Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) / Balik Manggagawa
WHAT IS OEC?
The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a document issued by the DMW, which serves as an “travel exit clearance” for OFWs that certifies they have appropriately registered their employment activities with DMW. This is issued to new hires before their deployment, and to returning OFWs (Balik Manggagawa).
The OEC is being presented to the Immigration Department upon exit from the Philippines and its validity is sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. It also serves as an exemption from payment of travel tax and terminal fees.
WHAT IS BALIK MANGGAGAWA?
Refers to a returning Overseas Filipino Worker who has served or is serving his/her employment contract and is:
- returning to the same employer and same job site; or
- returning to the same employer in a new job site.
It shall also include an Overseas Filipino Worker who has started employment with a new employer and is returning to the said employer.
Procedures in Aquiring Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for Returning Workers (Balik-Mangagawa) OFWS
OEC EXEMPTION
If you have already acquired an OEC before and have not changed your employer, you will be notified that you are exempted from OEC. In this case, you no longer need to go to MWO or DMW for an appointment.
