How to Get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

• Violetology
UPDATED 1 MAY 2015

What is an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)?

An OEC is a requirement under POEA Rules and Regulations to help ensure that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

It serves as a form of exit pass after visiting the Philippines and before going back to your place of work.

Reasons why you need an OEC

An OEC exempts you from paying the travel tax (P1,620) and terminal fee (P550) in the Philippine airport.

FEES

OEC Processing Fee P 100 Per copy
OWWA Membership P 1200 (more or less) Per contract
PHILHEALTH P 1200 Per year
PAG-IBIG P 100 Per month

4 WAYS TO GET AN OEC

1. Online –  fast and easy!
2. POEA main or Service Centers – processing in the Philippines
3. Philippine Embassy – recommended for first time travelers going home
4. At the Airport – for  a travel stay of 5 days or less

FOR ONLINE APPLICATION

OEC-online
FOR POEA MAIN OR SERVICE CENTERS

OEC (2)

Requirements
Bring original and extra copies
Passport valid 6 months from the date of departure
Valid Work Visa / Work Permit or equivalent document
Proof of Employment returning to same employer Employment Contract, Certificate of Employment / Company ID / Pay slip
Printed copies of your BM Information Sheet 2 copies

OEC (3)

Step 1.  Scheduling
The POEA web-based facility allows you to set an appointment ahead of time so you won’t have to line up with the rest of the walk-ins. The system allows you to choose your preferred date and time slot at the office or branch nearest you.

Once date and time have been chosen, the BM Info Sheet will be displayed. Fill out the entries and ensure to declare your information accurately and truthfully. Click SUBMIT and “BM Information Sheet” in Portable Document Format (PDF) will be displayed. Please print in two (2) copies.

Step 2. Processing
Proceed to the selected processing center on your scheduled date and time. At the processing center, go to the designated BM OEC Appointment Counters and present the printed BM Information Sheet together with the documents require for evaluation/approval.

If documents are in order, the evaluator encodes worker’s employment details and gives instruction to proceed to the Assessment/Payment Counter. Proceed to the Assessment/Payment Counter to determine the fees and payment. Wait for the release of your E-Receipt/OEC.

For frequent flyers, you can also apply for multiple OEC certificates (maximum 3 copies for 3 exits). OEC (5)

You have a variety of service centers to choose from.

OEC (7)

As long as you arrive on time for your scheduled slot and have complete documents, the process will be fast. Sometimes, they add to the requirements (like a photocopy of your passport entry stamp), so always come prepared.

OEC (4)

FOR APPLICATION IN THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY (ABU DHABI)

Requirements
Bring original and extra copies
Original passport with valid work visa valid 6 months from the date of departure
Verified employment contract to be verified by Assistant Labor Attache
Proof of OWWA membership
Old OEC (if available)
Plane ticket
Printed appointment from bmonline.ph

If it is your first time to fly home, it is best you get your OEC here so you can apply for your OWWA and pay for Pag-ibig and Philhealth at the same time. Also, it’ll be easier for you to provide additional work-related documents, if you are required to.

abu-dhabi-tourist-visa-employment-visa-owwa-oec

 

Visit www.philembassy.ae for embassy timings and contact info.

FOR AIRPORT APPLICATIONDCIM100GOPRO

Requirements
Bring original and extra copies
Passport valid 6 months from the date of departure
Valid Work Visa / Work Permit or equivalent document
Copy of ticket (2-way) to prove your less than 5 days stay
OWWA Certificate
Other documents incase they ask (better to be prepared) Employment Contract, Certificate of Employment / Company ID / Pay slip

If your travel is 5 days or less, you can get an OEC at the NAIA terminal. Arrive early before your flight and proceed to the POEA counters inside the airport (ask the security guards for location).

Step 1. Line up in the OEC section and fill up the form they’ll give you.
Step 2. Have your OWWA validated at the next counter.
Step 3. Go back to the OEC section to pay and receive your certificate.

IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE PHILIPPINE AIRPORT

At the NAIA Terminal, don’t forget to have your OEC validated (stamped) before going through baggage check-in and immigration. The POEA counters are inside the airport (ask the security guards for location). Once your OEC is stamped, you don’t have to pay for those airport taxes. Yey!

 TIPS

  • When applying, always come prepared with your documents. Bring more copies than required. It is better to have extras than forced to find a photocopy machine.
  • Bring additional supporting documents that you anticipate they will ask about.
  • Choose the earliest time of the day for online appointments. For walk-ins, go early as some embassies or centers have daily quotas.
  • Research ahead and know your rights.

I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment if you have any useful information/updates to add to this post.

OEC ONLINE

107 thoughts on “How to Get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)”

  3. Good day! I was directly hired by employer; however, when I was about to process my POEA clearance or OEC, the POEA head office from Manila said that they cannot process my application due to Section 123 of the 2016 Revised POEA rules and regulations which states that it prohibits foreign employers from directly hire Filipinos for overseas job. What should I do? Should I get an agency? or process it on my own for there were few exceptions of the rule.

    Exception 2:

    ” Professionals and highly skilled workers can also be hired directly provided that their work contracts have terms and conditions above an d beyond the standards set by POEA.”

    I have all the necessary documents. All I need is for the POEA to authenticate it as for their standard.

    Honestly, I don’t know what to do. They kept on changing the rules. 😦

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    1. Hi Mr. DQ, I understand your frustration. I have no experience with direct-hire OEC application since I was already working abroad when the OEC requirement started. I saw this online it might help you: http://www.pinoynzer.com/tag/oec/

      To be honesty, I do not understand the need for an OEC. And the whole system is really bad and confusing. I hope you will be able to find a way around it.

      Like

    2. Hello may i know if san bansa ka na direct hired? Same kase ng sitwasyon naten may visa na din ako pero nilalakad pa nung employer ko sa POLO yung needed docs para malakad ko yung sa poea dito.

      Like

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  7. hello po, ask ko lng po kc nakakuha n po ako ng oec last march 17, 2017ngaun po hindi ntuloy flight ko last april 9, 2017. panu po un sbi skin ng amo ko mga june 28 po ako e rrebook.. my chance pa po b ako mka avail ng oec, i need urgent reply po.. thank you po!

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    1. hello po, ask ko lng po kc nakakuha n po ako ng oec last march 17, 2017ngaun po hindi ntuloy flight ko last april 9, 2017. panu po un sbi skin ng amo ko mga june 28 po ako e rrebook.. my chance pa po b ako mka avail ng oec, i need urgent reply po.. thank you po!

      Like

  8. Hello po is there a chance i can get oec if my working visa in uae is until May 24,2017 and my returning date in uae is on May 9, 2017.help me please..if i get my oec is there any problem should i face in airport on my depature date especially on immigration counter in airport?thanks a lot i hope youcan send me feedback

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  10. Hi everyone! I just want to know if they will still allow me to take oec if photocopy lang po yung dala kong employment contract? First time ko din po kasi kukuha ng oec although my appointment na din ako on Sept. 8, Highly appreciated po yung answer. Thank you.

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  11. Blessed Day po. Uuwi po ako this coming August 4. First time ko po uuwi. Gusto ko lang po malaman kung san mas madali at murangkumuha ng OEC. Dito po ba sa Dubai o sa Pinas? Thank you po and God bless sa mga sasagot.

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  12. Hi po! First time ko po sa Dubai. and kukunin ko po yung sister ko for visit visa. Ipaprocess ko yung papers niya via travel agency. Kailangan ko pa din po ba kumuha ng OEC? Or OWWA lang po need ko? Thank you.

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  13. Good morning will. Nawala ko po alien card ko ng japan dto sa pinas e sabi ng employer ko issue nlng sa japan dun ko nlng hintayin eh d ko pa alam kung anong pwede kong gawin para makapag flight na.

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  14. hi pwede magtanong?kasi nakita ko yung mga babayaran kasama ang pag ibig-100 per month..ask ko lang 100 lang ba ang babayaran ko?or 1year dapat kasi 1yr.akong mawawala ng pilipinas?

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  15. Ask q Lng po makakakuha n po ba aq ng oec kahit wala pa qng plane ticket?kc 3months po vacation q pero sa dating amo pa rin ang balik q.

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  17. hi..can i ask can i get oec/owwa/pag ibig here in abu dhabi even though my employer is still processing my work visa?.my visit visa will expire soon..im planning to exit in the philippines.. will i be having hard time to go back to UAE if i exit in the philippines?.thanks

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  18. Hi. Is the day of arrival sa philippines kasama sa counting nung 5 days? If planned na sa airport na lang kukuha ng oec? Ex: arrived ng sept 12. Departure ng 17..

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  19. Hi. I would like to ask if what are the requirements for getting an OEC? I enter here in Dubai as Tourist Visa and got a job here, I already had my Employment Visa, and I am first timer going home for a leave. What do I need to do and what do I need? it’s my first time doing all of these. Thank you

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    1. Hi, I already get my OEC last week , it’s very easy and convenient if you set an appointment online.
      The only thing you need to do is as follows:

      1. Set an appointment online by Registering at https://www.bmonline.ph/
      2. After registering, select the date you want to process your OEC
      3. Then, just go to the Philippine Consulate at the day of your appointment as early as 7:00am…

      *Bring a copy of your Itinerary Ticket , (3) copies of Appointment Letter and Original Passport
      Also, you will pay there: 10AED for the OEC(valid for 60days), 92AED for OWWA …
      Be noted that OWWA fee is required for First Timers abroad and this is valid for 2 years….

      *Philippine Consulate is located nearby Al Qusais metro station,you can ride TAXi going there from the metro..

      Like

  20. good day, my flight schedule to Philippines is on july 22 2015 but when I tried to set an schedule of appointment for oec there is no available slot .Can I process my appointment of oec in Dubai even im in abudhabi? tnx

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  21. Hi.. Pde ba emirates id and passport with visa lang ipresent to get oec in philippines.. And is it pocble to get oec kht dpa nkkbili ng return ticket? Thanku

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  22. Hi po ask ko Kung pwedi na pong mgpa OEC apointment but my vacation will be on December.may is a pa po akong tanong Bali pg 2nd kuna po vacation Kasu ung 1st receipt ko ng OEC eh na lost ko po.thanks and more power

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  23. Hi! I am planning to get my OEC. I changed employer and I forgot to bring my employment contract with me. However, I have my Labor card and License both indicating my employer’s name. Will it be accepted in replacement of my employment contract? Thank you and more power.

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    1. Hi Gyll, technically yes it should be ok but it all depends on where you’re applying and perhaps the mood of the staff in-charge. You can fight for it saying this is already proof of employment.

      Like

  24. Pingback: 10 Easy Steps to Apply for an OEC Online | Violetology

  26. Good morning,

    Napakahirap pong tumawag sa philippine consulate at kung may sumagot naman palaging nagmamadali at suplada kung sumagot sa mga inquiry.

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  28. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.

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    Like

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    1. @joy: Hi! How did it goes for you? Will pls tell what happened tobur situation coz i think we have the same case…. Thanks!

      Like

  29. Thanks for this site! I just want to ask if I will have any problem regarding returning back to uae, my case is I will resign on my present employer and before going to Philippines my new employer will give me a visa(maybe pre employment visa),Sure i will ask my employment contract,so when I will come back to UAE I will join to another facility ,What documents do I need to consider so that I will not have any problem in returning to UAE with new employer,maybe I can get OEC here in UAE before going back to PHil.THanks appreciate if you can give me an opinion..

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    1. Hi Joy, I’m so sorry for the very late response :*( I know this may be very late and you’re probably back in the UAE now. Do share what happened, were you able to come in without a big problem? Hope you did. Let us know.

      Like

    2. hi po,nandito po ako sa uae.tanung ko lang po kung pwede akong kumuha ng OEC na photo copy lang ng passport at visa ang ipepresent ko?.ayaw po kasing ipahiram ng employer ko ung original…pero hindi po ako magbabakasyon kailangan ko lang para sa requirments ng brother in law ko na pupunta dito sa uae…

      Like

  31. Hi all,

    Good Morning.
    its my first time to go for vacation. is it okay if i will get my OEC & OWAA in the Philippines eventhough I am not yet member?

    Like

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    1. Hi Gamie, sorry for the late response. I am the worst blogger in the world. I hope you were able to get your OEC and OWWA at this time. I’ve been told that for first time application, it’s better to do it in the embassy than back home as they may require more papers.

      Like

    1. And want to ask also po kng possible po ba aqong ma off load..kc ung last name ko sa visa at passport ko is not same..in my passport i used my father’s last name pero ung visa ko po by mistake of my employer ung middle name ko po ung nag appear don as my last name na di na po naayos ng employer ko.pls i need answer po..

      Like

    2. Hi Mary Grace, sorry for the late response 😦 I hope you’re back now and found out the answer to your question. Do share so we can help others with the same problem as well.

      Like

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  37. I got my OEC from abu dhabi embassy last Feb. 2014. They gave me Pag ibig number and instructed to pay on any alhansari. I went home to Phillipines without paying this Pag ibig contribution.
    this Nov. 2014, I’ll be going to Philippines again for vacation. Will they be able to give me an OEC even though I didnt pay the Pag ibig contribution early this year? The instruction is to show the receipt of payment when getting another OEC. I lost the pag ibig number anyway so I wont be able to pay it. Will I still be getting one? Thank you.

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    1. Hi Jane, I am so sorry for the late reply. I assume as you apply for an OEC they will check your records and you can pay your due from there as well…

      Like

  41. nag aaply ako sa ngaun sa new zealnd as dairy farm..the agency na pinag applayan ko they ask me to show the OEC but wala ako nakuha nung galing ako sa japan dahil last na nag abroad ako ay sa bansang japan.pag uwi ba ng pinas ay nakukuha sa airport ang oec.umuwi ako nung june 7 2012.tanung ko po may makukuha po ba ako na oec at san ako kukuha at magkanu magkanu payment para dito need ko ay oec na detail about sa nagamit nung ng japan ako plz help to solve my problem.tnx. or email me emanguiebjr@yahoo.com.ph

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    1. Hi there, i’m so sorry for the late response. I hope by now your queries have been answered. To be honest, I don’t know why your agency is asking for a copy of your OEC. It’s an exit certificate for employed workers and not an employment application requirement…

      Like

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  43. ask ko lng po if pwd ba magbayad ng OEC sa terminal 1 or terminal 3?may booth po ba dun?flight ko na po bukas march 26

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    1. No, u can’t pay OEC sa airports. Unless ur trip was less than 5 days (i think). U can only get OEC in the OFW subsites and POEA in the Philippines.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. The OEC costs 100 PHP and 10 AED, so it’s almost the same price. The difference is the transportation cost at your end. I find it cheaper in the Philippines though unless the Dubai embassy is walking distance to your accommodation 🙂

      Like

  45. magkanu poh ang bayad ng oec dito sa pinas… pabalik na poh aq kasi ng dubai sa march 5… inquire lang poh sana kung magkanu

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  46. I am first timer in working abroad and going to dubai.I had employment entry visa and job contract scanned copy only.Since i have no exact date of departure, is ur office allow me to give OEC?

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    1. I also have the same case. My fiance will go to dubai with scanned copy of visa and contract only. Can he take oec before leaving? What are the requirements in immigration?

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    2. Hi Maricel,

      Is you question been answered? I also got the same case. I only got employment visa entry and job contract. Will that suffice to apply for oec in poea?

      Thanks!

      Like

    3. Pde na po kau kumuha ng oec bxta my contract at visa n po kau..at kung scanned copy lng po ang hawak nio..ganon din po ung sken nung nag enter aqo ng abu dhabi..

