Acquiring OEC could be quite a handful for OFW whenever they need to get back to the foreign country they are working in after their vacationing in the Philippines.
Since there are now thousands of Filipinos working all over the world, the queue before you can obtain your OEC as a returning OFW should require you to be patient and understanding. The application gets even tougher during special occasions such as holidays and graduation.
Fortunately, the government had come up with an effective and cost-saver way for OFWs to obtain their OEC wherever they are – the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System. Now, even at home, OFWs can get their OEC without having to wake up early in the morning and waiting all day long in the POEA office just to get an OEC.
Here’s your ultimate guideline on how to have an easy and fast balik-manggagawa process especially during special holidays or for emergency purposes.
What is Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Online Processing System?
The Balik-Manggagawa (BM) is an online appointment system that you can access through POEA’s website so that you won’t have to go to POEA’s office or OEC Processing Center just to get an OEC. This online registration form is only meant for OFWs who are going back to the same employer in the same country and had a record with POEA.
Requirements when getting an OEC?
Basic document requirements
To get an OEC, an Overseas Filipino Workers should have the following requirements:
- Passport with at least six (6) months validity from departure date.
- Valid work visa, work permit, or any equivalent document
- A verified employment contract or offer of employment
- Printed Balik-Manggagawa Information Sheet
What is BM Online and who can use it?
The Balik-Manggagawa Online as previously mentioned is an online processing system that an OFW may use to get and pay for their OEC. All OFWs, exempted or not on obtaining OEC, should register with BM Online System especially for times they will return to the Philippines. Through BM Online, the POEA determines if you are exempted from getting OEC based on the data that they currently have.
Why do I need to register to BM Online to get OEC?
Using BM Online to get an OEC will save you trouble and time on your pre-departure since you will be referred to Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) if you haven’t registered yet. Aside from that, online acquisition of OEC saves you time and effort that you can use to spend more time with your loved ones.
How to Register in BMonline For New User
Here are the easy steps to follow with pictures below:
- Go to the official website www.bmonline.ph
- For new users: Fill out and Sign Up You Need to Input: Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Birth Date, Gender, Email address, Password. Please Take Note your mail should be working. In my case, I use GMAIL, but you can use YAHOO also.
- Please click “I accept the Terms of Service” next Click ACCEPT
- Congratulation! A pop-up message will appear “Notice: Your account has been successfully created. You can now log in to your account.”
- Please visit your registered E-mail account. (In my case I use a Gmail account) Registration Confirmation Link will be sent to your registered E-mail.
- You need to confirm your email by clicking the link, see the actual message with the blue link.
- Pop Up Notice will appear: “Your account has been successfully activated. You may now log in.”
Tips in Applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
Here are some tips that you may want to utilize while applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC):
- You should bring both a photocopy and an original of your documents just in case they’ll be needing an extra copy of your files.
- Using POEA’s list of requirements as your reference, organized your files so it won’t be a hassle for you to submit your documents.
- Of course, don’t forget to bring money for all payments and other fees that may come up upon applying for OEC.
FAQ’s
How long is the processing time before getting OEC in POEA?
Getting an OEC from POEA should only take around ten (10) minutes if the OFW has already BM Account. If you’re going to set an appointment online and have already chosen your specific POEA branch, it should only take at least one (1) hour to obtain your OEC as long as you have prepared your documents and payment.
What are the benefits of OEC Balik-Manggagawa?
There are benefits in obtaining an OEC Balik-Manggagawa although it’s quite hard work to obtain one. It serves as the OFW’s permit to work in another country. It also serves as your receipt of payment for your contributions with PHILHEALTH, PAG-IBIG, membership to OWWA, and POEA processing fee.
Aside from that, an OEC helps the OFW to be exempted from travel taxes that a usual traveler gets when leaving the country. Also, exemption from airport terminal fees will be given to OFWs once they have presented their OEC.
Final Thoughts on Balik-Manggagawa
Although the Balik-Manggagawa can be tedious and tiresome, it’s definitely helpful in ensuring the safety of the Filipinos workings abroad. Fortunately, today’s technology had helped that the time of OFWs can be saved through various online technologies that can be utilized in providing OEC for our modern heroes.
Also See: How to Qualify for ($200) DOLE AKAP Cash Assistance
Soon enough, various methods will be developed for ease of obtaining of OEC especially for the growing number of Filipinos finding opportunities abroad.
Do we have OEC – POLO OWWA Satellite offices at our NAIA airports in Pinas?
Can we have our OEC at the airport prior to departure without visiting POLO-OWWA Office?
Hi Kabayan JesseJim, Yes! Only OFWs who are on an emergency leave of 5 days or less with confirmed flight.
Thanks Ms. Maggie!
However, with the current pandemic’s stricter restrictions wherein we were having hard time going to POEA-OWWA offices, especially for us from provinces, are there any Government considerations arrangements/instructions at least at airports?
Like for example: I am from Bohol and our nearest POEA-OWWA office is at Cebu City. Restrictions protocols in Cebu City are different from Bohol.
Considering that after mandatory quarantine upon arrival at NAIA, we only have very limited vacation leave days left as OFW plus the very hard time visiting the office in order to secure our OEC. Especially those OFWs who have transferred from one company to another and need to report to POEA-OWWA office as required prior to OEC issuance.
Please update possible OEC issuance transactions and requirements at NAIA airport POEA-OWA offices, if considered.
How to get new OEC number
Sir/madam,
May itatanong lng po ako, pwd ba ako mka kuha ng OEC sa airport? Nagpa appointment na ako pero hnd ako mka pasok dahil yong passport ko mag expired na sa March 17 tapos ang flight ko sa 27nag renew
ako ng passport ko ma release sa September 17 pa.
Good day.
Ask ko lang po nagfile Napo ako ng multiple problem ko sa accnt and last feedback sa ticket inquire.referred to helpdesk staff and travel ko po sa sept.9 na nais kpo aa mk print out lang ng oec exemption.salamat po!
Hello po tnong lng po… nabgo po b ang procedure ng pagkuha ng OEC s Online…every time n i-Click ku yung Acquire OEC or Exemption, e-Registration ang lumalabas instead n dapat online assessment, enter flight date and confirmation of returning with the same employer..ito po ang last BM exemption number is 57063933, 4th December 2019 last travel ko po…Appreciate your immediate action salamat po
dapat yan palitan yung hindi kumplikado gaya sana ng dati kpag iclick mo ang aquire excemption ilalagay mo lang ang flight date mo at kung sa prehas n kumpanya kpa ba ngttrabho, pero ngayon yan system sa iba iba ka dadalin na hindi mo makita kung saan ba dapat ikaw magpunta.
Good day po maam sir,pwede po ba ako mag direct jan sa inyung opisina khit walang appointment kc d ako makapag register sa appointment?flight ko na February..need ko na po magpro es ng oec ko,
Sir/Mam,
Last October 2013 nakakuha ako ng OEC going and working in Vietnam Country. Then 2019 nakakuha ako ng employer from Australia, then nag direct hired ako doon. Now bakasyon po ako. Pagbalik ko ng Australia kukuha pa rin po ba ako ng OEC ? Magkano na po ngayon?
hello po. pwede po ba mag verify ng contract sa pilipinas pra makakuha ng OEC?
Hello po, hindi po ako maka connect sa server ng BM online. Nag e error, di ko po ma update ang Visa Validated Date ko at di rin ma upload ang picture ko. Please help po kung anong pwedeng gawin, thanks!