation to operate a manning agency, while a recruitment agency is one duly licensed to engage in the recruitment and placement of land-based OFWs. Renewal keeps that authority valid. The DMW's licensing rules require applicants to maintain the same qualifications demanded of new applicants — capitalization, clearances, office space, escrow deposit, and undertakings — and to submit complete, compliant documentary requirements with proof of payment of the prescribed filing fee. This guide explains the requirements and the order in which to prepare them.

Who may hold and renew a DMW license

Only Filipino citizens, acting as a sole proprietor, a partnership, a one person corporation, or a corporation at least seventy-five percent (75%) of whose authorized and voting capital stock is owned and controlled by Filipino citizens, may engage in the recruitment and placement of Filipino seafarers. The same nationality rule applies to land-based recruitment agencies under the DMW's licensing framework.

The applicant must also be disqualified from certain businesses. Travel agencies and sales agencies of airline companies, and corporations or partnerships whose officers, board members, or partners are also officers or partners of a travel agency, cannot participate. Neither can individuals, partners, officers, or directors of an insurance company that proposes or provides insurance under the compulsory insurance coverage for seafarers.

Capitalization and financial requirements

A sole proprietor or partnership must have a minimum capitalization of Five Million Pesos (PhP 5,000,000.00). A corporation must have a minimum paid-up capital in cash of the same amount. The equity must be substantially maintained at Five Million Pesos during the entire duration of the license — a continuing obligation that does not disappear upon renewal.

Proof of financial capacity is part of the documentary submission: a bank certificate showing a deposit of at least Five Million Pesos with authority to examine the account, duly filed income tax returns for the last two years, and proof of sources of investment.

Documentary requirements for the application

Applicants submit the following for pre-qualification:

• Business Name Certificate from the DTI for a sole proprietorship, or a certified copy of the SEC registration with the Articles of Partnership or Articles of Incorporation.
• Proof of financial capacity as described above.
• Proof of existence of a new principal, where applicable, including an MWO-verified or consulate-authenticated Manning Agreement and the principal's profile.
• Proof that the sole proprietor, managing partner, president, or chief executive officer holds a bachelor's degree, or has at least four years of experience in shipping-related or human resource management, or experience heading or managing a shipping or manpower business.
• Valid NBI and Department clearances for the proprietor, partners, and all members of the board of directors.
• A duly notarized undertaking of joint and several liability by corporate officers and directors or partners.
• A list of all officials and personnel involved in recruitment and placement, with appointment papers, bio-data, photographs, NBI clearances, and affidavits declaring no conviction or pending illegal recruitment or moral turpitude case.
• A certificate of attendance in the Pre-Licensing Orientation Seminar.
• A flowchart of the recruitment procedures and a four-year business plan.

A non-refundable filing fee of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00) is required upon receipt of the complete and compliant documentary requirements, with proof of payment.

Post-qualification requirements

After the panel interview and notification that the applicant is deemed qualified, post-qualification requirements must be submitted before issuance of the license:

• A lease contract for office space of at least one hundred (100) square meters, or proof of building ownership.
• An office layout delineating a receiving area, interview room, administrative and finance area, conference or training room, and executive office.
• An inventory of office equipment and facilities, including secured filing cabinets, computers, a printer and scanner, a photocopying machine, a landline telephone with internet connection, and multimedia equipment.
• An organizational chart listing officers and staff, including a President, Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment or Documentation Officer, Accountant or Bookkeeper, Cashier, and Liaison Officer.
• An escrow agreement with a BSP-authorized bank with a deposit of not less than One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 1,500,000.00), and an updated bank certificate confirming the escrow deposit remains at that amount.
• A duly notarized undertaking covering selection and deployment of only medically fit and technically qualified recruits, assumption of full responsibility for claims arising from use of the license, joint and several liability with the principal for claims including unpaid wages, death and disability compensation, and repatriation, and compliance with Philippine labor and social legislation and applicable international regulations.

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for DMW license renewal? The agency must maintain the minimum capitalization of Five Million Pesos, submit proof of financial capacity, valid NBI and Department clearances, a notarized undertaking of liability, an escrow deposit of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos, and a compliant office space of at least one hundred square meters, among other documentary requirements, together with the filing fee.

How much is the DMW license filing fee? The non-refundable filing fee is Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00), payable upon receipt of the complete and compliant documentary requirements.

Who is disqualified from holding a DMW license? Travel agencies and airline sales agencies, corporations or partnerships with ties to travel agencies, insurance company officers or directors, persons with derogatory records for illegal recruitment or trafficking, and agencies whose licenses were revoked or cancelled for violations of recruitment laws.

Practical takeaways

• Maintain the Five Million Peso capitalization and the One Million Five Hundred Thousand Peso escrow deposit throughout the license period.
• Keep NBI and Department clearances current for the proprietor, partners, and all board members.
• Prepare the office space, layout, equipment inventory, and organizational chart before the panel interview stage.
• Submit complete documentary requirements with proof of payment of the Fifty Thousand Peso filing fee to avoid delays.
• Ensure the notarized undertaking of joint and several liability with the principal is in place and updated.

Primary sources

The rules discussed above are drawn from the following primary sources. Where the firm's library holds the document as a PDF it is embedded here in full; the rest are cited by title.

DMW-DC-06-2026 — 2026 DMW Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seabased Overseas Filipino Workers, which shall take effect on 2 July 2026Open in Law LibraryDownload PDF

• IRR of REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11641 (Approved by the Transition Committee) - THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11641, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS ACT"

This article is general information and not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a lawyer or ask ASG Legal AI.