How to Get OEC: POLO-Korea Online Appointment

The OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) is a Balik Manggagawa certificate and one of the requirements when working in another country. This is as important as other documents such as passports. According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) regulation, every Filipino worker working abroad must have this employment certificate in order to be secured and have a record as a legal worker in another country.

Also Read: How to Renew OWWA Membership in Seoul, South Korea

In case you are looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide, we summarized the process of getting an OEC if you are working in South Korea. Technically, you can get your OEC from POLO. But with the new process of POEA, you can your certification online. Let’s get started by defining what OEC is.

What is OEC (Balik Manggagawa) in Korea?

OFWs who are on vacation or will be on a holiday in the Philippines for a short period of time before returning to their jobs abroad are required to get an OEC. The OEC is crucial for OFWs to obtain because it is the document that must be presented to the airport immigration officer in order for them to fly abroad successfully.

OFWs with their OEC are exempt from paying travel taxes and airport terminal fees since they are listed on the POEA’s database as a Legal OFW under the POEA’s Balik-Manggagawa rules (BM).

It has a 60-day expiration date. And, as a result, OFWs must depart before the expiration date of their OEC.

OEC Requirements in Korea

Let’s look at the requirements for obtaining OEC at POLO South Korea after we’ve defined what OEC is.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued specific guidelines on processing exit clearance for returning workers in response to POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 4, Series of 2018 addressing Section 22 of the Revised POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based OFWs of 2016.

Workers with a POEA record who are taking their first vacation and returning to the same company and workplace to continue or extend an existing employment contract must bring the following documents with them to their appointment:

• A valid passport with a validity period of at least six (6) months beyond the date of travel
• A valid and acceptable visa and/or work permit.
• Employment contracts that have been verified/authenticated by the POLO/Philippine Embassy/Consulate (for domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs/masseuses, cleaners, and construction workers, as well as workers who have not returned to their employers within six (6) months of their arrival in the Philippines).
• Any documentation of previous employment that indicates the worker is returning to the same firm, such as a recent certificate of employment, a valid business identification card, or a recent pay stub

Workers with an active POEA record who return to the same company but in a different country must present the following:

• A valid passport with a validity period of at least six (6) months beyond the date of travel
• Employment contracts that have been verified/authenticated by the POLO/Philippine Embassy/Consulate (for domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs/masseuses, cleaners, and construction workers, as well as workers who have not returned to their employers within six (6) months of their arrival in the Philippines).
• Any documentation of previous employment that indicates the worker is returning to the same firm, such as a recent certificate of employment, a valid business identification card, or a recent pay stub
• A letter from the employer stated that the employee would be transferred to another location.

Workers who do not have a record with the Administration or who change employers on-site must possess the following documents:

• A valid passport with a validity period of at least six (6) months beyond the date of travel
• Employment contracts that have been verified/authenticated by the POLO/Philippine Embassy/Consulate (for domestic workers, overseas performing artists, masseurs/masseuses, cleaners, and construction workers, as well as workers who have not returned to their employers within six (6) months of their arrival in the Philippines).
• Any documentation of previous employment that indicates the worker is returning to the same firm, such as a recent certificate of employment, a valid business identification card, or a recent pay stub.
• A Sworn Statement from the employee describing how he or she came to work for the current employer

Returning workers who have already registered with the POEA’s Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPS-BaM) and are returning to the same company and worksite may apply for OEC exemption through the same website.

Cost of OEC in Korea

There are fees associated with obtaining an OEC, and you should be aware of them so that they do not become a burden when you are already inside POLO.

The OEC processing fee costs PHP 100.00, or its equivalent to Korean WON.

How to Schedule OEC Online Appointment in POLO Korea

Vacationing workers can make an appointment with the POEA to process their exit clearance or the OEC. Workers may apply for their OEC at their convenience by selecting an available time, date, and designated location.

The worker may schedule an appointment at POLO online or through the POEA Online Processing System for Balik-Manggagawa (POPS-BaM). Follow the instructions below for guidance.

Steps for registration

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 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

Steps setting an appointment

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 location near your workplace.
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 for OEC at POLO South Korea

If you need to go to POLO South Korea to get your OEC, follow the procedure below. The process is technically similar to the process done in the Philippines. You have to go on the date of your appointment.

1. Go directly to the POLO reception desk and ask the POLO administrative staff about the OEC. BM Information Sheet provided by the POLO Administrative staff should be filled out.
2. Present to the POLO personnel the above-mentioned documents.
3. After that, the POLO Administrative staff will determine whether or not the documents you have submitted are appropriate and valid, as well as whether or not you are qualified to obtain an OEC.
4. If you are eligible, you will be required to pay the OEC processing charge.
5. Allow three (3) photocopies of your OEC with the signature of the Labor Attaché to be made while you await the official receipt and the original copy of your OEC.

How to Get OEC Exemption in Korea

If you have previously obtained an OEC Exemption and are returning to the same employer and job site, you do not need to schedule an appointment with POLO South Korea to obtain one. It is far simpler to log into your POPS-BaM account and make the necessary modifications.

As soon as you are informed that you qualify for OEC exemption, the online system will send you an email, and you can print your OEC without having to pay any additional fees, including those for travel and airport terminal fees, right away.

Video: POLO Office in Korea for OEC Application

Check out this video below as shared by a Filipino on how you can get to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, which is where the location of the POLO Korea office is also located for the processing of OEC.

Based on his directions, to get to the PH Embassy, you can

1. Take Exit 1 of Seoul Station,
2. Find the Bus Transfer Line No. 5
3. Ride 402 Bus.
4. Go down at the 8th stop (Grand Hyatt Hotel).
5. Walk about 2 minutes heading to the Philippine Embassy

Frequently Asked Questions

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

1. What is OEC exemption?

OEC Exemption is the privilege that exempts you from paying the processing fee of obtaining an OEC at the POLO. If you are not returning to the same employer, you will not be eligible to receive an OEC Exemption because you will not be qualified. Instead, you must go to the POLO that is closest to your location to obtain your OEC.

2. How to get OEC Exemption?

Just log into your POPS-BaM account and make updates. The online system will notify you if you qualify for OEC exemption, and you can print your OEC/Exemption number without paying any fees, including travel and airport terminal taxes.

3. What happens if I lose access to my POPS-BaM account?

You will not be able to recover it by yourself. However, according to POEA, BM account holders who have forgotten their email addresses or passwords can contact the System Administrator at 02-7219496 / 02-7277778 / 02-7210785 / 09173257397 or through email at gvpictpoea@gmail.com or bm_oec@yahoo.com.

4. What happens if I lose and forget my OEC number?

You will not be required to obtain a replacement OEC. If, on the other hand, you obtained your most recent OEC through a walk-in application, you must submit a notarized Affidavit of Loss to the POLO in your host country together with the documents included in your most recent OEC.

Summary

Obtaining OEC is not a tough process. In fact, you can easily acquire this document in one day if you do the online procedure. The OEC will act as your legal documentation for returning to and working in another country.

You must allocate at least a small amount of your time to acquire your OEC. If you follow the above-mentioned procedures, obtaining an OEC would be a simpler process.

Contact Information

POLO Seoul, South Korea
Main Address: 80 Hoenamu-ro, Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone Number/s: OWWA: 010-9054-0694, POLO: 010-6591-6290
Email: OWWA: owwaseoul@gmail.com, POLO: labor@philembassy-seoul.com
Website: http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/, https://seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/poloowwakorea, https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/

Google Map Location

The POLO-OWWA office in Seoul is located at the back side of the office building of the Philippine Embassy in Korea. Please be guided on the map guide below: