Getting Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) will no longer be a problem thanks to the Balik Manggagawa Online Processing System or BM Online, which will allow an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) secure a copy of this document at the comfort of their own home — all they need is a computer and an internet connection.
The OEC or the exit clearance/pass is a document certifying the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an OFW, which is presented to the immigration officer at the airport of exit in the Philippines.
However, not everyone can use this system. They are as follows:
– Without POEA record/no record found
– Undocumented status
– Change in employer or job site
– Former seafarer
– Under the POEA watchlist
– Returning to a restricted country
OFWs, whether they are exempted from getting an OEC or not, should still register via BM Online every time they return to the Philippines for a vacation.
If an OFW is not registered to the BM Online System, an immigration officer will refer him/her to the Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) for encoding of their data and evaluation, which simply means longer waiting time.
Here is a step-by-step guide after logging into the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System:
1 For New User, register in the system using your personal email account and click the Sign Me Up button. Open your email account to click the confirmation link.
2 Log-in as Already Registered user. Enter your last issued OEC number. If no record found, set an Online Appointment.
3 If the record is found, update your Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Beneficiaries, as needed.
4 Click Acquire OEC or Exemption for online assessment. Enter flight date and confirm if returning to the same employer and jobsite.
5 If returning to the same employer and job site, the system will display a confirmation message indicating that you are exempted from securing the OEC and payment of processing fee.
6 If not, you will be redirected to the Appointment Page. Select your preferred POEA office and schedule for processing of OEC and payment.
Once you have an active BM Online account, you can now gain access to the system for straight online OEC processing, setting an appointment for regular processing, or getting an exemption.
1 Log in to your account as an “Already Registered” user. Enter your email address and password. Click Login.
2 An OEC Number Verification pop-up will appear. Key in your last issued OEC number and click OK (If you don’t remember it or your record is not found, click on the link to set an appointment.)
3 If your record is found, you’ll see a confirmation pop-up. Confirm your employer and job site information by clicking Yes (If you’ll work for a new employer or job site, click No to set an appointment).
4 Fill out the Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Legal Beneficiaries forms. When you’re done, click Save Changes. If you’d like to make corrections, click Edit.
5 Your My Profile page will appear. Click Change Photo > Upload Photo to upload a profile picture. Choose then click Upload.
6 Click Next Step on the right side of the page.
7 Enter your expected flight schedule. The date must be within the 60-day OEC validity period. Click Submit.
8 A final confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Yes.
9 Click Acquire OEC.
10 You’ll see the Payment page with four payment options: Banks (over the counter), Banks (online), Mobile Payment, and Non-Banks (over the counter). Click on your preferred payment method. NOTE: Securing an OEC via BM Online costs PHP 119.50 (processing fee of PHP 100 plus e-payment service fee of PHP 19.50).
11 A payment confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Yes.
12 Choose from the listed banks or payment centers. Click Select > Send Instructions via Email. Check your email (the one you registered with BM Online) for the payment instructions. If you chose Mobile Payment (via GCASH), just enter your 11-digit Globe mobile number and then click Pay. Once your payment has been confirmed or successful, go back to the BM Online System and then click My Transactions at the left side of the page.
13 Click Print OEC.
14 You’ll see your digital OEC. Click Print Receipt to print your OEC.
Lastly, OFWs who are returning to the same employer or job site with a record in the POEA database, collectively called “Balik Manggagawa,” are no longer required to get an OEC. However, they’d still need to register online.
1 Log in to your account as an “Already Registered” user. Enter your email address and password. Click Login.
2 An OEC Number Verification pop-up will appear. Key in your last issued OEC number and click OK.
3 If your record is found, you’ll see a confirmation pop-up. Confirm your employer and job site information by clicking Yes (If you’ll work for a new employer or job site, click No to set an appointment.)
4 Fill out the Personal Data, Contract Particulars, and Legal Beneficiaries forms. When you’re done, click Save Changes. If you’d like to make corrections, click Edit.
5 Your My Profile page will appear. Click Change Photo > Upload Photo to upload a profile picture. Choose and click Upload.
6 Click Next Step on the right side of the page.
7 Enter your expected flight schedule. The date must be within the 60-day OEC validity period. Click Submit.
8 A final confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Yes.
9 Click Acquire OEC or Exemption.
10 If you’re exempted from getting an OEC, an OEC exemption confirmation pop-up will appear, providing your BM Exemption number and instructions on your pre-departure at the airport.
