OFW Guide on How to Get an OEC or Balik Manggagawa Online
A requirement for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) to travel abroad is an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). This is an Exit Pass for Filipinos who are working abroad. This helps ensure that they went to work abroad with legal requirements. You can now get a Balik Manggagawa Online!
Before, you need to line at the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) to get an OEC. It can last for a whole day or two. Sometimes, during Christmas Season or Holy Week, POEA is closed. Many OFWs will apply an OEC after long holidays. You need to have the patience to get yours.
Luckily, there is now a Balik Manggagawa OEC Online Processing System, where you can get your OEC online. No more wasting time and money to go to the Office. You can get your OEC in the comfort of your home.
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Table of Contents
Register at the Balik Manggagawa Online
1. Go to bmonline.poea.gov.ph.
2. In the new user: Type in your information.
Click “I accept the Terms of Service” and read it. If you agree, click “Accept.”
Click Sign Me Up.
3. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you and click that link to activate your account.
You may now use your log-in details.
How to Apply for OEC in the Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System
1. Go to bmonline.poea.gov.ph.
2. Enter your log-in details – the e-mail address and password you entered during sign up.
Click log-in.
3. Enter the last OEC issued to you and click “Submit.”
If OEC was recognized, and if you will be returning to your previous employer and Jobsite will pop-up; click “Yes.”
“No,” if you will have a new employer or Jobsite.
If you forgot, then you click on a link to set an appointment.
4. Edit your profile:
- Personal Data
- Contract Particulars
- Legal Beneficiaries or Qualified Dependents (you may have more than one)
Save Changes on each. If you have corrections, you can “Edit” it.
5. Upload a picture on your profile.
6. Review your details.
Click “Acquire OEC or Exemption”
7. Enter your expected flight schedule.
- Please check your visa and passport if they are still valid
- Your flight must be within 60 days from the issuance of your OEC
- OEC/Exemption is used for a single exit only.
8. You will be asked if you are returning to the same employer and jobsite as before. Answer “Yes” or “No” to set an appointment.
The next steps will depend on your answer and your previous data in the Balik Manggagawa database.
Balik Manggagawa – Acquire an OEC Online
1. Click “Acquire OEC”
2. Choose the payment option
- Banks (over the counter)
- Banks (online)
- Mobile – You can pay thru GCash. Please read our GCash how-to guide for more details.
- Non-banks
3. Pay the fee.
4. After payment, go back to the bmonline.poea.gov.ph.
Go to transactions and print OEC.
5. Click “Print Receipt” to print your OEC.
The picture was taken from POEA Youtube Instructional Video
Balik Manggagawa – OEC Exemption Online
1. Your profile will be assessed if you are exempted after confirmation.
2. There will be a message saying that you are exempted from getting an OEC and pay the processing fee.
The picture was taken from POEA website.
Balik Manggagawa – How to set an OEC Appointment Online
1. Choose the location where you want to have your appointment
2. Select a schedule and time that is vacant and Set Appointment.
3. Review the Balik Manggagawa Information sheet and “Print the appointment.”
4.Go to the POEA branch on the day of the appointment.
Bring the following during your appointment as per POEA BM E-mail:
- Balik Manggagawa Information sheet
- Original and photocopy of Passport
- Original and photocopy of valid visa or work permit
- Original and photocopy of the contract
For change employer, undocumented worker, and HSW, contact must be verified by POLO or Philippine Embassy.
Where are the POEA Branches for Balik Manggagawa OEC?
In the Philippines
POEA Main Office
EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue,
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
POEA Regional Center for Luzon
2nd Floor Kenny Plaza Quezon Ave
City of San Fernando, La Union
POEA Satellite Office – Tuguegarao City
Methodist Church Compound
Bonifacio St., Tuguegarao City
POEA Regional Extension Unit
G/F Gestdan Centrum
80 Bokawkan Road corner Upper P Burgos Baguio City
Satellite Office – Pampanga
3rd Floor, SM City Pampanga
Bgy. San Jose, Gapan- Olongapo Road corner NLEX
San Fernando City Pampanga
Satellite Office – Calamba City
Basement, Andenson Building II
Brgy. Parian Calamba City
Satellite Office – Oriental Mindoro
Unit B Sapphire Building, Roxas Drive cor Kamias St
Brgy Lumangbayan, Calapan City
POEA Office – Palawan
One-Stop Service Center for OFWs
2nd floor, Robinson’s Place, Puerto Princesa North Road
Puerto Princesa City
Satellite Office – Legaspi City
Ground Floor, Unit 102-103, ANST Bldg. Washington Drive
Legaspi City
POEA Regional Center for Visayas
Ground Flr. DOLE Building (old Insular Building)
corner General Maxilom Ave and Gorordo Ave
Cebu City
Regional Extension Unit
RHEA GLYNDA D. CALANTAS
3rd Floor, Robinson’s Place – Iloilo
Ledesma corner Mabini Streets, Iloilo City
Satellite Office – Bacolod City
2/F, Gaisano Grand Bacolod City Mall
Araneta St., Singcang, Bacolod City
Satellite Office – Tacloban City
3/F Uytingkoc Building, Senator Enage Street
Tacloban City
POEA Regional Center for Mindanao
2nd Floor, AMQ Building
corner Lakandula St., Dacudao Avenue
Agdao, Davao City
Regional Extension Unit
2nd Floor, Goodwill Center
Canelar, Zamboanga City
Regional Extension Unit
Ground Floor Trinidad Bldg.
Yacapin St., Cagayan de Oro City
Satellite Office – Koronadal City
Ground Floor, Nearby Executive Suites
Zulueta St., Koronadal City
Satellite Office- Butuan City
Door 2, Nimfa Tiu Bldg 7 JP Rosales Avenue
Butuan City
Satellite Office – Tawi-Tawi
Initiative for Tawi Tawi Area Devt. Foundation (ITAD) Bldg.
Old Housing Proj., Tubig Boh, Bongao, Tawi Tawi
Labor Assistance Centers (LAC)
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
- Mactan International Airport (Cebu)
- Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao)
Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO)
Americas
- USA
- Los Angeles
- Washington
- Canada
- Toronto
- Vancouver
Asia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Korea (Seoul)
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Kaohsiung
- Taichung
- Taipei
- Vietnam
Europe
- Cyprus (Nicosia)
- England (London)
- Greece (Athens)
- Italy
- Milan
- Rome
- Spain (Madrid)
- Switzerland (Geneva)
Middle East
- Bahrain (Mahooz)
- Israel (Tel-Aviv)
- Jordan (Amman)
- Kuwait
- Lebanon (Baabda)
- Libya (Tripoli)
- Oman (Muscat)
- Qatar (Doha)
- Saudi Arabia
- Alkhobar
- Jeddah
- Riyadh
- Unaizah
- United Arab Emirates
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Syria (Damascus)
FAQs on POEA Balik Manggagawa
1. Who are considered as Balik Manggagawa?
As per POEA Facebook page, a balik manggagawa is:
- Worker-on-Leave – an who is on vacation or on leave from employment under a valid and existing employment contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of any change in jobsite, to finish the remaining unexpired portion of the contract
- Rehire – a worker who was rehired by the same employer after finishing his/her contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of a change in jobsite.
- POLO registered worker – a returning worker whose employment contract was not processed with the POEA but was subsequently verified and registered with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the jobsite and who is returning to the same employer either as a worker-on-leave or rehire, regardless of any change in jobsite. Same employer/principal refers to the employer named in the employment contract previously processed with the POEA or registered with the POLO at the jobsite.
2. What are the POEA balik manggagawa Fees?
- POEA processing fee – Php 100.00
- OWWA membership fee – US$25 or its peso equivalent (per contract basis)
- PhilHealth – Php 900.00 (good for 1 year coverage)
- Pag-Ibig membership – Php 100 (minimum)
3. How long is the Balik Manggagawa OEC valid?
It is only valid for 6 months.
4. What if I lost my Balik Manggagawa OEC?
You can reprint it if you have an online account. However, if you can’t find it then you need to submit an Affidavit of Loss to the POEA for issuance of a certificate that will be used as travel exit clearance. You won’t be able to get exempted for a travel tax and airport terminal if you have lost your OEC.
