How to Get OEC: Singapore – POLO SG Online Appointment

To all Overseas Filipino Workers in Singapore who came to the Philippines for a vacation, one of the important documents you need to secure before going back for your job in Singapore is the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) which is also known as the Balik Manggagawa certificate. Please be guided in the details below on how you can apply for an OEC or get an OEC exemption from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.

Also Read: How to Book OWWA Appointment in Singapore

For those who will have a first-time vacation in the Philippines (during their employment career) and are returning to the same work or other similar situation, we have this comprehensive OEC guide to help you understand how the OEX procedure works. We know how important it is for you to process all legal documents, whether it is your first time abroad or you are just returning to your work.

As an OFW, you must know how essential having an OEC is. In this article, we will tackle the guidelines, qualifications, and benefits attached to the acquisition of this OEC. We want you to gain information before going to the Philippine consulate and what things need to be considered in obtaining an OEC.

What is OEC (Balik Manggagawa) in Singapore?

When travelling and returning work overseas, all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are needed to acquire an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), which is issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) through the POEA Online Processing System (POPS-BaM).

The OEC Balik Manggagawa, also known as an exit clearance/pass, is a document that certifies an OFW’s legal recruitment process/documentation and serves as verification of their registration with the POEA.

In the Philippines, the OEC is given to the immigration officer at the airport when departing the country. The immigration officer may prohibit a worker from leaving the Philippines if they do not have an OEC.

An OFW with an OEC has the following benefits: (a) no travel tax, (b) no airport terminal charge, and (c) reduced travel tax for spouses or dependents.

OEC Requirements in Singapore

The following are the guidelines for registering and issuing OEC to returning workers in Singapore based on the POEA Memorandum Circular No.2, Series of 2019.

To those Filipino Workers that considered as Professional Workers or workers holding (a) E-Pass, (b) S-Pass, (c) Personalized Employment Pass or (d) Work Permit for Non-Domestic Worker or/and Domestic Workers with Work Permit in Singapore, these are the requirements to acquire for OEC:

For worker having an existing POEA record who is visiting the Philippines for the first time and returning to the same employer in Singapore must have a copy of:

1. Online Appointment Information/Sheet
2. POLO verified Employment Contract
3. Passport
4. Valid and appropriate work visa (IPA)
5. Airline tickets

Please take note of these:

• A worker with an existing POEA record who changed employer on-site must have a Sworn Statement explaining how being employed by the current employer.
• A worker with existing POEA records who return to the same employer but a different job site must have a Letter from the employer testifying to the transfer of the worker’s workplace.
• A worker who does not have a POEA record, POLO Singapore or other POEA offices will not issue an OEC. They can only offer verification for an employment contract. According to POEA Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2019, the worker will apply for OEC at the POEA in the Philippines.

If POLO does not yet verify the employment contract, please also provide the original copy and photocopy of these requirements:

For Professional Workers

• Original signed Employment Contract/Offer of Employment
• Copy of Valid Work Pass or In-Principle Approval (IPA)
• Copy of Passport data page that is valid for at least six months from the date of flight from the Philippines
• Proof of existing employment such as certificate of work, valid company ID or recent payslip or equivalent documents
• Sworn Statement explaining how being employed by the current employer for that worker who changed employer on-site
• Letter from employer testifying the transfer of the workplace of the worker for that worker who returns in the same employer but different workplace

For Domestic Workers

• Original signed Standard Employment Contract/Offer of Employment for Domestic workers
• Original Signed Undertaking of Employer
• Copy of Valid Work Permit or In-Principle Approval (IPA)
• Copy of Passport data page that is valid for at least six months from the date of flight from the Philippines
• Copy of any ID of Employer
• Original Letter of Guarantee for the Seven Thousand Singapore Dollars (SGD 7,000.00) Philippine Embassy Bond from any reputable insurance company in Singapore with two years of validity
• Sworn Statement explaining how being employed by the current employer for that worker who changed employer on-site
• Letter from employer testifying the transfer of the workplace of the worker for that worker who returns in the same employer but different workplace

Verification of contract is done before issuing an OEC. It is part of the process of obtaining an OEC.

