The POEA released an advisory to inform the public that the Canadian Provincial Nominee and Immigration Services Inc. (CPNIS), an immigration consultancy firm – is not authorized to recruit Filipino workers.

The POEA chief, Hans Cacdac said that the consultancy firm posted advertisements for 5,000 job openings in Canada for computer programmers, engineers, healthcare workers and technicians. Their announcement appeared in major newspapers.  The CPNIS also posted schedule of interviews in their website (cpnis.com) for applicants from Pasig City, Davao City, Cebu City, Baguio City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Cacdac explains that companies that offer immigration consultancy services need to obtain a license from the POEA before they can conduct recruitment and placement activities, regardless of the visa under which deployment shall be made eventually.

The CPNIS, holds office at Unit 2006 Orient Square, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City and is represented by “Dr. Fereidon Alemi and Ashkan Alemi.”

Under Republic Act No. 8042 as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, offering overseas employment in the guise of visa assistance without the necessary license or authority from the POEA constitutes illegal recruitment.

POEA Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2003 regulates the participation of foreign and local immigration consultancy agencies in the recruitment and placement of overseas Filipino workers.

The POEA chief said that seeking the help of a consultancy firm is not necessary especially since most of them charge huge amount of money for information that are actually available for free.

Cacdac said job seekers need not risk their hard-earned money by engaging the services of an immigration consultant that charges thousands of dollars for a working visa.

He said, “Even without a consultant, your application will be processed if all the required documents are in order. Free information about working or migrating to Canada is available at its website www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp”,