5. My Balik Manggagawa OEC expired, and I haven’t used it, what will I do?
An expired OEC shall be replaced after you submit the old one and pay a processing fee of Php 100.00
6. Who can avail OEC Exemption of Balik Manggagawa?
As per GBR No. 12, S 2016, a Balik Manggagawa worker with employment visa/work permit, who has served or is serving his/her employment contract and is:
- returning to the same employer
- returning to the same job site
- has recorded in the POEA Database
7. I am supposed to be qualified for an exemption, but I was redirected to the appointment page, why is it?
It’s probably because of the following circumstances:
- BM workers returning to a different employer and/or Jobsite
- Watchlisted worker and/or OFW with a watchlisted employer
- OFWs returning to a restricted or non-compliant country
- Workers without POEA records / No record found / Discrepancy in any record
- Undocumented workers (i.e., Tourist to OFW, Dependent on OFW, Student to OFW, etc.)
- Sea-based workers who changed position to Landbased Worker
8. I forgot my e-mail and password. What do I do?
Contact System Administrator of POEA through [email protected] or [email protected] or 02-7219496 / 02-7277778 / 02-7210785 / 09173257397.
With technological advancements, getting a Balik Manggagawa OEC or exemption is convenient and can be done online. Noon, kailangan mo mag-line at pumunta sa POEA, minsan sa main branch pa. Ngayon, sa bahay nyo nalang makakakuha na kayo ng OEC or if may appointment, selected date and time na. So mas mabilis. You can view and edit your details too!
pwede po ba sa cebuana magbayad ng oec exemption
FIYT KO N PO NG FEB 11 PANO PO UNG OEC APP0INMENT KO MARCH 2 PA PO PWEDE PO B MKAKUHA AGAD
Hello, few times I have attempted to press the OEC exemption using my account, pero hindi po ako maka proceed. everytime i click ko yung green button. it shows THE SITE CANNOT BE REACH.
Hi po..ask ko lang po sana kung bakit pag naglolog in ako to book an appointment bumabalik lang po sa same page.
Tourist po ako nung nagpunta dto sa Finland,and after 2 1/2 year me 4 years na po akong residence permit based on work. Now Im planning to take vacation po sa Pinas. Can you guide me on how to get OEC po..nakapag regiater na po ako sa BM online.
And nagtry po ako iedit name ng employer ko kasi typo error pero di ko po maedit. Sana masagot nyo po..salamat in advance.
Sir,mam bat di ako maka log in sa bmonline
San po ba kukuha ng Oec if pauwi galing UAE for vacation .
I have return ticket and hotel booking for my flight but I cannot proceed to balik mangagawa online.to get my o.e.c can I go to poea without appointment
please contact their office.
Ms Lyza question lang po. If may new employer kana po then uuwi akong Pinas need ko pa po bang magpa stamp ulit nang contract sa POLO Dubai para maka kuha nang OEC sa pinas? Salamat po
I have mistakenly input my schedule flight date on my oec exemption,then i have already given an oec number,then how could i request for a new oec.thanks
Please contact the system administrator or their website po – it’s too technical.
Hi Jofe. I made the same mistake. How did you solve it? Thanks!
Hello there, bakit di ako maka avail ng oec exemption online , i was redirected to appointment page but i am in same employer, my membership is active
did you type your previous OEC?
Hi hello po good afternoon ask ko lamg po bakit hindi ako makapag set ng appointment sa bm online para sa renewal mg oec
check nyo po i meron ba silang slots or wala.
Hi Ms. Lyza Paloma can i chat you in private i have a lot questions about OEC online Im Ariel Razon My Girlfriend is still in UAE for almost 11 years can you help me Ms. Lyza
Hello, you can contact me through e-mail po – [email protected], I’ll try my best to answer you po.
Hi,
We are from Brazil and looking for a Company that can issue the OEC for worker from Philipine, could you please suggest some Company that can do this kind of service?
The only agency that can grant an OEC is the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.
CAN I PAY ONLINE
You can choose to pay online in the payment option.
Hi po,? If directly hired and employer from other country doesnt know what an OEC is but employee has already a working visa/ permit with contract of course, pwede po ba maissuehan ng OEC ng POEA ?
Good day po,, magtattanong lang po ako kung ano po dapat ko gawin para makakuha ng OEC, kasi po di ako makakuha online dahil ang passport ko po is maeexpire 4 months from now pero nakapgrenew napo ako at dipa lang narerelease,, ehat to do po? Thank you
Wait kana lang po sa passport mo, madali lng po pag online kumuha ng OEC.
