Title
Japanese Immigration ARB Certification Rules
Law
Poea Memorandum Circular No. 35
Decision Date
Aug 30, 1996
Effective September 3, 1996, performing artists must submit a certified photocopy of their Artist Record Book (ARB) to the Japanese Immigration Office for a Certificate of Eligibility, replacing the previous requirement of a Performance Certificate, with strict guidelines and penalties for non-compliance.
certified copy
immigration law
performing artists

Purpose and what requirement replaces

  • Japanese Immigration will require a certified photocopy of the ARB in the application for the Certificate of Eligibility.
  • The certified photocopy of the ARB is required in lieu of the presently required Performance Certificate.
  • The circular issues guidelines for securing the required Certified Photocopy of the ARB for submission to Japanese Immigration.

What must be requested and identified

  • A joint letter-request must be submitted by the talent and the president of the licensed agency to the Administration.
  • The joint letter-request must be addressed to the Administration.
  • The joint letter-request must indicate the first, middle and surname of the talent.
  • The joint letter-request must indicate the talent’s ARB number.

What pages must be photocopied

  • The pages of the ARB containing the name must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the address must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the birthdate must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the skill and category must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the picture, hair, and eyes must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the weight and height must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the training and testing records must be photocopied.
  • The pages of the ARB containing the amendments/limitation, if any must be photocopied.

Certification by POEA offices

  • The photocopies must be certified on behalf of the Administrator.
  • Certification must be done by the Officer-In-Charge of the Welfare and Employment Office.
  • If the Officer-In-Charge of the Welfare and Employment Office is absent, certification must be done by the Officer-ln-Charge of the Employment Branch.

Sealing, delivery, and who may open

  • The POEA-certified photocopy of the ARB must be sealed in an envelope.
  • The sealed envelope must be received by the talent in the presence of the authorized Liaison officer of the licensed agency.
  • Only Japanese Immigration may open the sealed envelope containing the certified photocopy of the ARB.

Tampering rule and consequences

  • Japanese Immigration must not accept the certified photocopy of the ARB if the POEA seal is broken or tampered.
  • If Japanese Immigration returns the document because the POEA seal is broken or tampered, the matter must be endorsed to the Adjudication Office for proper investigation.
  • Sanctions must be imposed on the erring party/parties, which may include cancellation of the license of the agency.
  • Sanctions may include disqualification of the performing artists from the overseas employment program.
  • Sanctions may include watchlisting/blacklisting of foreign promoter/ employer, as the case may be.

Adoption and compliance directive

  • The circular was adopted on 30 Aug. 1996.
  • The circular is signed by FELICISIMO O. JOSON, Administrator.
  • The circular requires strict compliance with its guidelines.

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