Note: Please provide extra copies of your documents as it is expensive to have a photocopy inside POLO Singapore. You would waste so much time falling in line because there was only one photocopy machine inside.

Qualifications

Based on the requirements above, the following qualified to get an OEC in POLO Singapore:

• Filipino Workers that considered as Professional Workers or workers holding (a) E-Pass, (b) S-Pass, (c) Personalized Employment Pass or (d) Work Permit for Non-Domestic Worker or/and Domestic Workers with Work Permit in Singapore.

Cost of OEC in Singapore

How much does it cost to get an OEC from POLO-Singapore? You have to pay fees when applying for an OEC in POLO Singapore. Please ready SG$ 17.00 for the verification fee and SG$ 3.00 for the OEC processing fee.

Also, include SG$ 36.00 for the OWWA membership fee if your membership is expired. You need to renew your membership if it is expired because it is required to have a valid OWWA membership in the issuance of OEC.

How to Schedule OEC Appointment Online in MWO-Singapore

It is essential to set an appointment online using POEA Online Processing System or POPS-BaM before going to POLO Singapore to apply for OEC. You need to register or make an account first in able to set an appointment in POLO Singapore.

Following these steps will guide you to have your 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 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

After creating an account, following these steps will guide you through setting an appointment successfully:

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,” select POLO – Asia, then Singapore.
7. Then choose an available Appointment Schedule date.
8. You now have an Appointment with POLO. You can print or cancel your appointment.

How to get OEC at POLO Singapore?

The first step in getting an OEC is making an appointment online, just as in other POLO locations worldwide. After setting an appointment, arrive at POLO Singapore on the date and time of the appointment.

Then present all the documents to the reception desk for checking and verification.

Go to the counter and pay all the fees.

Wait for the advice and approval of the OEC processor. Also, you can print your OEC online using POPS-BaM.

How to get OEC Exemption in Singapore?

To check whether you are qualified for an OEC exemption in Singapore, you can log in to your BM account. Exemptions are usually checked online. You can follow the log in process above to see if you are not required to get an OEC when working in Singapore.

Video: Applying for an OEC in POLO Singapore

Please check out this OEC contract verification guide from an OFW. Please make sure to get good insight from this tutorial about the POLO Singapore OEC process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAc_jlKwdjQ

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 Singapore:

1. How long does it take to get an OEC?

As long as you have completed all the requirements and verified the contract, you can get OEC. It only takes long because of the verification of contracts.

2. Who should process the contract verification at POLO Singapore?

The employer can also process the contract verification/authentication. Because in some cases, there are questions that only the employer can answer.

3. What is the importance of having a verified contract in POLO Singapore?

POEA office in the Philippines will not grant OEC to returning workers with an unverified employment contract. Before having a vacation, please verify first your employment agreement in POLO Singapore.

4. What if I already returned to the Philippines without a verified contract and already have an appointment at POEA to get an OEC?

POEA will not issue an OEC unless you have POLO verified contract. You can ask your employer to verify your employment contract in POLO Singapore and send it to you via cargo. But it takes time, and you need to wait.

Summary

This procedure is pretty simple and easy. Securing OEC will serve as protection as you work as an OFW abroad. So, if you are an OFW in Singapore, you can use the guide above for obtaining OEC and its exemption.

Contact Information

MWO / POLO Singapore
Location: 20 Nassim Road, Singapore 258395
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed on public holidays of Singapore and the Philippines)
Office Phone: +65 67373977 | Ext. 134 and 135 – Contract Verification/Agency Accreditation /OEC Concerns / +65 8186 3549 – Contract Verification/Agency Accreditation/OEC Concerns
Email addresses: polo_singapore@dole.gov.ph – Contract Verification/Agency Accreditation | polosgappointment@yahoo.com – Contract Verification/Collection Appointment, Agency Accreditation Appointment, OWWA Membership Appointment | oecpolosingapore@gmail.com – OEC Concerns | polosgwebinar@gmail.com – Webinar Concerns | polosgaccreditation@gmail.com – Agency Accreditation Concerns
Website: https://polosingapore.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MWOSPORE

Google Map Location

If you don’t know where Polo Singapore is located, you can follow this direction: