Visa Firm Promising U.S. Caregiver Jobs Closed Over Illegal Recruitment Allegations

A visa consultancy firm accused of illegally recruiting Filipinos for caregiver jobs in the United States has been shut down by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with its officers and employees now facing possible illegal recruitment charges.

The DMW ordered the closure of State 101 Travel Visa Consultancy after authorities discovered that the company was allegedly offering caregiving jobs in the U.S. and encouraging applicants to enter the country using tourist visas.

According to the DMW, the consultancy claimed to have a partner employer in California and promised applicants they could work as caregivers in the United States despite holding only tourist visas.

Investigators also found that the company was allegedly charging applicants as much as ₱150,000 in processing feesin exchange for jobs offering a monthly salary of $1,800, or about ₱109,800, along with promises of free housing and meals.

The closure operation was led by DMW Undersecretary for Adjudication and Regional Offices Bernard P. Olalia, together with Assistant Secretary Jerome A. Alcantara and officials from the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau and DMW-NCR under Closure Order No. 12, Series of 2026.

The DMW stressed that visa consultancy firms are not authorized to conduct recruitment activities for overseas employment unless they possess the necessary government licenses and permits.

Corporate officers, directors, and employees involved in the firm's operations may face illegal recruitment charges and will also be included in the DMW's List of Persons and Entities with Derogatory Records.

The agency warned job seekers to be cautious of overseas employment offers that use tourist visas as a pathway to work abroad, noting that legitimate employment in the United States requires the proper work authorization and visa.

The DMW is urging individuals who may have been victimized by State 101 Travel Visa Consultancy to come forward and report their experiences. Victims may contact the agency through airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program Facebook page for assistance.

Authorities said the crackdown is part of the government's continuing campaign against illegal recruitment schemes that exploit Filipinos seeking jobs overseas.