OEC 2024: How to Get Philippines’ Exit Clearance for OFWs

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There are many questions about the overseas employment certificate. As such, we deemed it best to provide you with accurate and factual data about it. In this article, you will learn the following:

• OEC meaning
• OEC requirements
• OEC validity

What is the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

The OEC certificate, or Overseas Employment Certificate, is an exit clearance pass. It is a document proving that you are a legitimate Overseas Filipino Worker, and that you have submitted all your requirements to the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority or POEA (1). This document is proof of your registration to indicate that you are legally allowed to work abroad as per Philippine laws.

Benefits of the OEC for OFWs

👉 Exemption from Travel Tax and Terminal Fee

OEC holders are exempt from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee, which can be a substantial saving depending on the frequency of their travel.

👉 Proof of Legal Employment

The OEC serves as proof that the OFW is legally employed, thus protecting them from being victimized by illegal recruitment and trafficking.

👉 Government Assistance and Protection

OEC holders can avail of government assistance and protection services when faced with employment-related issues or concerns while they are abroad.

👉 Social and Economic Benefits

The OEC, through the POEA, links the OFW to various government services and programs that they or their families in the Philippines can avail of, such as the Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System, and PhilHealth, among others.

👉 The OEC can help in loan applications

Being an OFW can potentially make it easier to secure a loan as it serves as proof of legal employment abroad, and banks typically require proof of employment and income when evaluating loan applications.

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Who are Balik Manggagawa Workers

There is a specific group of people who belong to what we call Balik Manggagawa Workers (BMW). There is no single description for them. Below are the ones that we can call BMW.

• OFWs who are coming back from work overseas
• Overseas who moved from one employer to another but in the same country
• Both documented and undocumented Filipino workers who moved from one job site to another in another country
• Those who work in the same country and the same company but are now taking over a different position

There are also undocumented workers who are now returning to the country. These are people whose visa to another country shows “tourists.” However, instead of being tourists, they worked in the country they visited. They have no registration or document with the POEA as workers, but they are still considered balik manggagawa.

What are the OEC Requirements

How do you get your OEC certificate? If you want to work abroad legally and enjoy the benefits of OFWs, you certainly have to get an OEC. First, you must meet the qualifications.

Here are the things that you need:

• Printed appointment slip
• Printed Balik-Manggagawa information sheet
• Your passport with at least 6 months validity from departure date and a copy of it
• Proof of employment or contract with your employer. This could be a copy of your employment contract, company ID, pay slip, certificate of employment, or other proof that you are currently employed abroad.
• A valid visa to the destination country or work permit. If the country you are traveling to does not need a visa from the Philippines, you must secure a work permit from them
• Proof of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (2). Membership – As an Overseas Filipino Worker, you need to be a member of OWWA. A receipt of your OWWA contribution or other proof of OWWA membership may be required.
• Proof of Pag-IBIG Membership – A receipt of your Pag-IBIG contribution or other proof of Pag-IBIG membership may also be required.

Note: As an OFW, you are typically required to be a member of OWWA, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth. If you are not yet a member of these agencies, you may be required to register and pay the necessary contributions before you can be issued an OEC.

Here’s a simplified table of the fees associated with getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC):

Fee Type	Amount
🟣 POEA Processing Fee	PHP 100 (per e-receipt/OEC)
🟣 OWWA Membership Fee	USD 25 (or its PHP equivalent)
🟣 PhilHealth Premium	PHP 2,400 annually (or varies depends on the membership category)
🟣 Pag-IBIG Contribution	Minimum of PHP 100 monthly

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The OEC Validity Period

The OEC is valid for a single exit. What it means is that it is only valid for one time, and that is the time that you leave the country. The OEC expiration or OEC validity period is 60 days from issuance only. Some OECs are only valid for one day.

Take a look at this:

ISSUER	VALIDITY
🟣 Normal OEC	60 Days
🟣 Labor Assistance Counter NAIA	1 Day
🟣 Labor Assistance Counter Cebu-Mactan	1 Day
🟣 Labor Assistance Counter Davao	1 Day

If you’re at the airport and you’ve forgotten to secure an OEC, there is typically a POEA Labor Assistance Center (LAC) at the international airports in the Philippines where you may be able to secure an OEC, though it’s highly recommended to secure one prior to your departure date to avoid delays.

It is possible to get your OEC on the day of your flight. However, this is too risky. It is better to visit your POEA office a month before your scheduled flight than risk not getting one when you already have an airplane ticket.

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Where to Get an OEC Directly

If you’ve been hired directly by a foreign employer, it’s necessary to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) either by walking into a processing center or using the Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Online System.

You can secure your OEC through walk-in applications at:

• POEA’s main office in Mandaluyong City. Address: Brgy, Blas F. Ople Building, EDSA, corner Ortigas Ave, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
• POEA regional, extension, and satellite offices.
• Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (3) (POLO) in your country of employment.
• Labor Assistance Counters at airports in Manila, Cebu, and Mindanao (only applicable for OFWs in the Philippines for five days or less).

