FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q&A
EXEMPTION FROM ACQUIRING OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE (OEC)
GBR No. 12, S 2016/MC No. 06, S 2016
OVERVIEW AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Who may avail of the OEC Exemption of Balik Manggagawa (BM) per GBR No. 12, S 2016?
An OFW (1) with an employment visa or work permit, (2) who has served or is serving his/her employment contract and (3) is: (a) Returning to the same employer, (b) Returning to the same job site; and (c) Has a record in the POEA Database.
What is meant by “has record in the POEA Database”?
OFWs who have been previously issued OEC by the POEA at any of its offices/centers (POEA Main Office, Regional Offices, Extension Units, BM Mall Processing Centers, POLO offices abroad).
I am an OFW returning to same employer or jobsite how do I avail of the OEC Exemption?
If you are returning to the same employer and jobsite, you may avail of the OEC exemption by registering thru the POEA Online Processing System direct link https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx.You can also go to the POEA website address
dmw.gov.phand click Online Services. If you are already a registered user, you need only to log-in using your registered email and password.
How would I know if I am already exempted from securing OEC?
You can log-in to your E-registration Online account prior to your scheduled return to your employer. It is the system that will determine if you are exempted from securing an OEC.
What if I have forgotten password?
You may click "Account Recovery" in the E-registration.
Can I still change the email address/log-in account I used when I signed up?
Yes. Your registered email address serves as your permanent log-in account, but you can still change it. Create Ticket in the DMW Helpdesk, Eregistration and change Registered Email Address.
I secured an OEC at the POLO and was also issued an E-Receipt at the POEA main office during my last vacation but I did not register with the BM Online, will I be exempted from securing an OEC?
If you have a record in the POEA database but not yet registered in the system, you need to register as a new user. The system will guide you in the registration process. Registered users will have to log-in using their registered email and password. If you are returning to the same employer and jobsite, the system will validate if you are exempted from obtaining an OEC.
I am returning to the same employer and jobsite and previously acquired an OEC but the System re-directed me to the Appointment page. What happened?
The system automatically redirects you to the Appointment Page Balik Manggagawa in any of the following situations:
- If you are a watchlisted worker or an OFW with a watchlisted employer;
- If you are returning to a restricted or non-compliant country;
- If you do not have a record with the POEA or if there is a discrepancy in the data that you entered and your data in the system;
- If you are an undocumented worker (i.e., Tourist to OFW, Dependent to OFW, Student to OFW, etc.); and
- If you were a Seabased worker who changed your position to a Landbased Worker.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
How can I avail of an OEC Exemption
LOG IN to the POEA Online System thru the direct link https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/or go to POEA official webpage dmw.gov.phand click Online Services.
For NEW USERS: Register in the system using your personal email account and click the “Register” link. Once you are registered, log-in your Registered Email Address and the Temporary Password sent to your Email. Update your Personal Data, Contract Particulars and Beneficiaries, as needed. Click “Balik Manggagawa” for online assessment. Enter “Flight Date” and confirm if you are returning to the same employer, jobsite and position.
For USERS: Log-in, update and save profile page (Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Beneficiaries) then click “Balik Manggagawa” for online assessment. Enter “Flight Date” and confirm if you are returning to the same employer, jobsite and position.
If you are returning to same employer, jobsite and position, the system will provide you with an OEC Exemption.
For all other situations, or if you are not "Exempted" you will be directed to the Appointment Page.
What is the content of the oec exemption?
The OEC Exemption would indicate that the worker have an existing record of the same employer and jobsite in the POEA database hence, would entitle him/her to exemption from securing OEC. It also include reminders and information what to do on worker’s departure.
What will happen if I do not receive aN OEC EXEMPTION?
The POEA Online System will automatically redirect you to the appointment page once you do not receive the confirmation message. It would mean that the system has not found a match in your data that you are returning to the same employer and jobsite. Thus, you need to set an appointment for OEC issuance at any preferred POEA Office/Center at your own date and time.
What is the BM Exemption Number issued by the BM Online System?
The BM Online System will automatically redirect you to the appointment page once you do not receive the your OEC Exemption. It means that the data that you entered and the data in the system did not match. Thus, you need to set an appointment at any preferred POEA Office or Center for OEC issuance.
What is the BM Exemption Number issued by the BM Online System?
The BM Exemption number is your transaction number that the system generates and transmits to the Immigration Officer through the link showing that you are exempted from securing an OEC.
