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. This guide will teach you how to obtain it.
Related: How to Get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) Through BM Online or POPS-BaM
Table of Contents
- Watch Video: How To Get OEC Exemption Online
- Acquire OEC or Exemption: Who Can Get OEC Exemption?
- How To Get an OEC Exemption Number Through BM Online
-
How To Get an OEC Exemption Through POPS-BaM
- 1. Log In to Your DMW E-Registration Account
- 2. Click “Let’s Go”
- 3. Update Your Profile
- 4. Select “Balik-Manggagawa” on the Upper Right Corner of Your Screen
- 5. Enter Your Flight Date
- 6. Answer Whether You’re a Returning Balik-Manggagawa With the Same Employer, Same Job Site, and Same Position or Not. Otherwise, You Cannot Proceed With the Process
- 7. Print Your OEC Exemption
- Tips and Warnings
-
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 or POPS-BaM because I’ve forgotten my email address and password. What should I do?
- 4. How do I avail myself 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 the Appointment page. What’s wrong?
- 8. How long is the validity of the OEC Exemption Number?
- 9. Can I go home to the Philippines without OEC?
- 10. The link to OEC Exemption online application is not working. What should I do?
- 11. There’s an error in my POPS-BaM E-registration. What should I do?
- 12. I already manually matched my records from the old BM online system to the POPS-BaM site, but they are still not synced/transferred. How can I apply for an OEC Exemption?
- References
Watch Video: How To Get OEC Exemption Online
Acquire OEC or Exemption: 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.
If you don’t meet any of the qualification requirements listed above, it means you’re not qualified for OEC exemption, in which case you need to set an online appointment for regular OEC processing.
How To Get an OEC Exemption Number Through BM Online
UPDATE: As of June 30, 20211, OFWs without an existing BM online account can no longer register under the old BM online system. You will be redirected to the new POPS-BaM system instead. For a step-by-step guide on how to use the POPS-BaM System to get an OEC exemption, go here. The new system uses the same process to get an OEC or OEC Exemption.
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 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 In to 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 data, job contract information, and beneficiaries.
You can edit almost every field except 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 these non-editable fields, you must secure an appointment with POEA at your preferred date and time.
Lastly, you must ensure 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, similar to the passport picture.
Once you’re done filling out/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 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: An OFW’s Complete Guide to Getting an OEC Through BM Online or POPS-BaM
How To Get an OEC Exemption Through POPS-BaM
If you already have a DMW E-registration account and your old BM records are transferred to the new POPS-BAM site, then you can get your OEC Exemption through POPS-BaM by following these steps2:
1. Log In to Your DMW E-Registration Account
Each person must only have one E-registration account. Avoid creating multiple accounts because it’s a ground for disqualification of POEA online services.
2. Click “Let’s Go”
3. Update Your Profile
Before you apply for an OEC exemption, you need to update your profile first. Click My Profile on the left side of your screen.
Provide all necessary information, including your weight and height, because the system will not continue if these fields are left empty.
Complete the “Identification” portion by uploading your valid IDs and passport. Upload only your latest passport to avoid encountering any problems during the application.
Finally, fill out the “My Family” portion. You’re required to enter at least one beneficiary in this portion.
4. Select “Balik-Manggagawa” on the Upper Right Corner of Your Screen
You’ll notice that the POPS-BaM screen is now filled with different content because all online services of the Department of Migrant Workers are processed on this site. If you’re just applying for a BM OEC exemption, no need to bother about this content and focus only on the Balik-Manggagawa module.
5. Enter Your Flight Date
Upon clicking the Next button, POPS-BaM automatically presents your previous record (employer, job site, and position).
The system will also remind you to ensure that your passport and work visa is valid upon your departure date.
6. Answer Whether You’re a Returning Balik-Manggagawa With the Same Employer, Same Job Site, and Same Position or Not. Otherwise, You Cannot Proceed With the Process
After responding “YES,” you’ll now get the soft copy of your OEC Exemption. After the issuance, your information will be automatically transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration.
7. Print Your OEC Exemption
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 to avail of the OEC exemption
All returning OFWs are required to register to the BM Online or POPS-BaM System.
If you already have an account and have been issued an OEC, 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 an OEC exemption. This is because logging in and updating your information online is the only way BM Online or POPS-BaM 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.
4. Get your OEC exemption number less than 60 days before your departure date
Just like regular OEC, an OEC exemption number is only valid for 60 days and can only be used for a single exit.
Therefore, it’s imperative that you take into consideration your flight schedule before obtaining an OEC exemption. For example, if you are in the Philippines for a vacation for 3 months then you shouldn’t get your OEC immediately. Wait for a month or two first before getting your OEC.
Get it too early (i.e., more than 2 months or 60 days before your departure), and the OEC exemption will already be expired by the time you’re scheduled to leave the country.
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 or POPS-BaM because I’ve forgotten my email address and password. What should I do?
4. How do I avail myself 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 the Appointment page. What’s wrong?
8. How long is the validity of the OEC Exemption Number?
9. Can I go home to the Philippines without OEC?
10. The link to OEC Exemption online application is not working. What should I do?
If POPS-BaM is inaccessible, the site might be down or under maintenance. Try to access it after a few minutes until it becomes accessible again.
Meanwhile, note that you will receive a “site can’t be reached / server not found” error if you try to create a new BM online account. That’s because the old BM online site no longer accepts new users. In this case, the only possible way for you to apply for an OEC Exemption online is through the POPS-BaM system.
11. There’s an error in my POPS-BaM E-registration. What should I do?
If you encounter an error in POPS-BaM E-registration (e.g., not receiving an email verification), do not create a new account. Instead, file a concern ticket in the POEA HelpDesk. This is also what you’ll do in case you enter the wrong details in your E-registration.
12. I already manually matched my records from the old BM online system to the POPS-BaM site, but they are still not synced/transferred. How can I apply for an OEC Exemption?
You have to request a ticket3 so that your previous BM online records can be “matched” to the POPS-BaM system and get your OEC exemption. Follow the steps indicated below to request a ticket:
- Go to the POEA (DMW) online services website
- Proceed to the “DMW HelpDesk” section and click Create Ticket, then press Continue
- Under the “Select Service” dropdown menu, select “online service Balik -Manggagawa”
- Under the “Select Concern” dropdown menu, pick “BM-OLD records problem”
- Click the Next button below the “Frequently Asked Questions” section
- Select among “I know my E-registration number,” “I know my Email Address,” and “I forgot my E-registration number and email address”
- Complete your ticket by entering the following details:
- Processing site near you
- OEC number
- Concern details (state that your old BM records failed to transfer to the POPS-BaM)
- Contact number
- Press Submit Ticket
After submitting your concern ticket, you’ll get your HelpDesk Ticket number. Take note of it as you may use it to inquire for updates regarding your request.
References
- Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). (2021). POEA Advisory No. 77 (Launch of the New BM Online System & Procedures to Transfer Current BM Accounts to the New System). Mandaluyong City.
- Labor OfficeWDC. (2022). Webinar on POPS-BaM Registration and Contract Verification for Vacationing OFWs [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMrx7KdE7a8&t=2138s
- Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved 19 July 2022, from https://www.dmw.gov.ph/faqs
thaks for the good service