Walk-in applications may take several days, but you can streamline the process by making an appointment online via the BM Online System. After scheduling, bring your documents and two copies of the BM Information Sheet on your appointment day.

Appointment for POEA Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPS-BAM)

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) could secure an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) through the Balik Manggagawa  Online system, which is an online platform set up by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to provide a quick and convenient way for OFWs to get their OEC.

There is a long line in the POEA office for this type of registration. To get the best of your time and experience, the online channel is the best option.

Before applying online, make sure you have the following:

• POPS-BaM Account: You need to register for an account on the POPS-BaM platform. For this, you’ll need a valid email address and your personal information.
• Work Visa or Permit: You should have a valid work visa or permit for the country you are employed in.
• Previous OEC: If you’ve previously worked abroad under the same employer, you should have a previously issued OEC.
• Employment Record: An existing record of your employment in the POEA database is required.

A valid employment contract is essential. This serves as proof of your current employment status overseas. The details of your contract, including information about your employer and your job, will be required when you apply for the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) through the POPS-BaM platform. This contract also needs to be registered and recorded in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) database.

Now, you are ready to move on to the next step.

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How to Register for a POPS-BaM Account (For new-register)

If you do not have an account yet, follow thiis simlpe steps to register:

1. Visit the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Online Services e-Registration Portal: https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices (4)
2. Click on the blue Let’s Go button and agree to the terms of use and privacy statement.
3. Complete the online form with your personal details and register. A temporary password will be sent to your email.
4. Login to your POPS-BaM account using the temporary password and change it.
5. Update your profile in the “My Profile” section.

After confirming your account via e-mail, you can now log in. The system will ask you for your OEC number. Enter that and click on submit.

After submitting your OEC number, you must upload a picture. The picture must be passport-size with no background (white). After that, you need to fill in the application details. It includes your address, name, etc.

Submit that, and you will see a calendar where you can choose when to schedule an appointment. You will also choose which office you will visit.

Finally, you must scan your documents. Send the scanned copy to the registrar. The system will provide you with the email address and the appropriate subject line.

Now, you can pay the fee – 100 Philippine Pesos. Your options for payment are Bayad Center, online banking, and virtual wallets like Gcash.

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OEC Online Appointment for Balik Manggagawa (if not qualified for online processing)

During your registration, you can now go the calendar section. In this area, you must choose the date yu want to process your OEC. You will also select the place or POEA office that you will visit.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Register/Login to your POPS-BaM account.

Step 2: Click on “Balik Manggagawa,” provide necessary data and enter your flight schedule. Schedule an appointment online. Select from a calendar of available schedules.

Step 3: Update your contract details, select a processing location, and choose your appointment date and time.

Step 4: Review and print your appointment details

Step 5: Go to the appointment and get OEC. Once your appointment is due, you can now go and visit your POEA office

Quick and Easy Steps for Online OEC Processing

Navigating the process of acquiring your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) online doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with the POPS-BaM platform, the procedure is quite straightforward. Here’s the simplest way to get your OEC online:

To process your OEC online, follow these steps:

1. Login to your POPS-BaM account, dashboard
2. Click on “Balik Manggagawa,” provide necessary data and enter your flight schedule, then click NEXT
3. Review your contract details, answer the confirmation questions, and view your OEC.
4. You wil now see your OEC. Save and print your OEC.

You should have a work visa or permit, an existing record in the POEA database, and a previously issued OEC while under the same employer for online OEC processing.

How to get number OEC?

The steps to get OEC number are above. However, you must print it yourself. If you do not have a printer at home, save the file and then take it to a computer shop

How to Transfer Old BM Online Credentials to POPS-BaM?

1. Visit DMW’s Online Services Portal and click on the POEA Helpdesk.
2. Select “Transfer Old BM Records.”
3. Fill out the form and enter your e-Registration number found on your POPS-BaM account.
4. Click “Transfer Records.”

Remember that the POPS-BaM platform is essential for obtaining an OEC and is designed to make the process easier and more convenient for OFWs. If you encounter issues, visit the DMW Helpdesk for assistance.

How to get an OEC Exemption through BM Online?

You will see a green button during the application process. If you want to apply for an exemption, click this button, and you will see a different prompt.

How to Process OEC in DMW Office in the Philippines?

To process the OEC manually, you must bring your documents and copies of them in person to your nearest POEA office.

Once there, you should have your BM information sheet signed up and submit it to the service area. You will be given a number. Wait for your number to be called.

How to Process OEC in POLO-OWWA and DMW Office in the Philippines?

The process is the same – you have to go to the physical office and submit the required documents.

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How to Applying for an OEC exemption

You can also apply for OEC exemption at the POEA office. This document is only for people who want to be exempted from a certain OEC exemption.

All existing and new users will go through the same process. If you are an existing user, you do not need to create an account anymore. Just log in and apply for the OEC.

This is a green button that you click online if you want to apply for an exemption

Summary

The OEC is a document proving that you are registered OFW and that you are coming back to the Philippines. If you do not need it, you can apply for an exemption. The typical validity is 60 days, but you can get some at the airport, which is valid for one day only.

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