Is there a need to print and present the BM Exemption Number to the Immigration Officer on the date of my departure?
No. There is no need to print the BM Exemption number since it is a generated number that the system electronically transmits to the link used by the Immigration Officer.
How do I update some of the information on my Personal and Employment Details/Contract Particulars
You may log-in using your registered email and password thru the direct link:
bmonline.ph. The System will show the PROFILE PAGE. You may edit and save some editable fields such as:
- Personal Data:
- Passport Number; Civil Status; Home Address in the Philippines; SSS, Pag-Ibig RTN/MID; Telephone/Mobile Number; Name of Spouse; Contract Particulars; Address of Employer; Telephone Number/Fax of Employer; Contract Duration; Last Deployment Date to the Worksite; and Last Arrival Date to the Philippines.
- Beneficiaries:
- Name of Beneficiary; Relation to the OFW; Gender of Beneficiary; Date of Birth of Beneficiary.
What are the fields in my Profile that I cannot edit?
Fields in your OFW Profile that you cannot edit are:
- Personal Data:
- Name(First, Middle, Surname); Birthdate; Mothers Full Maiden Name;
- Contract Particulars:
- Employer’s Name; Jobsite; Position; Salary
What will I do if I need to change the non-editable fields?
If you need to change the non-editable fields, you may set an appointment at your preferred POEA office or center.
I already updated my profile but I cannot proceed to the next step?
You cannot proceed to the next step if you do not fill up all the required fields and CLICK “SAVE.”
Does the system require an updated picture?
Yes. Your picture appears in the System and used by the Bureau of Immigration for identification purposes and final departure formalities. Thus, you need to update your photograph which must not exceed one (1) MB. Your recent photograph must clearly show your full face that is similar to your passport picture.
I already got my confirmation from the system that I am exempted from OEC, do I need to go to the POEA office?
No. You may proceed directly to the airport for your departure formalities.
What will I present at the airport on the day of my departure since I don’t have my OEC?
On the day of departure, you may proceed directly to the Airline counter at the airport for check in. Afterwards, proceed to the Immigration counter and present your:
1. Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure;
2. Valid Work Visa/Work Permit indicating your employer and jobsite.
What will I present to the Immigration Officer if my visa does not indicate my employer?
If you are a company hired worker, you may present any of the following that must indicate your employer’s name:
1. Valid employment contract;
2. Current Employment Certificate;
3. Valid Employment ID;
4. Recent Pay Slip.
If you are a domestic worker, you may present a valid POLO Verified Employment Contract.
How can I avail of the Travel Tax and Terminal Fee exemption since I am now exempted from securing an OEC?
You may present any of the following to the airline counter for Travel Tax Exemption and MIAA counter for Terminal Fee Exemption as proof that you are employed overseas:
a. Valid Work Visa or Work Permit;
b. Valid Employment Contract;
c. Current Employment Certificate;
d. Valid Company ID; and
e. Recent Pay Slip.
For Travel Tax Exemption, you should present the original and photocopy of the documents to the Airline Counter.
For Terminal Fee Exemption, you should present the photocopy of the documents including the Airline O.R. or invoice with code “LI International” to the MIAA/Airport counter.
I am returning to the same employer and jobsite and a previous user of the BM Online System but I forgot to log-in to my BM Online account and I am already at the airport, what will I do?
You may log-in to your account in the BM Online system anytime, anywhere as long as there is an internet connection since it is a web based program. Thereafter, provide the required information until the system confirms your exemption from securing an OEC. Proceed directly to Airline counter and Immigration counter for final departure formalities.
What will happen if I am already in front of the Immigration Officer for departure and did not log-in?
The Immigration Officer will refer you to the Labor Assistance Center (LAC) for assistance. The LAC officer will encode your data to facilitate your exit and advice you to return to the Immigration Officer for final departure.
However, you should register in the BM Online System in your next vacation.
Do I need to register at the BM Online System every time I go on vacation to the Philippines?
Yes, it is the BM Online System that determines if you are exempted from securing an OEC based on the POEA database. The system will also transmit your data to the Bureau of Immigration showing that you are exempted from securing an OEC. Hence, you must register or log-in to the system prior to your every return to your jobsite.
Should I still go to the POEA Labor Assistance Center (LAC) for re-validation of my OEC Exemption?
No. Your data are electronically transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that will serve as their reference in validating your exemption at the time of your departure.
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