How to Get OEC: POLO-Israel Online Appointment

Filipinos based in Israel and need to acquire an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at the nearest POLO office (located in Tel Aviv), please follow the guidelines below for Balik Manggagawa OEC processing.

Also Read: How to Book OWWA Appointment in Tel-Aviv, Israel

Vacationing OFWs must consider having an OEC in order to return to Israel. But how to get an OEC? What are the things to consider? Where should you obtain an OEC? These are some of the questions you might have in relation to applying for an OEC. In this article, we provide you the necessary information to process an OEC in Israel.

If you are an Overseas Filipino Worker based in Israel and planning to visit the Philippines for a vacation and return to Israel after, you need to look at this article to gain some insight into what you should do and how to deal with it. We’ve summarized everything you need to know in this blog to make the process easier for you.

What is OEC Balik Manggagawa Certificate?

The Overseas Employment Certificate, also known as OEC, certifies that the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is appropriately documented by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and is allowed to return and work legally abroad. The OEC also serves as an exit pass/clearance while departing the Philippines.

The OEC must be presented to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer at the Philippine-based airports, which is going to be evaluated and validated. If the result is valid, the OEC prevents the OFW or the Balik-Manggagawa (BM) from paying travel tax and airport terminal fees.

The OEC is valid for sixty (60) days.

Requirements

Based on the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, these are the requirements you should bring when you apply for an OEC:

• POEA Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Information Sheet – with signed and appropriately accomplished
• Copy of valid Passport with Re-entry Visa
• Standard Employment Contract – duly signed by the employer
• Copy of itinerary of travel or ticket
• Copy of employer’s ID

Please take note that you need to register at POPS-BaM and print out your OFW Information Sheet.

Qualifications

These are the qualified BMs who are required to get an OEC:

• Workers with an existing record on the POEA database and returning to the same employer and same workplace.
• Workers with an existing record on POEA database and returning to the same employer but in different job site
• Workers without a record on POEA database and change employer on-site

Cost of OEC in Tel Aviv, Israel

Please be ready with the following amounts as you may encounter them in securing your OEC at POLO Israel.

• US$ 10.00 for verification of contract
• NIS 10.00 for OEC processing fee
• NIS 92.00 for OWWA Membership fee (paid in Shekels. The amount varies monthly due to changing exchange rates)

How to Schedule OEC online appointment in POLO-Israel

The Balik-Manggagawa online processing for Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) for returning employees has been introduced by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv’s Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Based on the official website of POLO-Israel, The POEA Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPS-BaM) is a web-based system that allows a BM, or a vacationing OFW, to apply for an overseas employment certificate (OEC) online at any time and from any location. This seeks to speed up the issuance of OEC to vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to their respective foreign employers.

Workers will actually pay the OEC processing fee at the POLO in the Philippine Embassy, although alternative collection facilities will be designated throughout Israel in the future.

OFWs on vacation and who are returning to the same employer and workplace, who have an employment visa/work permit and have previously been issued an OEC/E-Receipt under the same employer, and who have a record in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) database may use the POPS-BaM.

BM workers who don’t qualify with the criteria are encouraged to use the POPS-BaM’s Appointment Page to schedule regular processing of their OECs at their preferred processing site and appointment time. POLO will give priority to those who have appointments.

Follow these step-by-step procedures to register an account:

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 (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 log in 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

After registration, these are the guide to set an appointment using POPS-BaM.

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, 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,” you can select your desire POLO location near your place.
7. Then choose an available Appointment Schedule.
8. You now have an Appointment with POLO. You can print or cancel your appointment.

Recently, POLO-Israel released a new advisory in terms of getting OECs. This is what’s posted on their official Facebook page:

Advisory on OEC Issuance by POLO Israel

For vacationing workers, to fast-track the processing of your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at POLO, please make sure that you accomplish the following before visiting the Embassy:

1. Get an approved appointment through POLO’s google forms link;
2. Get an appointment through POEA Online Services for OEC Issuance https://onlineservices.poea.gov.ph//OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx ;
3. Register through OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) for required government services upon arrival https://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/ ;
4. Register through the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) Registration Platform for the Covid-19 RT-PCR Test – https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/.

Additional steps for passengers arriving through Clark or Cebu:

• For passengers arriving at Clark International Airport: register at https://c19.redcross.org.ph/arriving-passengers
• For passengers arriving at Mactan, Cebu International Airport: register at https://mactancebuairport.com/COVID-19-REGISTRATION

From this advisory, POLO is emphasizing that before you go to POLO for your OEC, an appointment is necessary. If you don’t have an account with the POEA Online Services system, you need to register now and book an appointment. Alternatively, you can use POLO’s google form to reserve a slot.

Source: Advisory on OEC in Tel Aviv

How to get OEC at POLO- Israel?

An important reminder: Set an appointment first before going to POLO Israel. Then, follow these steps:

1. Book your appointment through either the google form or by the POPS-BM system of POEA.
2. When you get to POLO, go to the guard. The guard will give you form to accomplish.
3. The guard will tell you to go to counter number 1, and the counter will request you the list of requirements above together with the form that the guard gave before. And then pay the necessary fee. The counter will advise you to wait for your call at counter number 2.
4. Provide your email address and password of your POPS-BaM account at counter number 2. Then pay for the processing fee. Wait for the counter to give your OEC.

The process only takes 15-20 minutes. Just provide all the requirements, and it will be seamlessly done in few minutes.

Take note that cellphone is not allowed inside the Embassy. You need to surrender it to the guard.

Video: Applying for an OEC Balik Manggagawa in POLO-Israel

This video is a vlog of our kababayan in Israel explaining the process inside the POLO Israel.

How to get OEC Exemption in POLO- Israel?

If you are an

• OFW going for vacation and who are returning to the same employer and workplace;
• who have an employment visa/work permit and have previously been issued an OEC/E-Receipt under the same employer; and
• who have a record in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) database,

you are exempted in obtaining your OEC at POLO Israel. Just use the POPS-BaM and log in to get your OEC exemption number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check out these frequently asked questions and answers about the process of getting the overseas employment certificate if you are based in Israel:

1. I have my previous OEC, but it is expired. Can I use it again?

No. OEC is for single use only. It is valid for 60 days only.

2. How can I determine if I am exempted from obtaining OEC?

If you have an existing record at POEA, you can use the online facility or the POPS-BaM and log in to your account. The system will work on whether you are qualified for OEC exemption.

3. What should I do if I am qualified as exempted from obtaining OEC?

You don’t need to go to the physical office of POLO to get an OEC. Just print or take a screenshot of your Exemption number and present it to the BI officer at the airport before your departure.

4. What are the benefits I can get from obtaining OEC?

The OEC benefits the OFW and enjoy the privileges of travel tax exemption, airport terminal fees exemption, and also diminished travel tax for dependents and spouse.

Summary

As easy as the steps above, you can enjoy your vacation in the Philippines and have some bonding with your friends, family, and loved ones without getting worried thinking about your return to your work in Israel. Spend time for your OEC, and only you will benefit from that eventually.

Contact Information

POLO-Tel Aviv, Israel
Address: Rehov Bnei Dan 18, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 62260.
Working hours: Open from Sundays to Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (no noon break). It closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and the Philippine and Israel holidays.
Contact number: +972.3.6022.496 / +972.3.5444.531
Email address: polois_2012@yahoo.com 
Website: https://tel-avivpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHinIsrael/

Google Map Location

If you don’t know how to go to POLO-Israel, this map guide might help you. Be advised that the POLO-OWWA office in Tel Aviv is in the same building as the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv.