Vacationing in the Philippines? Get your OEC first.

Time flies so fast. It’s time for a vacation again in the Philippines. Ahh…the nice beaches, relaxing resorts, the trees (yes, I miss the trees in Laguna) and warm embraces from my family fill my mind almost every day as my flight date approaches. But wait… think I forgot something very important before I hop on a plane to the Philippines. Yeah, I need to get my OEC.So how do you get one?

What is an OEC?

An OEC or Overseas Employment Certificate is a document you get from the Philippine Embassy to prove that you are a legal OFW. It is your “exit pass” to get through the airport immigration and let you travel back to the country you work at. The OEC saves you from all the hassle of answering interrogation type of questions from the immigration officers before you can get on the plane.

You have two choices in getting an OEC: in POLO OWWA offices here in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or in the POEA offices in the Philippines. I suggest you get your OEC here because it’s faster and easier. 

How to get an OEC

Step 1: Secure your confirmed airline ticket. Make sure that your passport has more than 6 month’s validity.

Step 2: Go to Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing Online of the POEA at http://bmonline.ph/. If you are applying for OEC the first time, create a profile. Then follow the instructions to get an OEC which would include typing your flight date and confirmation that you are going back to the same employer.

Tip: Get an OEC schedule before 11am to avoid the long lines in the afternoon.

Step 3: Click Get OEC. On the Payment page, click on the box that says Set Appointment. Choose a location and the time and date for your appointment. After successfully getting an appointment, print 3 copies of the OEC appointment document.

Step 4: On your appointment day, bring the following to POLO OWWA (if you are in Dubai):

• 3 copies of the OEC appointment form
•  Passport valid not less than 6 months
• Confirmed airline booking

For first time OWWA applicants or those with expired membership, these are additional requirements:

•         2 copies of OWWA membership form. Get it at http://owwa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/files/Downloads/OSMP.pdf
•     2 copies of Pag-ibig membership form at http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/DLForms/providentrelated/FPF095_MembershipRegistrationForm_V01.pdf

For household service workers or house maids:

1. Immigration Contract (original) of the worker with two (2) xerox copies;  
2. Original passport of the worker
3. Passport copy of the sponsor and the worker - two (2) xerox copies;
4. Residence Visa copy of the worker - two (2) xerox copies;
5. If the sponsor is non-local, she should include two (2) sponsor's residence visa copy 
6. Download the forms for Affidavit of Undertaking a sponsor and Information sheet of the sponsor at http://www.polodubai.com/how-to-get-an-oec.html , fill up and sign

At POLO OWWA, go to the window at the lobby and show your OEC appointment papers, passport and confirmed flight itinerary. You will be given a number which you will need to proceed to the next window.

 

You will also need to pay the following amounts:

OEC: 10 AED

OWWA Membership: 92 AED

Pag-ibig Membership: 10 AED

The whole OEC process took less than an hour. You can also check or apply for your SSS  while you are there at POLO OWWA if you have time.

Step 5: When finished, keep your receipt and log in to your BM-OEC online account. Go to My Transaction, click Print OEC and print 2 copies of the OEC. Show this to the immigration counter at the airport in the Philippines.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip back to the Philippines!