Hello po maam sir.. Dto po ako sa lebanon. Pano pba kpag online balik manggagawa.. Kailangan pba dto ipa prin ung oec ko. 2 months po ang baksyon ko.. Kung dto po pa prin ang oec baka po abuyin ng expiration 60 days lang po ung oec.. Salamat po sa sasagot.
I sign up already in BMonline but When I went to Log in the reply is wrong email and passport. My sign up is alredy taken.
Good evening, how to get an OEC, if direct hire from Canada,Already has a working visa, did passed the IELTS and with employer and signed contract between the 2 party( employer and employee)
If you are a direct-hire, there’s a different process – contact POEA.
Hi pano po pag new employment, as in never pa nagwork sa kahit anong bansa. eto rin ba ang proccess para makakuha ng certificate to travel pag direct hire. Thanks.
i forgot my email and password.
Dear sir mam ofw and saudi Arabia I need oec for requirements of dole thank you and God bless
I need oec maam sir for requirements and dole
i am qualified for exemption but redirect to appointment page last Nov.16,2020 is my appointment sched.but i cancelled because i dont know when exactly i go back to Kuwait or never.Now,i decided to go back work,i had already my flight ticket,I can’t submitt my online appointment again.Should i use my previous appointment or what? Please inform me…
Try contacting the POEA with regards to that po.
I am supposed to be qualified for an exemption,but I was redirect to the appointment page,what should I do?
Please contact their office po as to why.
Manila to dammam December to january 7i have valid a re rientry visa until February 27 may question is extend oec exception plz
I need oec exceptions
Ofw
How long is the processing time for first time off to get an ext clearance?
Hi, last March 2019 I went to Portugal with a tourist visa to be with my wife. Then, I applied for a residency card which I got on August 2019. Currently, I am currently working as a full-time employee with a permanent contract from one of the IT companies here.
What should be my process for getting an OEC when I return to the Philippines for a vacation?
You need to get it from the Philippines Embassy near you. Contact them for the process =)
Dear sir/madam,
Please help me na makuha online asap ang new OEC ko.Kasi kahapon November 27,2020 ay nag set
ako appointment sa main office Poea ng Oec ko n makukuha ko sa December 1,2020 pero need ko na po magquarantine sa december 1,2020…please help me na makuha kuna ngayon online till 3pm daw po…kc nakaset n ako sunduin dito po sa bahay til 4pm.Sir/madam babalik po ako sa dati kong employer sa Ee black construction kailangan ko pa ba new oec o excemption n ako?Thanks and God bless po..
My itinerary is Dam – Manila- Dam from November 16, 2020 till January 14, 2021. I have a valid exit re entry visa for 90 days and confirmed flight for the same travel date.
My question is I processed OEC exemption with Validity date up to Jan 01, 2021 meaning it would be expired before my flight on Jan 14, 2021.
Please advise how to re apply for OEC Exemption.
How to apply for balik mangagawa online
dear madam, paanu po pag hindi ko na po na open yung email na gamit ko sa bmonline.,, exemption nalang po bali yung akin, peru di ko ma open account ko kasi naka blocked daw ano po dapat ku gawin
contact po the POEA.
How to get oec? if my privous passport are already expire last 2016,. then i change my status on last 2019…and i finished my contract last 2013..
Are we really required to pay philhealth, pag-ibig and sss to acquire oec?
It’s on the requirements po, so they will probably check. Most OFWs are under agencies and usually deduct it on their pay.
Mam/Sir why until now they dont have any schedule(date) for balik manggagawa here in kuwait??
Contact nyo po ang POEA.
Dear sir/madam,
Please help me na makuha online asap ang new OEC ko.Kasi kahapon November 27,2020 ay nag set
ako appointment sa main office Poea ng Oec ko n makukuha ko sa December 1,2020 pero need ko na po magquarantine sa december 1,2020…please help me na makuha kuna ngayon online till 3pm daw po…kc nakaset n ako sunduin dito po sa bahay til 4pm.Sir/madam babalik po ako sa dati kong employer sa Ee black construction kailangan ko pa ba new oec o excemption n ako?Thanks and God bless po..
I will ask what can i do to get oec the same employer but myworking visa they transfer another department but myemployer it the same any idea whatshould i do in poae.
Dear Madam:
How can i change the location of my Oec appointment?