How to Get OEC: POLO-Brunei Online Appointment

You should be aware that if you plan to take a vacation in the Philippines, you will need to secure an OEC or Overseas Employment Certificate before your return to Brunei. This Balik Manggagawa certificate applies to every Overseas Filipino Worker. The purpose of this article is to provide information on how to obtain your OEC from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Brunei.

Also Read: How to Book OWWA Appointment in Brunei

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has been reminding everyone that all Filipino workers working abroad need to obtain an OEC if they intend to take vacation leave in the Philippines and then return to a foreign country for work purposes. If you are a first-time OFW in Brunei and you haven’t gone through the process, you will need this guide to get through the whole procedure.

What is an OEC (Balik Manggagawa) in Brunei?

When a worker departs for his or her overseas employment, the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), which the POEA issues, serves as a travel clearance document. This also means that the worker is properly documented and protected by the government to work abroad.

The OEC is issued by POLO or other certified POEA branches to an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who will go back to the Philippines for vacation leave or emergency leave. If the OFW wants to return to the same employer to resume employment, this document is required.

A great benefit of the OEC is that it excludes the worker from paying the P1,620 travel tax as well as the P750 airport tax.

The OEC can only be used once and not over sixty (60) days from the acquisition.

What are the requirements to get an OEC in Brunei?

The Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), informs all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Brunei of the required documents for issuance and processing of POEA exit pass or overseas employment certificate (OEC). Workers-on-leave or vacationing OFWs who are returning to the Philippines need to get this document beforehand.

If they intend to get the OEC from POLO Brunei, the following are the requirements:

For Household Service Workers, the following are needed:

• Application form (OFW Information Sheet/BM Online Sheet)
• Valid Employment Contract (processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or the Philippine Embassy – please submit a valid contract for verification if no valid verified employment contract exists.)
• Valid Employment Pass/re-entry Visa
• Passport
• Two-way ticket/Itinerary issued by the travel agency
• Proof of OWWA valid membership; renewable every two years.

Others Applicants

• Application form (OFW Information Sheet/BM Online Sheet)
• Valid Employment Contract (processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or the Philippine Embassy – if no valid verified employment contract exists, please submit a valid contract for verification)
• Valid Employment Pass/re-entry Visa
• Passport
• Two-way ticket/Itinerary issued by the travel agency
• Proof of OWWA valid membership; renewable every two years

Similarly, in accordance with POEA’s mission of strengthening the protective measure for overseas Filipino workers, all individual employment contracts must be verified in the POEA administration database and by the POLO before processing and issuing OEC.

OFWs renewing their contracts or transferring to a new employer must be verified by the POLO for registration and documentation purposes.

Qualifications

POEA Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2019, specifies the requirements and qualifications for obtaining an OEC.

The following qualifications are:

• Filipino Workers with a record in the POEA database who take their first vacation and return to the same employer and workplace for work purposes.
• Filipino Workers with a POEA record who are on vacation and changing employers on-site
• Filipino Workers who do not have a record with the POEA

If you meet one of these standards, you must obtain your OEC at POLO.

OEC Cost in Brunei

The OEC processing fee is PHP 100.00 (its equivalent in Brunei Dollar)

How to Schedule OEC online appointment in POLO-Brunei

Are you considering returning to the Philippines? Need an OEC but do not have a Balik Manggagawa account yet?

The OEC can be issued via the POEA’s Online Processing System for Balik Manggawa, abbreviated as POPS-BaM. An OFW requesting an OEC must create an account in the online processing system. A valid email address is required for system registration.

To register for the POEA Online Processing System for Balik Manggagawa, follow the steps below (POPS-BaM):

1. Go to your browser and type https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx in the URL
2. Click on Let’s Go
3. Click on “Register” for new users ( just log in if you already have an account )
4. Then click “I accept the terms of use.”
5. Fill out the required information and then click register. (a message will display indicating that your registration was “Successful”)
6. Log in to the email address you provided when you registered (there is a message containing your “temporary password”)
7. Return to the link provided in Step 1 and login using the registered email address, then click “next.”
8. Use the temporary password sent to your email, then click “log in.”
9. Set the password you want
10. Update your profile by clicking “My Profile,” after completing your profile, click “Update Profile” on the upper right side of the page
11. Add your Identification and Beneficiary
12. Attach profile picture and passport

To book an appointment or schedule:

1. Log in to your POPS-BaM account (onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph/OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx )
2. Click “Balik-Manggagawa,” located at your top right-hand side.
3. Input your next flight date, and then click “next.”
4. You will be asked if you are returning BM to the same employer (if yes, you can print your OEC, if no, proceed to step 5)
5. Accomplish your contact details with true and correct information to the best of your knowledge.
6. After clicking “Submit,” select POLO-Americas: Washington DC.
7. Then, choose an available Appointment Schedule.
8. You now have an Appointment with POLO. You can print or cancel your appointment.

How to Apply OEC from POLO Brunei?

After a successful schedule of appointments, go to POLO Brunei on the indicated date and time as per your scheduled appointment.

Once you are in POLO, go directly to the POLO information/reception desk. The reception officer will give you the form that needs to be filled up. Submit the above-listed requirements. Wait for the evaluation and validation of your documents. Pay the fees and get your OEC.

How to Apply for OEC Exemption – Balik Manggagawa Exemption in Brunei

If an OFW returns to the same employer, returns to the same workplace, and has a record in the POEA database, the OFW is exempt from obtaining an OEC and paying the processing fee.

If the OFW is qualified to apply for an OEC Exemption, all he/she needs to do is log into his/her POPS-BaM account and select the Balik Manggawa section; the system will inform the OFW by displaying a message indicating that he/she is eligible for an OEC Exemption.

The worker must print or provide a screenshot of the OEC Exemption number and present it to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel. This is done in one of the Philippines’ national airports before an OFW board his flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding the POLO Brunei application for OEC Balik Manggagawa:

1. What happens if I don’t log in and am already in front of the BI Officer preparing to depart?

You will be referred to the Labor Assistance Center (LAC) officer by the BI Officer. The LAC officer will obtain some of your credentials and information about your employment in order to facilitate your exit. The LAC officer will then direct you to the BI Officer to complete the final departure formalities. However, the employee must be reminded to log in prior to his/her next vacation.

2. Is it required for me to register with POPS-BaM each time I take a vacation?

You must update your account profile in order for the system to determine whether you qualify for an OEC Exemption. Before departing, the worker should register/log in each time he or she returns abroad.

3. What if I did receive a confirmation pop-up message from the system?

If there is no pop-up message, the POPS-BaM will link you directly to the appointment page. This indicates that you did not qualify for an exemption since you are not working with the same employer and same workplace. If you get a link instead, you should schedule an appointment with your chosen POEA office to process your OEC at any time and date.

4. I’m returning to the same employer and worksite as before. I am a POPS-BaM user, but I forgot to log in and am already at the airport. What should I do?

You can access your POPS-BaM account at any time and from any location as long as you have access to the internet. Simply enter the information requested by the system to confirm that you are obtaining an OEC Exemption. Then, proceed to the airport and BI counter to complete the departure procedure.

Summary

Because of the online processing system, the process of obtaining an OEC is now less stressful. You can obtain an OEC in a couple of simple steps and benefit from the privileges that come with this certificate.

You can also take advantage of your vacation time and go back to work abroad without feeling obligated. Simply meet the requirements outlined in this article and follow the procedures mentioned.

Contact Information

Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Brunei
Address: Philippine Embassy, Simpang 336, Diplomatic Enclave Jalan Kebangsaan Bandar Seri Begawan BA1210 Brunei Darussalam
Tel. Nos.: (+673) 2241465, 224 1466, 223 8845, 222 0781
Hotline: (+673) 871 4881 (Consular); (+673) 883 0933 (Labor)
Fax No.: (+673) 223 7707
Email: brunei.pe@dfa.gov.ph
Website: http://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph

Google Map Location

If you plan on visiting POLO Brunei, here’s a quick map guide you can follow. The POLO-OWWA office is in the PH Embassy location: