For Filipino workers seeking employment abroad, the initial step of verifying a recruitment agency is not merely a precaution—it is a legal necessity. Under Philippine law, particularly the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (R.A. 8042), as amended by R.A. 10022, engaging with unlicensed entities constitutes illegal recruitment, a criminal offense that carries severe penalties.

Following the transition to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), all functions previously held by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are now under the DMW's jurisdiction. However, the term "POEA License" remains the common parlance for the certificate of authority required to operate.

I. The Legal Requirement for Licensing

No person or entity may engage in the recruitment and placement of workers for overseas employment without first obtaining a license from the DMW. A valid license serves as proof that the agency has:

Posted the required escrow deposits (minimum of ₱1.5 million) to answer for valid claims of workers.
Submitted proof of financial capacity and a clean track record.
Verified its foreign principals or employers through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO).

II. Steps to Verify a Recruitment Agency

Verification should be performed through official government channels to ensure the data is current and legally binding.

1. The DMW Online Verification System

The primary method for verification is the DMW (formerly POEA) Verification Status portal.

Search by Agency Name: Input the exact name of the agency.
Check the License Status: An agency will fall under one of several categories:
Valid/Likely: The agency is in good standing.
Suspended: The agency is temporarily barred from recruitment due to pending cases or violations.
Cancelled: The license has been revoked; the agency cannot legally recruit.
Delisted: The agency has been removed from the roster of active agencies.
Expired: The license was not renewed.

2. Verification of Job Orders

A valid license is only half of the requirement. An agency must also have an Approved Job Order. Even a licensed agency cannot recruit for a specific position unless that position has been registered and approved by the DMW. You must verify if the specific job opening in a specific country is linked to the agency’s name in the DMW database.

3. Physical Inspection of the License

When visiting an agency's office, Republic Act 8042 requires the agency to display its original license in a conspicuous place.

Check the Validity Period: Ensure the date has not lapsed.
Check the Registered Address: A license is only valid for the specific address listed. Recruitment conducted at "branch offices" not registered with the DMW is considered illegal.

III. Key Red Flags of Illegal Recruitment

The law identifies certain behaviors as "indicators of illegal recruitment." Awareness of these can prevent victimization:

No Physical Office: Recruitment conducted in malls, coffee shops, or via private social media messages without a registered business address.
Immediate Payment Requests: DMW rules prohibit the collection of placement fees until the worker has signed an employment contract. Furthermore, placement fees are generally capped at one month's salary (and are prohibited entirely for domestic workers and certain countries).
No Written Contract: Any promise of employment that is not supported by a DMW-standard employment contract.
Direct Hiring Claims: Claiming they can bypass the DMW through "direct hiring" or "tourist-to-worker" schemes.

IV. Legal Remedies and Reporting

If an agency fails the verification process or engages in suspicious activity, the following legal steps should be taken:

Verification with the Licensing and Regulation Bureau: For a more detailed history of an agency’s pending cases, a visitor may go directly to the DMW office.
Filing a Formal Complaint: If you have been victimized, a complaint for Illegal Recruitment can be filed with the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch (AIRB) of the DMW or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The "Repatriation Bond" and Escrow: In cases of money claims (unpaid wages or illegal dismissal), the DMW has the authority to garnish the escrow deposit of the licensed agency to satisfy a final judgment in favor of the worker.

V. Summary Table for Quick Verification

Feature	Valid Agency	Illegal/Suspicious Entity
DMW Database	Listed as "Valid"	"Not Found" or "Cancelled/Suspended"
Job Order	Registered and searchable online	"Coming soon" or "Special/Direct hire"
Fees	Official receipt issued; no fees until contract	Demands "processing" or "reservation" fees upfront
Location	Registered office address	Public places or residential homes
Advertisements	Includes the License Number	No license number; uses personal mobile numbers

Verifying a license is the only way to ensure that a worker is protected by the Compulsory Insurance Coverage required under Section 37-A of R.A. 8042. Working through an unlicensed agency effectively removes the legal safety net provided by the Philippine government.