Question & AnswerQ&A (POEA Advisory No. 26)
They enter Mainland China using tourist visas which are not valid for employment and cannot be converted to work visas, making their stay and employment undocumented and illegal.
No, tourist and business visas cannot be converted to work visas, which are required for legal employment in China.
The Chinese government restricts the employment of foreign domestic workers in the country, limiting legal channels for such employment.
They are advised to verify the authenticity of employment offers by checking job orders with the POEA through its official website and hotlines.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
They risk being undocumented, which can lead to legal issues including detention, deportation, and being barred from future employment abroad.
POEA's official website www.poea.gov.ph and hotline numbers 722-11-44 and 722-11-55.
The DFA reported the increasing number of undocumented Filipino domestic workers in China, prompting the issuance of the advisory by the POEA.
The principle that employment visas are legally required for work abroad, and working on tourist or business visas constitutes illegal employment and breaches immigration laws.