Filipinos living and working in the UAE will be able to start processing their overseas voter registration on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, according to an announcement from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The campaign covers the entire overseas voting cycle leading into the May 2028 national elections and will continue until September 30, 2027.
The registration drive is open to citizens who meet the criteria laid out under Republic Act No. 9189, its amendments in Republic Act No. 10590, and COMELEC Resolution No. 11171. Those eligible include Filipinos who will be at least 18 years old by May 8, 2028 and are not disqualified by law. This covers land-based and sea-based OFWs, dual citizens, immigrants, and Filipinos who expect to be abroad from April 9 to May 8, 2028.
Registrations may be completed at multiple locations. In the UAE, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai will accept applicants. Other Philippine foreign service posts, including Manila Economic and Cultural Offices, will also process requests. Individuals who are still in the Philippines may register at the OFOV Extension Office located at the Red Cross Manila Chapter in Intramuros.
Applicants must present required documents such as a valid Philippine passport. Seafarers may use their Seafarer’s Record Book, while dual citizens must submit a certified copy confirming the approval of their retention or reacquisition of Philippine citizenship.
To enroll, voters need to accomplish the OVF 1, or Overseas Voting Form. The document can be completed by hand at any registration site or downloaded online through the COMELEC Form portal or the iRehistro website.
Through the overseas registration system, Filipinos can file requests for a range of services, including new registration, certification, correction of entries, change of address, transfer of records, reinstatement, recapture, reactivation, and change of name.