      Like

    4. Hi Maricel, do be honest, I do not know the OEC process for first time OFW flyers (not returning workers). Hope you can share your experience.

      Like

  48. if im going back to the Philippines for vacation and i will travel to Macau just for travel then back to the Philippines again then back to dubai for my job do i have to get an OEC for travel to Macau

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    1. No, you don’t need an OEC for Macau since OEC means “Overseas Employment Certificate” so you only need that when you’re going back to the country of employment. If you are a tourist leaving the country an OEC is not necessary.

      Like

  49. Hi, I was just on vacation last June 2013. But I had to be home again this September until Oct.13 emergency leave because my mother is very sick. My Pag-ibig and Philhealth is stil valid. Can I get just the OEC at the airport itself?

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  52. what if po ung mga illegal entry or ung mga tnt..entitle din po ba sila sa OEC? like me po andito po ako sa egypt makakakuhadin po ba ako kung saka-sakali ng OEC? need ko po ang info..ano o ba ang posibleng problema po na kaharapin ko o in-case na umuwi akong walang OEC?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Tina, sorry for the late response ;( I hope your situation is better at this time.

      Unfortunately, illegal entry workers are not documented, so technically you are not recognized by the government as an OFs and all these documents do not apply to you 😦

      The OEC is only needed when you plan to return to your work abroad. This is the last document they will ask from you. You won’t be allowed to travel back unless you have your main documents like Working Visa, contracts, employment cards, etch. Your immediate problem is actually leaving the foreign country where you are now since they have fines for overstaying.

      I pray all is well with you by this time…

      Like

  53. Just for your information: my domestic worker and her sponsor just went to the Philippine embassy in AD and supplied the following documents: filled out above forms, singed employment agreement, visa, labor card, ID card proof and they still require more forms!!!!!!!!! It’s yet another nightmare.

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    1. Hi Annett, sorry for this late response. Indeed, there are certain things that our embassy does that baffles me and is beyond logic. It’s sad but it’s the reality and we all feel helpless. I hope all went well with your case eventually…

      Like

  55. If i will pay OEC in dubai at least 1 week before my 40 days vacation,do i need to pay anything in the Philippines before i come back in dubai?

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    1. No,your OEC is proof that you are an OFW so you don’t have to pay taxes in the airport. But have it stamped first in the OFW Lounge before entering the departure area in NAIA.

      Like

  56. In Abu Dhabi do we need to make an appointment for it or can we just turn up in the morning? It the valid employment visa enough?

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  58. good day. I just want to be clarified, will they give an OEC if I have not yet gone for vacation or my scheduled vacation will still be on december? Or how can i get a cert that I am an overseas worker?

    Thank you

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    1. You should get ur oec nearing your date of travel because it has a certain period of validity only. But if u need some sort of certificate now u should apply for an owwa 😉

      Like

  61. Got it… How about if im here in the Philippines. I already have my employment visa sent by my company after sending my red ribboned diploma. What other requirements to bring beside from passport and visa? do i need to bring? do i need to bring my jol (jo offer letter) that i signed?

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    1. Hi Edmund,
      Are you in vacation or are you leaving the country for work?

      The OEC is for Filipinos already abroad going home for vacation and coming back abroad. To make it easier for them to go thru immigration.

      If you are leaving the country for work, yes bring every legal papers needed to convince immigration that you have a job abroad. Although having an employment visa should be sufficient, we never know how immigration thinks 😦 So it’s better to be prepared.

      Like

    2. Yes, I’ll be going to work in UAE. I already worked in Qatar for few years but processing the papers is far diff’rent from the last one.For now . I already requested to HR departmet to send my original work contract and i’m waiting for the progress..thank you for your reply.

      Like

    4. Good to know. The main things needed would be passport + employment visa (original copy) and that’s it. They mostly question people with tourist visa only.

      But if they ask more then present your offer letter and your contract.

      God bless your trip!

      Like

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