The guidelines on the issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for Overseas Filipino Workers have been issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. This is with regards to the processing of the exit clearance of returning OFW which is pursuant to Resolution No. 4 Series of 2018 of the POEA Governing Board which amended Section 22 of the Revised POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based OFWs 2016.
The guidelines include covering of the returning OFWs, workers who have no record of deployment with the POLO or POEA, workers who were not able to register, and OFWs who have transferred and entered in a new employment contract. In this manner, all workers that are enclosed by these guidelines have been advised to set an appointment. They can do this Balik Manggagawa Online at www.bmoonline.ph. They can set a time and date favorable to them and at any POEA offices.
POEA-registered OFW
These are the OFWs vacationing in the Philippines for the first time after working abroad and have an existing record with the POEA. They are also expected to return and renew the contract with the same employer abroad. They should bring the following documents when they appear for their appointment date;
- Passport that is valid for 6 mos. from the date of anticipated departure
- Employment contract that has a Philippine Embassy, POLO, or Consulate authentication in case of overseas performing artists, cleaners, domestic workers, masseuses/masseurs, construction workers and those that haven’t returned to their respective employers within 6 months from arrival in the country.
- Any document that will prove the OFW will return to the same employer; valid Company ID, most recent pay slip, or up-to-date certificate of employment
POEA-registered OFW returning to the same employer but on a different country
- Passport with validity of 6 mos. from the date of anticipated departure with an appropriate work visa or permit
- Employment contract with Philippine Embassy, POLO, or Consulate authentication
- Any of the following documents as proof of that worker will return to the same employer; current pay slip, valid Company ID, or present Certificate of Employment
- Employer’s letter stating the transfer of job site
OFWs that have changed employer or not registered at POEA
- Passport that’s valid for 6 mos. at the least from the anticipated date of departure
- Original copy of the Employment Contract that has a Consulate, POLO, or Philippine Embassy authentication
- Any of the following documents to prove that the OFW will return to the same employer; current pay slip, valid Company ID, or up-to-date Certificate of Employment
- Sworn Statement of the OFW stating how the employer was able to hire him/her
Read also:
- How to Apply Philippine Passport – Appointments, Requirements and Application Online
- How to Get DFA Red Ribbon Authentication for your Diploma, TOR, Form 137
Please note that for returning OFWs who are registered with the BM Online Processing System returning to the same employer can avail exemption of OEC by using the website mentioned in the first paragraph.
How to use this Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System
- If you are New User, register using your personal email account and click the Sign Me Up button. Open your email account and verify by clicking the confirmation link.
- Already Registered user. All you have to do is to enter your last issued OEC number. A. If no record found, set an Online Appointment. B. If record is found, update your Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Beneficiaries, as needed.
- Click Acquire OEC or Exemption for online assessment. Enter flight date and confirm if returning to the same employer and jobsite.
- For the same employer and jobsite, the system will display a confirmation message indicating that you are exempted from securing the OEC and payment of processing fee.
- You will be redirected to the Appointment Page if you’re not yet registered. Then, choose your preferred POEA office and schedule for processing of OEC and payment.