IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON:
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE (OEC) FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
Based on the rules and regulations of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA, all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are required to have an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) when departing the Philippines for, or returning to, their jobsites overseas. The OEC, also known as exit clearance or exit pass, is a document that certifies to the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an OFW and serves as proof of his/her registration with the POEA. The OEC is presented to the Immigration Officer at the airports of exit in the Philippines. A worker exiting from the Philippines without OEC can be prevented by the Immigration Officer from leaving the country.
An OFW, who is a holder of an OEC enjoys the following privileges: (a) travel tax exemption; (b) airport terminal fee exemption; and (c) reduced travel tax for spouse or dependents.
A. COVERAGE
POEA Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2019 provides the guidelines on the registration of, and issuance of OEC to returning workers. Please click here for copy of the Circular.
Pursuant to the abovementioned POE Circular, the following OFWs in Brunei Darussalam are covered by the said guidelines:
A1. OFWs with existing record with POEA who are vacationing for the first time in the Philippines and returning to the same employer in Brunei Darussalam;
A2. OFWs with existing record with POEA who changed employers while in Brunei Darussalam; and
A3. OFWs in Brunei Darussalam with no existing record with POEA
B. REQUIREMENTS
B.1 Original and valid employment contract verified by POLO Brunei Darussalam
B.2 Philippine passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of intended departure
B.3 Valid and appropriate visa and/or work permit (latest IC, employment pass, re-entry visa)
B.4 Proof of existing employment that the worker is returning to the same employer
For those in A.2 and A.3, all of the above requirements plus a Sworn Statement of the worker providing explanation on how s/he was hired by the current employer. The OEC need to be applied in the Philippines by booking an appointment at the nearest or most convenient POEA Office using his/her POPS-BAM account (formerly BM Online Account).
C. VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
Following are the requirements for employment contract verification:
1.For Domestic Workers
C.1.1) Valid employment contract (complete with names of employer and worker, position of the worker, duration, salary, and signatures of the employer and the worker, and date of signing) – 1 original and 1 photocopy
C.1.2) Data page of Philippine passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of intended departure – 2 photocopies
C.1.3) Latest Identification Card (IC) of the worker (front and back) and valid Employment Pass and Re-entry Visa – 2 photocopies
C.1.4) Latest IC of the employer (front and back) – 2 photocopies
Reminder: Minimum monthly salary for domestic workers is US$400.00 or B$520.00. Please be ready to present copy of your latest pay slip, if asked.
Verification fee is B$14.00.
2.For Skilled and Professional Workers
C.2.1) Valid employment contract (complete with names of employer and worker, position of the worker, duration, salary, and signatures of the employer and the worker, and date of signing) – 1 original and 1 photocopy
C.2.2) Data page of Philippine passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of intended departure – 2 photocopies
C.2.3) Latest IC of the worker (front and back) and valid Employment Pass and Re-entry Visa – 2 photocopies
C.2.4) Latest IC of the employer (front and back) or valid LD or business license – 2 photocopies
Reminder: Minimum monthly salary is B$550.00. Please be ready to present copy of your latest pay slip, if asked.
Verification fee is B$14.00.
D. POEA ONLINE PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR BALIK MANGGAGAWA (POPS BAM)
The POPS-BAM replaced the BM Online Facility effective 30 June 2021, in line with the POEA’s thrust to facilitate documentary processing of OFWs, including its online services provided to OFWs. It can be accessed thru: https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx
PLEASE BE REMINDED ON THE FOLLOWING RULES:
- One (1) OFW, One (1) e-Registration Account only;
- Ensure that you only provide correct /factual information and always check your details before submitting your personal information. Submitted information cannot be manually changed /corrected/edited, such as: Name, Gender, Birthdate and Email address;
- Request to correct any of the above-mentioned critical personal information shall be done by filling an electronic ticket under the POEA HelpDesk, accessible at https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx
- Frequent commission of errors/mistakes/misdeclarations involving any of the mentioned critical personal information may be construed as misrepresentation and shall be subject the concerned BM Worker to legal action
- You will not be allowed to acquire a new OEC unless it has expired/cancelled or have already been used for deployment, to resume employment overseas;
- OECs have a 60-day validity and can only be used once (1) for the jobsite and employer indicated therein;
- Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months.
Please refer to the below STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON POEA ONLINE PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR BALIK-MANGGAGAWA (POPS-BAM).
Step 1. Go to “https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx”.
Step 2. On “e-Registration” panel, click “Let’s Go!”.
Step 3. Then click “Register”.
Step 4. On “Terms of Use and Privacy Statement” click “Accept the Terms of Use”. Kindy read the “Paalala” section before the filling out your new registration.
Step 5. Fill out the registration form. Then submit by clicking “Register”. Temporary Password will be sent to your submitted e-mail address.
Step 6. Repeat steps 1 and 2. Then on Login, enter your registered e-mail address. Click “Next”. Enter your temporary Password and Click “Login”.
Step 7. You will be asked to enter a new password. Enter and confirm your new password.
Step 8. Upon login, Go to “My Profile” and fill-out your information, you may now access your “Balik Manggagawa” Module.
E. POPS BAM TUTORIAL AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You may view the POPS BAM tutorial video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6csf9VRdDs
For Frequently Asked Questions, please use the link below:
F. OEC EXEMPTION
Returning workers who are already registered with the POEA Online Processing System for Balik Manggagawa (POPS BAM) and are returning to the same employer and to the same jobsite (Brunei Darussalam) can avail of the OEC exemption using their registered email and password to log-in at https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx. Those OFWs with OEC exemption can proceed directly to their airports of exit for final departure formalities.
