One of the most common concerns among returning OFWs is what to do once they get back.
Where should you get your OEC? What are the procedures you need to do so you can go back to your country of deployment legally and without any issue? Can you still go back to your work abroad even if you don’t have a previous record with the POEA?
Last March 14, 2019, the POEA issued Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2019 to address these concerns.
If you are any of the following, then make sure you read this:
- Returning and documented OFW;
- Workers with no existing deployment record with the POEA or POLO;
- Workers who transferred or entered into a new employment contract from one employer to another.
Setting an Appointment Through BM Online System
This is important. In fact, all of the workers mentioned above must set an appointment through the BM Online System. You can choose your preferred date and time in any POEA or POLO Offices to get your OEC. OEC will serve as your Exit Pass as well as exemption to airport fees and travel tax.
In case you are returning to the same employer and jobsite, you may avail of the OEC exemption, which you can acquire through the BM Online System.
Check out this post on how to use the BM Online System and acquire OEC exemption.
For Returning, Documented OFWs Vacationing for the First Time and Returning to Same Employer and Jobsite:
- At least six months passport validity from the date of intended departure.
- Valid visa and/or work permit.
- Employment contract.
- Any other proof of existing employment that the worker will return to the same employer and jobsite. This includes but not limited to company ID, recent payslip, and Certificate of Employment.
Take note that for domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs, construction workers, cleaners, and other workers who have not returned to their employers within six months from arrival in the Philippines, the employment contract must be verified / authenticated by the POLO, Embassy, or Consulate.
For Workers with Existing POEA Record and Returning to the Same Employer But Different Country or Jobsite
- At least six months passport validity from the date of intended departure.
- Valid visa and/or work permit
- Original copy of valid employment contract. Said contract must be verified / authenticated by the POLO, Embassy, or Consulate.
- Any other proof of existing employment that the worker will return to the same employer and jobsite. This includes but not limited to company ID, recent payslip, and Certificate of Employment
- Letter from the employer attesting to the transfer of jobsite of the worker.
For Workers Not Yet Registered with the POEA or Change of Employer But Same Jobsite
- At least six months passport validity from the date of intended departure.
- Valid visa and/or work permit
- Original copy of valid employment contract and verified by POLO OR authenticated by the Embassy or Consulate.
- Any other proof of existing employment that the worker will return to the same employer and jobsite. This includes but not limited to company ID, recent payslip, and Certificate of Employment
- Worker’s sworn statement explaining how s/he was hired by the employer.
It is imperative that you take note of these requirements, whichever is applicable to your status as OFW. This way, you can pass through the Immigration easily and reduce your risk of being offloaded.
hi Lara,
Dati akong agency hired OFW dito sa Qatar, tapos po na direct hired ako ng isang company. May records na ako sa POEA at may OEC narin noong nagbakasyon ako last 2015. Last year lang na hired ulit ako ng ibang company, na transfer na visa ko sa kanila, may original offer letter din ako. Ngayon po pending yong processing ng conctract ko kasi dpa kumpleto mga Authenticated Documents ko. Need kasi ng employer ko na may para sa mga engineer’s visa.
Umuwi po ako dito sa pinas na wla akong verified contract sa employer ko. Dla kolang po ang offer leter, original Qatar I.D, company I.D, my company registration. Pumunta napo ako sa POEA pero di nila tinanggap ang documents ko. Ano pa po ba ang iba kong options? Need kopa bumalik sa hanapbuhay ko, kundi po kawawa mga students ko dito sa pinas.
Slamat po sa sasagot.
Hi Ronnie! POEA will require your contract since this will serve as proof na mayroong trabaho po na nagaantay sainyo sa Qatar. You can ask your employer to send you a verified employment contract para po ma-process ang inyong documents.
Hi Ms. Lara. Student visa ako last year dito sa Japan and when I finished my studies, directly chinange of status of residence ako ng university to Professor visa status. Nakuha ko na din ang residence card ko from the Immigration. Hindi na ako umuwi ng Pinas. When I got my residence card, there is no stamp/visa sa passport ko. Immigration officers told me na wala na talaga sila nilalagay sa passport since it is my residence card na ang magserve as proof of until when i can stay here in Japan.
Question is, if I go back for a vacation sa Philippines, I fall under the 3rd category na hindi registered sa POEA. The 2nd requirement you wrote is valid visa and/or work permit. Would my residence card fall into that kasi wala naman nakastamp or nakalagay na visa sa passport ko.
Thank you very much.
Hi Angeli! Immigration treats residents differently na since hindi na po ata kayo mag-qualify as OFW. We’re not that familiar regarding this, so we suggest that you coordinate with the embassy as well since they are more familiar with the procedure. Thanks!
I was told by SG Polo that for workers not yet registered with Poea needs to submit reqts sa POEA ph. Hindi daw pwede thru POLO.
How true is that? They insisted that they only do verifications but for OEC issuance. It should be from PH, though appointment availability sa Manila is Mid August pa earliest and I will be going back next week.
Hi Ron. POLO can only authenticate your employment contract. To be registered as OFW, si POEA po talaga since they need to have your records as well.
Good Day Ms. Lara.
Sana po matulungan nyo po ako.
Last year po, umalis ako sa Pinas po na legal. Then after ilang months po sa Uae, na layed off po ako. Fortunately po nakahanap po ako ng ibang employer. Pinayagan po ako ng bago kong employer na magbakasyon muna sa Pinas bago magstart sa kanila.
Ano po yung dapat gawin ko para makauwi po ng Pinas at makabalik po ng Uae na hindi po mahaharang ng Immigration.
Thank you.
Please reply po Asap.
Hi Carolina! Do you have an employment contract from your new employer? Kailangan po ninyo ito maipakita sa POLO para ma-verify nila at payagan kayo ng bumalik sa Pilipinas ng walang problema.
Hi ms. Lara just want to ask po i am new resident here in spain and first time ko po na uuwi ng pinas this december. As a resident na po dito sa spain do i need to go to poea to get an OEC? Thanks po. And one more question po if ever i need to still get a OEC one of the requirements i need to provide is working contract, should i need po na ipa translate sya sa english kasi po spanish ang contract ko. Thanks po.
Hello Sheilla! We think the OEC will only apply to OFWs and not residents. You can present necessary documents indicating that you are already a resident in Spain. Thanks!
Hi galing po akong china, direct hire.po ako dito. kaso wala po akong oec or poea galing pinas kasi sa Hongkong po ako.kumuha ng working visa. Meron na po akong working visa and residence visa sa china. Magbabakasyon po sana ako sa pinas. Ma quequestion papo ba sa immigration ang oec ko pag babalik na ako ng China from Pinas?
Hello Lin! Just present your working documents like passport and employment contract sa POLO para they can issue you OEC.
good day po,paano po kung kauuwi ko lng nung oct.26 2019 and gusto ko po sna magapply for loan,ang problema po wla po akong schedule pabalik,still waiting po,pero lahat po ng requirements meron po ako,possible pa po b for loan,thanks po….
Hello Jefferson! This will depend sa lender. May lenders po kasi na nire-require nasa Pilipinas ang borrower since may mga documents na dapat pirmahan.