The OEC, or Overseas Employment Certificate, is a necessary document for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) departing the Philippines. It certifies that the OFW has permission to work abroad and is issued by the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration).
To put it simply, the OEC is an exit clearance document required by OFWs to leave the country and seek employment overseas legally. It attests that the holder has been adequately documented and is under the protection of the Philippine government.
OFWs can apply for the OEC online, but requirements may differ based on their employment status and destination. Holders of the OEC are exempted from paying specific fees and taxes at the airport, which helps OFWs lower the costs associated with securing employment opportunities overseas.
All issued OECs are valid for a single exit only. This means that a new OEC must be applied every time an OFW exits the Philippines.
The OEC’s validity period is 60 days after the date of issuance. However, if the OEC is issued by the Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) at the NAIA, Cebu-Mactan, or Davao International Airport, its validity will only be for one day.
The introduction of the newly launched OFW Pass has addressed any uncertainty regarding the validity of OEC amidst its availability. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has explicitly stated that OECs will remain valid for the first two months after the OFW Pass launch. This decision primarily intends to support non-tech-savvy OFWs, allowing them ample time to transition smoothly to the digital application process.
OEC exemption refers to certain categories of OFW that are exempted from having to obtain an OEC. The exemption applies to OFWs who:
If you’re eligible, you can apply for an exemption by following the steps below:
For new users
For existing users
If everything is in order, you will be prompted a confirmation message stating that you are exempted from having to obtain an OEC as well as payment and processing fee.
Obtaining an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) online involves meeting specific requirements and following a series of steps. Below, we detail the necessary documents and the application process.
The basic OEC document requirements are as follows:
Note that additional documents may be required depending on the destination country.
OFWs, including domestic workers, medical workers, construction workers, and so on, will need to obtain an OEC every time they exit the Philippines. The application process is as follows:
All OFWs must first register themselves for the Balik Manggagawa (BM) processing system at the POEA online portal. You will have to provide various details about yourself, including your personal details, experience, education, and your latest resume/CV.
Whether this is your first or subsequent OEC application, the POEA online portal is your starting point. Note that you’ll need to settle processing fees to complete your application.
After successfully creating your BM account, you will be directed to the nearest POEA/POLO BM-OEC service office. You may select from the available appointment schedule.
On the day of your appointment, make sure to gather the required documents as follows:
To login to your OEC account and view your details:
Applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) overseas involves a few steps, including gathering the necessary documents and scheduling an appointment. Below, we outline the specific requirements and steps.
The OEC is also required should an OFW travels home to the Philippines with plans on returning to their employment after a short period. If you’re an OFW based in Dubai, you need to gather the required documents before setting up an appointment.
Once all the required documents have been gathered, proceed to apply for your OEC in Dubai as follows:
If you’re an OFW based in Abu Dhabi, you need to gather the required documents before setting up an appointment.
Once all the required documents have been gathered, proceed to apply for your OEC in Abu Dhabi as follows:
