How to Get OEC Exemption Online: An Ultimate Guide for OFWs

Last Updated on 12/14/2019

OFWs with OEC exemption are not required to get an OEC and pay the POEA processing fee.

If you get this exemption, the processing of your OFW documents at the airport before your departure will be faster.

Related: How to Get Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Through BM Online

Who can get OEC exemption?

Only balik-manggagawas who meet ALL the following requirements can be exempted from securing an OEC:

• Has a valid work visa/work permit
• Returning to the same employer and job site
• Has a record in the POEA database (has been issued an OEC before at any POEA offices/centers including the POEA main office, extension units, regional offices, POLO offices abroad, and BM mall processing centers)

OFWs hired through the Government Placement Branch are also qualified to get OEC exemption if they fall under the above categories.

How to get an OEC exemption number.

To avoid inconvenience at the airport during departure, exempted balik-manggagawas are still required to get an exemption number from BM Online. This allows the POEA to validate if the OFW is really exempted from getting an OEC.

If you’re qualified for OEC exemption, here are the steps to get a Balik-Manggagawa Exemption Number.

1. Log into the BM Online System.

On the Already Registered box, enter your email address and password. If you are not registered yet, click here for the instructions on creating a BM Online account.

After logging in, enter your last issued OEC number. If the system finds no record in the POEA database (which means you’re not exempted), you’ll have to set an online appointment for regular OEC processing. Click here for the steps to set an OEC appointment.

2. Update your profile.

If your record is found, you’ll be directed to the My Profile page. Update your personal data, job contract information, and beneficiaries. 

You can edit almost every field except some specific information under Personal Data such as your name (first, middle, surname), birthday, and your mother’s full maiden name. You can’t also edit some data under Contract Particulars specifically your employer’s name, job site, position, and salary.

If you want to change or update the information in any of these non-editable fields, you will need to secure an appointment with POEA at your preferred date and time.

Lastly, you need to make sure that you still look like the photo in your profile. The profile photos in the system are used by the Bureau of Immigration for identification purposes, especially during the final departure.

If your appearance has changed, you need to update your profile photo by uploading your most recent photo that doesn’t exceed one (1) MB. This recent photo must show your full face clearly similar to the passport picture.

Once you’re done filling up/updating all the required fields, don’t forget to click “SAVE”. Otherwise, you’ll not be able to proceed to the next step.

The BM Online system will transmit your records to the Bureau of Immigration, which the Immigration officer will refer to when validating your OEC exemption during your departure.

3. Click the Acquire OEC or Exemption button.

Enter your flight date (in MM/DD/YYYY format) and confirm if you’re returning to the same employer and job site. 

4. View your BM Exemption Number.

A message confirming your OEC exemption with a BM Exemption Number will appear. Your exemption number is transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration, proving that you’re exempted from getting an OEC.

On your departure date, just go directly to the airline counter at the airport to check-in.

After checking-in, proceed to the Immigration counter and present the following:

• Passport valid at least 6 months from the date of departure
• Valid work visa/work permit indicating your employer and job site

If your work visa doesn’t have your employer’s name, you can present any of the following instead (provided that it states your employer’s name):

• For company-hired: Valid employment contract, current employment certificate, valid employment/company ID, or latest/most recent payslip
• For domestic workers: Valid POLO Verified Employment Contract

No need to go to the POEA Labor Assistance Center at the airport for revalidation of your OEC exemption.

On the other hand, if you don’t receive the pop-up confirmation message shown above, it only means that the system is unable to retrieve the data proving you’re returning to the same employer and job site, in which case you’ll be redirected to the appointment page so you can set an appointment for OEC issuance at any POEA office/center at your preferred date and time.

Go back to the main article: BM Online System: An OFW’s Complete Guide to Getting OEC

Tips and Warnings.

1. There’s no need to print the BM Exemption Number.

OFWs qualified for OEC exemption don’t have to print the confirmation message containing the BM Exemption Number since it’s electronically transmitted by the system to the link used by the Immigration Officer.

On the day of your departure, all you need to do is check-in and proceed to the Immigration counter to present your passport and work permit/work visa.

2. Update your profile picture.

Since it’s been a while since you uploaded the picture, your appearance may have already changed. Hence, it’s important to update it by uploading your most recent passport picture with a file size not exceeding one (1) MB.

It’s important to update your photo because it’s used by the Bureau of Immigration for identification purposes and final departure formalities.

3. You need to log-in to the BM Online System every time you return to the Philippines in order to avail of the OEC exemption.

All returning OFWs are required to register to the BM Online System.

If you already have an account and have been issued an OEC before, all you need to do is log-in to the system.

Without logging in each time you go on vacation in the Philippines, you can’t obtain OEC exemption. This is because logging in and updating your information online is the only way BM Online System can determine whether you’re exempted from securing the OEC or not.

If you’ve been proven to be qualified, the data will then be transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration who will then clear your name of departure formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Should I get an OEC or BM exemption each time I return to the Philippines?

2. I can’t access my account due to an incorrect password. How can I reset my password?

3. I can’t log-in to BM Online System because I’ve forgotten my email address and password. What should I do?

4. How do I avail of the travel tax and terminal fee exemption?

5. I forgot to get an exemption number through BM Online, and I’m already at the airport. What should I do?

6. Do I need to print my OEC exemption number?

7. I am returning to the same employer and job site and have previous OEC but the System still re-directs me to Appointment page. What’s wrong?

About the Author.

Venus Zoleta is an experienced writer and editor for nearly 15 years, covering topics on personal finance, travel, government services, and digital marketing. Her background is in journalism and public relations. In her early 20s, she started investing and purchased a home. Now, she advocates financial literacy for Filipinos and shares her knowledge online. When she’s not working, Venus bonds with her pet cats and plans her next travel adventure.